The Palestine Chronology

Israel offers to allow back 10 Palestinians mistakenly deported. The 10 say they would like to return immediately, but that the only crossing point has been mined by Israel. Israel offers to allow an intl. org. to escort them back through 1 of 3 Lebanese-controlled crossing points. (NYT 1/1; Qol Yisra'el 12/31 in FBIS 12/31, 1/4)

Lebanon rejects 12/30 French proposal to place the deported Palestinians under the provisional care of UNIFIL in Lebanese-controlled territory. PM Rafiq al-Hariri meets with Russian then U.S. amb. to Lebanon. (NYT 12/31; VOL 12/31 in FBIS 1/4)

Al-Quds reports that the Palestinian delegation to peace talks has unanimously rejected PM Rabin's 12/27 invitation to an informal meeting. (al-Quds 12/31 in FBIS 1/5)

Four Palestinian factions (PFLP, DFLP-Hawatima faction, PPSF, PLF) issue statement criticizing Palestinian leadership's 12/27 statement for its lack of a plan of political action to counter the 12/17 deportations. (QPAR 1/2 in FBIS 1/4)

PLO advisor and Palestinian delegation steering comm. head Nabil Shaath says the deportations and the peace process are "two battles which have to be led separately," and the Palestinians may have to "bring it [the deportations] to the table of negotiations." (AFP 12/31 in FBIS 1/4)

Ha'Aretz reports that the o.t. security service Shin Bet initially gave PM Rabin a list of 6 Hamas leaders to be deported, and came up with 1 more name when asked to expand the list. Shin Bet was later surprised at the scope of expulsions the IDF was then ordered to carry out. (WP 1/1; Ha'Aretz 12/31 in FBIS 1/4)

FM reps. of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and PLO hold coordination meeting in Lebanon, agree to participate in negotiations beginning 12/7. (MM 12/4; Radio Lebanon 12/4 in FBIS 12/7)

Steering comm. overseeing multilateral talks ends 2-day meeting in London. Progress limited on most contentious isuesgreater Palestinian participation, and formation of working groups on Jerusalem and human rights. The 5 existing working groups are scheduled to meet in February. (MM 12/4)

Al-Fajr reports that the EC has allocated 4 million ECU ($6.5 million) for operation of hospitals in o.t., and will exempt Palestinian agricultural exports from EC states' import duties. (FBIS 12/8)

PFLP leader George Habash urges solidarity with the PLO in statement to Egyptian newspaper. (MENA 12/4 in FBIS 12/4)

FMs of Islamic Conference Organization meeting in Jeddah issue statement describing Jerusalem as a "central issue for the Muslim nation" that cannot be excluded from current peace talks. (MM 12/2)

Israel suspends press credentials of 2 foreign journalists, reprimands 4 others, on charges of violating censorship laws in reporting on 11/5 IDF accident killing 5 soldiers. (MM 12/1; NYT 12/2)

IDF fatally shoots Palestinian boy during widespread clashes in Gaza Strip. (Qol Yisra'el 12/1 in FBIS 12/1)

"Extended Palestinian leadership" concludes 3-day meeting in Tunis. Decision on whether or not to participate in 12/7-17 round of negotiations is delayed until after consultations are held with Arab states, Moscow, and Washington. (AFP, MENA 11/23 in FBIS 11/24)

Ten Palestinian factions issue statement denouncing Israeli-Jordanian draft agenda, urging withdrawal from peace talks. (QPAR 11/23 in FBIS 11/25)

Israeli undercover unit shoots dead 12- year-old Palestinian boy near Jerusalem. (IDF Radio 11/23 in FBIS 11/23; MM 11/23; NYT 11/24)

In address to military graduates, King Hussein reiterates his call for democracy in Iraq, offers no apology to Gulf states for Jordan's stance in Gulf war, and warns Islamists not to use extremism to achieve political goals. (MM 11/23; RJN 11/23 in FBIS 11/24; NYT 11/24)

Palestinians demonstrate throughout o.t on 4th anniv. of declaration of the State of Palestine, are dispersed by IDF using tear gas and gunfire in Ramallah, Gaza, and Jerusalem. (Qol Yisra'el 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

