The Palestine Chronology

The IDF raids Saida village nr. Tulkarm, killing local Hamas cmdr. Basil Abu Sha‘b, local AMB cmdr. Sahir Ajaj in what may be assassinations; fatally shoots a stonethrowing Palestinian in Balata r.c.; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Rafah. Suspected Fatah gunmen fr. Nablus fire on a jeep outside ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. thought mistakenly to be driven by rival Fatah mbrs., injuring 2 Palestinians. Armed PFLP mbrs. exchange fire with armed PA intelligence and Force 17 officers guarding a Palestinian collaborator (responsible for the deaths of 2 PFLP cmdrs. in and IDF raid on 7/6) being held in the Nablus governate office; no injuries are reported. (PR 7/21; PCHR, PM 7/22; HA 7/23)

In light of the 7/16 kidnappings, Arafat declares a state of emergency in Gaza; issues a decree for a “temporary restructuring” of the security forces into 3 branches: public security, with his distant cousin Musa Arafat as its new head; police, with Arafat loyalist Saeb Ajiz as its new head; general intelligence, with Amin al-Hindi, a loyalist increasingly critical of Arafat, maintaining leadership of the dept. Soon after, 1,000s of armed, masked Palestinians gather outside the PC headquarters in Gaza to protest the appointment of Musa Arafat, whom they say is corrupt, as cronyism. Qurai‘ resigns, citing the lack of true reform; Arafat rejects his resignation. (NYT, WP, XIN 7/17; MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP 7/17, AYM, HA, MA, XIN, YA 7/18, JP 7/19 in WNC 7/21; AYM 7/18, JP 7/20 in WNC 7/22; al-Quds 7/18; DUS 7/19 in WNC 7/23; NYT, WP, WT 7/18; MM 7/19; HA, MM 7/20; PR 7/21; WP 7/22; MEI 7/23; AYM 8/6 in WNC 8/10)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in al-Bireh, Ramallah. (PM 6/30; PCHR 7/3)

Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad formally announce cease-fires against all Israelis everywhere for a minimum of 3 mos. The DFLP, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) say they will abide by the truce. Hrs. after the announcement, the IDF begins redeploying fr. Bayt Hanun. (AYM 6/29, AYM, al-Quds, SFR 6/30, AFP, MENA, QA, al-Ra’i 7/1, AYM, MENA, NHR, SFR 7/2, AYM, HA, SFR 7/3, MA 7/4 in WNC 7/10; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/30; PR 7/2; AYM 7/5 in WNC 7/11; MEI 7/11)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians nr. Atzmona settlement; conducts arrest raids (targeting Hamas, Islamic Jihad, PFLP) in Bethlehem, al-Fahs, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, al-Qarara, Ramallah, Tufah; demolishes a Palestinian home in Ras al-Amud, 1 in `Aqbat Tafuh. Late in the evening, IDF helicopters fire missiles at the Gaza City home of senior Hamas mbr. Muhammad Atil, killing his 2 teenage children, wounding 11. The IDF reports that it has removed fr. his post an intelligence officer who “disrupted” a planned air strike in retaliation to the 1/5 Tel Aviv bombing in order to “prevent harm to innocent Palestinians”; the officer was in possession of, refused to share intelligence information critical to the mission. The IDF begins work on a 45 km stretch of the separation fence btwn. Kafr Salim and Beit She’an, nr. Jenin. (HA, REU 1/27; HA, NYT, WT 1/28; MA 1/28 in WNC 1/29; LAW, PCHR, PR 1/29; PR 2/5)

Palestinian factions close 4-days of talks in Egypt without reaching an agmt. on a cease-fire and national unity platform. (HA, MM 1/27; MENA 1/27 in WNC 1/28; MENA, SA, XIN 1/28 in WNC 1/29; PCHR, PR 1/29; MM 1/30; MEI 2/21)

International Atomic Energy Agency, UN inspectors report that Iraq has generally cooperated with inspections but has not been proactive; they have found no evidence of biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons but say some questions remain. (MM 1/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/28; MM 1/31)

The IDF stages a major predawn incursion into Palestinian areas of Hebron, conducting house-to-house searches, arresting 150 Palestinians, killing 10 Palestinians, including apparently assassinating wanted Hamas mbr. Tarik al-Dufashi. The IDF threatens to raid Hebron hospital in search of 15 wanted Palestinians; destroys several buildings, including a TV station. In Bethlehem, an IDF sniper fatally shoots a Palestinian inside the Church of the Nativity. The IDF does not begin a withdrawal fr. Ramallah, with Israel demanding that the PA hand over PFLP head Saadat, Arafat aide Fuad Shubaki (wanted by Israel in connection with the Karine A affair) in addition to the 4 PFLP mbrs. The IDF bulldozes land in Rafah r.c., sparking clashes. (CNN, GS, WP, WT 4/29; MENA 4/29 in WNC 4/30; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/30; AYM, al-Quds 4/30 in WNC 5/1; MEI 5/3)

