The Palestine Chronology

Israel announces it will close PLO offices at Orient House, calling 4/21 briefing for diplomats a PA "provocation." PA accuses PM Netanyahu of trying to ignite an incident in Jerusalem before the 5/17 Israeli elections; claims that mtg. was a PLO event, not a violation of the ban on PA diplomatic activity in Jerusalem. (MM, WP, WT 4/23; AFP 4/23 in WNC 4/26; al-Quds 4/23, MENA, RJ 4/24, MENA 4/25 in WNC 4/27; WJW 4/29; PR 4/30)

In Damascus, Jordan's King Abdallah holds final round of talks on bilateral ties, regional issues with Pres. Asad before returning to Amman. (MM 4/22; JT, JTV 4/22 in WNC 4/23; WT 4/23; al-Ra'i 4/23 in WNC 4/26; Petra-JNA 4/25 in WNC 4/27; JP 4/30; MEI 5/7; MM 5/12; al-Watan al-Arabi 5/14 in WNC 5/18)

Russian FM Ivanov arrives in Israel on 1st leg of regional tour aimed at reviving the peace process. Israeli candidates, vying for votes fr. Israel's Russian immigrants, who make up 14% of the electorate, queue to meet him. (MM 4/22; ITAR-TASS 4/22 in WNC 4/23; WT 4/23; AFP 4/23 in WNC 4/26; JP 4/30; MEI 5/7; WP 5/8)

IDF closes Palestinian school nr. Ariel settlement in the West Bank following stone throwing incidents nearby. (IDF Radio 4/22 in WNC 4/23)

In Damascus, U.S. Asst. Secy. of State Martin Indyk meets with Syrian pres. Asad to discuss resuming talks with Israel after 5/17 elections. (SATN 3/14 in WNC 3/17; WT 3/15; al-Bayan 3/22 in WNC 3/24; al-Watan al-Arabi 3/26 in WNC 4/5)

Israel tells Jordan that this yr., it will be unable to provide the quantity of water promised under the 1994 peace agmt. due to an unusually dry winter, proposes a 60% cutback. Jordan says Israel must provide full allotment. (NYT, WP, WT 3/15; JT, JTV 3/15, AFP, al-Dustur, JT 3/16 in WNC 3/17; MM, WP 3/16; MM, WT 3/17; MM 3/19; al-Quds 3/20 in WNC 3/22; WJW 3/25; MEI 3/26)

King Hussein dies. Crown Prince Abdallah is sworn in as King Abdallah II, appoints his half-brother Hamza as crown prince. Jordan declares a wk. of mourning. Syria, Egypt announce official 3-day mourning period. Syria also postpones 2/8 presidential elections. (IDF Radio, Interfax, IRNA, JTV, RJ, RL, VIRI 2/7 in WNC 2/8; AFP, Xinhua 2/7 in WNC 2/9; GIU, CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/8; MA, SA 2/8 in WNC 2/9; CSM 2/9; WJW 2/11; JP, MEI, PR 2/12)

Voting along party lines, the House finds (228-206) grounds for Pres. Clinton's impeachment on 2 counts of perjury, obstruction of justice in the Monica Lewinsky case, moving the proceedings to the Senate. The Senate may dismiss the case, censure the pres., or vote to impeach. Clinton says that he will not resign. (NYT, WP, WT 12/20; WJW 12/24; MEI 12/25) (see 9/21)

Ramadan begins. U.S., Britain end their operation against Iraq after carrying out 650 sorties over 4 nights against 97 targets, only ¹/₃ of which were severely damaged or destroyed. At least 68 Iraqis have been killed. U.S. believes Iraq could restore its capabilities in a yr., reserves the right to use force again in the future. Albright describes U.S. policy toward Iraq as "containment plus regime change." (NYT 12/19; ITAR-TASS, MENA 12/19, MENA, YA 12/20, MA 12/21 in WNC 12/22; NYT, WP, WT 12/20; MM, WP, WT 12/21; Tishrin 12/21 in WNC 12/28; WJW 12/24; MEI 12/25)

