The Palestine Chronology

In Ramallah, the PC votes (56-1) to urge Arafat to dissolve the EA within 1 mo., appoint a new cabinet. After the session, Israel prevents 18 PC mbrs. fr. returning to their homes in Gaza. (CSM, WP, WT 8/1; LAW 8/7; PR 8/8)

With less than 24-hrs. notice, Syrian Pres. Asad travels to Iran as head of a delegation comprising his VP, FM, several senior military cmdrs.; discusses Syrian-Iranian relations with outgoing Pres. Rafsanjani. (MM 7/31; RMC 7/31 in WNC 8/1; MM 8/1; SATN 7/31, IRIB Television [Tehran] 8/1 in WNC 8/4; MA 8/3 in WNC 8/5; MEI 8/8)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan, FM Tarawnah meet with EU special envoy Moratinos. (RJ 7/31 in WNC 8/1)

Following a mtg. with his inner cabinet, PM Netanyahu threatens to send commandos into PA areas to preempt any new anti-Israeli attacks, to halt transfer of all tax revenues to the PA, to jam all Palestinian radio and television broadcasts; calls on the U.S., international donors to halt aid to the PA. (MM 7/31; RMC 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, WP, WT 8/1)

IDF detains 2 Palestinian families fr. the West Bank town of Dahariyya whose sons have been missing for over a yr., but they are unable to identify the 7/30 bombers' bodies. Israeli cabinet orders the arrest of PA's Gaza police cmdr. Brig. Gen. Jabali for encouraging attacks on Israeli settlements (see 7/23). PA police arrest 28 Hamas mbrs., including Rantisi. PA, Israeli security forces hold 2 mtgs. during the day. (MM 7/31; IDF Radio, QY, RMC 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/1)

New York City police seize 5 pipe bombs, arrest 1 Egyptian, 2 Jordanians in a raid on a Brooklyn apartment. Police were tipped to the bombs by a Pakistani, Muhammad Shindli, who believed that his friends, Ghazi Ibrahim Abu Mayzar and Lafi Khalil (who both identify themselves as Palestinian), were planning to bomb the New York subway. Abu Mayzar had stated in his application for asylum in the U.S. that he had been arrested in Israel on charges of "being a mbr. of a terrorist organization." The 3d man, Egyptian `Abd al-Rahman Musabah, is detained as a witness. Hamas denies any connection to the men. (NYT, WP, WT 8/1; RJ 8/1 in WNC 8/4; NYT, WP 8/2; AFP 8/2 in WNC 8/5; NYT, WT 8/3; al-Hadath [Amman] 8/4 in WNC 8/5; NYT 8/5; WJW 8/7; MEI 8/8)

Unnamed Gulf diplomats reveal that Sidi al-Madani al-Ghazi Mustafa al-Tayyib, financial director for Saudi dissident and alleged "terrorist financier" Osama bin Laden, has been in custody in Saudi Arabia since 5/97. Saudi authorities have passed some of Tayyib's revealed information to the CIA, FBI to track militant groups in Detroit, New York. (WT 8/1)

Lebanese court sentences 5 Japanese Red Army mbrs. to 3 yrs. in jail on charges of forging official stamps, illegal entry into Lebanon, forging passports. (VOL 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, WP 8/1) (see 7/29)

Israeli FM Levy, PA Planning M Shaath announce that within days, they will partially resume talks on the 8 subcomms. established to address outstanding Oslo II issues. Netanyahu's media adviser says that the PM is prepared to carry out the 2d FRD on schedule. (ITV 7/28 in WNC 7/29; CSM, MM, WP, WT 7/29; MA 7/29 in WNC 7/30; CSM, MM 7/30; JT 7/30 in WNC 7/31)

A Labor-Likud forum headed by MKs Beilin, Eytan hold mtg. to discuss the 2d FRD, resuming talks with the PA. (YA 7/29 in WNC 7/30)