Palestinian collaborator Murad Abu al-Asal detonates a suicide bomb nr. Taibeh, Israel, injuring his 2 Shin Bet handlers. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 1/21. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, East Jerusalem, Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm, detaining 9 Palestinians fr. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, PFLP; shells residential areas of Tulkarm. (HA, MM, PCHR 1/30; NYT, WT 1/31; MA 1/31 in WNC 2/4; LAW 2/6)

The Israeli cabinet approves the Enveloping Jerusalem plan. (WP, WT 1/31) (see 1/28)

The Palestinian woman who carried out a suicide bombing on 1/27 is identified as Wafa Idriss, a Red Crescent volunteer medical worker who reportedly was distraught over the Palestinian casualties inflicted by the IDF. Most recently, a boy she treated, who had been shot by the IDF and left in a coma died, on 1/25. AMB claims she was "one of our female fighters," but family and friends say she had no connection to the group; she also was not religious, never attended al-Najah University. Her brother, Khalil Idris, is a local Fatah leader wanted by Israel. (AP, REU 1/30; HA, NYT, Red Crescent press release, WP 1/31; SA 2/2 in WNC 2/4; WT 2/3; JP 2/8; WP 2/9; NYT 2/11)

Sharon meets secretly in Jerusalem with Qurai`, PA senior negotiator Mahmud Abbas, Arafat economic adviser Muhammad Rashid, marking his 1st mtg. with PA officials since his election in 2/01; reportedly says he accepts the idea of an interim agmt. along the lines of the Peres-Qurai` plan, with implementation taking 7 yrs. (XIN 2/1, AYM, al-Ra'i 2/2 in WNC 2/4; NYT, WP, WT 2/2; AFP, JP [Internet] 2/3; MM, NYT, WT 2/4; AYM 2/4 in WNC 2/6; WP, WT 2/5; MA 2/9 in WNC 2/11)

Ben-Eliezer meets with Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak in Sharm al-Shaykh, says Israel currently sees no partner for peace on the Palestinian side, asks Egypt to inform Damascus that Israel is ready to renew peace talks with Syria. (HA, MM 1/30; MENA 1/30 in WNC 1/31; WT 1/31; MM 2/1; MENA 2/5 in WNC 2/6; MM 2/7)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes diminish overall, though sharp fighting is reported on the Gaza coast. (WP 11/4)

On the sidelines of a Euro-Mediterranean economic conference in Spain, Spanish PM José María Aznar hosts a working lunch with Arafat, Peres, Mubarak to discuss the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Although Peres lacks a mandate fr. Sharon to conduct negotiations, the men reportedly hold "serious and intense" talks on the situation. (AFP, MM, REU 11/2; RNE 11/2 in WNC 11/3; MENA 11/2, EFE [Madrid], RNE 11/3 in WNC 11/5; WT 11/3) (see 10/30)

The U.S. widens its campaign to freeze "terrorist" assets to include all groups on the State Dept. list of "terrorist" orgs., including Hamas, Hizballah, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP. (NYT, WP 11/3; WJW 11/8; SAF 11/8 in WNC 11/9; MM 11/13; SA 11/13 in WNC 11/14; JT 11/19 in WNC 11/20) (see 9/24)

Based on new intelligence information, the IDF chief rabbi officially declares dead the 3 IDF soldiers kidnapped by Hizballah in 10/00. (MM 11/2; WP 11/3)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb nr. a Jewish settler school bus in the West Bank, killing himself but causing no other injuries. Palestinians also fire 2 mortars at a Kefar Darom settlement in Gaza. Inside the Green Line, Israeli police find, safely detonate a bomb in Netanya. The IDF shells a PSF office in Gaza, residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes Palestinian land in Khan Yunis; conducts an arrest sweep in Jalazun. Jewish settlers set fire to a Palestinian olive grove in Salfit, destroying 50 trees. (WP 4/30; LAW 5/4)

Arafat orders the popular resistance comms. to disband and their mbrs. (most of whom are Fatah mbrs., some of whom are PSF officers) to "return to their original security positions," calls senior PSF officer Yasir Zanun (a Fatah mbr. and a leader of the resistance comms.) in for questioning, has the PSF arrest Hamas spokesman `Abd al-`Aziz Rantisi for statements accusing Arafat of treason for resuming security talks with Israel. Fatah tanzim leader Barghouti, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP strongly oppose disbanding the resistance comms. (WP 4/30; AYM 5/1 in WNC 5/3; WJW 5/3; SA 5/3 in WNC 5/4; MEI 5/4 WP 5/7; MEI 5/18)

Israeli FM Peres presents Israel's response to the Jordanian-Egyptian proposal to Mubarak in Cairo, Jordanian FM Khatib in Amman. Egypt, Jordan say they will study Israel's reservations and proposed changes, but they are not willing start a new process of "talks about talks." (MENA 4/29 in WNC 4/30; HA, NYT, WP 4/30; HA, MM 5/1; AYM 5/1 in WNC 5/3; MM 5/2; MEI, MM 5/4)

