The Palestine Chronology

5 mos. after it was submitted, Arafat accepts the Executive Authority's (EA) resignation. No date for cabinet reshuffle is set. (NYT, WP, WT 12/30; CSM 1/2; JP 1/10) (see 12/23)

Israeli Infrastructures M Sharon again tours West Bank, this time presenting his FRD plan to local settlers' group. (ITV 12/29 in WNC 1/1) (see 12/28)

Jordan's State Security Court sentences 4 Jordanians linked with the Islamist group Bay'at al-Imam, to terms ranging 10+n15 yrs. of hard labor for plotting attacks on Israel. A 5th suspect is still being tried in a separate court. (JT 12/30 in WNC 1/1) (see 8/8)

Jordan, Iraq sign oil cooperation accord. (RJ 12/29, al-Ra'i 12/30 in WNC 1/1; MM 1/5)

Bomb explodes in Ba'albeck, Lebanon, killing 1 woman, wounding her husband, child. (VOL 12/30 in WNC 1/1)

PA Central Bureau of Statistics begins its 1st census of the West Bank, Gaza, expected to last 15 days. After determining that existing legislation did not prevent PA census taking in East Jerusalem, Israel quickly pushes legislation through Knesset banning any Palestinian "activity in East Jerusalem bearing a governmental and political character and which is inconsistent with the sovereignty of the state of Israel," arrests at least 1 census taker. (MM 12/10; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/11; PR 12/12; MA 12/12 in WNC 12/16; MEI, PR 12/19; IDF Radio 12/29 in WNC 1/1)

In Jerusalem, Arafat adviser Abbas discusses final status scenarios with Likud MK Dan Meridor. (YA 12/12 in WNC 12/15)

Turkey's Pres. Suleyman Demirel leaves OIC summit a day early in protest of other mbrs.'s calls for halt to normalization with Israel, failure to pass 2 pro-Turkish resolutions on Cyprus, Greece. (NYT 12/12)

Following executions 12/8, Jordan recalls its chargé d'affaires from Iraq, gives 7 Iraqi diplomats a wk. to leave the country, vows to close its border with Iraq if it goes through with the execution of a 5th student. (MM 12/11; SA 12/12 in WNC 12/15; NYT 12/14; JT 12/15 in WNC 12/16; MEI 1/16)

3-day OIC conference opens in Tehran. Egypt's Mubarak, Jordan's King Hussein, Morocco's King Hassan stay away under U.S. pressure; Egypt sends delegation headed by FM Musa. Jordan's Crown Prince Hasan, Syria's Pres. Asad, Lebanon's PM Hariri, Pres. Ilyas Hrawi; PA's Arafat attend; Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince `Abdullah; Iraq's VP Ramadan. (MM 12/9; MM, WT 12/10; JTV 12/11 in WNC 12/15; MEI 12/19)

PA mission to the UN suspends effort to upgrade its status to a level just short of full UN General Assembly (UNGA) membership after failing to muster enough votes to defeat an EU amendment that would have delayed putting the measure into effect. (NYT 12/11; PR 12/12)

At the Doha summit, U.S. Undersecy. of State for Economic Affairs Stuart Eizenstat says that the administration will seek funding fr. Congress for the Middle East Development Bank in the FY 1999 budget, MEDB operations can begin within 4 mos. of receiving funding, bank mbrs. have already started selecting projects (concentrating on cross-border infrastructure projects) to fund. The U.S. also signs a protocol for a new $60 m. equity fund to promote U.S. private investment in the West Bank/Gaza, Jordan. (MM 11/17)

Settlers begin construction of 6 new housing units in Hebron's Jewish quarter. (ITV 11/17 in WNC 11/21)

In Luxor, Egypt, gunmen aligned with the Islamic Group open fire on tourists in the Valley of the Kings, killing 58 foreigners, 3 Egyptians, wounding 24 foreigners. Police take chase, kill 6 gunmen. (ITV 11/17 in WNC 11/21; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/18; MM, WT 11/19; MM 11/20; MEI, MM 11/21)

