The Palestine Chronology

In Jerusalem, Acting PM Peres says he will not call early elections. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 11/8)

Shin Bet gives cabinet a preliminary report on security guarding PM Rabin at the peace rally; says there were not enough bodyguards, guards failed to form a phalanx around Rabin, intelligence had inadequate information on Jewish extremists. (WP, WT 11/8; MM, NYT, WT 11/9)

In television, press interviews, Leah Rabin, Rabin's widow, accuses Netanyahu, Likud of inciting violence; blames them for Rabin's death. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/8)

Justice M Liba'i says the government is writing legislation to crack down on militants, tightening restrictions against inciting violence and perhaps banning demonstrations outside elected officials' homes. (IDF Radio, YA 11/7 in FBIS 11/8; WP 11/8)

Israeli police search Kfar Tapuah, a settlement nr. Nablus which has a large Kahane Chai following, looking for links btwn. the Amir brothers and the banned movements Kahane Chai, Kach. 4 rightist nationalists who praised Rabin's assassination are arrested, questioned, but released for lack of evidence. (MM 11/7; IDF Radio, QY 11/7 in FBIS 11/8; NYT, WP, WT 11/8)

Eyal, Kach leaders go underground, fearing their arrest by the IDF. Eyal head Avishai Raviv admits Yigal Amir was a mbr. of his organization. (NYT, WP 11/8) (see 11/4)

IDF eases closure, allowing Gaza laborers over 35 yrs old, West Bank laborers over 30 yrs old into Israel. (IDF Radio 11/7 in FBIS 11/7; NYT, WT 11/8) (see 11/4)

PM Rabin is assassinated by an Israeli Jew while leaving peace rally attended by 100,000 in Tel Aviv. The gunman, Yigal Amir, a 25-yr.-old law student fr. Bar-Ilan University, is captured, admits to shooting, says he acted alone. Amir is also a reserve soldier in the elite Golani brigade, frmr. emissary to Russia for immigration affairs at the Jewish Agency, and an a mbr. of Eyal--a right-wing settler group, known for violence against Arabs, protesting expanded Palestinian self-rule by setting up makeshift encampments in the West Bank. Security officials say Rabin's bodyguards mistook Amir for a limousine driver. (NYT, WP, WT 11/5; FBIS special supplement, NYT, MM, WP, WT 11/6; WJW 11/9; JP 11/11)

Arab leaders (excl. Libya's Qaddafi, Iran's Pres. Hashemi Rafsanjani condemn Rabin's assassination. In the territories, Palestinians generally express respect for Rabin, concern over his death, fear for the future of the peace process and their safety fr. settlers. In s. Lebanon, Palestinian refugees, Hizballah mbrs. celebrate Rabin's death. (WT 11/5; CSM, FBIS supplement, MM, NYT, WT 11/6)

In the West Bank, Palestinians clash with IDF troops after Jewish settler apparently kills a Palestinian boy. (NYT 11/5)

In Gaza, 1000s of Palestinians stage rally in commemoration of Shiqaqi. (HA 11/5 in FBIS 11/7)

Following the assassination, IDF order the closure of the West Bank, Gaza. (QY 11/5 in FBIS 11/6; NYT 11/7)

Portuguese Pres. Mario Soares meets with Pres. Weizman in Israel; requests Portugal's forgiveness fr. Jewish people for the Inquisition. (IL 11/7)

Israeli FM Peres, Omani FM Bin-`Alawi discuss economic issues on the sidelines of the UN mtg. (MM 10/2; QY 10/2 in FBIS 10/4; MEI 10/6; JP 10/14)

100s of settlers rampage through Hebron, damage Palestinian cars and homes, beat up 2 American pro-Palestinian peace activists. Israeli police intervene, arrest 2 settlers. (QY 9/30 in FBIS 10/2; NYT, WP 10/1; JP 10/7)

IDF extends West Bank, Gaza closure to 10/5, puts forces on alert after receiving information regarding a planned Islamic Jihad attack. (QY 9/30, ITV 10/1, QY 10/2 in FBIS 10/2) (see 9/24)

