In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Jenin on 10/29. Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian vehicles during a raid in Husan. Israeli forces...
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November 14, 2023
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February 27, 2003
The IDF raids a branch of the Arab Bank in Azariyya, East Jerusalem, confiscates documents related to bank accounts belonging to Jerusalem residents allegedly linked to Hamas. A roadside bomb...
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October 26, 1998
U.S. Asst. Secy. Indyk briefs ambs. of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE on the Wye agmt. (al-Akhbar, al-Ba'th, al-Jumhuriyya...
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May 3, 1998
After mtg. with Arafat late 5/2, VP Gore holds unscheduled 2-a.m. mtg. with Netanyahu to discuss peace process; then heads to Cairo for pre-dawn mtg. with Pres. Mubarak regarding...
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February 2, 1998
In Cairo, Mubarak adviser Baz is briefed by Israeli Cabinet Secy. Nave, Netanyahu adviser Uzi Arad on Netanyahu's mtg. with Secy. of State Albright and, separately, by PA Local Government M Erakat...
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January 21, 1998
Arafat arrives in Washington, meets with Secy. of State Albright, calls on U.S. to pressure Israel to fulfill withdrawal agmts. as outlined in Oslo accords. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/22)
American...
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May 8, 1997
U.S. special envoy Ross meets with Arafat in Gaza, then meets with PM Netanyahu, Pres. Weizman, FM Levy. (WJW 5/8; ITV, QY 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM, WP 5/9; MEI, PR 5/16; JP 5/17)
Israel's PM...
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September 7, 1996
In Cairo, Arafat briefs Mubarak on his mtg. with Israeli PM Netanyahu 9/4. Egyptian FM Musa says Arafat's news was "discouraging," Israel is taking no action to give the peace process momentum. (...
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August 25, 1996
In response to a letter fr. Arafat asking him to "save the peace process," Israeli Pres. Ezer Weizman invites Arafat to meet him in Israel, says he would postpone mtg. if PM Netanyahu agreed to...
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August 22, 1996
PA confirms that Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas met today with Netanyahu adviser Dore Gold in Tel Aviv to discuss resumption of Palestinian-Israeli Steering and Monitoring Committee (PISMC) meetings...
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October 19, 1993
PLO Chmn. Arafat meets in Tunis with U.S. State Dept. official Dennis Ross, NSC official Martin Indyk, then flies to Cairo for meetings with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, American Jewish Congress...
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Jenin on 10/29. Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian vehicles during a raid in Husan. Israeli forces attacked Tulkarm refugee camp killing 5 Palestinians, including 3 in a drone strike, and injuring 18. Israel also damaged water, electricity, and sewage lines, uprooted streets, and bulldozed a monument to Yasir Arafat. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian who allegedly tried to stab a soldier near Beit Einun. Elsewhere, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home in ‘Urif of a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces after he allegedly killed 4 settlers near the Eli settlement on 6/20. 28 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Qalqilya, Jenin, Nablus, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 90 Palestinians in Khan Yunis and Gaza City, including at least 13 people in an airstrike on Khan Yunis. The number of fatalities was likely much higher since the Gaza Ministry of Health was unable to communicate with hospitals and civil defense members in northern Gaza. Israel said it had taken control of al-Shati refugee camp. Israel forces fired shots at al-Shifa Hospital. At the end of the day, Israel told the Gaza Ministry of Health that it will enter the hospital. Israel has bombed the vicinity of the hospital for days. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed and 4 seriously wounded in northern Gaza. Rockets were fired from Gaza, injuring 3 near Tel Aviv. In South Lebanon, Israel said it attacked Hezbollah sites in the Yiftah area. At the Red Sea, Israel said it intercepted a missile fired toward Eliat. The Houthi-led government in Yemen took responsibility. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; AJ, HA 11/15)