After several more hrs. of talks among Arafat, Barak, Clinton, Mubarak, King Abdallah, Annan, and Solana, Clinton announces that Arafat, Barak have agreed on steps toward halting the clashes. No details are released. The agmts. are oral and reportedly are vague, not giving an order of who is to take what step 1st. The sides agree that Clinton will appoint an international inquiry comm. to investigate the recent clashes. The U.S. for the 1st time acknowledges that Arafat "may not have control of everything" but still says it expects a cessation of violence "within hours." (AFP [Internet], MM, REU 10/17; ATL, Interfax, MENA, RL 10/17 in WNC 10/18; LAW, NYT, WP, WT, YA 10/18; JT, al-Quds, SA 10/18, Le Monde 10/19 in WNC 10/19; WJW 10/19; JP 10/20; MEI 10/27; MA 11/6 in WNC 11/9)

Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate. Nr. Itamar settlement, Jewish settlers open fire on a Palestinian family harvesting their olive crop, killing 1, wounding 3. A PA policeman is killed by IDF fire in Gaza. A 3d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. Palestinian gunmen fire at Gilo settlement, critically wounding an Israeli border policeman. IDF tanks fire on the neighboring Palestinian village of Bayt Jala in retaliation. Settlers fr. Itamar fire on Palestinian homes in neighboring Hawara village, attack a Palestinian ambulance driver. (ADM, LAW, MM, PCHR, REU 10/17; MENA 10/17, al-Quds 10/18, MA 10/19 in WNC 10/19; ADM, Bahrain Tribune [Internet], CSM, HA [Internet], LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/18; WJW 10/19; HJ 10/24, MENA 10/25 in WNC 10/30)

Hamas's Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, West Bank Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti say their supporters will continue the uprising despite the Sharm agmts. The DFLP, Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine issue similar statements. Palestinians in Bethlehem, Gaza City, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah demonstrate against the Sharm mtg. 1,000s of Egyptian students in Cairo, 7,000 Palestinian refugees in Tripoli, Lebanon, hold similar demonstrations. A rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people is held in New York. (ADM, LAW, MM, PCHR, REU 10/17; RMC 10/17 in WNC 10/18; MENA 10/17, al-Quds 10/18, MA 10/19 in WNC 10/19; ADM, Bahrain Tribune [Internet], CSM, HA [Internet], LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/18; WJW 10/19; HJ 10/24, MENA 10/25 in WNC 10/30)

Pres. Clinton announces that Arafat, Barak will come to Camp David, MD, on 7/11 to hold 3-way summit on final status issues. Talks are expected to end before Clinton leaves for a G-8 mtg. in Japan on 7/19. U.S. officials say that the PLOCC's 7/3 "threat" to declare a state as of 9/13 influenced Clinton's decision to hold the summit now. (MM 7/5; MENA 7/5 in WNC 7/6; XIN 7/5, ITAR-TASS, al-Quds, XIN 7/6 in WNC 7/7; NYT, WP, WT 7/6; AYM, XIN 7/6, ITAR-TASS, Le Monde, al-Quds, SA 7/7, DUS 7/8, JT, SA 7/9 in WNC 7/10; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 7/7; MEI 7/14)

In London, PM Barak urges British PM Tony Blair to press Arafat not to declare unilaterally a Palestinian state. Barak then leaves for Paris to hold similar talks with French pres. Chirac. (CNN [Internet], MM 7/5; MM 7/6)

Arafat invites the Palestinian opposition parties to accompany the PA delegation to the Camp David summit, participate on the sidelines. Hamas, the PFLP decline. DFLP, Palestinian People's Party (PPP), Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF) accept. (AYM 7/8, 7/9, DUS 7/11 in WNC 7/17; SA 7/9 in WNC 7/11 al-Quds 7/14 in WNC 7/18)

The Knesset lifts the immunity of MK Yitzhak Mordechai so he may face sexually assault charges. (NYT 7/6) (see 5/25)

Barak narrowly wins a no-confidence vote (47-42, with 3 abstentions) in the Knesset, which was called after heated public debate over Education M Yossi Sarid's decision to include 5 poems by Palestinian nationalist poet Mahmud Darwish in school curricula. (MM 3/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14; AYM 3/14 in WNC 3/15; NYT 3/15; MENL, WJW 3/16; MEI 3/24)

In apparent response to the Arab League's 3/12 statement), Israel steps up bombing campaigns against Amal, Fatah-Uprising, Hizballah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), Lebanese army targets in s. Lebanon and nr. the Lebanese-Syrian border, killing 1 Lebanese soldier, 1 civilian, wounding several others. The attacks on Fatah-Uprising and PFLP-GC are the first since 1986. (MM 3/13, 3/14; MENA 3/14 in WNC 3/15; MM, NYT 3/15)

Prince Hassan of Jordan says that he will not be able to make a previously arranged trip to Israel to day to receive an honorary doctorate. (DUS 3/14 in WNC 3/15)

PA Social Affairs M Intisar al-Wazir resigns to protest cuts to her budget for stipends to families of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or jailed in Israel, the PA's failure to fund pay raises for civil servants. Arafat refuses her resignation, appoints a panel to investigate ways of meeting these budget needs. (MENL 3/21; MEI 3/24; PR [Internet] 3/29; MENL 4/3)