In Washington, Arafat, PM Rabin sign the Oslo II agmt. Syria, Lebanon send no representatives. (BT, CSM, MM, WJW 9/28; VOP 9/28 in FBIS 9/28; CSM, FT, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/29; WJW 10/5; JP 10/7)

Israeli FM Peres, Jordan's King Hussein, Arafat confirm that they have been discussing establishment of a confederation btwn. Jordan, self-rule areas. (IL 10/2)

Israel, EU initial cooperation and commerce agmt. (IL 10/2)

PM Rabin meets with representatives of American Jewish groups, warns them that lobbying against Israeli government policies would cause a serious rift in Israel's relations with the American Jewish community. (QY 9/29, 9/30 in FBIS 10/2; NYT 9/30; WJW 10/5; JP 10/7)

Israel closes borders with West Bank, Gaza until 10/1 to curb any Palestinian attacks on Israel in protest over Oslo II signing. In Hebron, 1,000 Jewish settlers protest the accord. (CSM, NYT 9/29)

In Taba, PA, Israel modify zones defined 6/17, accepted 6/27: Zone A will include only Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqiliyya; Zone B will include Ramallah, Bethlehem as well as villages, refugee camps; Zone C remains the same. PA also gives Israel a working paper proposing 3-stage prisoner release. (MM 8/9; QY 8/9 in FBIS 8/9)

200 Palestinians are deported fr. Libya, sent on busses through Egypt to Rafah checkpoint at Gaza border. (AFP, MENA 8/10 in FBIS 8/11)

Based on information received fr. the PA, IDF closes West Bank, Gaza until 8/11, citing security precautions. (ITV 8/9 in FBIS 8/10; WT 8/10; YA 8/11 in IL 8/11)

Settlers set up makeshift camp on 25 acres of land nr. Carmel Zur settlement nr. Hebron. 100s of Palestinians protest, clash with IDF soldiers. (PR 8/18)

Tel Aviv District Court charges Israeli-Arab Muhammad al-Mu`ati Hajj Abdallah, a Shin Bet operative, with offering the PA his services as a double agent. (QY 8/9 in FBIS 8/9)

Jordan's King Hussein makes 1-day trip to Egypt to discuss bilateral relations, regional issues, developments in peace process with Pres. Mubarak. (MENA, RJ 8/1 in FBIS 8/1; MENA, RE 8/1 in FBIS 8/2)

In preparation for redeployment, IDF announces plans to build 12.4-mi. fence btwn. Tulkarm, Qalqiliyya, along the "seamline," which they say is "approximately" the Green Line. (MM 8/2)

PM Rabin inaugurates West Bank north-south road that allows settlers to bypass Jericho. (MM 8/1)

Israeli police, soldiers clear 200 settlers fr. Beit El encampment, arrest 100. All of those arrested 7/31, 8/1 are quickly released. (QY 8/1 in FBIS 8/2; NYT, WT 8/2)

In Cairo, mtg. of the technical comm. on refugees closes without any progress. (VOP 7/6 in FBIS 7/11)

Israeli Interior Min. reports that an unprecedented number of Jerusalem Arabs are requesting Israeli citizenship: 687 heads of households in 1st 6 mos of 1995 in comparison with 430 in all of 1994; 260 in 1993; 170 in 1992. (JP 7/6 in FBIS 7/6)

Palestinian prisoners end hunger strike after an announcement that the Israel-PA deal extending self-rule in the West Bank will include a staged prisoner release. (VOP 7/6 in FBIS 7/6; PR 7/9; QY 7/9 in FBIS 7/10; CSM, WP, WT 7/10)

Settlers block Qalqiliyya-Nablus road, move mobile homes onto hill nr. Kedumim settlement in protest over planned IDF redeployment. (MM 6/7)

IDF raids Jenin Waqf office, confiscates alleged Hamas material. (QY 7/9 in FBIS 7/12)

