The Palestine Chronology

In Jerusalem 10's of ultraorthodox Jews attempt to storm the al-Aqsa Mosque compound but are kept back by Israeli police. In Hebron, 5,000 settlers rally against IDF redeployment in the city. (MM 9/30)

Dep. cmdr. in chief of the Syrian army, Chinese military delegation discuss ways of improving bilateral military cooperation. (SARR 9/30 in WNC 10/2)

Clashes spread throughout the West Bank and Gaza, leaving at least 39 Palestinians, 11 Israelis dead, 100s on both sides wounded. Worst fighting is in Nablus, where 6 IDF soldiers are killed when Palestinian protesters attack Joseph's Tomb, a fmr. mosque used as a yeshiva by ultraorthodox Jews; IDF sends 4 APCs in to rescue 7 troops but some 35 additional soldiers become trapped as well. Israeli DM Mordechai sends tanks, helicopters into the West Bank for the 1st time since 1967. Helicopters fire on Palestinian crowds in Ramallah, Gaza. Tanks take up positions on borders of zone A areas. In Gaza, Palestinians march on 2 Jewish settlements, attack IDF outposts, forcing evacuation of 1 small settlement. 1,000s of Palestinians clash with IDF at Rafah checkpoint, killing 1 Egyptian soldier on the Egyptian side of the border. After mtg. with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Netanyahu cuts short by several hrs. a tour of EU capitals, returns to Israel. Egypt, Israel, PA, U.S. discuss ways of securing Arafat-Netanyahu mtg. Arafat says he will meet only if Netanyahu promises to make a concrete gesture, such as closing tunnel. Netanyahu refuses, says gestures will only show Palestinians that protests have benefits. (MM 9/26; IDF Radio, ITV, VOA, VIRI 9/26 in WNC 9/27; IDF Radio, ITV, JTV, RJ, VIRI 9/26 in WNC 9/30; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 9/27; TJT 9/27 in WNC 10/1; YA 9/29 in WNC 10/2; MEI, PR 10/4; JP 10/5; NYT 10/6)

Palestinian refugees in `Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp in s. Lebanon stage demonstrations against Israeli actions in the occupied territories. Israel reinforces troops in the "security zone." (RL 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

Shin Bet's top echelon holds emergency mtg.; says it is furious with PM Netanyahu for opening the tunnel despite Shin Bet's warnings, contrary recommendations and without their coordination; criticizes the PM's decision-making process, performance. The DM, chief of staff reportedly were not informed in advance of the tunnel opening either. (YA 9/27 in WNC 9/30; ITV 9/27 in WNC 10/1)

Israeli inner cabinet holds emergency mtg. Agriculture M Eitan calls for tanks to be moved into zone A areas. Science M Benjamin Begin, Tourism M Qatzav calls for immediate halt to negotiations with the PA, reassessment of Arafat. DM Mordechai calls for compromise on tunnel. (ITV 9/27 in WNC 10/1)

In Amman, Netanyahu adviser Gold briefs King Hussein on diplomatic developments. The king urges Israel to implement agmts. signed with the Palestinians. (MA 9/24 in IL 9/24; MM 10/9)

After United Torah Judaism threatens to quit the Likud coalition unless housing problems of its ultraorthodox constituents are solved, PM Netanyahu promises that land will be unfrozen for the construction of an additional 580 apartments in Kiryat Sefer (above the 1,806 approved 9/18), additional 200 in Beitar (above the 900 previously approved). (ITV 9/24 in WNC 9/27; MM 9/25)

ILMG meets in Naqura to discuss Lebanon's complaints about Israel's recent attacks on the south, especially the 8/29 clash which killed 2 civilians. Lebanon also submits a complaint about Israel's expulsion fr. s. Lebanon of 2 Lebanese families 9/21. (RL 9/22, 9/23 in WNC 9/24; CSM 9/23) (see 9/1)

Fearing an IDF attack, Lebanese army sends reinforcements to the western Biqa` valley. (MBC, RL 9/22 in WNC 9/24; MM 9/23)

Fmr. Oslo negotiator Ya'ir Hirschfeld gives details of secret verbal understandings the Rabin government reached with the PA.  (Nequda 7/14 in FBIS 8/1; MM 7/31; PR 8/9)

In Jerusalem, secular Jews led by Meretz party activists drive down Bar Ilan Street, protesting plans to close the road during Sabbath (see 7/10). 1,000s of ultraorthodox Jews, led by UTJ MK Avraham Ravitz, hurl garbage, stones at the cars, sparking riot. Israeli police use water canons to disperse crowd, arrest 13. (WT 7/14; JP 7/14 in FBIS 7/15; NYT 7/15; WJW 7/18; JP 7/20; WJW 8/8)

In Beirut, fmr. Lebanese Forces militia leader Samir Ja`ja` is acquitted of trying to overthrow the government, masterminding 1994 church bombing that killed 11 worshipers. (WP, WT 7/14) (see 5/20)

PM Netanyahu speaks before joint session of Congress. Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), noted for holding up Middle East Peace Facilitation Act aid to the PLO, calls speech "an eloquent and visionary tour de force." Netanyahu then hold talks with congressional leaders, representatives fr. Arab embassies, CIA Dir. John Deutch. (ITV, QY, SARR 7/10, QY, YA 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 7/11; CSM 7/12; QY 7/14 in FBIS 7/15; MM 7/16; WJW 7/18; MEI 7/19; JP 7/20)