In Syria, 1,000s protest against the U.S.-led attack on Iraq; more than 100 climb the U.S. emb. to tear down the flag and break into, vandalize the amb.'s residence; others attack the British cultural mission; lawyers strike in solidarity with Iraq. In Egypt, over 4,000 students at universities across the country demonstrate for 3d day; trade, journalists, teachers unions call for protests; pharmacists agree to boycott U.S., UK medicines. In Jordan, 2,000 students march in protest. In the West Bank, 3,000 Palestinians in Hebron, 2,500 in Jinin ignore ban on pro-Iraq demonstrations, clash with the IDF, leaving 100 injured. 15,000 Yemenis hold anti-U.S. march. 2,000 Sudanese protest outside the closed U.S. emb. Lebanon's grand mufti condemns the U.S.-led operation. (AFP, JTV, MENA, RL, SANA 12/19, JT, SANA 12/20 in WNC 12/22; NYT, WP, WT 12/20; JP 12/21; CSM 12/22; JP 12/28; al-Bayan 12/29 in WNC 12/31)

PA ends closures of TV, radio, newspaper bureaus imposed 12/18. (Times of London 12/21)

After 21 straight hrs. of talks with Pres. Clinton, Israel, PA reach an agmt. at Wye. Following a delay caused by Netanyahu's last minute claim that the U.S. backed out of a promise to release spy for Israel Pollard as part of the deal, the agmt. is signed at the White House. (MM, PR 10/23; IDF Radio, ITV, MENA 10/23 in WNC 10/26; IDF Radio, ITV, JTV, MENA 10/23, ATL, ITAR-TASS, JT, MENA, RE, RJ, al-Thawra 10/24, al-Ahram, al-Aswaq, ITV, MENA, al-Ra'i, RL, YA 10/25, MA, RL, al-Wafd 10/26 in WNC 10/27; NYT, WP, WT 10/24; WT 10/25; al-Ahram 10/25. al-Akhbar, al-Ba'th, al-Jumhuriyya, MENA 10/26, AFP 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM 10/26; WJW 10/29; MEI 10/30; SA 10/30 in WNC 11/6; JP 11/2; NYT 11/11; WT 11/12; MM 11/13)

2 suicide bombers dressed as ultra-Orthodox Jews detonate explosives in a crowded market in Jerusalem, killing 13 Israelis, wounding more than 170 Israelis, Palestinians. IDF immediately seals the West Bank, Gaza, preventing even town-to-town movement; suspends recognition of Palestinian passports; sends troops to seal the PA-controlled cities. A letter signed by Hamas's military wing, Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, takes responsibility, but Israeli security question its authenticity, Hamas political leader `Abd al-Aziz Rantisi says Hamas was not involved. (MM 7/30; IDF Radio, ITV, RE 7/30 in WNC 7/31; IDF Radio, ITV, JTV 7/30, MA, RAI Uno Television [Rome], RE, YA 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 7/31; ITV 7/31 in WNC 8/6; CSM, WT 8/1; AFP, MAP [Rabat], VOA 8/1 in WNC 8/4; NYT 8/3; al-Dustur, al-Majd 8/4 in WNC 8/7; CSM 8/5; WJW 8/7; MEI, PR 8/8; JP 8/9; CSM 8/11)

In the wake of the bombings, PM Netanyahu, FM Levy phone Secy. of State Albright, demand that the U.S. put pressure Arafat. The Israeli cabinet suspends all contacts with the PA until Arafat acts against Islamists "with determination," destroys their infrastructure. However, 1 mtg. btwn. Israeli, PA security officials is held. Over night, an IDF helicopter hovers over Arafat's Gaza headquarters, an Israeli warplane circles the Gaza Strip. (MM 7/30; ITV 7/30 in WNC 7/31; MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/31; YA 7/31 in WNC 8/4; WT 8/1)

