The Palestine Chronology

Arafat stops in Ghana, Nigeria for consultations on unilateral declaration of Palestinian state issue before concluding his 56 nation consultative tour. (Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Radio Network, NTA Television Network [Lagos] 4/25 in WNC 4/27)

In Amman, Israeli PM candidate and fmr. DM Mordechai meets unofficially with King Abdallah. (JT 4/26 in WNC 4/27)

Israeli pres. Weizman, trade delegation arrive in China for 1 wk. visit. (Xinhua 4/25, 4/26 in WNC 4/27; Globes [Internet] 4/28 in WNC 4/29)

Iran, Qatar hold talks on expanding bilateral relations. (IRNA 4/25 in WNC 4/27)

Israeli police shut Palestinian Prisoners Club office in East Jerusalem that Israel alleges was being used by the PA in violation of Oslo. (al-Quds 4/26 in WNC 4/29) (see 4/22)

Israel officially charges Shin Bet undercover agent Avishai Raviv with failure to prevent assassination of PM Yitzhak Rabin, conspiracy, support for a terrorist organization. (NYT, WP, WT 4/26; JP 4/30) (see 11/18/95)

U.S., Britain complain that for several mos., Syrian trucks have been smuggling Iraqi oil out of Iraq in violation of UN sanctions, perhaps in a barter arrangement in exchange for Syrian goods. U.S., Britain have asked the Syrian government to block shipments, but volume appears to be increasing, with 100s of tankers/wk. now entering Syria. The degree of direct Syrian government involvement in the smuggling cannot be confirmed. (NYT 4/26; MM 4/30)

Secy. of State Christopher meets with Pres. Mubarak, PM Rabin in Cairo to try to ease tensions btwn. Egypt, Israel. Trio discusses peace process, regional cooperation, weapons of mass destruction. (MM 6/8; CSM, MM 6/9; MENA, QY 6/9 in FBIS 6/9; NYT, WP, WT 6/10; WJW 6/15; JP 6/17)

10,000 supporters of Israel's Islamic Movement hold rally in Kafr Kassim, calling for East Jerusalem as capital of a Palestinian state. (JP 6/17)

In Damascus, Egyptian FM Musa meets with Syrian FM al-Shara`, transmits message fr. Pres. Mubarak to Pres. al-Asad on bilateral coordination, consultation on peace process, regional issues. (SARR 5/2 in  FBIS 5/2; RE 3/2 in FBIS 3/3)

In Gaza, Arafat meets with EU delegation, U.S. Consul Gen. Edward Abington to discuss outcomes of Paris donor's mtg. 4/27-28. (VOP 5/3 in FBIS 5/4)

PA invites Canada, EC, Egypt, Japan, Jordan, Norway, Russia to participate in 1,000-mbr. elections observer force. Arafat opens Palestine Central Elections Comm. headquarters in Gaza. (ITV 3/2 in FBIS 3/3; JP 5/13)

PA says direct phone line btwn. Arafat, Rabin has been set up so they can make rapid decision as problems arise, esp. concerning IDF, police, border issues. (YA 5/3 in FBIS 5/4)

U.S. Amb. to the UN Albright meets with Israeli PM Rabin, FM Peres, PA Local Government M Erakat, PA Information M `Abid Rabbu; discusses settlements, new U.S. trade ban on Iran, terrorism. Rabin gives support for U.S. dual containment policy; heads to Jordan for mtg. on peace process with Crown Prince Hassan. (WT 5/2; JP, QY 5/2 in FBIS 5/2; JTV, RJ, VOP 5/2 in FBIS 5/3; MM 5/3)

PA military court gives 1st death sentence to Palestinian police officer for killing 2d officer, gives him 14 days to appeal. (ITV 3/2 in FBIS 3/3; NYT 5/3; WT 5/15) (see 4/24)

Masked Israeli border policemen raid Makassed hospital in East Jerusalem in search of "Palestinian activists"; prevent ambulance workers fr. admitting patients. (WT 5/3)

Israel closes o.t. for 4 days, over Remembrance Day holiday. (QY 4/30 in FBIS 5/1)

In Washington, Syrian-Israeli talks end without progress. (MM 4/27)

In Cairo, PA, Israeli negotiators on elections agree to divide West Bank, Gaza in to 1,500 voting areas, schedule census to register all eligible voters and divide them among voting areas. Census would create 2 lists: one of Palestinians with ID cards, one without. Eligibility to vote for those without cards, those in East Jerusalem will be negotiated later. (HA 4/27 in FBIS 4/27)

PM Rabin tells cabinet IDF will reassign soldiers a 3 army bases in West Bank (Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah) to bases inside Green Line as 1st step of "pre-redeployment"; does not give timetable. Opposition criticizes decisions as a "surrender to terrorism." (MM 4/26; QY 4/26 in FBIS 4/26; MM, NYT, WT 4/27; CSM 4/28; JP 5/6)

