The Palestine Chronology

In Jerusalem, PA negotiator Erakat, Netanyahu adviser Molho exchange lists of negotiators on the 8 subcomms. that will continue talks on implementing issues outstanding fr. Oslo II. (ITV 1/28 in WNC 1/30; PR 1/31)

Arafat makes brief trip to Jordan to meet with King Hussein. (RJ 1/28 in WNC 1/29; JTV 1/28 in WNC 1/30)

Syrian VP Khaddam, FM Shara` arrive in the UAE for talks with Pres. Shaykh Zayid bin Sultan al-Nahayat. (MM 1/29, SATN 1/29 in WNC 1/30)

Belgium increases its 1997 allocation to the PA by $710,000 (to $9.29 m.) to fund a project to supply 380 villages around Nablus with electricity. (Libre Belgique 1/29 in WNC 1/31)

Lawyers for Hamas political leader Musa Abu Marzuq say he is dropping his extradition fight in order to emphasize unjust, illegal Israeli and U.S. judicial practices. (MM 1/28; WP, WT 1/29; WP 1/30; AFP, RMC 1/30 in WNC 1/31; PR 1/31; CSM 2/4; WJW 2/6; MEI 2/7) (see 10/9/96)

IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes nr. Ramallah, in area C, for having no permits. (LAWE 2/13) (see 1/23)

Chief of the U.S. Central Command Gen. J.H. Binford Peay says that Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein has placed his 1st wife, Sajida Talfah, and 2 daughters under house arrest, because of disputes over the murder of Saddam's 2 sons-in-law (2/23/96). Saddam's son Uday may lose a leg, be paralyzed as a result of the 12/12 assassination attempt. 600 people, incl. 20 senior military officers, have been arrested in connection with the shooting. (WP 1/29; AFP 2/1 in WNC 2/4; WT 2/5; WP 2/10) (see 1/19)

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)

Dore Gold, adviser to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, meets with Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas, PA Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbu to discuss a memorandum of understanding or pledges concerning aspects of Oslo II that have not been implemented that Netanyahu would extend to Arafat as part of a Hebron deal. (ITV 11/16 in WNC 11/29; JP 11/23)

Arafat adviser Abbas heads to Amman to brief King Hussein on talks with Israel. (JTV 11/16 in WNC 11/19)

Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz tells PM Rafiq Hariri that, after his mtg. with U.S. Amb. Richard Jones 11/15, he is pessimistic that Israeli negotiations with Syrian will resume soon. (RL 11/16 in WNC 11/19)

Hamas mbr. Muhammad Assaf is killed in an explosion in Qabatiyya, West Bank. Israel claims that a bomb that he was preparing for a suicide attack in Israel went off accidentally. Palestinian Security Forces (PSF) arrest 5 men with ties to Assaf. (NYT, WP, WT 11/17; ITV 11/17 in WNC 11/19, 1/29; JP 11/23)

Arafat, Netanyahu end 2-day summit in Washington without resolving their differences, agree to begin nonstop intensive negotiations at Erez 10/6 on disputed issues. (MM 10/2; al-Dustur [Amman], ITV, JTV 10/2, MA, RE 10/3 in WNC 10/4; CSM, MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 10/3; RE 10/3 in WNC 10/4; ITV, QPAR, al-Quds, al-Quds al-Arabi, VOA 10/3, al-Ra'i 10/4 in WNC 10/7; MM, WP 10/4; ITV 10/8 in WNC 10/11; PR 10/11; MEI 10/25)

Israeli, PA officers meet to discuss reopening Qarni crossing export of Palestinian goods into Israel. Israel demands that Palestinians at the checkpoint be unarmed. PA refuses. No agmt. is reached. (ITV 10/2 in WNC 10/4)

Anticipating possible failure of Washington talks, IDF moves more troops and heavy weapons, incl. tanks, helicopters, sniper squads, to the outskirts of zone A areas. (YA 10/2 in WNC 10/3; ITV 10/2 in WNC 10/4; WP, WT 10/3; MA 10/4 in WNC 10/7)

In Hebron, IDF fires on Palestinian protesters, killing 1 boy, wounding 2 men. 4 other Palestinians are wounded during protest nr. Halhul. (ITV 10/2 in WNC 10/4; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/3)

In Jerusalem, 50,000 Israelis march in support of Netanyahu. (WT 10/3)

Turkey's PM Necmettin Erbakan arrives in Cairo on 1st leg of 6-day regional tour. Meanwhile in Tripoli, Turkish, Libyan delegations begin talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, with emphasis on economic, industrial issues. (WT 10/2; JANA [Tripoli] 10/3 in WNC 10/4)

Turkey announces plans to increase its electricity purchases from Iran to 3 b. kw/h. (IRNA 10/2 in WNC 10/4)