Secy. of State Albright ends 2-day tour of the Gulf to discuss latest standoff btwn. Iraq, the UN. Finding no support fr. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia for military action, U.S. agrees to try to reach negotiated settlement. U.S., UK present France, Russia with position paper, offering to allow Iraq to buy more goods with oil proceeds if it cooperates fully with UN inspection teams. Russia offers to lead mediation. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 11/18; MEI 11/21) (see 11/13)

Russia expels Iranian accused of trying to buy missile technology. (WP 11/18)

Doha economic summit opens. Only 6 Arab countries (Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, Yemen) are among the 66 countries attending. U.S. Secy. of State Madeleine Albright, who originally planned to stay for the whole 3-day conference, attends a few hrs. of the mtg., then leaves for Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia to discuss Iraq's failure to adhere to UN inspections requirements. (WT 11/16; al-Dustur, SATN 11/16, JT, Radio Qatar, SA 11/17 in WNC 11/19; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 11/17; WT 11/18, 11/19; JT 11/19 in WNC 11/21; MEI 11/21; WT 11/23; JP 11/29; Star 12/4 in WNC 12/9)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Indiana to attend mtg. of the General Assembly of Jewish Federations in Indianapolis, then heads to California for function honoring actor Kirk Douglas. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/17; MM 11/18)

In Cairo, PA leader Yasir Arafat briefs Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak on his talks with U.S. Secy. of State Albright 11/15. (RE 11/16 in WNC 11/19)

Egypt returns its amb. to Qatar. (MENA 11/16 in WNC 11/19) (see 11/7)

Iraq offers to allow American UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) inspectors expelled 11/13 to return, provided UN experts fr. other nations are given equal authority. (NYT, WP, WT 11/17)

150 Palestinians clash with Israel Defense Force (IDF) troops following funeral for boy who was severely injured by IDF 11/11 and died 11/15. (WP 11/17)

Iraq, Jordan sign agricultural cooperation accord. (IRNA 11/2 in WNC 11/4; RJ 11/3 in WNC 11/6)

Iraq again forbids entry to 2 American UNSCOM mbrs. U.S. says it has not ruled out a military response. Kuwait, other Arab states say that U.S. military action would be unacceptable. (CSM 11/3) (see 10/30)

Palestine Observer Mission at the UN announces plans to introduce a resolution in the UN General Assemby (UNGA) by early 11/97 that would deny Israel's right to represent East Jerusalem, Golan Heights, meaning credentials for Israeli reps. would have to be issued fr. Tel Aviv, symbolically cutting Israel's territory back to pre-1967 lines. The mission will also try to have its observer status upgraded to "special observer," so that reps. can participate in plenary session, on comms. and working groups. (WT 10/14, 10/17; NYT 10/24)

Jordan, Syria end 2 days of mtgs. on  water; sign minutes of mtg., agreeing to go ahead with construction of al-Wahda dam on the Yarmuk River in Syrian territory. (RJ 10/13, JT 10/14 in WNC 10/15)

After Canada receives an official apology fr. Israel for using forged Canadian passports in Mishal attack 9/25, Canadaian amb. returns to  Tel Aviv. (Radio Canada International 10/13 in WNC 10/15) (see 10/2)

Israel releases 2d batch 9 Jordanian detainees, flies them to Amman. (JTV 10/13 in WNC 10/15; CSM, WT 10/14; NYT 10/15) (see 10/6)

4,000 Palestinians attend rally in Nalbus to celebrate Shaykh Yasin's return to Gaza. (WT 10/14) (see 10/6)

Turkey begins pulling troops out of n. Iraq after its latest incursion against the PKK, which began on 9/21. (WT 10/14)

On the eve of her departure, the State Dept. says it has abandoned hope that Secy. of State Albright will make progress during her tour of the Middle East; says she will not offer any new proposals for resuming PA-Israeli talks. (WT 9/9)

Local Aid Coordiation Comm. (LACC) meets in Gaza. (PR 9/12)