FM Peres says 7/4 agmt. calls for phased Israeli pullout fr. West Bank over 2 yrs, starting with 4 towns (Jenin, Nablus, Qalqiliyya, Tulkarm), adding Ramallah, Bethlehem after bypass roads are built; elections to be held end of 1995. PA official says initial pullout will begin 4 wks after agmt. is signed, end 25 days before elections. IDF would temporarily pullout of Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah during voting. PLO will amend charter. Peres warns 7/25 date for signing agmt. might be delayed several wks. Israel's Savir, PA's Qurai` meet in Jerusalem to compose subcomms. to address individual issues. (MM 7/5; HA, VOP 7/5 in FBIS 7/6; WP, WSJ, WT 7/6; PR 7/9) (see 6/27)

In Cairo, technical comm. on Palestinian refugees opens 2d mtg. (MENA 7/4 in FBIS 7/5)=

Arafat, UN Sec. Gen. Butros Butros Ghali meet in Jericho to discuss international presence, joint Israeli-PA patrols in West Bank during interim phase, possibility of Arafat speaking at UN's 50th anniversary conference. (VOP 7/6 in FBIS 7/7)

Addressing the Israeli-American Chamber of Commerce in Tel Aviv, U.S. Amb. to Israel Indyk demands Israel abolish import barriers that discriminate against U.S. imports; notes that, while the U.S. gives Israel $3 b./yr. in loans, grants, $10 b./5 yrs in loan guarantees as incentive to by U.S. products, Israel last yr. ran $1-b. trade surplus with the U.S. and a $7.5-b. trade deficit with the EU. (MM, WSJ 7/6; MM 8/2)

In protest over 7/4 agmt., Jewish settlers begin work on new 600 unit West Bank settlement 6 miles w. of Ramallah. (WT 7/6)

100s of women march in Ramallah, demanding Israel free Palestinian prisoners. Clashes erupt with Israeli border police. (WP 7/6)

Israeli Dep. FM Beilin arrives in Russia for talks aimed at dissuading Russia fr. concluding nuclear arms deal with Iran. (QY 7/5 in FBIS 7/6)

PA rejects an Israeli redeployment deal that would divide West Bank into 3 zones: Zone A (Palestinian cities), Zone C (Israeli settlements, military installations), and Zone B (btwn. A and C, incl. Palestinian villages, camps). Israel would redeploy fr. Zone A only, be responsible for security in Zones B and C. PA would be left with control over 15% of West Bank. (JP 6/17; MENA 6/22 in FBIS 6/23; JT 6/28 in FBIS 6/28)

Irish FM Dick Spring arrives in Israel on 1st official visit by Irish FM. (QY 6/18 in FBIS 6/19)

6,000 Palestinian prisoners begin hunger strike for their release fr. Israeli jails. Arafat takes part. (WT 6/18; VOP 6/17, AFP, QY, VOP 6/18 in FBIS 6/19; MM, NYT 6/19; CSM 6/21; MEI 6/23; MEI 7/21)

Syria rejects FM Peres's 4/18 proposal move negotiations forward, says problem lies in Israel's position not in structure of talks. (MM 4/19)

In New York, Lebanese FM Buwayz concludes 2 days of mtgs. with Secy. of State Christopher, Asst. Secy. of State Robert Pelletreau regarding Syrian-Israeli talks, future of Lebanese track, NPT, Arab boycott, U.S. travel ban. (RL 4/20 in FBIS 4/20)

Representatives of all Palestinian factions meet in Gaza, agree to set up joint comm. to discuss security in the self-rule areas. (IDF Radio 4/20 in FBIS 4/20)

Car bomb explodes at federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 31, leaving some 200 unaccounted for. Authorities begin search for 2 "Middle Eastern looking" men who left scene in pickup truck. Hizballah, Islamic Jihad, Hizballah, Lebanon's Higher Shi`ite Islamic Council condemn attack. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/20; QPAR, QY, RL 4/20 in FBIS 4/20; JTV, MENA, RE, RL, VOL 4/20, AFP 4/21 in FBIS 4/21; AFP 4/21 in FBIS 4/24)