As a result of the bombings, U.S. special envoy Ross cancels plans to leave today for the Middle East to meet with Arafat, Netanyahu. (MM, WT 7/30; NYT, WP, WT 7/31)

In Amman, King Hussein receives Israeli Knesset "Coalition Bloc for Peace," comprising Gesher, Third Way, Yisra'el B'Aliya, Shas MKs and the dir. of Israel's International Center of Peace in the Middle East. (JTV 7/30 in WNC 7/31)

State Dept. lifts the 12-yr.-old ban forbidding Americans to travel to Lebanon after that government agrees to take new steps to improve security at various locations, pledges to ratify an international convention against hostage-taking. The decision does not include lifting the ban on flights by Lebanese carriers to the U.S. or by U.S. carriers to Lebanon. (MM, WP 7/30; RL, RMC 7/30 in WNC 7/31; WT 7/31; al-Safir 7/31 in WNC 8/1; RL 8/4 in WNC 8/5; WT 8/6; al-Safir 8/6 in WNC 8/8; MEI 8/8)

Saudi Arabian dissident Sayigh backs out of a plea agmt. with the FBI to cooperate in the al-Khobar bombing case; says that he is innocent of any wrongdoing; was pressured by Canadian immigration officials to make statements on the bombing to avoid being deported to Saudi Arabia, where he faces execution. (NYT, WT 7/31) (see 6/30)

ILMG opens 2-day mtg. to discuss 1 Lebanese, 3 Israeli complaints. (VOL 7/30, RL 7/31 in WNC 8/1)

UN extends the UNIFIL mandate for 6 mos. (RL 7/30 in WNC 8/1)

Israeli naval forces detain 5 Lebanese fishermen off the coast of s. Lebanon, interrogate them before releasing them. (RL 7/29 in WNC 7/30) (see 7/28)

U.S. special envoy Ross meets with Arafat in Gaza, then meets with PM Netanyahu, Pres. Weizman, FM Levy. (WJW 5/8; ITV, QY 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM, WP 5/9; MEI, PR 5/16; JP 5/17)

Israel's PM Netanyahu, Jordan's King Hussein meet in Aqaba to discuss water issues, ways of resuming Israeli-PA negotiations. (MM 5/9; QY, RJ, YA 5/9 in WNC 5/12; JTV 5/9, RJ 5/10, JT 5/11, RJ 5/12 in WNC 5/13; NYT 5/10; JP 5/24) (see 5/6, Peace Monitor for details)

U.S. special envoy Ross, EU special envoy Moratinos meet in Israel to discuss the peace process. (IDF Radio 5/8 in WNC 5/9; AFP 5/9 in WNC 5/12; MEI 5/16)

Austrian FM Schuessel holds separate mtgs. with Israel's Netanyahu, PA's Arafat, EU's Moratinos. (Die Presse [Vienna] 5/9 in WNC 5/12)

Israeli cabinet secy. Nave admits that the intelligence transmission intercepted by the NSA in 1/97 was made. An unnamed Israeli intelligence official claims that "Mega" does not refer to a person but to something else. A 3d official claims "Mega" was a mistranslation of "Elga," the term used by Mossad for the CIA. U.S. declines to comment. (WP 5/9; MA, YA 5/9 in WNC 5/13; MM 5/13; YA 5/13 in WNC 5/14) (see 5/6)

PA Justice M Frayh Abu-Madayn announces that Palestinians who sell or facilitate the sale of land to Jews will face the death penalty. (NYT, WT 5/6; NYT 5/16; JP 5/17; IDF Radio 5/19 in WNC 5/21; WT 5/21)

U.S. says that it has repeatedly protested to Israel "at the highest level" over complaints Israel has threatened to take away the U.S. passports of Palestinians who do not give up claims of residency in Jerusalem, stresses that Palestinian Americans cannot lose their U.S. citizenship involuntarily. (WT 5/6) (see 5/4)