Israeli Treasury Dept. says it will give PA $6.5 m. to help cover its $136 m. debt for FY 1995. (MM 4/27)

For 1st time, PA military court arrests PFLP mbr., tries and sentences him to 1 yr. in jail. In separate incident, PSF mbrs. raid offices of PFLP's al-Umma, confiscate equipment. (QPAR 4/26 in FBIS 4/27) (see 4/21)

IDF raids offices of Col. Rajub's PSF offices in Hebron, detains 7 PSF mbrs., confiscates cars, radios, other materials. Government officials say PSF is violating DOP by operating in West Bank. IDF later apologizes saying they raided offices "mistakenly" during an operation to locate stolen cars. (QY 4/26 in FBIS 4/26; YA 4/27 in FBIS 4/27)

Israeli PM Rabin formally signs letter recognizing PLO as "the representative of the Palestinian people" 10 hours after PLO Chmn. Arafat signs letters of recognition. (NYT 9/11)

U.S. Pres. Clinton lifts ban on U.S. contacts with PLO, saying PLO commitments to Israel "justify aresumption of our dialogue." Move paves way for PLO Chmn. Arafat to attend signing ceremony 9/13. (WP 9/11)

Fateh supporters hold march in Gaza in support of PLO-Israel agreement attended by thousands, with similar march held in East Jerusalem organized by PLO. Hamas leads counter-demonstrations in Gaza City and Rafah. 3 Hamas supporters wounded in clashes with IDF. (NYT 9/11)

PFLP and DFLP (Hawatmah) withdraw reps. fr. PLO Exec. Comm. to protest PLO-Israel agreement. Withdrawal coincides with resignation of PLO rep. in Lebanon Shafiq al-Hut and denunciation of accord by 10 Palestinian opposition factions. (RMC 9/10 in FBIS 9/10; WP 9/11)

Lebanese FM Buwayz rejects working paper submitted to Lebanon by Israel. (RL 9/10 in FBIS 9/13)

Secy. of State Christopher meets in Israel with PM Rabin, FM Peres, then with Palestinians led by Faisal Husseini, who tell him that all deportees must be returned for talks to resume. Palestinians read the secy. a letter from Chmn. Arafat, present 5-point memo assessing peace process. (NYT 2/24; Sanaa VOP 2/25 in FBIS 2/26)

Some 7,000 march against territorial compromise on the Golan Heights in Jerusalem. (MM 2/24)

Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies (Tel Aviv U.) publishes poll of non-settler, non-kibbutz mbr. Israeli Jewish pop. showing 58% believe the Arabs want peace, 95% of Israelis want peace; 29% favor Palestinian autonomy, 20% favor returning o.t. to Jordan; favor of a Palestinian state, annexation, and annexation with transfer each garnered 13%. 46% refuse to give back any of the Golan Heights, 33% would give back a small part. 75% believe military action can stop the intifada and terrorism, 60% feel the govt. has been too soft on this. (Davar 2/23 in FBIS 2/25)

Police Min. Moshe Shahal has set up team of jurists to work out a plan for o.t. police force to operate under the autonomy, one which will be a "clear expression of Palestinian self-rule." Historical models include British-French policing of the Hebrides. (Davar 2/23 in FBIS 2/26)

Israeli National Planning and Building Council subcomms. approve plan to build school for handicapped children in East Jerusalem, ending former Housing Min. Ariel Sharon's plan to build 200 Jewish housing units on the site. (Qol Yisra'el 2/26 in FBIS 2/26)

IDF shoots dead UN nurse watching demonstrations from his roof in Rafah, Gaza Strip-50th Palestinian killed by IDF since 12/17/92. (WT 2/24)

U.S. House Republican Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare releases "The New Islamist International," a report asserting Iranian backing of attacks on UN and Muslims in Bosnia while throwing blame on the Serbs, as well as other actions of intl. radical Islamist agenda. Report follows up similar 10/3/92 report. (WJW 4/22)

Secy. of State Baker continues talks with PM Rabin, joined by fin. min. and Bank of Israel gov. concerning loan guarantees. Baker also proposes U.S.-Israeli defense pact in return for Israeli readiness to withdraw from Golan Heights, parallel with Syrian readiness for peace agreement. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 7/21 in FBIS 7/21, 7/23 in FBIS 7/23; NYT, WP 7/21)

Baker then meets with 5 members and advisors of the Palestinian delegation, led by Faisal Husseini and Hanan Ashrawi. Ashrawi says the Palestinians would "tolerate" a near-total settlement freeze, as well as an accountable loan guarantee package. (NYT, WP 7/21)

Palestinian leaders submit memorandum to Baker calling on U.S. to resume dialogue with the PLO and halt all settlement construction in the o.t., including East Jerusalem. (Algiers VOP 7/20 in FBIS 7/21)

PLO Exec. Comm., PNC chairmanship, and general secretariat of Palestinian factions meet in Tunis to discuss Baker visit, Rabin govt., and peace process. (MENA 7/21 in FBIS 7/22)

Islamic resistance fighters attack SLA post in Tayr Harfa, S. Lebanon, damaging 1 tank, killing 1, wounding 4 Israeli soldiers. Israel shells villages of Haddathah, 'Ayta al-Jabal, Haris north of "security zone," conducts helicopter mock raids. (VOL, Radio Free Lebanon 7/21 in FBIS 7/21)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian youth shot 12/16 dies [NYT 12/19]. Petrol bomb thrown at British consulate in E. Jerusalem causes no damage [FJ 12/20]. Italian Pres. Francesco Cossiga and F. M. Giulio Andreotti arrive in Israel for private visit [FBIS 12/22].