Hebron settlers say they will erect building in city to house 10 new Jewish families, increasing settler population in Hebron by 25%. Plan has not been approved by Israeli government. IDF lifts daytime curfew on Palestinians, dusk-to-dawn curfew continues. (WP 4/20)

Yitzhak Magen, Israel's chief archaeologist for West Bank, announces plans to begin ripping up parts of 5th-century Byzantine church on Mount Gerizim to uncover 2,000-yr.-old replica of Jerusalem temple. (WT 4/19; JP 4/29)

PA-Israeli delegations meet in Jericho to discuss next official round of negotiations on elections, redeployment scheduled for 3/28-29 in Cairo. Parties say sides are still divided but talks are reaching a "practical stage," esp. on makeup of observer teams. (IDF Radio, VOP 3/26 in FBIS 3/27; MM 3/29)

Israeli FM Peres tells press "several" Jewish settlements in Gaza, West Bank will have to be removed as Israeli authority is replaced by Palestinian self-rule. Statement provokes outrage of Likud, settler groups. (Sunday Times of London 3/26 in FBIS 3/28)

3 alleged Hamas mbrs. cross into Gaza fr. Egypt nr. Rafah checkpoint. IDF captures 1; 2 others escape into PA territory. (QY 3/26, 3/27 in FBIS 3/27)

U.S. VP Gore arrives in Cairo for 3-day visit. (MENA 3/19, 3/20 in FBIS 3/20; RJ 3/19 in FBIS 3/21)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak receives delegation of Knesset mbrs. in Cairo, discusses NPT, recent Israeli statements against Egypt, ways of advancing peace process. (MENA 3/19 in FBIS 3/20; MM 3/20; MENA 3/20 in FBIS 3/21)

PM Rabin allows another 3,150 permits for Palestinian workers, bringing number allowed entry into Israel to 24,150. (QY 3/19 in FBIS 3/20; WP 3/20)

Unidentified gunmen ambush Israeli bus in Hebron, West Bank, killing 2, wounding 5 Jewish settlers. Settlers fr. Kiryat Arba riot, destroy Palestinian shop, cars before IDF intervenes, sets 24-hr. curfew. (QY 3/19, 3/20 in FBIS 3/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/20; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 3/21; WJW 3/23; MM 3/27; MEI 3/31; JP 4/1)

 2 Palestinians die in explosion nr. Jenin. IDF says bomb they were making exploded, causing accident. (NYT 3/20)

IDF shells Amal positions in s. Lebanon, hits Nepalese UNIFIL contingent, killing 1 UN soldier. (RL 3/20 in FBIS 3/20)

Arafat, PM Yitzhak Rabin meet at Erez to discuss interim agmt., elections, closure. Arafat rejects Rabin's "Jenin 1st" idea, where PA would take over administrative, financial management of Jenin but IDF troops would remain in place. Rabin agrees to gradual lifting of closure, transfer to PA of $12 m. in tax money to alleviate unemployment, refuses to release any prisoners; calls on Arafat to ban all incitement against Israel, stop terrorist attacks in planning stage, ensure there are no "unauthorized" militias in self-rule areas. (MM 2/16; ITV, VOP, QY 2/16, IDF radio, RE 2/17 in FBIS 2/17; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/17; QY, RMC, VOP 2/17 in FBIS 2/21; MM, PR 2/20; MM 2/21; JP 2/25) (see 2/9)

Arafat speaks by phone with Jordanian PM Sharif Zaid Bin Shakir, Egyptian FM Amr Musa, briefs them on mtg. with PM Rabin. (VOP 2/17 in FBIS 2/17)

U.S. Secy. of State Warren Christopher announces U.S. will give PA $75 m. to set up development institutions in West Bank, Gaza. (VOP 2/17 in FBIS 2/21)

At mtg. in Paris, Gulf nations take "forceful" stand against proposed Middle East Development Bank, say regional cooperation is premature without full peace. Seen as retreat fr. normalization with Israel. (NYT 2/17)

