The Palestine Chronology

Riots continue in Gaza Strip, mostly in Khan Yunis, causing 17 casualties among residents, 5 among IDF forces. (Qol Yisra'el 10/12 in FBIS 10/13)

In speech to 6,000 Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem, PM Rabin says with respect to immigration the "goal is to have 7 million Jews here by the year 2000." (MM 10/13)

Former FRC officer Ahmad 'Antar is shot dead in Sidon, Lebanon. FRC accuses Arafat supporters of his murder. Bomb explodes outside FRC office in 'Ayn al-Hilwa camp, Sidon, killing 1, injuring 9. (VOL 10/12 in FBIS 10/13, 10/14)

U.S. announces that Kuwait will buy 236 advanced battle tanks (worth about $4 billion); personal intervention by Pres. Bush drew Kuwait away from asimilar deal with Britain. (MM, NYT 10/13; MM 10/14)

Israeli and Arab delegations agree to adjourn negotiations from 9/4 to 9/14, to reconvene then until 9/24. (MM 9/2; GPO 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

Israeli delegation presents Palestinian delegation with 6-point discussion agenda, proposes establishment of 2 working groups on human rights, legal issues. (Qol Yisra'el 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

Palestinian delegation tries to admit East Jerusalem lawyer Raja Shehadeh to the talks as legal advisor, says his inclusion would have no symbolic value vis-a-vis status of Jerusalem. Israel refuses, citing Madrid framework for delegation membership. (MM 9/3; IDF Radio 9/3 in FBIS 9/3)

Acting Secy. of State Eagleburger meets separately with heads of Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian delegations. (VOL 9/3 in FBIS 9/4)

Council of Jewish Settlements in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza dispute housing min.'s 6/1 figures, claim 296 units have been sold in the o.t. since 7/20. Official ministry reaction stands by original figure of 2 units sold. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 9/3 in FBIS 9/4)

Jerusalem policy planning unit issues report on potential building in Jerusalem: 39,880 units in Jewish neighborhoods, 15,260 in "non-Jewish" neighborhoods. (Ha'Aretz 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

PM Rabin says Israel must find a solution to "the problem of the Gaza Strip," because it is not going to "sink into the sea," in remarks to Washington Institute for Near East Policy conference in Jerusalem. Palestinians "can forget about" Israel changing its policy. "We are in control of the territory, and we will not move an inch." (MM 9/3; Ha'Aretz, Davar 9/3 in FBIS 9/3)

Palestinian-Israeli council heads end 11- day protest outside PM Rabin's office, agree to open schools in response to grant of NIS 70 million for development budgets, NIS 10 million for schools. Ethiopian immigrants clash with police in Jerusalem. (MM 9/2; Qol Yisra'el 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

PM Rabin announces Israel will not actively oppose U.S. sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia. (WP 9/3)

Senior PLO officer Lieut. Col. Hani Zuhayr al-Dubayky is assassinated in Beirut. (VOL 9/2 in FBIS 9/3; NYT 9/4)

Reporting an interview with FM Peres in the Italian paper II Messaggero, Deputy FM Yossi Beilin announces that Rabin gov't. will ask the Knesset in October to legalize meetings with the PLO, as long as they are not considered harmful to Israel. Rabin promised during the campaign to change the 1986 law. (Qol Yisra'el 8/9 in FBIS 8/10; NYT, WP 8/10)

Settlers attempt to build new house in defiance of partial settlement freeze, clash with IDF over its construction near Kiryat Arba, W. Bank. With police protection, 15 Jewish families occupy, claim legal ownership of 7 houses in Muslim quarter of Old City of Jerusalem. Rabin criticizes actions of settlers at both sites. (IDF Radio 8/9 in FBIS 8/10; NYT, WP 8/10)

Masked men kill 2 suspected collaborators in Gaza Strip. (Qol Yisra'el 8/10 in FBIS 8/11)

Fateh-affiliated candidate defeats Hamas candidate for leadership of o.t. Union of Engineers, but Hamas candidates win local branches in Janin, Hebron. (Qol Yisra'el 8/9 in FBIS 8/12)

Fateh Revolutionary Council concludes 2-day meeting in Tunis, issues final statement. (Algiers VOP 8/12 in FBIS 8/12)

Israel shells central S. Lebanon "security zone" and targets north. (VOL 8/9 in FBIS 8/10)

Labor party wins substantial victory in Israeli elections with 44 out of 120 seats. Likud wins 32, left-wing Meretz coalition wins 12; Tsomet 8, National Religous Party 6, SHAS 6, United Torah Jewry 4, Democratic Front (Arab) 3, Moledet 3, Arab Democratic Party 2. Rabin to form coalition with smaller parties to obtain 61-seat majority. Curfew is imposed on entire o.t., barring Palestinian entry to Israel or East Jerusalem. (NYT, WP, MM 6/24; MM, FBIS 6/26; NYT 6/27; Al-Fajr 6/29)