IDF uses antitank missiles to destroy 9 houses near Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip. (Hadashot 11/16 in FBIS 11/19) 

Israeli FM Shimon Peres meets with Pres. Mubarak, FM 'Amr Musa in Cairo. (MENA, Qol Yisra'el 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

Likud Cent. Comm. votes to hold primary to elect its leader and next PM candidate next March. Move is seen as a political gain for Benyamin Netanyahu and David Levy, who campaigned for the primary, at the expense of Benny Begin. (WT 11/17) 

Israel begins withdrawal of armor and artillery from "security zone," S. Lebanon. (Qol Yisra'el, Radio Lebanon 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

Palestinian delegation presents Israel with lengthy memo detailing human rights violations in the o.t., issuing 12 demands: closing Ansar III prison, lifting Gaza nighttime curfew, halting illegal tax collection, granting free travel to Jerusalem and around the W. Bank and Gaza, among others. (al-Dustur 10/28 in FBIS 10/28)

Hizballah fires Katyusha rockets into "security zone," killing 2 Lebanese, and into northern Israel, killing a 14-year-old recent Russian immigrant in Kiryat Shimona. Israel retaliates with air strikes and shelling of Hizballah, DFLP targets north of "security zone" and in Biqa' Valley, killing 4. Israel amasses tanks in "security zone" for possible advance north. (IDF Radio, Qol Yisra'el, VOL 10/27 in FBIS 10/27, 10/28; MM, NYT, WP 10/27, 10/28)

Palestinian gunmen shoot, wound Israeli couple in Janin, W. Bank. Palestinian attacks Israeli farmer with an axe in Gaza Strip settlement. (Qol Yisra'el 10/27 in FBIS 10/29; NYT, WP 10/28)

MKs Benyamin Netanyahu (Likud) and Rafael Eitan (Tsomet) call for suspension of peace talks due to violence in S. Lebanon. (Qol Yisra'el 10/27 in FBIS 10/27)

One thousand settlers stage angry protest outside PM Rabin's residence. (WP 10/28)

Israel unleashes over 1,000 shells and bombs on Hizballah target villages north of "security zone," S. Lebanon, killing at least 13 civilians and forcing evacuation of villages. Israeli gunboats shell Nahr al-Barid and al-Baddawi Palestinian refugee camps, 110 mi. north of Israeli border. Three SLA militiamen are wounded in Hizballah bomb attack in Jazzin, east of Sidon. Israeli farmer is wounded in firebomb attack in W. Bank and taken to hospital by local Palestinians. (MM 10/26; Qol Yisra'el, VOL 10/26, 10/27 in FBIS 10/27; NYT, WP 10/27, 10/28)

Palestinian delegation head Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi affirms UNSC 242 as basis for negotiations, noting linkage of transitional and final stages as an "inseparable single unit." (al-Quds 10/26 in FBIS 10/27)

Ten Palestinian rejectionist factions (see 9/18, 10/15) organize mass protest of peace talks in Damascus, issue statement calling for "day of rage" on 10/28, the anniversary of the convening of the Madrid conference, consisting of marches, demonstrations, and sitins throughout o.t. (QPAR 10/26 in FBIS 10/27; MM 10/28)

Multilateral talks on the environment open in the Hague, Holland. (Qol Yisra'el 10/26 in FBIS 10/27)

One IDF soldier is killed and 1 wounded by Hamas gunmen near Hebron, W. Bank. Curfew is clamped on the town. Settlers in Hebron and nearby Kiryat Arba demand better security in demonstration at Jerusalem's King David Hotel, where PM Rabin was meeting with the Portuguese PM. (Qol Yisra'el 10/25 in FBIS 10/27; MM, WP 10/26)

Palestinian workers riot and burn buses at Erez checkpoint, Gaza, in clash with Israeli troops, who wounded 6 with rubber bullets. (Qol Yisra'el 10/25 in FBIS 10/29; WP 10/26)

Five IDF soldiers are killed and 5 wounded when a bomb explodes beside their convoy in S. Lebanon "security zone." Hizballah claims responsibility for this deadliest attack in 2 years. (WP 10/26; Qol Yisra'el 10/26 in FBIS 10/26)