Egyptian Trade Union Federation, the Central Comm. of the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions hold emergency mtg., decides to halt normalization with Israel indefinately due to the status of the peace process. (MENA 9/8 in WNC 9/9)

1 Israeli injured in the 9/4 bombings dies, bringing death toll to 8, including the 3 suicide bombers. (WP, WT 9/9)

The PA says that it has arrested 35 suspected Hamas mbrs. since the 9/4 bombings. Netanyahu says arrests are only "cosmetic." (MM 9/8; CSM, WP, WT 9/9; NYT 9/10; PR 9/12; WP 9/13)

After they post bail, Israel releases Ilham Abu Salih, a Druze arrested 8/25 on suspicion of spying for Syria, and Nadia Fouad, an Israeli Arab held sine late 8/97 on suspicion of spying for Iraq. (WP 9/9)

11 Jordanian opposition parties led by the Muslim Brotherhood call on the government to release Hamas spokesman Ghawshah. (AFP 9/8 in WNC 9/9) (see 9/7)

Israel decides to release 1/3 of the tax revenues ($12 m.) that it has withheld fr. the PA as a nod to the PA's cooperation on the trilateral security panel 8/18. (MM 8/18; IDF Radio, IGPO 8/18 in WNC 8/20; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/19; PR 8/22)

PA police begin inforcing a boycott on the import of certain Israeli goods to the occupied territories, halting and searching commercial vehicles. (JT 8/18 in WNC 8/20; MM 8/21; CSM, NYT, PR 8/22) (see 8/16)

Citing the deadlock in the peace process, Indonesia rejects an Israeli request for PM Netanyahu to visit the country during a trip to Japan, South Korea next wk. (YA 8/19 in WNC 8/20)

IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes nr. Hebron. (PR 9/5)

Jordan arrests 6 people, including an Israeli, who were trying to smuggle guns into the West Bank via the Dead Sea tourist area. (JT 8/27 in WNC 8/28; Shihan 9/6 in WNC 9/10; JP 10/11)

3 Lebanese civilians are killed by a roadside explosion in Jazzin, which is controlled by the South Lebanon Army (SLA). In response, the SLA shells the largely pro-Hizballah city of Sidon, killing at least 6 civilians, wounding 38--the highest civilian toll since the 4/96 understanding. Hizballah, supported by Lebanese army artillery, then shells source of SLA fire (a village nr. Jazzin), killing 1 civilian, wounding 2. Israel files a complaint with the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group (ILMG), blaming Hizballah for the initial roadside bombing; reprimands the "rogue commander" of the SLA who allegedly ordered the Sidon attack. (MM 8/18; RL, VOL 8/18 in WNC 8/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/19; VOL 8/19 in WNC 8/21; CSM, WP 8/20; NYT 8/21; MM 8/22) (see 8/12)

Iraq announces plans to permit Iranian pilgrims to visit Shi`ite holy sites at Najaf, Karbala for the 1st time in 17 yrs. beginning 9/4. (MM 8/19)

At the invitiation of the Lebanese Soccer Federation, the Iraqi national soccer team arrives in Beirut to play match against Lebanon's team. (INA 8/18 in WNC 8/20) (see 7/11)

U.S. Secy. of State Albright endorses PM Netanyahu's plan for accelerated final status talks with the PA, stresses that no progress can be made until Israel is certain that the PA is making 100% effort to fight "terrorism"; says that she will travel to the region at the end of the mo. (MM 8/6; ITV, QY 8/6 in WNC 8/7; NYT, WP, WT 8/7; IDF Radio, IGPO, ITV, MA, YA 8/7, Hatzofe 8/8 in WNC 8/8; MM, NYT 8/8; NYT 8/9; al-Thawra 8/9, IDF Radio 8/10 in WNC 8/12)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan, PM Majali meet with PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem. The crown prince terms the Israeli-Palestinian situation a "very dangerous crisis," recommends Israel adopt a softer line with the Palestinians, invites Netanyahu to visit Amman next wk. (MM, NYT 8/6; ITV, JTV, RJ, YA 8/6 in WNC 8/7; CSM 8/7; MA 8/7 in WNC 8/8; al-Ra'i 8/7 in WNC 8/11)