100s of Israeli settlers fr. Kiryat Arba, led by Kach head Baruch Marzel, celebrate Cave of the Patriarch massacre, praise Baruch Goldstein. IDF does nothing to stop celebration even though Kach is officially outlawed by the government. (NYT, WP 2/17; PR 2/20; MEI 3/3)

Donor countries close mtg. in Gaza, announce plan to speed transfer of aid to PA, give priority to creating jobs, developing roads, utilities. Conferees approve $695 m. for employment projects, infrastructure development, $500 m. of which was promised for last yr. (NYT 2/1)

Syrian FM al-Shara` gives U.S. Amb. to Syria Christopher Ross letter fr. Pres. al-Asad to Pres. Clinton, informs Ross that Syrian Amb. to U.S. Mu`allim will return to his post in Washington 2/6 after 2-mo. absence. (SARR 2/1 in FBIS 2/1; MM, WT 2/2)

Palestinian, Jordanian businessmen agree to establish Islamic Palestinian bank in autonomous areas. Bank will have initial capital of $10 m. (Al-Aswaq 1/31 in FBIS 2/3)

Israeli officials report that initial, low-level contacts have been made with Saudi Arabia, discussions held on possibilities for cooperation. (IDF Radio 1/31 in FBIS 2/1)

Gallup poll is released, showing 67.2% of Israelis polled believe talks with PA should be suspended; 17.8% say talks should be ended completely. (IMRA press release 1/31)

Israeli settlers seize West Bank outpost evacuated by IDF previous day. Soldiers immediately return to site, declare it a closed military area. (QY 1/30, 1/31 in FBIS 1/31)

IDF bans Jews fr. Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron during Ramadan, fearing violence btwn. Muslims, Jews at the site. (WT 2/1)

IDF, Hizballah exchange gunfire in southern Lebanon. 1 IDF soldier, 3 Hizballah mbrs. killed. New IDF Northern Command cmdr. Maj. Gen. 'Amiram Levin says attack was part of new IDF policy of initiating pinpointed raids against "terrorist" bases north of self-declared security zone. (ITV 1/31; HA 2/1 in FBIS 2/3)

Egyptian parliamentarians denounce Israel for hostility toward Egypt, "reaping benefits of peace" while refusing to sign NPT, move forward on Palestinian self-rule, or withdraw fr. Golan. Israeli Pres. Weizman telephones Pres. Mubarak to discuss worsening relations, fears that conflict with Egypt could derail peace talks. (MENA 1/16 in FBIS 1/17; MM 1/17; WJW, WP 1/19; WJW 1/26)

Israel gives Egypt most favored nation (MNF) trading status retroactive to 1/1/95. (MENA 1/16 in FBIS 1/17) (see 1/3)

Arafat, Jordanian FM al-Kabariti meet in Morocco. Meanwhile, Jordanian PM Shakir meets with Nablus Chamber of Commerce delegation in Amman to discuss cooperation btwn. Jordan, PA. (RJ 1/16 in FBIS 1/19; MEI 1/20)

Israeli FMin. says it will begin canvassing embassies to see how many will be willing to move to Jerusalem after final status negotiations so FMin. can begin rezoning areas for construction. (MM 1/16)

PM Rabin authorizes confiscation of Palestinian lands for construction of 4 roads in West Bank (2 nr. Ramallah, 1 nr. Tulkarm, 1 nr. Hebron) so settlers can bypass Arab towns. (MM 1/16; QY 1/16 in FBIS 1/17) (see 1/15)

Israeli Housing M Ben-Eliezer circulates draft of report he will submit to cabinet 1/22. Report plans 77% increase in construction activity for 1995 as compared to 1994, mostly in Jerusalem area. (ITV 1/16 in FBIS 1/17; MM 1/20)