The Gaza Ministry of Health was not able to fully update the casualty figures due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in northern Gaza. However, it did say that at least 11,451 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,630 children and 3,130 women, and 27,490 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 187 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 47 children. More than 2,700 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed and 5,431 have injured since 10/7. 51 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. The Gaza Ministry of Health said 40 patients at al-Shifa Hospital have died in recent days. Hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiya said 179 people had been buried in mass graves in the hospital compound, including 7 babies and 29 intensive care patients. The WHO said 22 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza were no longer operational. 15 medical workers and 91 truckloads of aid entered Gaza. An estimated 18,000 Palestinians fled from northern Gaza to the south. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; AJ 11/15)
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, “because of Hamas’s use of hospitals for military purposes, [the hospitals] will lose special protection in the international court.” Israel has presented animations, pictures of purported tunnels, and a video from al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital that it said was proof of Hamas’s presence at hospitals, all of which did not show any evidence to back Israel’s claim. In the video from al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital, Israel showed a piece of paper hanging on the wall that it claimed was a list of Hamas militants’ names. However, the list was merely a calendar with the names of the days of the week written in Arabic. The U.S. said it had intelligence that suggested a Hamas and Islamic Jihad presence at hospitals in Gaza, including al-Shifa. A U.S. national security council spokesperson said “[w]e do not support striking a hospital from the air and we don’t want to see a firefight in a hospital where innocent people, helpless people, sick people trying to get medical care they deserve are caught in crossfire.” Hamas called for the UN to inspect all hospitals in Gaza to debunk the Israeli and U.S. claims. Doctors at al-Shifa also rejected the claim that Palestinian militants were operating in the hospital. Human Rights Watch said Israel had not presented evidence “that would justify stripping hospitals of their special protections under international humanitarian law,” adding “international humanitarian law only allows attacking hospitals if room is made for safe evacuation.” (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; AJ, REU 11/15)
Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the prison facility where Israel is holding members of Hamas who were captured during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, saying prisoners were “handcuffed in a dark cell, iron beds, toilets in a hole in the floor and the [Israeli] national anthem constantly playing in the background.” Ben-Gvir said he will promote the death penalty for the Palestinian militants. (HA 11/14)
A New York Times investigation into an attack on al-Shifa Hospital on 11/10 said it was likely an Israeli attack that killed 7 people at the hospital and not an errant missile fired from Gaza as Israel had claimed. (AJ, NYT 11/14)
Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said he welcomed “the initiative of members of Knesset Ram Ben-Barak and Danny Danon on the voluntary immigration of Gaza Arabs to countries around the world. This is the right humanitarian solution for the residents of Gaza and the entire region.” Smotrich was referencing an op-ed written by Ben-Barak and Danon that was published in the Wall Street Journal on 11/13. The PA and Hamas condemned Smotrich comments. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 11/14)
