The Palestine Chronology

In Washington, U.S. special envoy Ross meets with Israeli cabinet secy. Nave to prepare for mtg. btwn. Arafat adivser Abbas, Israeli FM Levy at the UN next wk. (YA 9/23 in WNC 9/24; WT 9/24)

Netanyahu says that 4 of the 5 suicide bombers fr. the 7/30, 9/4 attacks had escaped fr. PA jail in 1996; were on a list of Palestinians that Israel had pressed the PA to arrest; came fr. Assira (see 9/21). (If true, it would be the 1st time that families of Palestinian suicide bombers united in refusing to identify/to come forward to claim their relatives' remains.) Netanyahu also claims that although the men came fr. area B, where Israel has security control, they were acting on orders fr. unnamed Hamas leaders in area A, meaning the PA is ultimately responsible for the bombings. Shin Bet is angry that Netanyahu released information on an ongoing investigation. (MM 9/23; ITV 9/23, IDF Radio, MA 9/24 in WNC 9/25; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/24; YA 9/24 in WNC 9/25; PR 10/3; JP 10/4; MEI 10/10) (see 8/9)

King Hussein undergoes prostate surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Doctors find no cancer. (JTV 4/5, RJ 4/7 in WNC 4/8; WP, WT 4/6; JTV 4/11 in WNC 4/14)

As Palestinian protests continue throughout the territories, 10,000 Israelis attend peace rally in Tel Aviv, encourage PM Netanyahu to resume talks with the PA immediately. (ITV 4/5 in WNC 4/8; WP, WT 4/6)

Israel says that the IDF, Shin Bet have detained 42 Hamas suspects in Surif since the 3/21 suicide bombing. (YA 4/6 in WNC 4/8; PR 4/18)

In Tel Aviv, Israeli DM Mordechai briefs Jordanian Information M Marwan Mu`asher on negotiations with the PA. Mu`asher warns Israel on expanding settlements, raising fears of a military conflict with Syria. (ITV, JTV 12/11, IGPO, RJ 12/12 in WNC 12/13)

In Cairo, Netanyahu adviser Gold discuses peace process with Pres. Mubarak. (RE 12/11 in WNC 12/12)

Israeli Justice Min. defends Shin Bet's use of moderate physical pressure in questioning Palestinians suspected of having knowledge of imminent anti-Israeli attacks; claims that 90 incidents (incl. 15 kidnapings of Israeli soldiers and civilians, 10 suicide bombings, 7 car bombings) have been averted over the past 2 yrs. as a result of such pressure. (IDF Radio 12/11 in WNC 12/12; MM 12/20) (see 11/14)

Two settlers are killed, 5 wounded in a drive-by shooting nr. Ramallah, which the IDF immediately seals off along with several surrounding villages. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claims responsibility as a response to Israel's plans to build 132 Jewish houses in East Jerusalem (see 12/8). PA condemns the attack, saying it will give Israel a pretext to further delay negotiations. (MM 12/11; IDF Radio, ITV 12/11, RMC 12/12 in WNC 12/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/12; MA 12/12 in WNC 12/16; WT 12/13; CSM 12/16; QY, YA 12/18 in WNC 12/19; MEI, PR 12/20; JP 12/21, 12/28; MEI 1/10; WJW 1/23)