In Hebron, Palestinians clash with Israeli police after PM Netanyahu fails to set a date for redeployment in the city; IDF seals area, imposes curfew. Palestinians had hoped Clinton would have pressured Netanyahu to set a timetable for redeployment, easing of closure. (QY 7/20 in FBIS 7/10; QY, RE, SARR 7/10, al-Hayat, QY, RE, SARR, VOP 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; CSM, MM, WP, WT 7/11; RMC 7/10, al-Hayat, QY 7/11, VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; MM 7/15)

Bowing to pressure fr. ultraorthodox Jews, Israeli Transportation Min. agrees to close Bar Ilan Street, 1 of Jerusalem's main roads, for most of the Jewish Sabbath for a 4-mo. trial period. Israeli High Court overrides his order with a temporary injunction to keep the road open. Israeli police expect demonstrations, violent classes btwn. orthodox, secular Jews. (WT 7/11)

After Organization of African Unity gives near unanimous backing to UN Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali in his bid for a 2d term. U.S. again says it will veto him if he runs. (WT 7/11) (see 6/23)

Hizballah releases 2 SLA prisoners, proposes to exchange 17 other SLA mbrs. in its custody for 200 Lebanese nationals held in al-Khiyam prison in s. Lebanon. (MENA, VOL 7/10 in FBIS 7/11; MM 7/17)

Netanyahu is declared official winner of the Israeli elections, with 50.4 percent of the vote to Peres's 49.5--a difference of 29,457 votes. 145,000 ballots were left blank. Netanyahu scores 10 percentage points higher than Peres among Jewish voters; takes 95 percent of the ultraorthodox vote, 87 percent of the settler vote, 5 percent of the Arab vote. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/31; JTV 5/31, VOP 6/1 in FBIS 6/3; NYT, WP, WT 6/1; CSM, MM 6/3; MEI, PR 6/7; JP 6/8; HA 6/11 in FBIS 6/11)

Arafat is reportedly stunned by Netanyahu victory, convenes joint mtg. of the EA, PLO Exec. Comm. to discuss implications. (VOP 5/31 in FBIS 5/31; PBC 5/31, VOP 6/1 in FBIS 6/3; CSM 6/3; JP 6/8)

PC meets to discuss Netanyahu win. Issues brief statement, voicing hope Netanyahu will adhere to the Oslo agmts. (NYT 6/2)

IDF eases closure on West Bank, Gaza, allowing Palestinian workers aged 40 and above to go to their jobs in Israel; passage of goods through Qarni, Erez checkpoints; lifting the closed military zone orders on Janin, Nablus. (QY 5/31 in FBIS 5/31; IDF Radio 6/1 in FBIS 6/3; JP 6/8) (see 5/26)

In Lebanon, Israel retaliates against 5/31 attack, bombing a Hizballah arms depot nr. the Syrian border, injuring 4 civilians, incl. 2 children. (WP 5/31; QY, RL, VOL 5/31 in FBIS 5/31; WP, WT 6/1)

With all regular ballots in the Israeli elections counted, Netanyahu is ahead by 21,399 votes (0.7 percent); Likud, Labor are losing Knesset seats; religious parties are gaining seats. 150,000 absentee and military ballots, which in the past have gone overwhelmingly to Likud, have yet to be counted. The Israeli stock market drops 5 percent, value of the shekel falls. (MM, WP 5/30; IDF Radio, QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; MENA, QY, SARR 5/30, JP, QY 5/31 in FBIS 5/31; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 5/31; MEI, PR 6/7)

Netanyahu says that if he wins he will work to strengthen peace btwn. Israel, "Arab states with whom Israel already has peaceful relations." (QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; NYT 5/31)

Aides describe Pres. Clinton as "crestfallen" over Netanyahu's probable win, believing it to be a setback to his image as a peacemaker. Yet, Clinton says that, whatever the results, the U.S. will continue its support for Israel. (MM 5/30; NYT, WP, WT 5/31) (see 5/28)

PA says it will deal with any election outcome; if Likud wins, it must still continue the peace process. (JMCC, ITV 5/30 in FBIS 5/31)

Hamas says Netanyahu win would be a declaration of war against Palestinians, Arabs. (QY, RMC 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; AFP 6/2 in FBIS 6/3)

In Tel Aviv, Labor's M Ehud Barak, Finance M Avraham Shohat, Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer meet to discuss party's future. Some see mtg. as an attempt to oust PM Peres from the party; others see it as an attempt to outflank Interior M Hayim Ramon's bid for party leadership, assuming Peres will resign. Peres is furious with Barak for holding the mtg. (IDF Radio, QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; IDF Radio, ITV 5/31, IDF Radio 6/1 in FBIS 6/3; NYT 6/4; IDF Radio 6/5 in FBIS 6/7)

Likud opens unofficial contacts with ultraorthodox parties regarding formation of a coalition government. PM Peres says he would not consider joining a Likud-led coalition; other Labor mbrs. say they would. (QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; WP 5/31)

Tsomet leader Rafael Eitan says Oslo agmts. must be reopened, because the winning camp's views differ from those of the previous government. PA denounces his statement. (IDF Radio 5/30 in FBIS 5/30) (see 3/12)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates 2 roadside bombs, killing 4 IDF soldiers, wounding 7 IDF soldiers, 2 journalists, 1 SLA mbr. (VOL 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; ITV, VOL 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; MM, NYT, WT 5/31; JP 6/8)