Palestinian newspaper reports that Acting U.S. Secy. of State Eagleburger has sent a letter of assurances to the Palestinian delegation stressing that the U.S. is seeking "the transitional period [which] will be the beginning of the end of Israeli occupation." (al-Quds 10/16 in FBIS 10/19)

Poll of 1,100 Israeli citizens shows that 50% oppose any territorial concession on the Golan Heights, even in the event of full peace with Syria, 37% are willing to return parts, 10% are willing to return entire territory. Results are unchanged from same questions asked last January. (Ma'Ariv 10/16 in FBIS 10/16)

Yeshiva student is stabbed by 2 Palestinian youths in Old City of Jerusalem. (Qol Yisra'el 10/16 in FBIS 10/16)

Riots continue in Gaza Strip, mostly in Khan Yunis, causing 17 casualties among residents, 5 among IDF forces. (Qol Yisra'el 10/12 in FBIS 10/13)

In speech to 6,000 Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem, PM Rabin says with respect to immigration the "goal is to have 7 million Jews here by the year 2000." (MM 10/13)

Former FRC officer Ahmad 'Antar is shot dead in Sidon, Lebanon. FRC accuses Arafat supporters of his murder. Bomb explodes outside FRC office in 'Ayn al-Hilwa camp, Sidon, killing 1, injuring 9. (VOL 10/12 in FBIS 10/13, 10/14)

U.S. announces that Kuwait will buy 236 advanced battle tanks (worth about $4 billion); personal intervention by Pres. Bush drew Kuwait away from asimilar deal with Britain. (MM, NYT 10/13; MM 10/14)

Palestinian prisoners suspend hunger strike for one week after Israeli official promise to begin investigation of their demands 10/12. (ITV 10/11 in FBIS 10/13; MM, WP 10/12)

Palestinian delegation head Faisal Husseini "rejects" conditions Israel is trying to place on Palestinians participating in multilateral negotiations (see 10/8). (al-Quds 10/12 in FBIS 10/14)

Hamas announces it will meet with PLO Chmn. Arafat in Khartoum 11/10 in attempt to curtail intra-Palestinian violence. (al-Sharq al-Awsat 10/12 in FBIS 10/19)

Israeli visiting a Gaza settlement is killed by unidentified assailant; IDF troops kills 2, wound 40 in clash with stonethrowers in Nusayrat camp, Gaza. Curfew clamped on Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, and 3 camps in the Strip. (MM, WP 10/12; ITV 10/11 in FBIS 10/13)

IDF shoots, kills 2 infiltrators from Jordan, armed with knives, north of Jericho. Jordanian sourcesay the 2 were 17-year-old Palestinians from Hebron living in Amman. (MM 10/12; Qol Yisra'el, RMC 10/12 in FBIS 10/13)

U.S. officials elaborate on acting Secy. of State Eagleburger's 10/1 letter to American Jewish leaders announcing new efforts to end Arab boycott against Israel, saying U.S. ambs. in the Middle East (mostly in the Gulf ) have-been instructed to encourage Arab govts. to make gestures that could boost the peace process (see 9/24, 10/1). (WP 10/12)

Over 80 PNC mbrs. living in Amman sign memo to PLO Central Council supporting the intifada, the delegation and negotiation process, and resolutions of the 19th PNC, and calling for Palestinian and Arab unity in the peace process. (Sawt al-Sha'b 10/12 in FBIS 10/13)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa meets with Israeli FM Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, then delivers message from Pres. Mubarak to PM Rabin. (MENA 10/7, 10/8 in FBIS 10/8; Qol Yisra'el 10/8 in FBIS 10/8)

After meeting with Musa, FM Peres announces Israel no longer objects to diaspora Palestinians participating in multilateral negotiations on economic development and refugee issues, and will attend upcoming sessions. Israel still requires that they not be PNC members or E. Jerusalemites, and that they pledge not to bring up UNGA Res. 194 on right of return. (Qol Yisra'el 10/9 in FBIS 10/9; MM, NYT, WP 10/9)

Number of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike swells to 10,000 as inmates at Ansar III (Ketziot) prison join. (MM 10/8)

