The Palestine Chronology

Clinton, Netanyahu both address the AIPAC conference in Washington and then hold an 80-min. meeting on the sidelines to discuss recent tensions. In the evening, Netanyahu holds a working dinner with Biden on bilateral relations. (JTA 3/22; JTA, NYT, WP, WT 3/23; WJW 3/25; JPI 4/2)

In Gaza, 1 IDF soldier is killed by friendly fire when IDF infantry and tank units on the Gaza border are mobilized to halt 3 unarmed Palestinians nr. the border fence, and the tank crew accidentally fires on the infantry unit on the Israeli side of the border; the Palestinians are not injured. After unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries, the IDF makes an air strike on an alleged weapons depot in Gaza City, destroying it and lightly injuring 8 Palestinian civilians (including 1 woman and 2 children). Later in the evening, unidentified Palestinians fire another rocket toward Israel, but it lands harmlessly nr. the Erez crossing. Late in the evening, IDF troops on the central Gaza border e. of Dayr al-Balah shoot, wound an unarmed Palestinian outside his home 500 m fr. the border. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas. (HA, JP, NYT, YA 3/23; OCHA, PCHR, WJW 3/25)

Unidentified Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb outside Erez crossing as a U.S. emb. convoy (carrying the cultural attache, en route to interview Fulbright scholarship candidates) passes, destroying 1 of 4 armored cars, killing 3 U.S. security officers, wounding 1 U.S. diplomat; the convoy passes along a route and at a time a CIA detail involved in monitoring road map progress usually passes through the area, despite mos. of warnings fr. the PA of the dangers of routine movements, conspicuous bodyguards. AMB, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Resistance Comms. (PRC) deny responsibility, though a phone call to the press claims the attack on the PRCs’ behalf. After this 1st successful targeted attack against Americans by Palestinians, the U.S. for the 1st time discloses that in 6/03 a roadside bomb went off nr. a CIA vehicle in Gaza, causing damage but no injuries. Palestinians also detonate a smaller roadside bomb nr. an IDF convoy in Gaza, injuring 3 IDF soldiers. The IDF sends troops back into Brazil r.c., fatally shooting 1 Palestinian, searching and occupying homes, bulldozing land, demolishing a number of houses, shelling residential areas; arrests a Palestinian woman who attempts to stab a soldier at a Tulkarm checkpoint; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Tulkarm; imposes a curfew on Nablus, escorts 100s of ultra-Orthodox Jews on a pilgrimage to Joseph’s Tomb. Israel orders another 3 West Bank Palestinian administrative detainees expelled to Gaza (see 10/14). An Israeli Arab dies of injuries received in the 10/4 Haifa bombing, bringing that toll to 21. (BBC, HA, MM, PR, PRCS 10/15; XIN 10/15, al-Ra’i 10/16 in WNC 10/18; AP, HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 10/16; MM, WP 10/17; AYM 10/18 in WNC 10/25; PR 10/22; WJW 10/23; JPI, MEI 10/24; JPI 10/31)

An Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device on a street in Tel Aviv, wounding at least 18 Israelis, 3 of them critically. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. In Gaza, the IDF reports that Hamas fired locally made Qassam-1 rockets at Erez crossing, causing no injuries. In retaliation, the IDF launches F-16 air strikes on PA security targets in Gaza City and Tulkarm, injuring at least 7 Palestinians. The IDF also shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes 600 m² of Palestinian land in Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Nablus. In Ramallah, 1,000s of Palestinians rally in support of Arafat. The IDF pulls out of Tira neighborhood in Ramallah, which it reoccupied on 1/17. (AP 1/25; NYT, WP, WT 1/26; JT [Internet] 1/27; PCHR 1/30)

56 officers, soldiers in the IDF combat reserves publish a petition in Ha'Aretz publicly refusing to "fight beyond the Green Line for the purpose of occupying, deporting, destroying, blockading, killing, starving, and humiliating an entire people." (HA 1/25; HA 1/28; WP 1/29; WT 1/30; BBC, MM, WJW 1/31; MA 2/1 in WNC 2/4; NYT 2/2; MM 2/4; MM, NYT 2/5; MEI 2/8)

Senior White House, State Dept., CIA, Pentagon officials meet again to discuss the possibility of severing ties with Arafat, the PA/PLO. Bush, his advisers decide to increase public criticism of Arafat and to "redouble" efforts to get Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia to put pressure on Arafat. (AP, HA, MM, WP 1/25; WP, WT 1/26; al-Quds 1/26, DUS 1/27 in WNC 1/28; MM 1/28; AKH 1/28 in WNC 1/29; HA 1/29; MA, al-Quds 2/1 in WNC 2/4)