As a goodwill gesture before Id, Arafat orders the PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) to release 18 Hamas activists being held as administrative detainees. (al-Quds 3/13 in WNC 3/16)

Syrian PM Miru presents his new government. FM Faruq al-Shara`, DM Mustafa Tlas, Interior M Muhammad Harba, Finance M Muhammad Khalid al-Mahaini, Economics M Muhammad Imadi, 8 other Ms retain their posts; 22 new mbrs. are all technocrats. (MM, WT 3/15; MM 3/20; MEI 3/24)

Lebanese Shi`i leader Mustafa al-Dirani, jailed in Israel since being abducted fr. Lebanon by the IDF in 5/94, files a $1.5-m. law suit against the Israeli government, alleging that he was raped and tortured during interrogations. (WP 3/14; WT 3/15; IRNA 3/15 in WNC 3/16; WJW 3/16)

In Moscow for a 2-day visit, Arafat holds talks with Russian PM Vladimir Putin on the peace process; bilateral relations in education, culture, communications, transportation; developing a regular flight route btwn. Gaza, Moscow. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS 11/29 in WNC 11/30; Interfax, ITAR-TASS 11/30 in WNC 12/1)

PM Barak says that he will insist that the FAPS, due to be completed by 2/00, contain a PA promise that the refugees' right of return will not be raised again at a later time; reiterates that no refugees will be allowed to return to inside the Green Line. (MM 11/30; MM, WT 12/1)

In Jerusalem, Israeli, PA final status teams hold their 6th mtg. PA team hands Israelis a letter urging PM Barak to end Jewish settlement expansion. (AFP 11/30 in WNC 12/1; AYM 11/30 in WNC 12/2; MM, WT 12/1; MENA 12/4 in WNC 12/6) (see 10/26)

As the final status mtg. is taking place, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, a store in al-Khader, in the West Bank, apparently as part of the expansion of Efrat settlement. (LAW 11/30; WT 12/1; MM 12/2) (see 11/26)

PA intelligence officers arrest another 3 Palestinians who signed the 11/27 statement criticizing PA corruption. (CSM, NYT, WP 11/30; SA 12/1 in WNC 12/2; MEI 12/10)

In Gaza, 35 opposition leaders representing the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine hold mtg. in support of the Petition of the 20, call on the PA to release the detainees and allow the freedom of expression. (AFP 11/29 in WNC 11/30; SA 12/3 in WNC 12/6)

Erakat, Sher continue talks on Wye implementations. (MM 8/31; WT 9/1)

Arafat goes to Cairo to discuss with Pres. Mubarak the outstanding issues blocking an agmt. with Israel on Wye implementation. After Arafat leaves, Egyptian FM `Amr Musa phones French FM Hubert Vedrine to brief him on the peace process. (NYT 8/31; MENA 8/31 in WNC 9/1)

Jordan issues arrest warrants for 4 senior Hamas officials (Ibrahim Ghawshah, Musa Abu Marzuq, Khalid Mishal, Muhammad Nazzal). Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin condemns Jordan's crackdown on Hamas as appeasement of Israel, the U.S. in advance of Secy. of State Albright's visit to the region. (AFP 8/31 in WNC 9/1; WP, WT 9/1; JT, SA 9/1 in WNC 9/2; Tehran Times 9/1, AFP, QA 9/2 in WNC 9/3; AYM 9/1, 9/2, 9/4, al-Sabil 9/7 in WNC 9/8; MM 9/2; MEI 9/3; QA, SA 9/3 in WNC 9/7; MM 9/6; QA 9/8 in WNC 9/9; WJW 9/9; SA 9/10 in WNC 9/13)

PLO Exec. Comm. convenes national unity mtg. in Ramallah, attended by reps. of the Arab Liberation Front (ALF), DFLP, Fatah, FIDA, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Hamas, Islamic Jihad do not attend. PFLP urges PA to halt negotiations with Israel. DFLP recommends that all groups agree on "red lines" that the PA would not cross in final status negotiations. (AYM 9/1 in WNC 9/8; al-Istiqlal 9/2 in WNC 9/9; al-Ra'i 9/5 in WNC 9/7) (see 8/28)

In s. Lebanon, Amal shells an SLA post, wounding 1 SLA mbr. (RL 8/31 in WNC 9/1)

U.S. Asst. Secy. Indyk briefs ambs. of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE on the Wye agmt. (al-Akhbar, al-Ba'th, al-Jumhuriyya, MENA, RL 10/26, AFP 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; al-Ba'th 10/28 in WNC 11/2; al-Quds 10/28, SA 10/30, al-Ahram 11/2 in WNC 11/6; MM 10/29, 10/30; MM 11/2; WP 11/6)

In the Knesset, PM Netanyahu survives no-confidence motion, but Knesset Law Comm. agrees (9-7) to hear 1st reading of bill calling for the dissolution of parliament, new elections in 100 days. MKs criticize Netanyahu for linking Pollard with the peace process. (CSM, WP, WT 10/27)

In Gaza, the Arab Liberation Front, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Islamic National Salvation Party, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) issue statement denouncing the Wye agmt. (MENA 10/26 in WNC 10/27; PR 10/30)