French FM Roland Dumas meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, then meets separately with PM Rabin and FM Peres in Jerusalem. The U.S. has reportedly sent word to Israel that the Dumas initiatives, centered on arranging a Rabin-Asad summit, do not advance the peace process. Palestinian and Jordanian sources are "suspicious" of Dumas' efforts, as he has made no effort to meet with the PLO, and appears to be working toward only a partial settlement. (Ha'Aretz al-Quds, al-Dustur 10/5 in MM 10/5)

Al-Sharq al-Awsat reports that Chmn. Arafat has solicited the help of Pres. Mubarak in curbing Syrian support of oppositionist Palestinian factions. Ten such orgs. signed a statement attacking the peace process 9/18 in Damascus. Mubarak reportedly promised to speak to Pres. Asad on the matter. (al-Sharq al-Awsat 10/4 in FBIS 10/8)

Hizballah gunmen attack Bayt Yahun crossing point in central "security zone," S. Lebanon, kill SLA security chief Hussein 'Abd al-Nabi, 1 other SLA militiaman. Hizballah loses 2 in the fighting. Israel shells and strafes the area. (Radio Lebanon, AFP 10/4 in FBIS 10/5; al-Nahr 10/5 in MM 10/5

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazin) plays down Palestinian fears of separate Israeli-Syrian peace, responding to recent reaffirmations by Syria of commitment to comprehensive settlement. Abbas says it is not important ifone track moves slightly ahead of another as long as there is a simultaneous final agreement. (al-Hayat in MM 9/30)

Arab FMs hold annual coordination meeting in New York. Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa says Syria requires a clear Israeli statement of willingness to withdraw from Golan Heights before top-level Israeli-Syrian meetings can take place. FMs of Jordan, Syria, Lebanion, Egypt, and the PLO hold separate meeting regarding the peace process. (MENA, Syrian Arab TV 9/29 in FBIS 9/30; WP 10/1)

Hamas supporters attack house near a "Hamas-controlled" mosque in Khan Yunis, Gaza, prompting retaliation by residents and Fateh-affiliated Black Panthers; 70 are wounded in most serious Fateh-Hamas clash since July. (MM 10/2)

Palestinian man attacks Israeli soldier with an axe north of Jerusalem, is shot dead by another soldier. (MM 10/1)

Qatar reports Saudi attack on border post, killing 2; Saudi Arabia reports Qatari attack on Saudi Bedouin in which 1 Saudi, 2 Qataris die. (WP 10/1)

PLO issues statement commemorating 10th anniversary of Sabra and Shatila massacres. (Algiers VOP 9/16 in FBIS 9/18)

Pres. Asad meets with Pres. Mubarak in Alexandria, Egypt. (NYT 9/17)

Israeli FM Shimon Peres and EC Middle East division head Herbert Rein meet in Jerusalem, set up a committee to explore updating 17-year-old Israeli-EC agreements. EC also announces its support of Israeli proposal to build a $250 million desalination plant in Gaza. (Qol Yisra'el 9/16 in FBIS 9/16)

Israeli and Arab delegations agree to adjourn negotiations from 9/4 to 9/14, to reconvene then until 9/24. (MM 9/2; GPO 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

Israeli delegation presents Palestinian delegation with 6-point discussion agenda, proposes establishment of 2 working groups on human rights, legal issues. (Qol Yisra'el 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

Palestinian delegation tries to admit East Jerusalem lawyer Raja Shehadeh to the talks as legal advisor, says his inclusion would have no symbolic value vis-a-vis status of Jerusalem. Israel refuses, citing Madrid framework for delegation membership. (MM 9/3; IDF Radio 9/3 in FBIS 9/3)

Acting Secy. of State Eagleburger meets separately with heads of Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian delegations. (VOL 9/3 in FBIS 9/4)

Council of Jewish Settlements in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza dispute housing min.'s 6/1 figures, claim 296 units have been sold in the o.t. since 7/20. Official ministry reaction stands by original figure of 2 units sold. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 9/3 in FBIS 9/4)

Jerusalem policy planning unit issues report on potential building in Jerusalem: 39,880 units in Jewish neighborhoods, 15,260 in "non-Jewish" neighborhoods. (Ha'Aretz 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