The Israeli Interior Min. suspends the permit granting construction at Ras al-Amud. (MM 7/28; WP 8/28) (see 7/26)

In response to 3 homemade bombs thrown at Israeli soldiers 7/26+n27, the IDF closes Palestinian-owned shops in the Israeli-controlled section of Hebron (H2), detains 20 Palestinians for questioning. (WT 7/29)

The 11 opposition parties forming Jordan's HCCAOP fail to reach a consensus on boycotting the 11/97 elections, defer decision. 5 parties vote in favor of a boycott, 6 against. (JT 7/29 in WNC 7/30; JT 8/11 in WNC 8/12) (see 7/27)

Off the coast of Tyre, Lebanon, Israeli naval vessels fire on 6 Lebanese fishing boats, seize 2 of the boats, detain and interrogate 2 fishermen for several hrs. (AFP, RL 7/28 in WNC 7/29) (see 6/5)

As the 8/12 expiration date of the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act (MEPFA) approaches, key congressmen say that they doubt an extension can be approved before Congress goes into recess 8/1. If no extension is passed then aid to and contacts with the PLO must be cut off at least temporarily. (WP 7/27; MM, WT 7/29; WJW 7/31; JP 8/2; WP 8/13)

A 3-day exhibition of Syrian pharmaceutical companies hosted by Iraq opens in Baghdad. Around town, portraits of Syria's Pres. Asad appear next to pictures Iraq's Pres. Saddam Hussein. (RMC 7/27 in WNC 7/29; MM 7/28) (see 7/24)

The Arab Land Party, the Jordanian Arab Socialist Ba'th Party, the Jordanian Communist Party, the Pan-Arab Action Front Party, the Popular Unity Party, the Progressive Arab Ba'th Party announce that they will boycott 11/97 elections unless Jordan suspends the new press law, stops all official normalization with Israel, ensures the right of parties to equal use of all mass media, halts violations of public freedoms and democracy, treats parties as national institutions. (al-Ra'i 7/28 in WNC 7/29) (see 7/26)

In. s. Lebanon, 1 SLA mbr. is wounded by Hizballah shelling. (VOL 7/28 in WNC 7/29)

Miami developer Moskowitz postpones plans to build Jewish housing at Ras al-Amud, saying he wants to construct more units than the Interior Min. permit allows. (NYT, WP, WT 7/27; YA 7/27, ITV 7/28 in WNC 7/29; MM, WT 7/28; al-Dustur 7/28 in WNC 7/29) (see 7/25)

The U.S. decides not to oppose a $1.6 b. pipeline that would carry huge quantities of natural gas fr. Turkmenistan across Iran to Turkey and Europe, marking the 1st significant easing of Iran's economic isolation since 1979. Though the U.S. will not endorse the project, it says the plan is not in violation of the 1996 Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, which bars U.S., foreign investments of more than $40 m. in the development of Iran's energy. (NYT, WP 7/27; MM 7/29; WT 7/30; MEI 8/8)

IAF Secy. Gen. Ishaq al-Farhan, 4 other mbrs. resign fr. the party over the 7/24 decision to boycott Jordan's 11/97 elections. (RMC 7/25 in WNC 7/28; al-Dustur 7/26, JT 7/27 in WNC 7/29; al-Sabil 7/29 in WNC 8/4) (see 7/25)

1 Lebanese civilian is wounded when an Israeli shell explodes close to her home in Suhmur in s. Lebanon. (RL 7/26 in WNC 7/29)

State Dept. says that the proposed Ras al-Amud plan will not help put the peace process back on track. The Arab League, Jordan also condemn the project. (al-Ra'i, RE, RJ 7/26 in WNC 7/29; WT 6/27) (see 7/24)

Ma'ariv reports that Israeli defense officials have prepared a black list of 70 PA policemen who allegedly fired shots at the IDF during the 9/96 riots and who can be detained for interrogation if they travel btwn. the West Bank, Gaza. The list reportedly has been given to the PA, which removed listed men fr. joint patrols, senior positions. At the same time, Israel's military advocate general ruled that IDF actions during the riots came under the "framework of war," meaning troops cannot be prosecuted, while PA actions did not. (MA 7/25 in WNC 7/30)