Israel shells Kafr Rumman, Nabatiyya areas, S. Lebanon. (VOL 6/23 in FBIS 6/24)

Israeli attomey gen. postpones hearings to discuss proposed building of 200 Jewish homes in Silwan, East Jerusalem, following appeal by Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek (MM 6/5)

Israeli Central Elections Comm. approves 25 party lists for the upcoming 13th Knesset elections. (Davar 6/4 in FBIS 6/5)

IDF lifts 5/27 curfew of Dayr al-Balah, Gaza. (Qol Yisra'el 6/4 in FBIS 6/4)

IDF helicopters attack PFLP-GC base in al-Rashidiyya refugee camp near Tyre, S. Lebanon. IDF-SLA shells Malita, Luwayza, Wadi al-Akhdar north of "security zone." (Radio Free Lebanon 6/4 in FBIS 6/4; MM 6/4)

Israeli Border Guard stabbed and wounded in Bethlehem; his Palestinian assailant is shot and killed. (MM 6/4)

Iranian FM 'Ali Akbar Velayati concludes visit to Syria. (Syrian Arab Republic Radio 6/4 in FBIS 6/5)

Pres. Mubarak, FM 'Amr Musa, presidential advisor Usamah al-Baz meet with Pres. Asad in Damascus to discuss continued fighting between Islamic Resistance, combined SLA-IDF forces in S. Lebanon. At a press conference, Mubarak and Asad call for 8 signatories to 1991 "Damascus Declaration" to meet. (MM 6/3, 4)

Iranian FM Velayati meets with Hizballah officials in Damascus. (MM 6/3; NYT 6/4)

IDF closes al-Najah University in Nablus for one week, lifts curfew imposed 5/24 on Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza. (Qol Yisra'el 6/2 in FBIS 6/3; MM 6/4)

Israeli housing min. halts work on plans to build 200 Jewish residences in Muslim quarter in East Jerusalem. (MM 6/5)

Guerrillas from Lebanese Resistance, coalition of forces headed by Communist Party, attack SLA position in Qantara. (MM 6/3

Steering committee of multilateral peace talks begins meeting in Lisbon to discuss results of 5 sets of talks held during May. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27 in FBIS 5/28)

France announces it will provide $500 million in loan guarantees to Israel to assist in infrastructural development. (MM 5/28)

Police arrest 150 Jewish rioters in Bat Yam as anti-Arab riots continue. Rioters burn tires in the streets, attack police; 7 persons are injured. Faisal Husseini denounces 5/24 killing of Jewish girl which sparked the riots. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27, 5/28 in FBIS 5/28)

Gazan from Dayr al-Balah stabs and kills settler in Kfar Darom, Gaza. Settlers later rampage in Dayr al-Balah, damaging Palestinian crops and attacking residents. IDF evacuates schoolchildren after settlers besiege an elementary school. More than 100 settlers are arrested. IDF imposes curfew on Dayr al-Balah and extends travel ban imposed 5/24 for another 3days. (WP 5/28)

Bomb attack on IDF convoy near Arnun, S. Lebanon (near Beaufort Castle), kills 1 Israeli soldier. 3 guerrillas killed in subsequent gunbattle. Lebanese National Resistance Front claims associated fighters from PFLP, Syrian Social Nationalist Party-Higher Council (Da'ud Baz faction) carried out attack. IDF continue shelling S. Lebanese villages. (ITV 5/27, Radio Lebanon, AFP 5/27 in FBIS 5/28; WP 5/28)

Fateh, Hamas supporters clash in Qalqiliya, W. Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 5/28 in FBIS 5/28) Israel, Sierra Leone reestablish diplomatic relations. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27 in FBIS 5/27)

Anti-Arab riots continue for unprecedented third day in Bat Yam as thousands of Jews rampage, attack police. 11 persons are injured in the melee, including 2 policemen. Over 100 rioters are arrested. Palestinian negotiator Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi condemns the girl's killing. (Qol Yisra'el 5/26, 5/27 in FBIS 5/27)

Representatives from Jordan, UNESCO meet in Amman to discuss proposed repairs to Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem. UNESCO promises that no steps will be taken without first consulting Jordan. (Radio Jordan 5/26 in FBIS 5/27)

Israel, Belarus establish diplomatic relations. (Qol Yisra'el 5/26 in FBIS 5/27)