In Cairo, EU special envoy Moratinos discusses peace process with Arab League secy. Gen. Ismat `Abd al-Majid. (RE 5/5 in WNC 5/6)

Israel's new amb. to Jordan, Oded Eran, fmr. head of the Israeli delegation to the donor conferences, assumes his post in Amman. (RJ 5/5 in WNC 5/6)

U.S. releases Hamas political leader Abu Marzuq after 22 mos. in detention, flies him to Jordan. (AFP 5/5, JTV, al-Ra'i, RJ, RMC 5/6 in WNC 5/7; NYT, WT 5/6; RJ 5/6, JT 5/7 in WNC 5/8; MM 5/7; WJW 5/8; WP 5/9; SA 5/9 in WNC 5/13; mei 5/16; JP 5/17; al-Wasat 5/19-25 in WNC 5/21) (see 5/4)

PA policeman shoots, kills Palestinian at a checkpoint in Hebron. (WP 5/6; MEI 5/16)

IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Hebron's H2, saying they were constructed without permits. (LAW 5/6; WT 5/7; PR 5/16) (see 4/23)

Israeli court charges Manbar with assisting the enemy, providing information to an outside enemy with the intent of harming state security, providing Iran with means to manufacture chemical weapons in exchange for $16 m. (IDF Radio 5/5 in WNC 5/6; MA 5/7 in WNC 5/8; JP 5/17) (see 4/25)

Iranian FM Velayati arrives in Cairo on a 2-day visit to invite Pres. Mubarak to attend the upcoming (12/97) OIC conference in Tehran. This is the 1st high-level contact btwn. Iran, Egypt since Mubarak accused Tehran in 1995 of trying to have him killed. (IRNA 5/5 in WNC 5/6; NYT, WP, WT 5/6; IRNA, RE, SA 5/6 in WNC 5/7; MM 5/8, 5/9)

The Jordanian Popular Movement merges with the National Constitutional Party. (JT 5/6 in WNC 5/7; JT 5/7 in WNC 5/8) (see 2/28)

Hizballah detonates 3 roadside bombs in s. Lebanon, wounding 5 civilians, 2 SLA mbrs. (RL 5/5 in WNC 5/6, 5/7; WP 5/7)

PA Palestinian Council (PC) holds emergency session in Bethlehem to discuss Har Homa situation, calls on PA to halt negotiations, security coordination with Israel until it honors all agmts. (PR 3/21; PR 4/4)

Jordanian soldier fires on group of Israeli girls on a field trip to a Jordan River island, killing 7, wounding 6. He is overpowered and detained by Jordanian security officials. (MM 3/13; IDF Radio, QPAR 3/13 in WNC 3/15; ITV, JTV 3/13, ITV, SANA 3/14 in WNC 3/17; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14; NYT 3/16; WJW 3/20; JP 3/22)

UNGA passes (130-2, with 2 abstentions) a resolution calling on Israel to rescind the "illegal" Har Homa decision. (MM, NYT 3/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14)

Israel rescinds the order to close 4 Palestinian offices in Jerusalem. (MM 3/13; AFP 3/13 in WNC 3/15) (see 3/5)

Israeli PM Netanyahu, King Hussein meet in Amman. Jordan regrets that Netanyahu's 25-mbr. entourage includes no FMin. officials, high ranking diplomats. (MM 8/5; AFP, JT, RJ 8/5 in FBIS 8/5; JTV, RJ 8/5 in FBIS 8/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/6; CSM, MM, WT 8/7; WJW 8/8; NYT 8/9)

Israel allows another 5,000 Palestinian workers to enter Israel, bringing total number of permits issued to 37,000. (NYT, WP 8/6; WJW 8/8)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah fires on IDF post, wounding 2; captures 1 SLA mbr. (QY 8/5, SARR 8/6 in FBIS 8/6; MM, WP 8/6; WT 8/7; WJW 8/8)