Other Countries: Speaking in U.S., Israeli Def. Min. Rabin reiterates Israel's intention to continue using live ammunition against violent demonstrations in occupied territories [WP 12/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Spontaneous demonstrations break out after Friday noon prayers in Gaza City's Sha'jiyyah neighborhood and al-Burayj refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are killed, 20 wounded when IDF troops open fire. On grounds of Shifa Hospital, Israeli forces use tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators throwing stones and Molotov cocktails; 1 Palestinian is shot to death. Hospital employees complain of harassment and assault by soldiers. Police in Jerusalem use tear gas to disperse about 300 stone-throwing Palestinian demonstrators [NYT, WP 12/19]. Demonstrations are also reported in Balatah, Am'ari, and Qalandiya refugee camps and in Hebron and Bethlehem. Old city of Hebron and Balatah camp are placed under curfew [FJ 12/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Minister of Industry and Trade Ariel Sharon moves into apartment in Muslim quarter of Jerusalem's Old City; merchants close shops in protest [LAT 12/16]. Complete commercial strike closes stores in E. Jerusalem, Nablus, Jenin, Ramallah, al-Birah, and other W. Bank towns [FJ 12/20]. Israel bans distribution of al-Sha'b in W. Bank and Gaza Strip for 12 days [FJ 12/20]. Khan Yunis youth shot 12/12 by Israeli soldiers dies in Barzali Hospital [FJ 12/20]. Palestinian journalists from occupied territories hold sit-in at Arab Journalists' Association's Jerusalem office to protest administrative detention of Radwan Abu 'Ayyash [FJ 12/20]. Israeli police announce capture of 2 Palestinians charged with murder of Israeli soldier [FJ 12/20].

Arab World: Arab League calls for emergency session to discuss Israeli actions in occupied territories [CSM 12/16].

Other Countries: Trial of Ibrahim Khalid, only survivor of 4-man team that attacked Leonardo da Vinci Airport in 1985, opens in Rome. Abu Nidal and Rashid Hamida are being tried in absentia [LAT 12/16]. U.S. calls for Israeli restraint in handling disturbances in W. Bank and Gaza Strip [NYT 12/16]. Israeli Def. Min. Rabin meets with U.S. congressional leaders in Washington [WP 12/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF soldiers fire on Palestinian demonstrators at Gaza's Shifa Hospital, killing at least 2, wounding more than 11. Dozens are arrested. Palestinians at hospital attack Western journalists. UN reports 2 Palestinians are shot, killed: 1 at Bayt Hanun, in northern Gaza Strip, and 1 at Dayr al-Balah refugee camp. Palestine Press Service reports another demonstrator is killed by soldiers during protest march from Beach refugee camp to Shifa Hospital [LAT, NYT 12/16]. In W. Bank, demonstrations are reported in Nablus, Bir Zeit, Abu Dis village near Jerusalem, and Qalandiya, Am'ari, and Jalazun refugee camps [FJ 12/20].

Arab World: With tank and helicopter support, Israeli troops move north of S. Lebanon security zone, raid Shi'i villages of Maydun and Kafr Hunah. Lebanese sources report 6 fighters are wounded, 20 captured [NYT 12/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Inmates at Jnaid prison (Nablus) demonstrate against attempted housing of 26 alleged Muslim Brotherhood prisoners; IDF, Border Police, prison guards use tear gas to suppress inmates [JP 1/17, FJ 1/18]. Over 2,000 E. Jerusalem merchants return their municipal tax bills to protest 670% increase in taxes [FJ 1/18].

Other Countries: White House spokesman Sims confirms US, USSR agree in principle to meet together on Middle East [see 1/13] sometime in the future [WP 1/17]. New York jury in Sharon libel case (11/12) determines that Time magazine defamed Sharon in 1982 article on Sabra-Shatila; must yet decide on 2 other points [NYT 1/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Katyusha fired from Jordan lands in Jordan Valley; no injuries or damage. DM Rabin warns Jordan to stop such attacks or else Israel will [JP 1/17].

Arab World: Gasoline bomb thrown at Israeli television team, IDF escort in Sidon, S. Lebanon; no injuries [JP 1/17]. S. Lebanon Civil Guard member wounded by gunfire in Nabatiya [JP 1/17].