Lebanon's Council of Ministers grants al-Manar Television, al-Nur Radio temporary exclusion fr. the new media law (see 9/17), allowing them to continue broadcasting news of the resistance. They will both still be banned fr. broadcasting other political news, programs as of 11/30. (RL 10/2 in WNC 10/4)

In s. Lebanon, 2 IDF officers are wounded in clash with Hizballah. (ITV 10/2 in WNC 10/4)

In Washington, U.S. holds separate mtgs. with PA, Israeli, Jordanian delegations. Brief joint mtg. is held. Then Arafat, Netanyahu hold private 3-hr. talk. Netanyahu later holds private mtg. with King Hussein. Israel rejects U.S. requests to set a firm date for withdrawal fr. Hebron, close tunnel (see 9/29). (WP, WT 10/1; Independent [London], ITV, JT, JTV, RJ 10/1 in WNC 10/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; VIRI 10/2 in WNC 10/4; WJW 10/3; JT 10/3 in WNC 10/7; NYT, PR, WT 10/11; WJW 10/17; JT 10/17 in WNC 10/19; JP 10/19; MM 10/24; MEI 10/25; MM 11/14)

In Luxembourg, EU FMs issue their strongest condemnation against Israel since 1980. (LPR 10/1, El Mundo [Madrid] 10/2 in WNC 10/3; MM 10/2; Diario de Noticias [Lisbon] 10/2 in WNC 10/4)

4 Palestinians, 1 Israeli wounded during recent clashes die, bringing death toll to 75. (WP 10/2) (see 9/29)

According to the Federal Election Commission, pro-Israeli PACs have donated $1.3 m. directly to candidates running in the 11/5 election. 54% has gone to Democrats, 40% to Republicans (a 10% increase over the 1994 election). (WJW 10/24)

IDF bans Palestinians fr. traveling btwn. West Bank cities, villages; warns it will reenter Palestinian cities (zone A) to disarm PA security forces if the forces fire on IDF again. Tanks remain outside zone A areas. More IDF checkpoints are set up along West Bank roads. PA-Israeli joint patrols resume in Gaza. In Jerusalem, the archaeological tunnel is reopened (see 9/27), leading to some stone-throwing incidents. 4 wounded Palestinians have died in the past 2 days, raising the death toll since 9/25 to 70. (IDF Radio, ITV 9/29 in WNC 10/1; NYT, WP, WT 9/30; NYT 10/1; MEI, PR 10/4; JP 10/5)

Arafat, Netanyahu agree to meet in Washington 10/1-2 to discuss recent violence, peace process. Jordan's King Hussein accepts invitation to attend; Egypt's Pres. Mubarak declines, sends FM `Amr Musa to observe. (IDF Radio, MBC, RMC 9/29, IGPO 9/30 in WNC 10/1; RE 9/29 in WNC 10/2; JTV 9/29 in WNC 10/3; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 9/30; MEI 10/4)

In the worst fighting since the peace process began, Palestinians, IDF clash in Ramallah. IDF shoots rubber bullets, stun grenades, live ammunition at protesters. IDF, PA security forces engage in firefight. 7 Palestinians are killed, 100s (incl. 2 EA mbrs., the mufti of Jerusalem) wounded; 8 IDF soldiers are injured by rocks, bottles; Ramallah is declared closed military zone; West Bank, Gaza are sealed. Clashes also occur in Bethlehem (wounding 12 Palestinians, 2 Israelis), East Jerusalem. In Ramallah, Bethlehem fighting dies down when officers fr. IDF, PA negotiate cease-fire, pullback. PM Netanyahu, Israel officials accuse PA of instigating violence. PA says outbursts were spontaneous reaction to 9/24 tunnel opening, months of closure. (MM 9/25; IDF Radio, IGPO, ITV, JTV, al-Quds al-Arabi, RMC 9/25 in WNC 9/27; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 9/26; MM 9/27; TJT 9/27 in WNC 10/1; MEI, PR 10/4)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak receives phone calls fr. Arafat, Netanyahu, appealing to Egypt to intervene to calm the situation in the territories; suggests holding Arafat-Netanyahu mtg. in Cairo. Mubarak adviser Baz holds urgent phone conversations with U.S. special envoy Ross. (RE 9/25, 9/26 in WNC 9/27; MBC 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

PM Netanyahu arrives in Paris, meets with Pres. Jacques Chirac, leaves for Bonn. (WP 9/26)

At the UN, Israeli FM Levy signs Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, briefs U.S. special envoy Ross on events in West Bank, Gaza. Ross says U.S. demands that Israel "make a gesture" concerning the tunnel. (ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/27; ITV 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak invites fmr. PM Peres to visit Cairo. Peres accepts but sets no date. (IDF Radio 9/25 in WNC 9/27)