200 Jewish settlers hold rally outside PM Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, protesting the Wye agmt. At least 24 are detained by Israeli police. (ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; WP 10/27; YA 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM 10/28)

Jordan, Israel begin long-delayed $1.65-m. joint project to build the `Adasiyya diversion wall to diver Yarmuk River water. (JT, RJ 10/27 in WNC 10/28; JP 211/9)

An Israeli settler is killed in Israeli-controlled Hebron in an apparent attack by Palestinians. IDF places curfew on Palestinians in Hebron's Israeli-controlled zone. Later, the body of a Palestinian is found outside Itamar settlement nr. Nablus. An anonymous caller claims Palestinian was killed to avenge the settler's death. (IDF Radio, ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/28; CSM, LAW, MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; WJW 10/29; PR 10/30)

In Ramallah, Palestinians observe general strike, 100s of Fatah mbrs. march to protest 10/25 events, call on Arafat to punish security services. (NYT, WP 10/27; PR 10/30)

International experts submit final report Iraqi missile fragments to the UNSC, say results are inconclusive. Tests by Switzerland show no traces of VX; 1 sample in the 3d test by France shows traces of nerve agent that could be VX. French, Swiss, U.S. tests all show traces of unknown compound that could mask biological agents. (NYT, WP 10/27; MEI 10/30) (6/22)

U.S. says that a UN proposal to try the Pan Am bombing suspects in the Hague under Scottish law, tentatively agreed to by all parties, is in jeopardy because of Libyan demands that the 2 suspects not be imprisoned in Scotland if found guilty. (WP 10/27; WT 10/28) (see 9/29)

King Hussein meets with Pres. Clinton at the White House to express concern over U.S. hard-line policy on Iraq, stalled peace process. (al-Ra'i, RJ 6/15, al-Dustur, JTV, al-Ra'i, RJ 6/16 in WNC 6/17; NYT, WT 6/16; WP 6/17; al-Ra'i 6/17 in WNC 6/19)

In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak meets with Labor Chmn. Barak. Mubarak comments that he has lost faith in PM Netanyahu. Netanyahu tells the press "this pronouncement is typical of Arab leaders who don't get what they want." (IDF Radio 6/15 in WNC 6/17; MENA, RE 6/15 in WNC 6/17)

PC grants Arafat's request to delay no-confidence motion for 10 days to give him a chance to form new cabinet. Hamas, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine say that they will not join the EA. (MM 6/15; WP 6/16; WT 6/17; MEI 6/19; JP 6/20; PR 6/26; MEI 7/3)

Israeli Interior Min. demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, saying that they were build without permits on areas zoned as "open space." U.S. calls on Israel to refrain fr. such "provocative acts." (LAW, MM, NYT 6/16; JTV 6/16 in WNC 6/17; ITV 6/19 in WNC 6/23; PR 6/26; JP 6/27)

In Rabat, Jordan's PM Majali, Morocco's King Hassan set up joint higher comm. for coordination in all fields; discuss peace process, possible Arab summit. (MKR 6/15, MAP 6/16 in WNC 6/17)

30 Jewish settlers from the Ateret Cohanim group accompanied by Israeli police and guard dogs evict a Palestinian woman fr. her rented home in East Jerusalem, lay foundations for 9 new buildings on adjacent 2,000-sq.-m. plot (apparently without permits). (IDF Radio 5/25 in WNC 5/27; LAW, NYT 5/26; MM, NYT 5/27; PR 5/29; ITV 6/3 in WNC 6/4; MEI 6/5; PR 7/3)

Arafat returns to Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak. (MENA 5/25 in WNC 5/27) (see 5/24)

Iran, Syria sign mining cooperation agmt. for development of phosphorus, ferrous mines in Syria. (IRNA 5/25 in WNC 5/27)

Jordan refuses to grant entry to Hamas's Shaykh Yasin, who planned to arrive 5/27. Meanwhile in Damascus, Yasin meets with Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) leader George Habash on ways to strengthen relations btwn. their groups. (AFP, MENA 5/25, AFP, RJ 5/26 in WNC 5/27; WT 5/26; al-Sabil 6/2 in WNC 6/3; MEI 6/5; JP 6/6; Shihan 6/6 in WNC 6/8) (see 5/24)

At the owner's request, PA security forces evict tenants of a Palestinian house in Ramallah and demolish the building, which has been the focus of a rent dispute. (Birzeit press release 5/25; JP 6/6)

In s. Lebanon, 1 Hizballah mbr. is killed, 1 SLA mbr. and 4 civilians are injured in several clashes. (VOL 5/25, RL 5/26 in WNC 5/27)

In Amman, King Hussein opens mtg. btwn. Arafat, 120 Jordanian businessmen to encourage investment in Palestine. Arafat then meets with PM Sharif Zaid Bin Shakir to discuss bilateral relations, leaves for similar talks with Pres. Mubarak, Arab League Secy. Gen. `Abd al-Majid in Cairo. (JTV, RJ 5/24 in FBIS 5/25; MM 5/25; VOP 5/25 in FBIS 5/26; MEI 5/28; MENA 5/29 in FBIS 5/30)