In Washington, Pres. Clinton signs legislation imposing sanctions on foreign companies that do business with Iran, Libya. Bill is expected to strain U.S. relations with the EU, which has threatened retaliation. In particular, France, Germany, Italy do significant trade with Iran, Libya. (NYT, WT 8/6; NYT 8/7; MEI 8/16)

Jordan's King Hussein arrive in Damascus for 1st time in 2 yrs.; holds "very successful" reconciliation mtg. with Pres. Asad. (JTV, RJ, SARR 8/3, al-Dustur 8/4, JT 8/5 in FBIS 8/5; WP, WT 8/4; WP 8/6; WJW 8/8)

In wake of riot 8/2, Fatah holds pro-Arafat rally in Tulkarm, PA releases 23 Hamas mbrs. to stem anger. (QY 8/3 in FBIS 8/5; MM 8/5) (see 7/7)

In Jericho, PA military court sentences 3 PA police officers to prison terms for torturing Jumayil to death. 2 men are given 15-yr. terms, 1 is given 10 yrs. (VOP 8/3, AFP 8/4 in FBIS 8/5; NYT 8/4; CSM, Houston Chronicle, NYT 8/5; PR 8/9; MEI 8/16; WP 8/20) (see 8/1)

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 suspends all negotiations with PLO after Hamas announces it is holding an IDF soldier hostage. Hamas says it will kill the soldier 10/14 if 200 Palestinian prisoners--inc. Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, Shaykh Salah Shehadeh, Shaykh `Abd al-Karim Obeid, Mustafa al-Dirani--are not released. PM Rabin calls emergency cabinet mtg., suspends transfer of aid fr. donor countries, seals Gaza, says he holds Arafat responsible. Arafat condemns abduction, calls mtg. of PSF. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/12; AFP, ITV, JP, Al-Quds radio 10/11, MENA, VOP , QY 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; CSM 10/13; HA 10/14 in FBIS 10/14)

Jordanian, Palestinian officials conclude talks in Amman, announce broad agmts. on trade, customs, banking, civil aviation; agree to draw up position papers on Awqaf, refugees. (JT 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; JTV 10/12 in FBIS 10/13)

U.S. FM Christopher meets with Syrian Pres. al-Asad, says both Syria, Israel have made significant movements towards peace, says he has been pleased al-Asad has taken U.S. advice and made public gestures showing he is serious. (SARR 10/11 in FBIS 10/11; WP 10/12)

FM Christopher leaves Syria for Amman, meets with King Hussein, Crown Prince Hassan to discuss U.S.-Jordanian relations, peace talks, Iraqi maneuvers. (JTV 10/11 in FBIS 10/12, MM 10/12)

PM Rabin confirms that rifles used in Hamas attack 10/10 were AK47's belonging to the Palestinian police. (NYT 10/12)

The Nobel committee decides to award the Nobel Peace Prize to PLO chmn. Arafat, Israeli PM Rabin. (MM 10/11; NYT, WT 10/12; CSM, WJW 10/13; MM 10/14)

U.S. Commerce Sec. Ron Brown holds mtg. with mbrs. of Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) delegation of Palestinian businessmen on 5-day visit to seek American funding for projects in West Bank, Gaza. (WT 10/12; JP 10/15)

Iraqi retreat is detected by U.S. intelligence. Pres. Clinton says it is too early to reach conclusions on Saddam Hussein's action, U.S. will continue reinforcement of the Gulf, may press for enlarging demilitarized zone along Kuwaiti border. (NYT, WP, WT 10/12)

IDF, SLA continue shelling southern Lebanon, "deport" 26 Kufr Hunah villagers fr. self-declared security zone. Lebanese FM Buwayz asks UN to act. (RL 10/11 in FBIS 10/12; MM 10/12)