U.S. president Joe Biden discussed efforts for a prisoner exchange with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Shin Bet director Ronan Bar met with Egyptian officials in Egypt, discussing a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. Nearly 100 members of the U.S. Congress watched a screening of a 43-minute video of the Hamas Al-Aqsa Flood Operation on 10/7. The screening was facilitated by the Israeli embassy. (HA 11/14)
Belize said it had withdrawn its accreditation for the Israeli ambassador-designate in the country, suspended activities at its consulate in Tel Aviv and the Israeli consulate in Belize, and withdrawn its request for accreditation for its consul to Israel, citing Israeli violations of international humanitarian law. (AJ 11/14)
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said “I have been clear the price of justice cannot be the continued suffering of all Palestinian civilians. Even wars have rules. All innocent life is equal in worth …. I urge the government of Israel to exercise maximum restraint …. The world is witnessing this, the killing of women and children, of babies. This has to stop.” (HA, REU 11/14; AJ, AJ 11/15)
Reuters reported that Israel had approved the delivery of 6,340 gallons of diesel to Gaza. Haaretz later reported that the fuel was only for trucks used by the UN, not for hospitals. (AJ, AX, REU 11/14; HA 11/15)
Bloomberg News reported that in late October the U.S. quietly approved an Israeli request to send it laser-guided missiles, 155mm shells, night-vision devices, bunker-buster munitions, and new army vehicles. (AJ 11/15)
The Washington Post published an op-ed by King Abdullah II of Jordan, who said Israel has undermined the peace process for 2 decades by expanding settlements and allowing Israeli settlers to attack Palestinians. He called for a “concerted international effort to develop a regional architecture of peace, security and prosperity, built on a Palestinian-Israeli peace based on the two-state solution,” saying that Israeli violence will not grant it victory. (AJ 11/14)
German chancellor Olaf Schulz said Israel is a democracy that abides by international law and said it has “the right and duty to defend itself.” (AJ, HA 11/14)
Spanish minister for social rights Ione Belarra said 60 ministers from Europe and Latin America had signed a petition calling for the ICC to investigate Israeli leaders for genocide. (AJ 11/14)
More than 500 political appointees and staff members from 40 U.S. government agencies sent a letter to President Biden protesting his support for Israel’s war on Gaza. (NYT 11/14)
Tens of thousands of pro-Israel demonstrators rallied at the Mall in Washington D.C. Among the speakers was Christians United for Israel founder John Hagee, who in the past has blamed Jewish people for the Holocaust. The American Jewish anti-occupation organization IfNotNow called the rally “a pro-war, pro-Nakba rally.” (AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 11/14; AJ, AJ 11/15)
The IDF raids a branch of the Arab Bank in Azariyya, East Jerusalem, confiscates documents related to bank accounts belonging to Jerusalem residents allegedly linked to Hamas. A roadside bomb explodes nr. a Jewish settler bus in the West Bank, causing no injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 2/23. (HA, JTA 2/27; PCHR 3/6; LAW 3/13)
The Knesset approves (68–48) Israeli PM Ariel Sharon’s (reelected on 1/28/03) new coalition government. The 68-seat coalition includes the right-wing, pro-settler National Religious Party (6 seats), opposed to creation of a Palestinian state; the right-wing, secular nationalist Shinui (15 seats), which supports unilateral separation; and the ultraright-wing National Union Party (7 seats), which represents Jewish settlers, opposes talks with the Palestinians, and advocates expelling PA head Yasir Arafat and Palestinians from the occupied territories and annexing the land. Acting FM Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) becomes finance minister, acting Finance M Silvan Shalom (Likud) becomes FM; Likud’s Tshai Hanegbi (previously under criminal investigation by Israeli police) becomes internal security minister; Mofaz remains DM. Sharon says that the economy will be his 1st priority, the peace process his 2d; that the Palestinians would have to give up the right of return, agree to Jerusalem remaining the unified capital of Israel, and halt all violence if they want a comprehensive peace. (HA, MM, NYT, WP 2/27; NYT, WP, WT 2/28; MA 2/28 in WNC 3/3; WT 3/1; MEI 3/7)