In Brussels, PA, Israeli negotiators meet with EU officials to discuss EU sponsorship, financing of 700-mbr. international monitor team for forthcoming elections. (MM 5/24; SA 5/25 in FBIS 5/26) (see 5/17)

In Tel Aviv, Russian Dep. FM Viktor Posuvalyuk meets with FM Peres, Dep. FM Beilin; offers to host next mtg. of Multilateral Working Group on Arms Control. (QY 5/24, HA 5/25 in FBIS 5/25)

Israeli Housing Min. approves construction of 1,500 units in East Jerusalem for Palestinian families. Units would be the 1st ever built by Israel for Palestinians in annexed East Jerusalem. (AFP 5/24 in FBIS 5/24)

In student council elections at Birzeit, Fatah wins 21 seats, Hamas 18, PFLP 8, PPP 3, DFLP 1. Islamic Jihad did not run. Fida received 16 of the 2,385 votes. Islamic bloc wins majority of seats in al-Bireh Medical College, `Abdallah Bin Husayn College elections. Fatah wins at Bethlehem University. (ITV 5/24 in FBIS 5/25; MM 5/25; MEI 6/9)

11th round of Israel-PA talks on elections start in Cairo. Both sides suggest bringing international observers into o.t. to help organize elections. (MENA 2/20, MENA 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MENA, VOP 2/21 in FBIS 2/22; CSM, NYT 2/22; MEI 3/3)

Arafat convenes PLO Executive Comm. in Cairo to reassess peace process, detainees and elections issues, configuration and functioning of PA. 9 mbrs. attend; DFLP, PFLP boycott. Chief PLO spokesman and PA Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbu calls for suspension of talks with Israel. PM Rabin asks PLO not to suspend talks. (AFP, MENA, RMC, VOP 2/20, VOP 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; CSM, MM 2/21; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/22; MENA 2/21, VOP 2/22 in FBIS 2/22; al-Sharq al-Awsat 2/21, QY 2/22 in FBIS 2/23; JP 3/4)

4-way (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, PA) ministerial mtg. on refugees scheduled for 2/26 is postponed until further notice at Israel's request. (al-Aswaq 2/22 in FBIS 2/22; RJ 2/24 in FBIS 2/24; JT 2/25 in FBIS 2/27)

Arab League condemns Israel for recent attacks on civilians in s. Lebanon, calls on UN to do the same. (RE 2/21 in FBIS 2/21) (see 2/19, 2/20)

PM Rabin gives Shas 2 unassigned portfolios--interior and religious affairs--giving Shas significant influence over ruling coalition of which it is not a part. Meretz M Yossi Sarid threatens to resign. (MM 2/20 QY 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; JP 3/4)

IDF arrests Hamas political leader Shaykh Jamil Hamami in his home in the West Bank following the "seizure of a very large quantity of inflammatory material . . . that incriminated him" during 1/27 raid on Abu Dis College of Science and Technology. (ITV 2/21 in FBIS 2/22)

Frmr. Nablus mayor Bassam al-Shak`a announces establishment of new group, Palestinian National Grouping (PNG; al-Tajammu` al-Watani al-Filistini), opposed to Oslo Accord, calls on Arafat to resign. Group includes independents, mbrs. of Islamic Jihad, DFLP, PFLP. (QPAR, QY 2/22 in FBIS 2/23; RMC 2/25 in FBIS 2/26; ITV 2/25, QY 2/27 in FBIS 2/27; MA 2/26 in FBIS 2/28; al-Quds, SARR 2/28 in FBIS 3/1)

In response to German reports that Israel, Iran are negotiating release of Israeli airman Ron Arad, PM Rabin admits Germany has been talking to Iran on Israel's behalf but has had no success. (ITV 2/20, QY 2/21, 2/22 in FBIS 2/22; MM, WP 2/21; IDF radio 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MM, NYT 2/22; WT 2/27; JP 3/4, 3/11; WJW 3/16)

Hamas extends deadline for release of 200-300 prisoners by 24 hrs. Within 1 hr., based on information from Arafat, IDF raids West Bank house where IDF soldier is being held. Kidnapped soldier, 1 other soldier killed, 12 wounded by kidnappers; 3 Hamas mbrs. killed, 2 arrested. Location of soldier in Israeli o.t. embarrasses PM Rabin, who swore he was in PNA controlled Gaza. Rabin vows to resume talks with PNA as soon as possible. (ITV, QY 10/14 in FBIS 10/17; NYT, WP, WT 10/15; CSM, MM 10/17; JP 10/22)

U.S. Secy. of State Christopher, Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, PLO Chmn. Arafat hold talks in Cairo; discuss aid transfers, Hamas, other obstacles to peace. (MENA, RE 10/13 in FBIS 10/14, MM 10/14)

Multilateral arms control seminar on threat assessment closes in Paris. Positions presented, no draft document signed, but gaps btwn. parties "narrow significantly." Teams leave for Germany to attend military maneuvers. (Davar 10/14 in FBIS 10/17)