DFLP head Nayif Hawatmah applies to Israeli FMin. (via Russian FMin.) for permission to move to Gaza with several supporters. Israeli FMin. says it has passed application on to security officials for review. (MM 1/16; QY, VOL 1/16 in FBIS 1/17; Al-Sharq Al-Awsat 1/17 in FBIS 1/19; MEI 1/20)

Israeli police raid East Jerusalem offices of al-Quds newspaper; confiscate papers, equipment; say they suspect office of being Hamas base. (QY 1/16 in FBIS 1/17)

Lebanese army shells IDF, SLA positions for 1st time in 2 yrs. in response to Israeli attack 1/15. (HA 1/17 in FBIS 1/17)

Palestinian-Israeli Supreme Liaison Comm. meets at Erez checkpoint, agrees that Palestinians who visit Gaza fr. abroad may now stay for 7 mos. (as opposed to 3 mos. previously). (QY 1/16 in FBIS 1/17)

Jordanian-Israeli joint comms. on security, transportation, trade, water meet in Jordan to discuss implementation of treaty, following mtg. btwn. King Hussein, PM Rabin 1/13. (JTV 1/15 in FBIS 1/18)

IDF makes 13 air strikes against PFLP-GC camps 10 miles south of Beirut, Lebanon, killing 3 Lebanese, wounding 4, forcing temporary closure of Beirut airport. (IDF Radio, QPAR, VOL 1/15 in FBIS 1/17; MM, NYT, WT 1/16; MEI 1/20)

Jordan, Israel agree to build railroad linking Irbid, Haifa and Aqaba, Elat. EU will help finance construction. (QY 1/15 in FBIS 1/18; MM 1/16)

House Speaker Gingrich, on visit to Israel, says he "strongly favor[s]" moving U.S. embassy fr. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, says "it's the right of Israel to define its capital, and we as an ally should . . . be responsive." State Dept. rejects idea. (MM 1/16; WT 1/16, 1/17; VOP 1/18 in FBIS 1/18)

PM Rabin orders all construction in o.t. to be suspended for 1 wk., until cabinet can meet to discuss settlements 1/22. (QY 1/15 in FBIS 1/17)

In Safa, West Bank, Palestinians plant 100s of trees to prevent land's confiscation for expansion of Kfar Rut, Maccabbim settlements. Similar plantings are held across West Bank. PA says Israel has confiscated 27 sq. mi. of land since signing of DOP; PM Rabin admits 450 acres have been taken to build bypass roads for settlers. (NYT 1/16; MEI 1/20)

Joint Jordanian-Israeli water comm. meets in Tiberias, continues discussion of implementation of treaty, dam project. (RJ 1/11 in FBIS 1/12)

Arafat meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, discusses settlements, peace talks; publicly appeals to U.S. to pressure Israel on settlements. FM Musa says Israel is jeopardizing peace by stalling on implementation of DOP, refusing to sign NPT. (MM 1/10; MENA 1/10 in FBIS 1/10; WT 1/11; MENA 1/10, MENA, JP 1/11 in FBIS 1/11)

PM Rabin says government will go on building in East Jerusalem; adds Israel must hold on to parts of West Bank to secure border with Jordan. (MM 1/11; HA 1/11 in FBIS 1/12; MEI 1/20)

Labor, Meretz MKs meet with PA representatives led by Culture M `Abid Rabbu in East Jerusalem to discuss obstacles to peace. (QY 1/10 in FBIS 1/12)

FM Peres leaves on 6-day trip to France, Latin America to boost peace process. Arrives in France for talks with Pres. Mitterrand on economic ties btwn. Israel, EU, Arab states. Reportedly discusses methods of advancing peace process with Syrian business executive (perhaps Nahid Tlass) given mandate by Pres. al-Asad to act as his go-between. (MM 1/10, 1/12, 1/13)

IDF reports Palestinian police prevented confrontation btwn. 6 PSF mbrs. (incl. PSF Gaza head Muhammad Dahlan), IDF soldiers escorting school bus heading to Netzarim settlement. Israel issues formal complaint about PSF to PA. (IDF Radio 1/10, QY 1/11 in FBIS 1/11; QY 1/11 in FBIS 1/12)