Israeli jets bomb Islamic Resistance positions in Iqlim al-Tuffah region in S. Lebanon. 2 Israeli planes flying over Ba'labakk in E. Lebanon are fired on by Lebanese, Syrian, and Hizballah anti-aircraft guns. Attacks are most significant Israeli air raids in years. (WP 5/27)

Anti-Arab riots continue in Bat Yam following 5/24 killing of Jewish girl. Palestinian from Nazareth is beaten by Jews in Rishon le Zion. (Qol Yisra'el 5/26 in FBIS 5/27; MM 5/26)

Results of balloting for Bethlehem University student council announced; pro-PLO list defeats pro-Hamas candidates, wins presidency of council. (MM 5/26)

Israeli jets bomb Islamic Resistance positions in Wadi Ma'rub, al-Hallufiyya, S. Lebanon. Planes also attack Jibshit, destroying home of Yasir Nassur, Hizballah chief of operations in S. Lebanon, and, reportedly, commander of suicide attack on U.S. and French marine barracks in 1983. Raid kills Nassur, his wife, 2 daughters, and father-in-law. (WP 5/26; MM 5/29)

After discussing plans with Jerusalem Mayor Kollek, Housing Min. Sharon confirms government is buying land and planning to build homes for Jews in several E. Jerusalem neighborhoods, including Muslim Quarter, Silwan, Wadi Jawz, and Mt. of Olives. (MM 4/7)

IDF convoy ambushed in Hula, S. Lebanon, inside Israeli "security zone" and less than 2 kilometers from Israeli-Lebanese border. 2 soldiers killed, 5 wounded, including 3 officers; 2 SLA soldiers are also wounded. Additional 2 IDF troops are wounded as reinforcements storm the building from which 3 gunmen fired, killing them. Islamic Jihad in Palestine, Islamic Resistance Movement claim joint responsibility for attack. SLA head Gen. Antoine Lahad was reportedly riding in convoy but was not injured. Maj.-Gen. Yitzhak Mordechai, commander of IDF Northern Command, had also been riding in convoy but left shortly before attack occurred. IDF heavy artillery bombards villages of Kabrikha, Shaqra, Majd al-Salim in retaliation. (WP, MM 4/7; Qol Yisra'el 4/7 in FBIS 4/8)

Secy. of State Baker and Russian FM Andrei Kozyrev open third stage, multilateral peace talks at the FM level in Moscow. Attendees include representatives from Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, UAE, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania, Turkey, China, Japan, Canada, EC, European Free Trade Association. Saudi Arabia has provided funding for the meeting given dire economic situation facing Russia. Syria, Lebanon boycott conference, citing lack of progress in bilateral talks with Israel. Palestinians also stay away after U.S., Russia refuse to allow delegates from Jerusalem, exile to participate. Algeria, Yemen decide not to participate in wake of Palestinian decision. Secy. of State Baker expresses "disappointment" at Palestinian decision, but expresses support for including Palestinians from outside o.t. at a later date in talks on issues such as refugees that affect them. (MM 1/28; NYT 1/29, 1/30)

IDF signs order establishing Jewish "civil guard" in W. Bank [see 12/25, 1/1]. (HaAretz 1/29 in FBIS 1/29)

Israeli supreme court orders IDF to lift nighttime curfew imposed 12/15 on Ramallah area by 2/11/92 in response to plea made by residents. (NYT 1/29)

IDF sends reinforcements into "security zone" in wake of attacks by Islamic Resistance Movement. (NYT 1/29)

PLO issues statement authorizing participation in multilateral talks in Moscow but only if Palestinians from E. Jerusalem, diaspora are included in delegation. (Radio Monte Carlo 1/26 in FBIS 1/30; MM 1/27)

PFLP-GC, DFLP, PPSF, PLF, Fateh-Uprising [Abu Musa], al-Sa'iqa, Hamas, Islamic Jihad in Palestine, Palestinian Revolutionary Communist Party meet in Damascus to urge Arab boycott of Moscow talks. PFLP was reported ready to attend, but decided not to. DFLP abstains from signing communique issued by the meeting. (al-Quds Palestinian Arab Radio 1/26 in FBIS 1/27; MM 1/27)

PM Shamir rules out any freeze on settlement activity aspart of compromise to obtain U.S. loan guarantees. (WP 1/27)

Delegation of American Jewish leaders which has been touring Middle East holds press conference in Israel, states that U.S. decision to provide loan guarantees to Israel is dependent upon freeze in settlement activity. (MM 1/27)

Seven-hour battle near Bayt Layf, inside "security zone," leaves one IDF soldier, two Islamic Resistance Movement fighters dead. IDF artillery afterwards shells numerous villages in s. Lebanon. (NYT, MM 1/27; Ha'Aretz 1/27 in FBIS 1/29)