PM Rabin says Israel must find a solution to "the problem of the Gaza Strip," because it is not going to "sink into the sea," in remarks to Washington Institute for Near East Policy conference in Jerusalem. Palestinians "can forget about" Israel changing its policy. "We are in control of the territory, and we will not move an inch." (MM 9/3; Ha'Aretz, Davar 9/3 in FBIS 9/3)

Palestinian-Israeli council heads end 11- day protest outside PM Rabin's office, agree to open schools in response to grant of NIS 70 million for development budgets, NIS 10 million for schools. Ethiopian immigrants clash with police in Jerusalem. (MM 9/2; Qol Yisra'el 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

PM Rabin announces Israel will not actively oppose U.S. sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia. (WP 9/3)

Senior PLO officer Lieut. Col. Hani Zuhayr al-Dubayky is assassinated in Beirut. (VOL 9/2 in FBIS 9/3; NYT 9/4)

MK 'Abd al-Wahhab Darawsha returns from meeting with PLO Chmn. Arafat in Geneva, announces that Arafat is willing to meet with PM Rabin "in Jerusalem or in any place of Rabin's choice" to promote the peace process. Arafat calls on Israel to recognize the PLO, conduct direct negotiations. (Ha'Aretz 8/30 in FBIS 8/31; ITV 8/28 in FBIS 9/2)

Israel presents new plan for interim self-government arrangements including elections for an administrative council with responsibility for a number of areas; foreign policy and defense would remain under Israeli control. (WP 8/26)

In special Knesset session, motion attacking govt. position on territorial compromise with Syria is defeated, 42 to 34. Motion protesting govt. opposition to Jewish settlement in Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem is defeated 41 to 40. (MM 8/26)

Undercover Border Police unit raids house in Janin, killing 2 Black Panther activists and 1 other woman. Unit's commander is also killed. (IDF Radio, Qol Yisra'el 8/26 in FBIS 8/27; NYT, WP 8/27)

IDF announces it has discharged the commander of an undercover unit for issuing unlawful orders to shoot at Palestinian activists. (WP 8/26)

Israel prevents 4 members of Palestinian delegation from crossing to Jordan, entire delegation returns to Jerusalem, lodges formal protest with U.S. consul general. (Qol Yisra'el 8/21 in FBIS 8/21; NYT 8/22)

Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara' announces that Pres. Asad recently received letter of assurances from Pres. Bush. (SARR 8/21 in FBIS 8/24)

PM Rabin approves continuing construction on $42-million Gilo-Gush Etzion road linking Jerusalem to W. Bank settlements and bypassing Palestinian villages. (MM 8/21)

Israeli press reports govt. will no longer give loans and grants (usually totalling NIS 50,000) to purchase housing in "political settlements." (Yedi'ot Aharonot, HaAretz, 8/20 in FBIS 8/20; Qol Yisra'el 8/20 in FBIS 8/21)

FMs from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and the PLO conclude 2-day meeting in Damascus, issue statement reiterating commitments of 7/25 meeting, state their intention to participate in 6th round of talks. (SARR 8/20 in FBIS 8/21; MM 8/20)

PLO spokesman Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh says Palestinians will "postpone their participation" in the upcoming (8/24) round of talks unless the Arab parties receive assurances from the U.S. that all settlement activity in the o.t. will cease as a condition of U.S. provision of loan guarantees to Israel. (Reuters 8/16 in MM 8/24)

Fin. Min. Avraham Shochat orders settler group Ateret Cohanim to return within 10 days a NIS 5.6 million loan given it 4 years ago to finance mortgages in Jerusalem, as it has failed to provide any names of mortgage recipients as required under the terms. (MM 8/18)

IDF captures commander of PFLP-affiliated Red Eagles in Rafah camp, Gaza, last of 8-member group to be arrested in recent crackdown. (Qol Yisra'el 8/18 in FBIS 8/19)

Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi announces that the Palestinian delegation has protested to the U.S. consul in Jerusalem over the U.S.'s granting of loan guarantees to Israel. (MENA 8/15 in FBIS 8/17)

Seven Palestinian factions-Islamic Jihad, PFLP-GC, Fateh Uprising, Sa'iqa, Palestinian communists, Popular Struggle Front, and Hizballah-Palestine-call for general strike in o.t. on 8/24. (Al-Quds Palestinian Arab Radio 8/16 in FBIS 8/17)