Tel Aviv district court extends for 3 mos. the remand of Hizballah's Shaykh `Abd al-Karim Obeid (abducted fr. Lebanon in 7/89), fmr. Amal leader     Mustafa al-Dirani (abducted fr. Lebanon 5/21/94). (ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/27) (see 2/23)

ILMG opens 3d day of mtgs. to discuss issues raised 9/24 and new Lebanese complaints concerning Israel's expulsions 9/22, repeated Israeli attacks; releases statement stressing that firing fr. populated areas endangers civilians, Hizballah should refrain fr. carrying out attacks fr. or nr. villages. Lebanese FM Buwayz complains of U.S. bias toward Israel in ILMG. (RL 9/25, 9/26 in WNC 9/27; RL 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

In Damascus, Iranian, Syrian cultural attachés discuss expanding cultural ties. (IRNA 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

PM Netanyahu arrives in London on 1st stop of 3-day EU tour to garner support for his hard-line attitude toward the peace process; meets with PM John Major. (MM 9/24; LPR 9/24 in WNC 9/27; MM, WP, WT 9/25)

Under heavy police guard, Israel undertakes a surprise predawn excavation to complete a long disputed archeological tunnel that runs along the al-Aqsa mosque compound. The 12-yr.-old project was completed only on the personal orders of PM Netanyahu, who intended it as a message to Palestinians that Israel is the sole sovereign in Jerusalem. PA denounces tunnel work, calls for general strike 9/25. During the day, Palestinians at the mosque clash with police, hurl stones at Jews at the Western Wall. Jordan's King Hussein is furious that Gold did not warn him of the tunnel opening in their mtg. 9/22. (MM 9/24; JTV, RJ 9/24 in WNC 9/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/25; WJW 10/3; MEI, PR 10/4; MM 10/9; WT 10/11)

In Hebron, IDF orders 6-mo. closure of 2 charity organizations allegedly linked to Hamas. Palestinians clash with IDF over reopening the central market (see 9/16). (HA 9/24 in IL 9/24; RMC 9/24 in WNC 9/27)

Following Israel's Yom Kippur holiday, ILMG reconvenes in Naqura to discuss complaints filed by Lebanon, Israel. (ITV, RL 9/24 in WNC 9/27; NYT, WT 9/25; JP 10/5) (see 9/22)

IDF, Amal clash in s. Lebanon, leaving 2 Amal mbrs. dead. (RL 9/24 in WNC 9/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 9/25; RL 9/25 in WNC 9/27; JP 10/5)

In Paris, U.S. special envoy Dennis Ross, Netanyahu adviser Gold, Mubarak adviser Usama Baz hold evening mtg. to discuss ways of reviving peace process. (RE 8/26 in WNC 8/29)

IDF ransacks bedouin encampment in West Bank, nr. East Jerusalem. Bedouin say they have been removed to make way for expansion of nearby settlements. IDF says they were too close to nearby firing range. (NYT, WT 8/27)

The Jordanian government redeploys military fr. southern areas following lifting of all curfews; says it has released the majority of those detained during the 8/16-18 bread riots. 10 opposition parties, however, send letter to the king saying 10s of their supporters have not been freed, demanding they be released immediately. (JTV 8/26, JT 8/27 in WNC 8/29) (see 8/24)

Egyptian court sentences Israeli Shimon Chaim to 6 mos. in jail on narcotics distribution charges. (al-Arabi [Cairo] 8/26 in WNC 9/24)

Israel's ministerial forum on Hebron reconvenes to discuss redeployment issue. (ITV 8/18; MM 8/19; IDF Radio, YA 8/19 in WNC 8/21) (see 8/15)

Hebron settler leaders hold mtg. to discuss how they will react if the government goes through with plans to redeploy. Kach mbrs. propose attacking Palestinians in the city after a pullback. (ITV 8/18 in WNC 10/3; YA 10/17 in WNC 10/22)

Israeli Interior M Eliyahu Suissa says his min. is working out a plan to be submitted to the government for approval that calls for expanding Jerusalem's area by annexing many settlements abutting it, incl. some that lie across the Green Line such as Ma'ale Adumim, Giv'at Ze'ev. (MM 8/19; MA, QY 8/19 in WNC 8/21)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, FM David Levy meet to resolve differences; agree to set up negotiations oversight comm., steering comm. for talks with Syria that will both incl. the PM, FM, DM. Netanyahu also agrees to redesignate all the head of the "Jordan desk" in the PM's office as "staff"; do the same for all geographic desk officers in the PM's office, so there is no overlap with the FMin.; improve coordination btwn. the PM's office, FMin. (MM, NYT 8/19; WJW 8/22; JP 8/31) (see 8/14)