Jordan agrees to allow international observers monitor the 11/97 parliamentary elections. (al-Ra'i 7/26 in WNC 7/27; MM 7/28) (see 7/24)

Senior coalition MKs charge that Dr. Nimrod Novick, a fmr. adviser of Peres, delivered a document to the U.S. administration, outlining a U.S. initiative for resumption of Israeli-PA talks. (MM 7/24; YA 7/24 in WNC 7/25; ITV 7/24 in WNC 7/28)

At Erez checkpoint, Arafat, Labor Chmn. Barak meet; agree to set up joint comm. to exchange updates about the peace process. (IDF Radio 7/24 in WNC 7/25)

Ma'ariv publishes excerpts of what it claims are secret government documents about the permanent arrangement with the PA. According to the excerpts, which have similarities to the Abbas-Beilin proposal (see Doc. C3 in JPS 101), the Likud-led government would "agree to the existence of an independent Palestinian entity," with long-term restrictions on sovereignty. The documents reportedly also list in descending order of preference various options for each final status issue. Netanyahu admits the position paper was written but dismisses it as "not important," a draft, not policy. (MM 7/24; MA 7/24 in WNC 7/25, 7/28; MM 7/25)

Israeli Mayor of Jerusalem Olmert gives immediate permission for a right-wing American Jewish developer, Irving Moskowitz, to break ground for a new 70-unit Jewish settlement in the Palestinian neighborhood of Ras al-Amud. Netanyahu says the move is legal, but the timing is wrong; he will block the plan. PA calls move deeply provocative. (MM, NYT 7/25; IDF Radio 7/25 in WNC 7/28; NYT, WP, WT 7/26; ITV, YA 7/27, IDF Radio 7/28 in WNC 7/29; WJW 7/31; JP 8/2, 8/9)

Backed by Israel's Histadrut labor federation, 60,000 workers at state-owned companies observe 1-day strike in solidarity with Bezeq telephone company employees, who are protesting government privatization programs. (NYT 7/25, 7/26)

Pres. Mubarak says that Iran is seeking military cooperation with Egypt to counter the growing military ties btwn. Israel, Turkey; Egypt will not take an immediate decision on the request. (al-Ahram 7/24 in WNC 7/29)

Syria opens 4th border crossing with Iraq. (see 7/22)

IAF's consultative council votes (80-16) to boycott Jordan's 11/97 elections. (MM 7/24, 7/25; RMC 7/24 in WNC 7/25; al-Dustur 7/25 in WNC 7/28; al-Dustur 7/29 in WNC 7/30) (see 7/23)

In s. Lebanon, 5 SLA mbrs. are wounded by 2 car bombs. In a separate incident, 1 IDF soldier is injured when an IDF artillery gun misfires while shelling Hizballah positions. (RL 7/24 in WNC 7/25; WT 8/6)

In Washington, PA Local Government M Erakat meets with special envoy Ross. (MM, WT 7/22; WJW 7/24)

In Gaza, Arafat, Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon discuss Israel's arrest of 3 PA policemen 7/15. Later, Egyptian amb. Basyuni hosts mtg. btwn. Israeli DM Mordechai, PA Planning M Shaath to discuss tensions surrounding arrest. The policemen have reportedly "confessed" under interrogation, prompting the IDF to detain the head of the PA forces in the Nablus area. (IDF Radio, ITV, QY 7/17 in WNC 7/18; MM, WT 7/18; ITV 7/18, MA 7/19, 7/20, Hatzofe 7/21 in WNC 7/22; JP 7/26) (see 7/9)

In Bir Nabala, IDF demolishes 19 Palestinian homes housing 47 persons. Soldiers do not let residents remove their belongings fr. the homes before destroying them. (LAW 7/7)