U.S. Asst. Secy. Indyk briefs ambs. of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE on the Wye agmt. (al-Akhbar, al-Ba'th, al-Jumhuriyya, MENA, RL 10/26, AFP 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; al-Ba'th 10/28 in WNC 11/2; al-Quds 10/28, SA 10/30, al-Ahram 11/2 in WNC 11/6; MM 10/29, 10/30; MM 11/2; WP 11/6)
In the Knesset, PM Netanyahu survives no-confidence motion, but Knesset Law Comm. agrees (9-7) to hear 1st reading of bill calling for the dissolution of parliament, new elections in 100 days. MKs criticize Netanyahu for linking Pollard with the peace process. (CSM, WP, WT 10/27)
In Gaza, the Arab Liberation Front, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Islamic National Salvation Party, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) issue statement denouncing the Wye agmt. (MENA 10/26 in WNC 10/27; PR 10/30)
200 Jewish settlers hold rally outside PM Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, protesting the Wye agmt. At least 24 are detained by Israeli police. (ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; WP 10/27; YA 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM 10/28)
Jordan, Israel begin long-delayed $1.65-m. joint project to build the `Adasiyya diversion wall to diver Yarmuk River water. (JT, RJ 10/27 in WNC 10/28; JP 211/9)
An Israeli settler is killed in Israeli-controlled Hebron in an apparent attack by Palestinians. IDF places curfew on Palestinians in Hebron's Israeli-controlled zone. Later, the body of a Palestinian is found outside Itamar settlement nr. Nablus. An anonymous caller claims Palestinian was killed to avenge the settler's death. (IDF Radio, ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/28; CSM, LAW, MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; WJW 10/29; PR 10/30)
In Ramallah, Palestinians observe general strike, 100s of Fatah mbrs. march to protest 10/25 events, call on Arafat to punish security services. (NYT, WP 10/27; PR 10/30)
International experts submit final report Iraqi missile fragments to the UNSC, say results are inconclusive. Tests by Switzerland show no traces of VX; 1 sample in the 3d test by France shows traces of nerve agent that could be VX. French, Swiss, U.S. tests all show traces of unknown compound that could mask biological agents. (NYT, WP 10/27; MEI 10/30) (6/22)
U.S. says that a UN proposal to try the Pan Am bombing suspects in the Hague under Scottish law, tentatively agreed to by all parties, is in jeopardy because of Libyan demands that the 2 suspects not be imprisoned in Scotland if found guilty. (WP 10/27; WT 10/28) (see 9/29)
After mtg. with Arafat late 5/2, VP Gore holds unscheduled 2-a.m. mtg. with Netanyahu to discuss peace process; then heads to Cairo for pre-dawn mtg. with Pres. Mubarak regarding London talks, bilateral economic relations. Later in the day, Arafat flies to Cairo to meet with Mubarak before heading to London mtgs. (WP 5/3; ESC Television, MENA, RE 5/3 in WNC 5/6; NYT, WP, WT 5/4)
Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan travels to Turkey to participate in mtg. of new Atlantic Initiative Group, which stresses human rights as the basis for security, stability in the Middle East. Conferences discusses peace process, Iraq. (JTV 5/3 in WNC 5/6)
Group of 17 German army cadets arrives in Israel for 1st joint training program. (NYT, WT 5/4; ITV 5/4 in WNC 5/8)
Iran calls on Turkey to expand bilateral economic relations. (IRNA 5/3 in WNC 5/6)
Jordan Information Min. says that police have detained 50+n60 suspects for questioning in connection with 4/29, 4/30 bombings. (AFP 5/3, al-Quds al-Arabi, al-Ra'i 5/4 in WNC 5/6; al-Hadath 5/4, al-Hayat al-Jadida, JT, al-Sabil 5/5, RJ 5/6, al-Ra'i 5/7 in WNC 5/8; RJ 5/10 in WNC 5/12; al-Hadath 5/11 in WNC 5/13)
Israeli military court convicts, sentences Palestinian Riyad Abu Hamdiyya to 4 life terms in prison for participation in 1/9/97, 3/21/97 bombings in Tel Aviv. (NYT 5/4)