Israel gives PNA power to collect customs tariffs, conduct searches at Allenby Bridge. (VOP 10/14 in FBIS 1021)

PFLP's George Habbash, DFLP's Hawatmeh announce they want to unify the 2 groups into 1, inc. administration, finance, military, intelligence. (Al-Sharq Al-Awsat 10/14 in FBIS 10/18)

Israeli FM Shimon Peres says Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Comm. agreed to international temporary force for deployment in West Bank. Troops to be fr. Australia, Turkey, Norway, Finland, 2 European countries. Palestinians to man Gaza, Jericho crossing pts. Israel to issue 35,000 new work permits to Gaza Palestinians. (MENA 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; JP 8/27)

Israel freezes plans for IDF withdrawal fr. o.t., ties extension of self-rule to a halt in Hamas attacks on Israelis. PM Yitzhak Rabin calls current steps by PNA to curb Hamas a publicity stunt. 5 of 40 Hamas mbrs. arrested by Palestinian police 8/15 still held. (QY 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; NYT 8/18)

Jordan's Tourism M Muhammad Al-Idwan arrives in Israel for joint talks, 1st high-level Jordanian official to publicly visit Israel. (Near East Report 8/22)

IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Ehud Barak meets Defense Secy. William Perry, JCS Chmn. Gen. John Shalikashvili, National Security Advisor Anthony Lake in Washington; stresses Israel should hold onto all of Golan for security purposes. (ITV 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; WT 8/19)

PNA M of Trade and Econ. Ahmad Qurai` protests to Jordan that its trade agmt. with Israel (see 8/16) violates existing agmts. btwn. Israel, PLO. (ITV 8/17 in FBIS 8/18)

Hamas, Islamic Jihad, DFLP, PFLP issue leaflet saying Arafat's recent crackdown on Hamas is pushing Palestinians to "the edge of civil war." (AFP 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; MM 8/22)

IDF kills Palestinian trying to enter Israel fr. Gaza nr. Rafah. (QY 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; UNRWA News 8/24))

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resume in Cairo talks to implement 9/13 agreement. Talks center on size of IDF force around Gaza settlements, extent of Palestinian authority in Jericho, and control of border crossings. (NYT 11/16)

Multilateral talks Environment Comm. holds session attended by delegates fr. over 40 countries in Cairo. (MENA 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

Hebron settler kills Palestinian attacking him with hatchet; 2d attacker flees with settler's rifle. PFLP claims responsibility for attack fr. Beirut, names dead Palestinian as Muhammad Badawi Burkan, 26, of Hebron. Settlers riot, burning Palestinian vegetable stands and stoning Palestinian cars. In separate incident, Palestinian badly wounded in attack by Beit El settlers. (MM 11/15)

Hamas issues statement condemning PLO Chmn. Arafat's condemnation of 10/29 killing of settler Haim Mizrachi, calling it evidence of his "disgraceful submissiveness" and of his "readiness to liquidate the cause of our people." (MM 11/15)

Israeli Econ. Min. Shimon Shitreet says scope of support [for DoP] has diminished" due to recent killings of settlers. (CSM 11/16)

Qatar announces establishment of direct phone service to o.t., 1st Gulf state to do so. (MM 11/15)

U.S. Pres. Clinton assures Syrian Pres. al-Asad that U.S. and Israel support continued efforts for Syrian-Israeli agreement. Assurance transmitted in letter given Syrian FM al-Shara' by U.S. coordinator Dennis Ross, which also states Secy. of State Christopher will tour Middle East in early Dec. to pursue Arab-Israeli talks. (NYT, WP 11/16)

U.S. Dept. of Defense offers to sell Israel 20 modified F-15E (F-151) fighter-bombers, valued at $1.8 b. Israeli PM Rabin, after meeting with Secy. of Defense Les Aspin, says offer under consideration. (NYT, WP 11/16)

At meeting with journalists in Washington, Israeli PM Rabin identifies Ilam as major threat to Middle East peace, accuses Iran of supporting Somali militia leader Mohamed Farah Aideed. (WP 11/16)

Lt. Col. Muin Shabaita, 2d in command of Fateh militia in 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp, Sidon, Lebanon, killed by unknown gunmen. Fateh security chief at 'Ayn al-Hilwah, Abi Husayn Farhud, blames FRC ("Abu Nidal" faction) for killing. (NYT, WP 11/16)

Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith (ADL) agrees to San Francisco court injunction not to use illegal means to gather information. ADL was found to have access to police files on Arab Americans, among other groups, and was accused in criminal investigation of providing information to South Africa and Israel. Civil suits by targets of ADL investigations remain open. (WP 11/16)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. 'Abd Allah Hurani resigns in protest of DoP, Israel-PLO recognition, calls for emergency PNC meeting. (MENA 9/11 in FBIS 9/13)

IDF shoots 2 Palestinians dead, wounds 8 in Ramallah during PFLP/Hamas-led march against Israel-PLO agreement. Other Palestinians wounded in clashes during demonstrations in Gaza, Jerusalem. 20,000 participate in 4 demonstrations in support of accord. (NYT, WP 9/12)