In Bayt Sahur, 2,000 Palestinians attend the funeral of boy killed by IDF 7/14. (WT 7/17)

World Bank grants Jordan a $50 m. loan for upgrading the kingdom's health care system. (JTV 7/17 in WNC 7/18)

Labor Chmn. Barak arrives in Cairo for mtg. with Pres. Mubarak. (WT 7/16)

In Amman, Jordanian PM Majali discusses with Arafat dep. Abbas ways of coordinating the Arab positions on the peace process. (RJ 7/15 in WNC 7/16)

In an emergency session, the UNGA adopts (131-3, with 14 abstentions) a resolution condemning Israeli settlement policy, threatening to cut back Israel rights within th UN. Israel, Micronesia, the U.S. vote against (see 7/10); Russia abstains. (MM 7/15; IDF Radio 7/15 in WNC 7/16; MM, NYT, WT 7/16; ITV 7/16 in WNC 7/17; CSM, MM 7/17; Hatzofe, Interfax [Moscow], RE 7/17 in WNC 7/18; Xinhua [Beijing] 7/17, SAPA [Johannesburg] 7/21 in WNC 7/24; MM, PR 7/18; MEI 7/25; JP 7/26)

Higher Jordanian-Qatari Comm. ends 2-day session in Doha. The 2 states sign agmts. on land transport, commercial shipping and ports, judicial affairs; agree to expand bilateral cooperation in all fields, particularly economics. (RJ 7/15, 7/16 in WNC 7/17; JT 7/16 in WNC 7/18)

Hizballah fires at least 2 katyusha rockets fr. s. Lebanon toward n. Israel. One lands inside s. Lebanon, wounding a civilian; the other lands inside Israel, causing no damage. (RL 7/16 in WNC 7/17) (see 7/7)

Jordan's Council of Presidents of Professional Assns. (CPPA) announces a preliminary decision to call on all mbrs. to boycott the 11/97 Jordanian elections. However, several member assns. (e.g., Bar Assn., Contractors Assn., Dentists Assn., Journalists Assn., some mbrs. of the Veterinarians Assn.) disagree with the decision. Meanwhile, the Higher Comm. for Coordination Among the Opposition Parties (HCCAOP) defers decision on whether to boycott until the IAF announces its position. The government states that elections will be held on schedule, whether or not the opposition participates. (al-Dustur 7/15, al-Dustur, al-Ra'i 7/16 in WNC 7/17; MM 7/16; JT 7/16, 7/17 in WNC 7/18; MM 7/22) (see 6/19, 7/12)

Mtg. at Egyptian amb. Muhammad Basyuni's home in the presence of U.S. Amb. Martin Indyk, Israeli DM Mordechai, PA Planning M Nabil Shaath make some progress toward expediting operations at Rafah airport; resuming talks on construction of Gaza port, safe passage. (MM 7/10; PR 7/18; JP 7/19)

PA police use tear gas to break up a brawl at a soccer match in al-Bireh, the cause of which was not known. (PR 7/18)

Having concluded that Jordan's new voting system, increasingly authoritarian executive, and recent curbs on freedom of expression make it "futile" for the opposition to try to use parliament to influence state policy, the Muslim Brotherhood announces that it will boycott the 11/97 parliamentary elections. The Brotherhood's political affiliate, the IAF, will decide whether or not it will follow suit at its next session 7/12. (al-Dustur, JT, 7/9 in WNC 7/10; RJ 7/9, al-Dustur, JT, al-Ra'i 7/10 in WNC 7/11; MM 7/10, 7/14; MEI 7/25)

Under pressure fr. the Gulf states (which have poured millions of dollars into rebuilding Beirut's stadium, and Lebanon in general, after its civil war), Lebanon denies visas to Iraqi athletes due to compete in the 8th Arab Games, which open in Beirut 7/12. (MM 7/9, 7/11; AFP 7/11 in WNC 7/14; MM 7/14)