In Cairo, Mubarak adviser Baz is briefed by Israeli Cabinet Secy. Nave, Netanyahu adviser Uzi Arad on Netanyahu's mtg. with Secy. of State Albright and, separately, by PA Local Government M Erakat on Arafat's mtg. with Albright. Erakat then heads to Amman to brief Jordanian FM Tarawnah. (JTV, MENA, RE 2/2 in WNC 2/4; IGPO 2/3)
In Damascus, EU special envoy Moratinos, Syrian FM Shara` discuss peace process. (SATN 2/2 in WNC 2/4)
Palestinian Nasir al-Hurub dies in PA custody just hours after his arrest. He is at least the 16th Palestinian to die in PA custody. (LAW 2/3; WT 2/4; MEI, PR 2/13)
Palestinian clashes with IDF continue at entrance to Bethlehem. (NYT 2/3)
After 7 hrs. of talks with Secy. of State Albright, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdallah agrees only to say that if the U.S. strikes Iraq, it would be Saddam Hussein's fault. (MM, NYT, WP 2/3; MEI 2/13)
UN Secy. Gen. Annan asks the UNSC to raise to $5.2 b. fr. $2 b. the amount of oil Iraq is allowed to sell in the next 6 mos. of the oil-for-food program. (NYT 2/8) (see 1/31)
UN extends mandate of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for 6 mos. (RL 2/2 in WNC 2/4)
Arafat arrives in Washington, meets with Secy. of State Albright, calls on U.S. to pressure Israel to fulfill withdrawal agmts. as outlined in Oslo accords. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/22)
American Jewish leaders (fr. such groups as American Jewish Congress, Anti-Defamation League) criticize Netanyahu for courting Christian Right. Netanyahu gives interview to Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network. (WP 1/22; MM 1/26) (see 1/19)
In Mecca, Jordan's King Hussein, Saudi Arabia's King Fahd discuss joint efforts to support the peace process. King Hussein is in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser pilgrimage (al-`Umra). (RJ 1/21 in WNC 1/23; `Ukaz [Jiddah] 1/22 in WNC 1/27)
Dir. Gen. of the Israeli Cabinet Ariel Shomir travels to Cairo to deliver a letter fr. Pres. Weizman to Egypt's Pres. Mubarak. (MENA 1/21 in WNC 1/23)
World Bank secures financing for first export-oriented industrial estate at al-Muntar, Gaza. (World Bank press release 1/21)
IDF begins bulldozing Palestinian land nr. Neve Dalim settlement in Gaza as 1st step to expanding the settlement. (PCHR 1/24)
Jordan receives last installment of U.S. military equipment under the $1-m. 1996 draw-down agmt. (JTV 1/21 in WNC 1/23; al-Ra'i 1/26 in WNC 1/27)
U.S. special envoy Ross meets with Arafat in Gaza, then meets with PM Netanyahu, Pres. Weizman, FM Levy. (WJW 5/8; ITV, QY 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM, WP 5/9; MEI, PR 5/16; JP 5/17)
Israel's PM Netanyahu, Jordan's King Hussein meet in Aqaba to discuss water issues, ways of resuming Israeli-PA negotiations. (MM 5/9; QY, RJ, YA 5/9 in WNC 5/12; JTV 5/9, RJ 5/10, JT 5/11, RJ 5/12 in WNC 5/13; NYT 5/10; JP 5/24) (see 5/6, Peace Monitor for details)
U.S. special envoy Ross, EU special envoy Moratinos meet in Israel to discuss the peace process. (IDF Radio 5/8 in WNC 5/9; AFP 5/9 in WNC 5/12; MEI 5/16)
Austrian FM Schuessel holds separate mtgs. with Israel's Netanyahu, PA's Arafat, EU's Moratinos. (Die Presse [Vienna] 5/9 in WNC 5/12)
Israeli cabinet secy. Nave admits that the intelligence transmission intercepted by the NSA in 1/97 was made. An unnamed Israeli intelligence official claims that "Mega" does not refer to a person but to something else. A 3d official claims "Mega" was a mistranslation of "Elga," the term used by Mossad for the CIA. U.S. declines to comment. (WP 5/9; MA, YA 5/9 in WNC 5/13; MM 5/13; YA 5/13 in WNC 5/14) (see 5/6)
In Cairo, Arafat briefs Mubarak on his mtg. with Israeli PM Netanyahu 9/4. Egyptian FM Musa says Arafat's news was "discouraging," Israel is taking no action to give the peace process momentum. (RE 9/7 in WNC 9/10)
In Amman, Jordan, U.S. hold talks on bilateral economic ties; sign agmt. btwn. Jordan, U.S. Export-Import Bank to finance Jordan's importation of $200 m. of U.S. goods; focus on possible investment and aviation agmts. Jordan encourages greater U.S. contribution to Jordan's private sector. (JTV, RJ 9/7 in WNC 9/10)