King Hussein is admitted to the Hussein Medical Center to undergo tests and treatment of a urinary tract hemorrhage. (Radio Jordan 8/15 in FBIS 8/17)

PM Rabin and Secy. of Defense Cheney meet, agree to transfer $700 million worth of surplus U.S. military hardware to Israel, including training aircraft, attack and transport helicopters. Rabin later meets with Democratic candidates Clinton and Gore. Rabin expresses his opposition to proposed U.S. sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia. (MM, WP 8/13; MM 8/14)

Israeli housing min. halts all govt. purchase, renovation, and settlement of properties in East Jerusalem; private purchase is still allowed. (NYT 8/13; Qol Yisra'el 8/12 in FBIS 8/12)

Israeli fin. min. announces that loans raised with U.S. guarantees will be deposited in special bank account, will not be used to augment regular budgets. (Qol Yisra'el 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

Settlements in occupied outskirts of Jerusalem-Ma'ale Adumim, Giv'at Ze'ev, Etzion Bloc, Efrat, Betar, Kfar Adumim, and Adamorganize "Greater Jerusalem" forum to safeguard their interests, encourage govt. to annex greater Jerusalem area to Israel. (Davar 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

MK 'Abd al-Wahhab Darawsha leads delegation of Arab Democratic Party to Egypt to express FM Peres' desire to visit Egypt, negotiate lifting of Arab boycott. (MM 8/12)

Israel reports that Syria test fired 2 North Korean Scud-C missiles recently. (IDF Radio 8/12 in FBIS 8/13; WP 8/14)

Fateh mbr. Hamzah Mubarak is assassinated in 'Ayn al-Hilwa camp, Lebanon. (VOL 8/12 in FBIS 8/13)

IDF shells, overflies Iqlim al-Tuffah region, S. Lebanon. (VOL 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

Palestinian Israeli delegation including HADASH MK Hashim Mahamid, returns to Israel after meeting with Chmn. Arafat and PLO pol. dept. head Faruk Qaddumi in Tunis. (ITV, Qol Yisra'el 8/2 in FBIS 8/3; Hadashot 8/3 in FBIS 8/4)

Two Palestinian Israelis are named to dep. min. posts, the highest positions attained by Arabs in 19 years. Nawaf Masalha, Labor party administrator, will serve as deputy health min., and Meretz mbr. Walid Sadiq will serve as dep. ag. min. (WP 8/3; Jerusalem Channel 2 TV 8/4 in FBIS 8/5)

Israeli air force raids village of al-Qulaylah, S. Lebanon. (Qol Yisra'el 8/2 in FBIS 8/3)

IDF kills Fateh mbr. in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Three soldiers are wounded in the clash; IDF imposes curfew on the town. (IDF Radio 8/2 in FBIS 8/4; WP 8/3)

PLO criticizes Jordanian lower house for not mentioning "the sole legitimate representative," or calling strongly for an independent Palestinian state in its 7/30 statement. PNC "rejects" statement as Jordanian "interference in internal Palestinian affairs." (Jordan Times, Sawt al-Sha'b (quoting WAFA) 8/2 in FBIS 8/3)

UNLU issues call no. 85, calling for general strike 8/9, strike in Jerusalem 8/13. (Sanaa VOP 8/2 in FBIS 8/3; Al-Fajr 8/10)

Israel, SLA shells Malita, Jabal Safi, Jarju', Kafr Rumman regions, S.Lebanon. (Voice of the Mountain 8/2 in FBIS 8/3)

Near Ramallah, Shin Bet arrests 3 members of Hamas-'Izz al-Din al-Qassim faction, believed to be responsible for deaths of 3 Israelis, 20 Gaza Palestinians. (Qol Yisra'el, ITV 8/8 in FBIS 8/10; WP 8/9; JP 8/15)

Palestinian man stabs 2 Israeli policemen in Jerusalem, killing 1, and is shot and killed by a passerby and police. (WP 7/31)

Body of Mahmud Abu Hasan al-Zarini is returned, buried by family in Janin under tight Israeli security. Seven-day commercial strike ends (see 7/22, 27). (MM 7/30)