In Amman, King Hussein meets delegation fr. Israel's Histadrut Labor federation. (JTV 8/6 in WNC 8/8)

The U.S. group Builders for Peace, initiated by VP Al Gore to promote economic development in the territories, announces it is closing its doors, saying that "political conditions in the region . . . render the prospects of success for any given project remote." (Builders for Peace press release 8/6)

For the first day since the 7/30 bombings, Israel allows flour, vital goods, medical supplies to enter the West Bank, Gaza. (NYT 8/7; WT 8/8)

A delegation fr. the Syrian Chamber of Commerce travels to Iraq to discuss trade contracts under the UN oil-for-food agmt. (SA 8/7 in WNC 8/8; al-Quds al-Arabi 8/8 in WNC 8/11) (see 8/3)

IDF sends reinforcements to s. Lebanon. (RL 8/6 in WNC 8/7)

5 UNIFIL soldiers are killed when their helicopter crashes in s. Lebanon. UN suspects mechanical failure. (AFP, London Press Association 8/6, RL 8/7 in WNC 8/8; WP 8/7; JP 8/16)

In s. Lebanon, 1 SLA soldier is killed when Hizballah detonates a roadside bomb as his car passes. Hizballah also fires several katyushas toward n. Israel, but they land in s. Lebanon, causing no injuries. (MM 8/7; Voice of the South 8/7 in WNC 8/8; MM 8/8)

Lebanon files claim with ILMG regarding death of a civilian in s. Lebanon 8/5. (VOL 8/6 in WNC 8/7)

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)

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)

Donors hold Local Aid Coordination Comm. in Gaza. (UN Special Coordinator's Office [UNSCO] press release 6/26)

Damascus Declaration states close 2-day mtg. in Latakia, Syria; issue final statement calling for Israeli withdrawal fr. all occupied territories, denouncing 6/10 House decision on Jerusalem, suggesting formation of an Arab common market, taking no firm position on the Doha economic summit. (MM 6/26; SATN 6/26 in WNC 6/27; MM 6/30; MEI 7/11)

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah leaves Syria for 3-day visit to Lebanon. (MM 6/26; RL 7/1 in WNC 7/2)

In hope of redirecting, unifying U.S. political, intelligence policy on Iraq, retired CIA agent Warren Marik goes public with the details of the U.S. operation, which he directed, to overthrow Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein. (WP 6/26; MM 7/2; al-Urdun 8/2 in WNC 8/5)

In Amsterdam, a 2-day mtg. of EU leaders closes. Attendees issue statement for the 1st time urging Israel not to rule out the possibility of a Palestinian state. (MM 6/18)

In Washington, U.S. secy. of state Albright informs visiting Crown Prince Hassan of U.S. plans to give Jordan $100 m./yr. in aid for the next 5 yrs. (al-Aswaq, al-Dustur, JT 6/17, RJ 6/18 in WNC 6/19; MM, WT 6/18; WJW 6/19; JT 6/19 in WNC 6/20; al-Dustur 6/20 in WNC 6/23; MEI 6/27)

The Senate passes a version of House Res. 1757 that contains a section prohibiting most financial transactions with "state sponsors of terrorism," including Syria. A conference comm. must now work out the differences btwn. the bills. (WJW 7/24; MEI 7/25) (see 6/11)

6 wks. after the IDF forcibly evacuated settlers fr. their outpost nr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus (5/6), several settler families are living on the disputed site, guarded by IDF reservists, while IDF bulldozers break ground to expand the settlement and build a permanent IDF lookout. (YA 6/17 in WNC 6/19) (see 5/7)

Hani `Abd al-Rahim Sayigh, the Saudi accused of participating in the 6/25/96 al-Khobar barracks bombing, is extradited to the U.S. from Canada to provide testimony that could link Iran, Syria to the attack. Under his deal with the FBI, Sayigh will plead guilty to plotting a different attack that never took place in exchange for telling all he knows about the al-Khobar incident. (WP, WT 6/18; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/19; MM 6/24) (see 3/30)