Jewish settlers fr. Elkana settlement bulldoze 22 acres, fence off 7 acres to begin expansion of settlement. 100s of Palestinians protest. IDF intervenes to prevent them fr. approaching construction site. (QY 1/10 in FBIS 1/11; WT 1/11; NYT 1/16)

IDF intervenes to prevent 100s of Jewish settlers fr. establishing new settlement on West Bank site where girl was killed 1/6, arrests 14. (MM, WT 1/11)

PA Culture M `Abid Rabbu holds mtg. with Arab Journalists Association (AJA) pres. Na`im Toubassi, tells him PA will begin issuing press cards to qualified journalists. Gaza Journalists' League treasurer Zakariyya Talmas complains only 3 journalist qualify for cards under PA rules "and they are dead." (Jerusalem Times 1/6 in FBIS 1/9)

Mtg. of all Arab FMs in Tunis ends. Parties recommend countries donate funds on bilateral basis, turn down PA request to recognize validity of Palestinian passports, fail to reach agmt. on aid for Palestinian police. PA delegation angered. (MM 1/6)

Jerusalem district director for Israeli Housing Min., Rina Zamir, says construction of 10,000 housing units in and around East Jerusalem will begin this yr. (MM 1/6; JP 1/6 in FBIS 1/6; MM 1/16)

Arafat loyalists, opponents clash in `Ayn Hilwa r.c. in southern Lebanon after Arafat announces 400 Palestinians will be transferred to Gaza shortly. No casualties reported. PLO says Israel approved the transfer of 2,000 post-1948 refugees fr. Lebanon, Libya, Jordan, Sudan, Tunisia; Lebanon's quota is 470. (RL, VOL 1/5 in FBIS 1/6; MM 1/6; VOL 1/6, Voice of the South 1/7 in FBIS 1/9; Al-Hayat 1/7 in FBIS 1/11) (see 12/19)

Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara` visits Tehran to give Pres. Hashemi Rafsanjani message fr. Pres. al-Asad about improving relations. (MM 1/11) (see 12/30)

Israel denies giving any U.S. technological information to China. (WT 1/7) (see 1/4)

U.S. Defense Secy. William Perry arrives in Egypt for 2-day visit, talks with Pres. Mubarak about Egypt's threat to withdraw fr. NPT, promises to defend aid to Egypt in Congress. (MENA 1/6 in FBIS 1/9; WT 1/9; MEI 1/20)

1 settler shot dead, 1 wounded in West Bank nr. Ramallah. PFLP claims responsibility in revenge for killings on 1/4. (MM 1/6; QY 1/6 in FBIS 1/6;  AFP 1/7 in FBIS 1/9; WJW 1/12; JP 1/14)

IDF soldiers shoot, kill 4 Palestinian policemen after crossing into Gaza nr. Erez checkpoint, searching for Palestinians who had fired on their patrol. (QY, VOP 1/3 in FBIS 1/3; MM, WP, WT 1/3; FT, WP 1/4; CSM, MEI 1/6; JP 1/14)

PM Rabin halts construction at Efrat but allows settlers to build 500 units at site closer to center of Efrat. PA denounces decision. (QY, Yedi'ot Aharonot 1/1, ITV, QY, VOP 1/2, QY 1/3 in FBIS 1/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/3; CSM 1/4; WJW 1/5; CSM 1/6; JP 1/14) (see 12/31)

Hamas, West Bank Fateh Higher Comm. call on PA to suspend negotiations with Israel as protest over Israeli settlement activity. (Al-Manar, Al-Quds 1/2 in FBIS 1/5)

Israeli military court convicts Muhammad Salah, Arab American arrested by Israelis 1/31/93, of channeling funds to Hamas, sentences him to 5 yrs. in prison. (QY 1/3 in FBIS 1/3; WP 1/4)

IDF kills 3 Palestinians, wounds 1 in 2 clashes in West Bank; accuses victims of being pro-Hamas. (WP, WT 1/3; NYT 1/5)