PA Preventive Security Forces (PSF) bulldozes 5 Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis, saying the houses were build on government property that will be used for housing projects in the future. Owners of the homes said they received building permits fr. the PA Housing Min. (PR 8/23)

Bread riots continue in Amman, nearby Jordanian villages. In the past 3 days, 300 have been arrested, 40 injured in the countrywide protests. Many of those arrested are mbrs. of leftist political groups, such as the pro-Iraqi Arab Socialist Ba`th party (ASB), Jordan People's Democratic party (JPD), Jordanian Communist party. (RMC 8/18, 8/19 in WNC 8/21; JT, JTV 8/18, al-Ra'i 8/20 in WNC 8/22; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/19; MEI 9/6) (see 8/17)

Lebanese parliamentary elections begin with Mount Lebanon district. Hizballah's 1 candidate is defeated, as is influential Greek Orthodox opposition figure Albert Mukheiber. 32 of the 35 seats go to progovernment candidates. There will be voting on 5 consecutive Sundays in separate regions. The last elections, boycotted by Christians, were held in 1992. (VOL 8/18 in WNC 8/21; WT 8/19; RL 8/19 in WNC 8/21; CSM 8/19, 8/20; MM 8/21, 8/28; MEI 9/6; CSM 9/10)

Israel's National Oil Exploration Company announces it has discovered oil in s. Israel, nr. Beersheba. The site, which could produce 600 bpd, is a sign oil could exist in significant quantities in the area. (WJW 8/22; JP 8/24)

PC opens weekly 2-day session in Gaza. (VOP 6/26 in FBIS 6/27)

In his strongest attack on Syria since the 5/29 elections, Israeli PM Netanyahu accuses Syria of being a base for terror, says peace efforts with Damascus depend on its ending its "indirect war" with Israel; warns he may seek international economic sanctions against Syria. (MM 6/26; QY 6/26 in FBIS 6/27; CSM, WT 6/27)

In Cairo, U.S. Secy. of State Christopher meets separately with Arafat, Pres. Mubarak. In mtg. with Mubarak, Christopher acknowledged Palestinians right to self-determination as laid out in UN Res. 242 (see 6/25). (CSM, MM 6/26; MENA, RE 6/26 in FBIS 6/26; RE 6/26 in FBIS 6/27; CSM 6/27; MEI 7/5)

Alleged Palestinian assailants infiltrate border fr. Jordan, ambush IDF patrol nr. Jericho, killing 3 soldiers, wounding 2. Jordan permits IDF to cross border in pursuit; coordinates search for wanted men btwn. IDF, Jordanian army. Jordan's King Hussein calls PM Netanyahu to express his condolences. DM Mordechai blames the Jordanian army for not preventing the attack. Syrian-based group Fatah-Uprising takes responsibility, says its West Bank cell carried out the attack. (QPAR 6/26 in FBIS 6/26; JTV, QY, RMC 6/26, JP, YA 6/27 in FBIS 6/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/27; JP 7/6)

Iraqi security forces arrest, allegedly execute 100 INA mbrs. in n. Iraq. (WP 9/10) (see 6/23)

2-day PC mtg. opens. (QY 6/7 in FBIS 6/7; PR 6/14)

In Aqaba, Jordan's King Hussein, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, PA's Arafat hold follow-up mtg. to their 5/11+n12 unity summit to focus on ways of supporting the Palestinians when peace talks resume. (MM 6/5; MENA, RJ 6/5 in FBIS 6/5; JT, JTV, SARR 6/5 in FBIS 6/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 6/6)

Israel's dep. mayor of Jerusalem, Shmuel Meir, urges PM-elect Netanyahu to approve a plan to tear down 2,000 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem that were built without permits, build 50,000 houses for Jews. (QY 6/6 in FBIS 6/6)

Israel's Justice Min. rejects an appeal demanding that blank ballots be counted in the PM elections. Were the blank ballots counted, neither Peres nor Netanyahu would have gained the 50% needed to win the premiership. (QY 6/5 in FBIS 6/6) (see 5/31)

IDF eases closure on West Bank, Gaza, allowing 22,000 married Palestinians over the age of 35 to attend their jobs in Israel. 350 Palestinian merchants are also allowed in. (QY 6/5 in FBIS 6/5) (see 6/2)

In Hebron, Jewish settlers seize, occupy Palestinian owned bathhouse. 1,000s of settlers hold street party to celebrate Netanyahu win. (MM 6/6, WT 6/8; MENA 6/8 in FBIS 6/10; PR 6/14)

In s. Lebanon, heads of Hizballah, the Higher Islamic Shiite Council meet to discuss local, regional developments arising fr. the Israeli elections. (RL 6/6 in FBIS 6/6)