The IDF withdraws fr. Jinin. A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device nr. the Erez crossing in n. Gaza, wounding 2 Israeli border policemen. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis, injuring 6 children; conducts arrest raids in Dayr al-Balah; tightens the closure on Tulkarm, digging ditches across roads, bulldozing agricultural land around the city. (HP 11/26; AP, HP, NYT, WP 11/27; NYT 11/28)

Special envoys Burns, Zinni arrive in Israel to begin work toward a cease-fire. (HA, MM, WP 11/26; AYM 11/26, 11/27 in WNC 11/28; JP [Internet], NYT 11/27; WJW 11/29; al-Quds 11/29 in WNC 11/30; Le Monde 11/30 in WNC 12/3; JP 12/7)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at a high level, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. In Jinin, senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Iyad Hardan, wanted by Israel, is assassinated when a bomb planted in a public phone he frequently uses explodes. In response to Palestinian mortar fire nr. Nahal Oz crossing and nr. Netiv Haasara kibbutz inside the Green Line that causes no damage, the IDF fires rockets at PSF posts and a power station in Gaza, wounding at least 5 Palestinians, destroying 4 buildings, damaging 10 homes, causing blackouts. The IDF also bulldozes 100 dunams of Palestinian land in Shaykh Ajlin; begins work on a new settler bypass road linking Beit El settlement with Jerusalem; raids Burqa village, arrests 2 Palestinians. Sharon announces plans to build another 708 housing units in the Jewish settlements of Ma'ale Adumim, Alfe Menashe; the State Dept. criticizes the move as "provocative." Reportedly to ease tensions over the Erez shooting on 4/4, Israel reopens the Rafah border with Egypt, says it will allow 3,000 Palestinian workers into Israel. (LAW 4/5; AFP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/6; MENA, al-Quds 4/6, ITAR-TASS 4/7 in WNC 4/9; MM 4/9; AYM 4/9 in WNC 4/11; al-Quds 4/11 in WNC 4/12; LAW, WJW 4/12; MA 4/17 in WNC 4/18; MEI 4/20)

Sharon orders the Israeli security services to find ways to let Jews visit the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. (MENA 4/10 in WNC 4/11; WT 4/11)

In Washington, Bush receives 2 letters signed by 87 Senators, 209 House mbrs. calling on him to reconsider U.S. ties with the PLO. (REU, WP 4/6; al-Quds 4/8, HJ, MENA 4/9 in WNC 4/10; MM 4/9; SA 4/13 in WNC 4/16; HA 4/16; MM 4/18; JP 4/20)

Israel, PA reached agmt. on safe-passage route fr. Tarqumiyya in the West Bank to Erez crossing in Gaza, which could open in days. Signing is set for 10/5. (MM 10/4; AFP 10/4 in WNC 10/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; AFP 10/5, QA 10/6 in WNC 10/8; CSM, NYT, WP 10/6; WJW 10/7; DUS 10/7 in WNC 10/11; JP, MEI 10/15)

Syrian FM Shara`, who has been in charge of Syria's foreign policy throughout the peace process, is admitted to a Beirut hospital for emergency heart surgery. (AFP, RL 10/4 in WNC 10/5; MM 10/5)

In Virginia, Israeli national Shalom Shaphyr pleads guilty to a charge of attempting to export U.S. defense equipment to Israel without a license. Shaphyr attempted to buy restricted video intercept equipment, designed to covertly receive electromagnetic signals fr. computers, fr. an undercover agent. (WP 10/5)

PSF releases talk show host Disouqi, who was arrested 9/15. Disouqi announces on his program that he was tortured during questioning by PA police, names his interrogators on the air, dares them to arrest him again. (LAW 10/4; NYT 10/14; WP 10/15)

A Palestinian prisoner dies soon after being transferred to the hospital fr. the PA's Hebron jail. His family accuses the PA police of torturing him during his 2 days of detention. (LAW 10/5)

Iraq's Dep. PM Tariq Aziz meets with Jordanian PM Rawabida in Amman, gives him a message (verbal by most accounts, written by some) to deliver to the U.S. No details of the message are released, but reports speculate that Iraq wants to open a dialogue with the U.S. (SA 10/5, 10/6 in WNC 10/8; WT 10/6; GIU, MM, NYT 10/7; SA 10/9 in WNC 10/12; JP 10/15; MM 10/11; MEI 10/15)

Israeli PM Barak meets with Arafat at Erez crossing to discuss Wye implementation, allay Palestinian fears that Israel will prioritize talks with Syria over negotiations with the PA. Barak asks Arafat to delay implementation of Wye FRDs until a final status agmt. is close to completion, but says he would implement Wye as signed if the PA objects. Arafat says he prefers Wye to be implemented in full as soon as possible, but agrees to Barak's request to have a PA-Israeli comm. examine ideas for a delay over the next 2 wks. before giving a final answer. (MM 7/27; MA, QA 7/27 in WNC 7/28; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 7/28; MENA 7/27, MENA, RMC, SA 7/28 in WNC 7/29; al-Quds, QA 7/29 in WNC 7/30; CSM 7/29; AYM 7/29 in WNC 8/2; MEI 7/30; JP, MM 8/6; MEI 8/20)