Jordanian house of reps. issues statement supporting Palestinian national rights and intifada, criticizing all settlements and deportations, and calling for inter-Arab solidarity. (Radio Jordan Network 7/30 in FBIS 7/31)

With Hizballah consent, Syrian-backed Lebanese army force takes over barracks in Ba'labakk, Biqa' Valley, which have been under Hizballah control since 1982. (AFP, Radio Lebanon 7/30 in FBIS 7/31)

Israeli air force raids Jabal Safi, Iqlim al-Tuffah regions, S. Lebanon. Casualties this year from 27 Israeli raids total 44 dead, 100 wounded, mostly civilians. (AFP, Qol Yisra'el 7/30 in FBIS 7/30)

Housing Min. Benyamin Ben-Eliezer estimates that 50,000 settlers will move into the o.t. over the next year if the approximately 10,000 units now under construction are completed and populated. (MM 7/30)

Israel allows Faisal Husseini's Arab Studies Society to reopen in Jerusalem after 4-year closure. (ITV 7/29 in FBIS 7/30; MM 7/30)

PM Rabin appoints 2 SHAS MKs to dep. min. positions in education and housing. (Qol Yisra'el 7/29 in FBIS 7/31)

Israel and the Vatican pledge to establish diplomatic ties with appointment of joint commission to meet in November. (WP, NYT 7/29)

Manager of Jordan National Bank Tawfiq Fakhuri meets with FM Shimon Peres, Bank of Israel officials, agrees to open a branch in the West Bank. (Al Hamishmar 8/3 in FBIS 8/4)

IDF admits it made a mistake in 7/25 killing of Palestinian boy, 3 soldiers involved are suspended from activity. (Qol Yisra'el 7/26 in FBIS 7/27)

Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz, Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa meet with Pres. Asad in Damascus. (VOL 7/26 in FBIS 7/27)

World Zionist Organization opens its 32nd Zionist Congress in Jerusalem. (JP 8/8)

At first meeting of new Israeli cabinet, Rabin reaffirms 1-week freeze of all new settlement construction contracts in o.t. (see 7/16), and calls for a review of all previous decisions to build settlements. (NYT 7/20)

Secy. of State Baker meets with PM Rabin in Jerusalem, hold joint news conference. Baker says that if plans to curtail settlements significantly are carried out, U.S. will reconsider the $10 billion in loan guarantees. After hearing "different signals coming from this new Israeli government," Baker said the U.S. would like to hear "some new and different signals coming from those on the Arab side." (NYT, WP 7/20)

Pres. Asad reassures Lebanese Pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi that "no one" will interfere in upcoming Lebanese elections, affirms that "no one will be allowed to undermine Syria's credibility in Lebanon." (Voice of the Mountain 7/19 in FBIS 7/21)

193 mbrs. of U.S. Congress call for immediate action on loan guarantees to Israel in bipartisan letter to Pres. Bush. (NYT 7/20)

Agents of Israeli National Insurance Institute raid al-Hakawati Palestinian National Theater in East Jerusalem, confiscate computer, printer, and photocopier in lieu of NIS 18,000 debt in real estate taxes. NII also confiscates 1 bus of the al-Ram Bus Co. also in East Jerusalem. (Jerusalem Post in MM 7/20)

Standoff at al-Najah University, Nablus, ends with peaceful compromise. Army lifts 4-day encirclement of campus and curfew on city, 6 Palestinian men agree to give up weapons, accept 3-year expulsion to Jordan. (MM 7/17; WP, NYT 7/18)

Hanan Ashrawi and Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi are interrogated in police HQ in Jerusalem on 6/18 meeting with PLO Chmn. Arafat in Amman. (IDF Radio 7/17 in FBIS 7/17)

SLA soldiers clash with DFLP members in central "security zone," S. Lebanon. (Qol Yisra'el 7/17 in FBIS 7/21)

Israeli charge d'affaires to Austria Peter Aran is elevated to rank of ambassador as Israel ends its protest of Austria's election of Kurt Waldheim as president. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 7/17 in FBIS 7/17)

Up to 1,000 Muslims demonstrate, bum U.S. and Israeli flags in Istanbul in protest of Israeli Pres. Haim Herzog's current visit. (MM 7/17)