Iraq announces that it will begin rebuilding, expanding the al-Tanf border post with Syria in the next wk. (MEI 6/13; WT 6/18; MM 6/30) (see 6/2, 6/4, 6/14)

In Hebron, IDF troops clash with Palestinian demonstrators for the 4th day, wounding 17 Palestinian. An AP photographer is attacked, kicked in the head by a Jewish settler; IDF soldiers do not intervene. (WP, WT 6/18; MEI 6/27)

Visiting delegation of American Reform and Conservative Jewish leaders convinces PM Netanyahu to shelve the legislation that would give Orthodox rabbinical courts exclusive jurisdiction over government recognition of conversions to Judaism (see 4/1), form 7-mbr. comm. (comprising 5 Orthodox, 1 Reform, 1 Conservative) to investigate the issue. (WT 6/20)

In Amman, King Hussein discusses peace process with Labor Chmn. Barak. In Petra, Arafat meets with PM Majali. (JTV 6/9 in WNC 6/11; MM 6/10)

World Bank offers Jordan a $100 m. loan for energy, social security projects. (JT 6/9 in WNC 6/10)

In Beirut, 5 suspected Japanese Red Army mbrs. go on trial on charges of passport forgery, illegal entry into Lebanon. (NYT, WP 6/10; MEI 6/27) (see 4/3)

Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein's son Uday leaves a Baghdad hospital 6 mos. after an assassination attempt against him. According to government media reports, his leg has not fully healed, but he has no signs of paralysis. Opposition press says he is partially paralyzed, cannot walk. (WT 6/10, 7/2, 7/10) (see 1/28)

PM Netanyahu presents "Allon plus" final settlement proposal to his inner cabinet. (IDF Radio 6/4 in WNC 6/5; ITV 6/4, RE, YA 6/6 in WNC 6/9; MM, WT 6/5; ITV, MA, RE 6/5 in WNC 6/6; PR 6/6; MM 6/9; MEI 6/13; JP 6/14)

In Cairo, Arafat, Mubarak, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah hold tripartite mtg. on the peace process, Egyptian mediation. (RE 6/4 in WNC 6/5; MM 6/5)

Kuwait's acting PM Shaykh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah says that it is time to renew ties (severed during the 1990+n91 Gulf War) with Jordan, Yemen. (MM 6/5, 6/6; RJ 6/22, al-Dustur 6/23 in WNC 6/24; MM 6/23; SA 7/2 in WNC 7/7)

Based on the 5/24 GCO corruption report, the PA fires Atty. Gen. Khalid al-Kidra. Publicly, Kidra resigns, citing poor health, but is placed under house arrest immediately. (MEI, PR 6/13; JP 6/14; CSM 6/18; JP 6/21; WP 7/30)

IDF storms Bayt Fajjar village nr. Bethlehem, detains 27 Palestinians allegedly connected to Hamas. (ITV 6/4 in WNC 6/5; MA 6/5 in WNC 6/6)

UN Security Council unanimously approves 6-mo. extension to Iraq's oil-for-food deal. (WP 6/5)

4 explosive devises are detonated on a s. Lebanon road, killing 1 Lebanese civilian, wounding 2 others. 1 South Lebanon Army (SLA) mbr. is killed in a separate explosion. (AFP, RL 6 /4 in WNC 6/5)

In Aqaba, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Jordan's King Hussein hold talks on the peace process. (RJ 5/24 in WNC 5/28; JT 6/5 in WNC 6/6)

In the 1st official criticism of corruption within the PA since self-rule began in 1994, a PA General Control Office (GCO) audit ordered by Arafat shows that the PA misused $326 m. in public funds in 1996, $223 m. thus far in 1997. (NYT, WP 5/25; MM 5/27; MM 6/4; CSM 6/18)

Israeli High Court rules that a sale of land in the Palestinian village of Silwan to the Jewish settler land acquisition company Elad was illegal, based on fraudulent documents; orders the property to revert to the Palestinian inheritors. (LAW 5/24)