In response to a letter fr. Arafat asking him to "save the peace process," Israeli Pres. Ezer Weizman invites Arafat to meet him in Israel, says he would postpone mtg. if PM Netanyahu agreed to meet Arafat himself within 10 days. PM Netanyahu reluctantly endorses Weizman-Arafat mtg., says he will meet with Arafat soon. (CSM, NYT, WP 8/26; WT 8/28; WJW 8/29; MM, PR 8/30; JP 8/31; MM 9/2; MEI 9/6; JP 9/7)
In Amman, Japanese FM Ikeda signs memorandum of understanding with Jordan under which Japan will grant Jordan $7 m. to finance building new King Hussein bridge, travelers terminal once the sovereignty/legal status of West Bank has been determined. Japan has given Jordan $340 m. in aid, loans in the past yr. (RJ 8/25 in WNC 8/29; JT 9/14 in WNC 9/19)
Israel moves first 11 of 298 mobile homes into 2 West Bank settlements. (WP 8/26; PR 8/30)
2d round of Lebanese voting is held in n. Lebanon. Observers report sharp drop in electoral abuses after opposition charged widespread fraud in 1st round 8/18. Hizballah does not run a slate; all 4 al-Jama` al-Islamiyya candidates are defeated. Most of the 28 elected are progovernment, although the 1 Syrian Ba'th party candidate loses. (CSM 8/26; MM 8/28; RL 8/28 in WNC 8/30; MEI 9/6)
As Kurdish fighting in n. Iraq enters its 9th day, Baghdad comes out in support of KDP, accuses Iran of manipulating the PUK to destabilize the north. (MM 8/27) (see 8/22)
PA confirms that Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas met today with Netanyahu adviser Dore Gold in Tel Aviv to discuss resumption of Palestinian-Israeli Steering and Monitoring Committee (PISMC) meetings. (MM 8/23)
Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak says Cairo Economic Summit scheduled for 11/96 may be canceled if conditions of the peace process do not improve by then. (HA 8/23 in IL 8/23; RE 8/23 in WNC 8/27; NYT, WP 8/26; MEI 9/6)
Arafat complains that Israel delays for 3 hrs. permission for him to fly his helicopter fr. Gaza to the West Bank to meet with fmr. PM Shimon Peres; cancels Israeli-PA mtg. on civilian affairs in protest. Peres ends up mtg. Arafat in Gaza. PM Netanyahu says Peres is undermining the government's peace process by mtg. with Arab leaders while in the opposition. (CSM 8/22; IDF Radio 8/22 in WNC 8/24; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 8/23; PR 8/30; MEI 9/6) (see 8/20)
PM Netanyahu decides not to establish national security council as originally proposed 6/19. Instead, a small team of advisers will be set up. David Ivri, who was to have headed the council, will stay on in his position as DMin. dir. gen. (HA 8/23 in IL 8/23; JP 8/31)
Jordanian government rejects request by 11 opposition parties to hold a demonstration in Amman 8/23 against abolition of the bread subsidy. (Star [Aman] 8/22 in WNC 8/27)
Turkey announces that it will continue to improve its relations with Libya despite U.S. legislation enacted 8/5. Turkey hopes to collect $350 m. owed by Libya to Turkish contractors. (Sabah [Istanbul] 8/22 in WNC 8/30; Turkiye 9/29 in WNC 10/2)
In n. Iraq, KDP-PUK fighting is in its 6th day. U.S. calls for a cease-fire. (MM 8/22) (see 8/17)
PLO Chmn. Arafat meets in Tunis with U.S. State Dept. official Dennis Ross, NSC official Martin Indyk, then flies to Cairo for meetings with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, American Jewish Congress trustees seeking end to Arab boycott of Israel. Ross proceeds to Amman for talks with Jordanian officials. (Radio Jordan 10/19 in FBIS 10/20; WP 10/21)
Syria, Saudi Arabia issue joint statement in Riyadh on peace process, saying "'just and comprehensive" settlement only achievable with Israel's "full withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories," including Golan. (MM 10/10)
Israel frees Salim Husayn al-Zrai, 50, held in prison 23 years. Sentenced to life imprisonment in 1970 for infiltration attempt, Fateh activist released because of PLO adherence to its 9/13 commitment not to attack Israel. Release of this longest-held Palestinian prisoner of Israel interpreted as indicating future mass release of Palestinian prisoners. (CSM, NYT 10/20)
Israeli defense officials announce failure of 10/14 test of U.S.-funded Arrow missile. Another test in August also failed, and the GAO issued a report that month criticizing Israeli management of the program (see 10/23). (WT 10/20)
Likud Central Comm. meets in Tel Aviv to consider plans by Binyamin Netanyahu, Ariel Sharon, and Meir Shitreet on autonomy schemes alternative to DoP. (MM 10/19)