The Palestine Chronology

In Tehran, Iran, Syria discuss expanding transportation cooperation. (IRNA 3/13 in WNC 3/16)

West Bank demonstrations against over death of 3 Palestinians 3/10 continue for 4th day. In Dura, 7 Palestinians are injured in clash with IDF, which is broken up by PA police; settlers stone Palestinian home. In Nablus, PA police, IDF fire tear gas at 1,000s of Palestinians to break up riot; 200 PA police keep protesters fr. reaching Jewish seminary at Joseph's tomb. (NYT, WT 3/14)

A bomb explodes in East Jerusalem, wounding 4 Palestinians as they leave Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. PA claims package bomb was placed by settlers. Israel claims it was being carried by Palestinians on their way to West Jerusalem, prematurely detonated. (MM 3/13; NYT 3/14; PR 3/20)

In Hebron, 40 armed Jewish settlers march into PA-controlled area of Hebron, sparking riot. IDF fires on Palestinians with rubber bullets to break up clash, injuring 14 Palestinians, 8 journalists. Observers forming the Temporary International Presence in Hebron fault the IDF for allowing the settlers to get past them and into the PA sector. (QY 3/13 in WNC 3/16; NYT 3/14; WP 3/15; WP 3/16; LAW, MM 3/17; WJW 3/19; PR 3/20; MEI 3/27; JP 3/28)

Palestinian-IDF clashes spread in West Bank, leaving at least 28 Palestinians injured. PA police break up protests in Bethlehem, Hebron. Nr. Dura, a settler whose car is stoned opens fire on Palestinian demonstrators, seriously injuring 1. (MM 3/12; ITV 3/12 in WNC 3/16; NYT, WP, WT 3/13; MEI 3/27)

In Damascus, Syria, EU hold talks on expanding trade relations, technical cooperation. (SANA 3/12 in WNC 3/13)

A Palestinian is stabbed, wounded by unidentified assailant in West Jerusalem. He is the 3d Palestinian to be stabbed in West Jerusalem in 3 wks. (ITV 3/12 in WNC 3/12; PR 3/20)

Israeli Justice Min. allows nuclear whistle-blower Mordechai Vanunu out of solitary confinement for 1st time in 12 yrs. Vanunu is serving an 18 yr. sentence. (WT 3/14; IGPO 3/16; MEI 3/27; MEI 4/24)

In Dura nr. Hebron, Palestinians demonstrate following the funeral for 3 Palestinian laborers killed by the IDF 3/10; 32 Palestinians, 1 Israeli border policeman are injured. Palestinians also protest in Bethlehem and Ramallah, where IDF injures 9 Palestinians. Also nr. Ramallah, a Jewish settler whose car is hit by a stone opens fire with live ammunition, wounding 1 Palestinian. PA, Israeli security forces hold emergency mtgs. on containing the violence. (MM 3/11; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 3/12; WT 3/13)

PM Netanyahu appoints Reserve Maj. Gen. Meir Dagan as his adviser on intelligence affairs. The new position, recommended in the Ciechanover report (see 2/16), was created to enhance coordination btwn. the PM, the intelligence bodies. (YA 3/11 in WNC 3/12)

Based on legislation passed by Congress in 1996, U.S. district judge orders Iran to pay the family of Alisa Flatow, killed in an Islamic Jihad suicide bombing in Israel 4/95, $247.5 m. in damages. The court heard no evidence that Iran planned, carried out the attack, but lawyers presented testimony fr. fmr. FBI, Israeli intelligence officials that Iran has funded Islamic Jihad. Administration officials say "this case is not what we needed at this time" when the U.S. is trying to renew relations with Iran. (WT 3/12; MM 3/24) (see 2/26/97)

American Friends of Lubavitch (AFL) hosts its 5th annual Purim party for Capitol Hill staffers. AFL also hosts an annual Hanukkah party; plans to start bimonthly discussion groups, a mentoring program where senior Jewish staffers can help younger staffers just starting their careers. All projects are meant to "make politically minded Jews more politically involved." (WJW 3/26)