Palestinian journalist Kuttab begins a hunger strike to protest his continued detention without charge. (WP, WT 5/25; WT 5/26; MM 5/27) (see 5/22)

Turkish military officials say that during the army's offensive into n. Iraq, 1,445 of the estimated 4,000 PKK mbrs. have been killed, 184 wounded, 121 captured. 10's of Turkish soldiers, at least 27 KDP mbrs. have also been killed. At least 25,000 and possibly more than 50,000 Turkish troops may now be in Iraq. (WP 5/26; AFP 6/13 in WNC 6/17) (see 5/20)

PA police detain al-Quds owner, Palestinian-American journalist Daoud Kuttab for airing live the Palestinian Council (PC) weekly session, focusing on PA corruption. (WP 5/21; LAW, NYT, WP 5/22; MM 5/27) (see 4/30)

Israeli dep. finance M David Magen submits his resignation for 2d time (see 5/2), citing disapproval of PM Netanyahu's policies; says he will not be dissuaded fr. quitting this time. (Globes [Internet] 5/20 in WNC 5/21)

After discussions with FM Levy, Oded Eran rescinds his resignation fr. his post as Israeli amb. to Jordan. (WP 5/21; JP 5/31)

In Amman, Jordanian police arrest 5 journalists while breaking up a demonstration against the new press law. Jordanian Council of Ministers says that there is no chance the law will be revoked. (MM 5/20; RJ, RMC 5/20 in WNC 5/21; MM 5/21; RJ 5/22 in WNC 5/23; RJ 5/22 in WNC 5/27) (see 5/18)

Turkey claims to have killed 1,300 PKK mbrs., captured 200 during the past wk. of its offensive. An estimated 20,000 Turkish soldiers are now in n. Iraq. (MM 5/20; Anatolia [Ankara], RMC 5/20 in WNC 5/21; NYT, WT 5/21; WP 6/12) (see 5/19)

U.S special envoy Ross returns to Washington after 9 days of unsuccessful talks. (ITV, al-Manar 5/17 in WNC 5/22) (see 5/16)  

In advance of Jordan's 11/97 parliamentary elections, King Hussein unveils a new press law that sets sweeping restrictions on reporting, stiffens fines for offenders, places crushing financial obligations on opposition-dominated weekly newspapers. (al-Ra'i 5/18, Star 5/22 in WNC 5/23; MM, WP, WT 5/19)

On the 4th day of its incursion into Iraq to suppress the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Turkey says that it has killed 902 PKK mbrs., captured 141, lost 12 Turkish soldiers. (WP, WT 5/18; MM 5/19) (see 5/14)

The UNGA passes (134-3, with 11 abstentions) a resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction. (NYT, WT 4/26; ITV 4/26, SANA 4/27 in WNC 4/29; MM 4/28, 4/29; MEI 5/2)

In New York, Hamas political leader Abu Marzuq signs an agmt. that he will not contest the terrorism charges against him, will give up his residency status; in return, the U.S. will drop exclusion proceedings, release him to Jordan, which has agreed to grant him asylum. (AFP, RJ 4/30 in WNC 5/1; NYT, WP 5/1; NYT 5/2; WP 5/9) (see 4/22)

Israeli police find bodies of 2 Israeli women in a West Bank nature reserve nr. Jerusalem, suspect Palestinian assailants, but offer no proof. (WP 4/26; MM 4/28; WJW 5/1; JP 5/10)

Israeli court extends by 10 days the remand of businessman Manbar while it considers whether to charge him with selling arms to Iran. (ITV 4/25 in WNC 4/28) (see 3/27)

For 3d time, Iraq violates the U.S. no-fly zone to ferry pilgrims fr. Saudi Arabia to Iraq. (WP 4/26; CSM, MEI 5/2) (see 4/23)

In Miami, Palestinian refugee fr. Lebanon who hijacked an Iberian plane fr. Madrid to Miami on 7/26/96 is found guilty of federal air piracy charges, will be sentenced 8/11/97. (WT 4/26) (see also 7/30/96)