Israel, the PA agree to begin work on a joint industrial park, modelled on Gaza's Qarni industrial zone, to be located along the Israel-West Bank border in Jinin. (WT 7/28)

Georgia, Israel sign a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation. (Radio Tbilisi 7/27 in WNC 7/28)

Israel, Uganda sign an agmt. to expand economic relations. (Radio Uganda 7/27 in WNC 7/29)

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, awards Hillary Clinton, who is considering a run for New York's Senate seat, its highest honor for humanitarian service. Some Hadassah mbrs. protest the decision to honor Clinton, given her statements in 5/98 in favor of a Palestinian state. (WP, WT 7/27; WT 7/28; WJW 7/29; see also WJW 7/15; WJW 8/5)

After 2 days of talks in Damascus, the PFLP Central Comm. recommends accepting Fatah's invitation to engage in national unity talks. (al-Dustur 7/27 in WNC 7/28) (see 7/24)

Hamas says it is not opposed to taking part in national unity talks with the PA, but says it will not take part in final status talks, since doing so would imply Hamas accepts the Oslo process. (al-Dustur 7/27 in WNC 7/28)

After several hours of talks btwn. Arafat, Netanyahu at Erez, the PA, Israel chief negotiators initial a Hebron protocol with attached U.S. "Note for the Record," "Agreed Minute." Letters of assurance to Arafat, Netanyahu fr. Secy. of State Christopher are also exchanged. (MM 1/14; IDF Radio, RJ 1/14 in WNC 1/15; al-Quds al-Arabi 1/14, AFP, IDF Radio, QY, RE, RJ, RL, YA 1/15 in WNC 1/16; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/15; CSM, WJW 1/16; NYT, PR 1/17; WJW 1/23; MEI 1/24)

YESHA settlers' council holds an emergency session to discuss the Hebron protocol, resolve to start treating Netanyahu's government as a political foe. (WP 1/15; WJW 1/16)

IDF begins forced transfer of bedouin fr. their homes nr. Jahalin, West Bank, in preparation for expansion of Ma'ale Adumim settlement. Some 45 bedouin families have lived on the site for 40 yrs. They are being sent to a new site outside of Jerusalem, nr. the municipal garbage dump. They will be given freight containers as alternative housing. (NYT 1/15, WJW 1/16; PR 1/31; LAWE 2/13)

Mtg. of the Jordan Rift Valley Development Comm. opens at the Dead Sea. (JT 1/15 in WNC 1/23)

In s. Lebanon, an SLA mbr. is injured when he sets off a explosive device planted along a road. (RL 1/15 in WNC 1/16)

Nr. Tel Aviv, suicide bomber kills 5 Israelis, injures 33 in bus bombing, marking 1st attack inside Israel since 1/22. Hamas is suspected. IDF seals Gaza, West Bank. PM Rabin temporarily halts negotiations but vows they will continue; both sides suggest continuing talks outside Israel. (MM 8/25; IDF Radio, QPAR, QY, SARR, VOP 7/24 in FBIS 7/24; QY, VOP 7/24 in FBIS 7/25; CSM, FT, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/25; NYT, WT 7/26; CSM, WJW 7/27; PR 7/28; MEI 8/4; JP 8/5) (see 7/12)

PA demands return of part of the Golan to Palestinian control in bid to improve their position in water negotiations with Israel; says Syria gave area to PLO in 1964. Unofficially, Syria disputes this, saying the Arab League gave the area to Syria after the 1948 war, sovereignty was affirmed under 1949 armistice agmt. (AFP 7/24 in FBIS 7/26; MM 7/25; VOP 7/26 in FBIS 7/27; AFP 7/26 in FBIS 7/28; MM 7/31)

At Erez checkpoint, PA Social Affairs M Intisar al-Wazir, Israeli Labor and Welfare M Ora Namir hold 1st talks on ways of cooperating on labor, social security, welfare; discuss economic importance of Palestinians working in Israel. (QY 7/24 in FBIS 7/25)

UN endorses 6-mo. extension of UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon but recommends 10% cut in size. (WT 7/26; RL 7/29 in FBIS 7/31)

Israeli Civil Administration gives eviction order to settlers occupying Givat Hatamar hill nr. Efrat. (QY 7/26 in FBIS 7/27)

Israel releases 3 Americans detained 7/22. (WP 7/25)

Suha Arafat gives birth to baby girl, Zahwa, in Paris. (NYT, WT 7/25; WSJ 7/26; MM 7/27; PR 7/28)