IDF abducts Lebanese journalist Roger Nahra, 2 relatives fr. Nahra's home in s. Lebanon. Netanyahu adviser Bar-Ilan says Nahra has been taken to Israel for interrogation on suspicion of participating in "terrorist" activity. The 2 relatives are taken to al-Khiyam prison. (MM 7/10; WT 8/13)

Unnamed Western, Arab diplomats report that Syria is concentrating 3-4 army divisions at strategic points nr. Israel, including moving the 14th Special Forces Division to the Mount Hermon foothills, the 51st Division e. of Lebanon's Biqa` Valley. Syria says the redeployments are defensive. (WT 7/5)

Jordan announces that it has submitted to the World Bank 58 water sector proposals that would provide Jordan with 676 mcm of additional water fr. 1997 to 2000. (JT 7/5 in WNC 7/8)

IDF bans entry into the PA-controlled enclave of Hebron (H1) to prevent Palestinians fr. outside Hebron fr. entering H1 to take part in demonstrations. (Hatzofe 7/6 in WNC 7/8)

In Nablus, 30,000 Palestinians angered by distribution of anti-Muslim posters in Hebron stage protest, clash with IDF. Demonstrations also continue in Hebron, where the IDF wounds 6 Palestinians with live ammunition, 29 with rubber bullets. Netanyahu accuses Arafat of doing nothing to halt the protests. (NYT, WP, WT 7/5) (see 7/2)

In Ba'albeck, 10,000 Lebanese join the unauthorized "Revolution of the Hungry" demonstration called by fmr. Hizballah chief Shaykh Subhi Tufayli (who split with Hizballah Secy. Gen. Hassan Nasrallah in protest over Hizballah's decision to participate in the 1992, 1996 elections) to protest the government's economic policies, neglect of the Biqa` region. Lebanese army sends many troops, military police to monitor protesters. No clashes are reported. (MM 7/4; RL, RMC 7/4 in WNC 7/8; al-Safir 7/5 in WNC 7/9; al-Diyar 7/6 in WNC 7/11; MEI 7/11; MM 7/14; MEI 7/25)

PA security officials say that they have arrested 2 Palestinians, Ayash Daoud and Husni Fayiz, on charges of selling Palestinian land to Jews in the 1980s. (WT 7/3) (see 6/10)

PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) arrests Fathi Ahmad Subuh, a prof. at al-Azhar Univeristy's Gaza campus, for asking 2 questions regarding PA, al-Azhar University corruption on his final exam 6/21. (LAW 7/7; PR 7/18; JP 7/19; NYT 8/16)

In Gaza, settlers fr. Gush Qatif settlement bulldoze land belonging to Palestinians fr. Dayr al-Balah, precipitating Palestinian demonstration. IDF soldiers fire on protesters with live ammunition, killing 1, wounding 6. (MM 7/2; NYT, WT 7/3; PR 7/4)

In Hebron, Palestinians observe general strike, hold demonstrations to protest anti-Muslim posters, throw more than 100 molotov cocktails at soldiers. IDF snipers fire on the demonstrators, wounding 7 with live ammunition, 30 with rubber bullets. (MM 7/2; NYT, WT 7/3) (see 7/1)

In Amman, Jordan, the U.S. sign an investment promotion agmt. to provide investors fr. both countries with financial guarantees. Only 3 other Middle Eastern countries (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia) have similar agmts. with the U.S. (RJ 7/2 in WNC 7/3)

Jordan abolishes its 50% non-Jordanian equity ownership ceiling in the Amman Financial Market, transportation, insurance, banking, telecommunications, agricultural sectors. (JT 7/2 in WNC 7/3; JT 7/6 in WNC 7/8)

In s. Lebanon, 1 Lebanese civilian is wounded by IDF shelling. Later, 1 SLA mbr. is killed, 3 are wounded in a Hizballah attack nr. Jazzin. (RL 7/2 in WNC 7/3)