2 IDF soldiers are wounded by mortar fire nr. the Israeli, s. Lebanon border. IDF claims soldiers were hit while in Israeli territory; Lebanon, SLA claim soldiers were in s. Lebanon. (MM 4/25; RL 4/26 in WNC 4/29)

In Washington, Pres. Clinton, Jordan's King Hussein discuss ideas for restarting Israeli-PA talks, policy toward Iraq. (NYT, WP, WT 4/2; al-Dustur, al-Ra'i, RJ 4/2 in WNC 4/3; NYT, WP 4/3; WT 4/8; RJ 4/12 in WNC 4/15; MEI 4/18) (see 3/19)

2 bombs explode nr. Jewish settlements in Gaza, killing 2, wounding 7 Palestinians. A wing of Islamic Jihad claims responsibility. (WP 4/1; AFP 4/1 in WNC 4/2; NYT, WP, WT 4/2; RMC 4/2 in WNC 4/3; PR 4/4; JP 4/12)

IDF troops shoot, kill 2 Palestinians in separate incidents: 1 during a demonstration; the other, an undercover PA policeman, as he approached an IDF checkpoint in an attempt to block other Palestinian protesters fr. advancing on the roadblock. (NYT, WP, WT 4/1; IDF Radio 4/1 in WNC 4/2)

The Knesset approves 1st reading of a bill that would grant the Orthodox rabbinical courts exclusive jurisdiction over those seeking to convert to Judaism, meaning that Jews converted by Reform or Conservative Jewish denominations would not be officially recognized as Jewish. Senior leaders of the Reform and Conservative movements in the U.S. (which represent 3 m. of the 3.5 m. U.S. Jews) threaten to withhold lobbying support, divert contributions to Israel away fr. the government if the bill is made law. (NYT, WP, WT 4/2; WP 4/3; WJW 4/10; NYT 4/17; Globes [Internet] 4/21 in WNC 4/24)

Hizballah attacks an SLA patrol in s. Lebanon, killing 1 SLA mbr., wounding 5. (RL 4/1 in WNC 4/2; WT 4/2)

In Hebron, Palestinian protesters clashes with IDF troops for 2d day. IDF responds with live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, injuring over 100 Palestinians (including 20 wounded by live bullets). Some Palestinians throw stones at PA police, who intervene to push back demonstrators. (AFP 3/22 in WNC 3/31; NYT, WP, WT 3/23; SATN 3/23 in WNC 3/25; PR 3/28)

Israel closes the Allenby Bridge into Jordan to Palestinians. (RJ 3/22 in WNC 3/25)

PA orders rearrest of senior Hamas military figure Ibrahim Muqadima, who was released 3/19. Israel says it expects the PA to arrest 150 other Hamas, Islamic Jihad activists. (AFP, ITV 3/22 in WNC 3/25; WP, WT 3/23; WP 3/24)

Jordanian police prevent a 13-mbr. delegation fr. the al-Zubi tribe fr. visiting the Daqamsa family. (al-Dustur 3/23 in WNC 3/25) (see 3/19)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan receives Iraqi PM Tariq `Aziz for discussions on bilateral relations. (INA 3/22, JT 3/23 in WNC 3/25; al-Dustur 3/24 in WNC 3/26) (see 3/17)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates bomb outside home of SLA officer Kamal Nimr, killing him. (RL 3/22 in WNC 3/25; WT 3/23) (see 3/21)

In Beirut, Syrian officials arrest a Jordanian national of Palestinian descent, Dirar al-Karmi, for attacking a Syrian bus 12/18, take him to Damascus. (WT 1/19; MM 1/20; al-Dustur 1/20, 1/21 in WNC 1/22; RL 1/21 in WNC 1/23)

At the end of the Iraqi-Jordanian Joint Comm. mtg. in Baghdad, Jordan, Iraq initial the minutes of a joint economic, trade, oil cooperation accord. (INA 1/18, 1/19 in WNC 1/22; MM 1/20; al-Ra'i 1/22 in WNC 1/23; RMC 1/26 in WNC 1/28) (see 1/15)