Arafat, FM Peres meet at Erez checkpoint to discuss elections, troop withdrawal, implementation of DOP. Both say mtg. was constructive. (QY 12/8 in FBIS 12/8)

Israeli government releases vaguely worded statement saying it will uphold the DOP, but, Israeli cabinet remains divided on troop withdrawal. (QY 12/8 in FBIS 12/9; MM, NYT, WP 12/9; JP 12/17)

Jordanian FMin. initiates contacts with Syrian government in hopes of easing tensions following signing of Jordan-Israel peace treaty. (Al-Akhbar Al-Usbu` 12/8 in FBIS 12/8)

AIPAC announces it has restructured its operations to step up Congressional lobbying out of fear new Republican majority wants to reduce aid to Israel. (WT 12/14; WJW 12/15) (see 12/2)

Israeli Central Command Cmdr. Maj. Gen. Ilan Biran approves confiscation of 3,000 dunums of land to link Ma'ale Adumim settlement to Jerusalem, plans for 1,500 housing units, 10 hotels on site. Says expansion of Giv'at Ze'ev settlement fr. 22,000 to 40,000 dunums to link it with Jerusalem should be approved soon. (Ma'ariv 12/8 in FBIS 12/13; PR 12/24)

King Hussein asks M Ahmad 'Ubaydat, the only Senate mbr. to openly oppose the Jordan-Israel treaty and normalized relations with Israel, to resign. (JTV 12/8 in FBIS 12/8; CSM 12/22) (see 12/5)

1st issue of Hamas's daily Al-Watan is issued in Gaza. Shaykh `Imad al-Faluji, a Hamas leader in Gaza, is editor. (AFP, ITV 12/8 in FBIS 12/9; PR 12/18)

8 SLA soldiers killed in southern Lebanon when Hizballah detonates bomb as SLA patrol passes. (MM 12/9; ITV, RL 12/9 in FBIS 12/9; MEI 1/20)

Suha Tawil, Arafat's wife, announces she is pregnant. (NYT, WP, WT 12/9)

Israel seals off Gaza Strip after previous day's riot at Erez checkpoint until "further notice."  Israeli cabinet mbrs. accuse Palestinian police of "gross irresponsibility" in incident.  (NYT 7/19)

Israel-Jordan peace talks open in tent on border 10 mi. north of Aqaba/Eilat.  Israeli delegation headed by Elyakim Rubenstein, Jordanian by Amb. to U.S. Fayiz Tarawnah.  Tarawnah expresses hope talks "will culminate in a treaty of peace," but PM and FM `Abd al-Salam Majali says Jordan "will not make a separate settlement with Israel by any means."  Talks break into working comm. sessions on borders, security, and water, energy, and environment issues.  (RJ, JTV 7/18 in FBIS 7/18; MM 7/18; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/19)

Palestinian-Israeli talks resume in Cairo, agenda focusing on transfer of education authority to PNA.  (MENA 7/18 in FBIS 7/18)

Secy of State Christopher meets Israeli PM Rabin, FM Peres in Jerusalem, says Arab-Israeli conflict "drawing to an end."  (MM 7/18; NYT, WT 7/19)

Israeli govt. proposes legislation to bar PLO political activity in Israel and Jerusalem unless special approval given.  (MM 7/19; TJT 7/22; JP 7/30)

FM Peres announces Casablanca will host international Middle East economic conference 10/30, with over 2,000 companies participating.  (MM 7/19)

Bomb destroys Buenos Aires building housing Jewish organizations, files on Nazi war criminals in Argentina, killing at least 26, wounding over 100.  Iraqi detained in case; German, Iranian also reported arrested.  Argentine Pres. Menem says Mossad, Spanish intelligence will help in investigation.  Israeli PM Rabin denounces attack as "cowardly, criminal and evil act," vows to "chase perpetrators of terrorism to the end."  PLO official in Argentina says "we deeply lament this attack against peace."  Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires destroyed by bomb 3/92.  (MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/19; WJW 7/21)

PM Rabin warns that negotiations on expanding Palestinian self-rule areas jeopardized by attacks on Israelis in existing self-rule areas.  Palestinian police, IDF mount joint patrols, establish checkpoints in Gaza Strip in response to 5/20 killing of IDF soldiers at Erez checkpoint.  PLO condemns Erez killing as "pointed at Palestinian security."  (Qol Yisra'el 5/21 in FBIS 5/23; NYT, WT 5/22; CSM, MM 5/23)

IDF commandos abduct Lebanese Shi`ite leader Mustafa al-Dirani fr. Qasr Naba in Biqa` Valley.  Dirani, a frmr. Amal leader and head of Hizballah affiliate "Faithful Resistance," is thought to know whereabouts of IAF navigator Ron Arad, missing in Lebanon since 1986.  (NYT, WP, WT 5/22; CSM, MM 5/23; WJW 5/26; JP 5/28)