World Bank releases 6-volume report, prepared at request of Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, saying West Bank and Gaza Strip require at least $3 b. in aid over next decade. (NYT 9/12)

White House announces Israeli PM Rabin, PLO Chmn. Arafat will attend 9/13 signing of DoP. (NYT 9/12)

Pres. Clinton speaks by telephone with Saudi King Fahd, Syrian Pres. al-Asad, Jordanian King Hussein, and Israeli PM Rabin in effort to secure support for agreement. Clinton pledges Israel "additional guarantees" for its security, in part to keep Israeli public opinion supportive of peace process. (NYT, WP 9/12)

Damascus-based Palestinian opposition factions call for general strike in o.t., Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria 9/13 to protest Israel-PLO accord. Demonstrations against accords held in al-Wahdat, al-Baq'a refugee camps in Jordan. Jordan Times 9/11 in FBIS 9/13; NYT 9/12)

Chmn. Arafat, Fateh leaders meet with Nayif Hawatima, leader of one faction of DFLP, and other DFLP officials to discuss differences in advance of PLO Central Council meeting [see 5/4 for similar talks between Fateh, PFLP]. (al-Ray 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

PFLP leader Riyad Malki and DFLP-Hawatima faction leader 'Ali Abu Hilal, hold joint press conference in Jerusalem at which they state their conditional support for municipal elections, which have been proposed in different form by Israel but rejected by Fateh and Palestinian delegation to peace talks [PFLP, DFLP-Hawatima and Hamas have now called for supporting municipal elections if held under international supervision, a condition which Israel has rejected. See 4/27, 4/28, 4/30]. PFLP, DFLP also issue joint statement in o.t. calling for unified Arab position regarding participation in multilateral talks [PFLP had formerly opposed the talks]. (al-Ray 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

Following 4/29 Saudi disclosure that King Fahd will pay for repairs to Islamic sites in E. Jerusalem, Jordanian cabinet announces Jordan will pay for repairing Dome of the Rock [Jordan has traditionally assumed responsibility for shrine's maintenance]. (Jordan Television 5/5 in FBIS 5/6; MM 5/6)

Amnesty International issues report criticizing conditions in al-Khiyam prison camp run by SLA in Israel's "security zone." (MM 5/5)

4 Israeli citizens arrested by Egypt in February on charges of espionage are released, deported to Israel [see 3/10]. (Qol Yisra'el 5/6 in FBIS 5/6; MENA 5/6 in FBIS 5/7)

3 IDF troops injured by a Palestinian wielding a knife at a roadblock. The attacker is killed. (Qol Yisra'el 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

U.S. troops begin leaving Gulf; Def. Sec. Cheney says U.S. will return average of 5,000 troops per day over next few weeks [LAT, WP, CSM 3/8; MET 3/19].

En route to Saudi Arabia as part of 11-day Middle East tour, Sec. Baker says he will propose series of "confidence-building measures" between Israel and Arab states to open path to broader peace talks [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 3/8].

In Kuwait, at least 2 Palestinians have been shot dead and 5 others hospitalized from beatings and shootings, as Palestinians raise concerns about reprisals against their community in Kuwait [LAT, NYT, WP 3/8].

Israeli gov't. rejects Pres. Bush's call for solution to Arab-Israeli conflict that includes trading land for peace; F.M. David Levy says attempts to pressure Israel are not welcome [LAT, WT 3/8; JDS, IDF, PDS 3/7, MAA 3/8 in FBIS 3/8]; in separate statements, PLO and Egypt welcome what they call "positive elements" in Pres. Bush's 3/6 speech [AVP, MENA 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; MEM 3/7].

Palestinian journalist Taher Shriteh, jailed without charge on 1/28/91, is freed on bail after international campaign to gain his release (cf. 3/11) [NYT, MEM 3/8; AFP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11; MET 3/19].

House of Representatives votes to authorize $15.8 billion to pay for Gulf war, and also $650 million for Israel, and warns other nations that Congress "may consider appropriate action" if promised payments are not made [NYT, WP, WT 3/8].

Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar selects Switzerland's ambassador to Washington, Edouard Brunner, asspecial Middle East envoy to begin new high-priority search for solution to Arab-Israeli conflict [WP 3/8].

Palestinian leaders representing Fateh, PFLP, and DFLP, but not Hamas, meet in Jerusalem with visiting EC "troika" representatives including Italian F.M. Gianni de Michelis; EC ministers also meet with Israeli P.M. Shamir and D.M. Arens, then depart for Jordan [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; FJ 3/11; MET 3/19].

Border policeman in Nablus is stabbed, wounded; attacker escapes and army imposes curfew on Nablus and adjacent refugee camps [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/8]; 30 Palestinians are detained in Jerusalem after IDF opens fire on demonstrators [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/11].

Syria and Saudi Arabia sign wide-ranging cooperation agreement which both nations say was sign of desire to foster closer relations [MEM 3/8].

Italian F.M. de Michelis is quoted as calling for "internal revolt in the Palestinian [resistance] movement" now that PLO has "ruled itself out" of peace negotiations [MEM 3/7].