The Palestine Chronology

In East Jerusalem, PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Hanan Ashrawi addresses diplomats from Asia, the EU, Latin America, and the Middle East, calling on them to increase donor aid to the PA and to support a revived Palestinian statehood bid at the UN (see QU in JPS 165 for details). (NYT 8/14)

Israeli Jerusalem municipal officials approve construction of 12 commercial and hotel towers (24–33 floors each) on East Jerusalem’s Jabal Abu Ghunaym/Har Homa settlement site. The IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin and Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Eliezer settlement nr. Bethlehem, escorted by the IDF, bulldoze and level 5 d. of Palestinian agricultural land and a well in nearby al-Khadir village; the leveling cuts off Palestinian access to another 11 d. of crop land. (PCHR 8/16; OCHA 8/18)

Israel’s Jerusalem municipality approves construction of 2,500 new housing units in Gilo settlement. Also in East Jerusalem, the IDF demolishes 5 residential tents and 5 sheds in the Arab al-Jahalin bedouin community e. of Jerusalem. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 5 wells and water and electricity networks in Bayt Qad village nr. Jenin (marking the 1st Israeli demolition in Area B in 2012). The IDF also patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 each nr. Jericho and Salfit in the morning; in Qalqilya and 1 nearby village, and in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah in the afternoon; and in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Qalqilya, and Ramallah late at night. Jewish settlers fr. Eliezer settlement nr. Bethlehem steal fencing surrounding a plot of nearby Palestinian crop land, leaving leaflets taking credit for the action signed by the ‘‘Green Helmets.’’ In Gaza, 1 Palestinian is killed and 1 is injured in a smuggling tunnel collapse on the Rafah border. (PCHR 6/14; OCHA 6/15)

A Palestinian court convicts Muhammad Rashid, the former economic adviser to late PA pres. Yasir Arafat and political ally to Abbas adversary Muhammad Dahlan, of embezzling millions of dollars in public funds during Arafat’s rule. Rashid had been charged in 4/2012 by an independent Palestinian anticorruption commission created in 2010. While few if any Palestinians thought that Rashid (who has lived abroad for years and was convicted in absentia) was innocent, many saw the case against him as, in the words of Palestinian analyst Hani al-Masri (WP 6/21), ‘‘a reaction to a political dispute [with Abbas], not a continuous fight against corruption.’’ Other critics noted (WP 6/21) that the commission had been selective about the cases it chose to investigate, and that of the more than 80 cases it had investigated, few had led to charges against senior officials. (WP 6/21)

The IDF assassinates wanted al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbr. Tariq Zaghal in Tulkarm, also killing 3 Palestin-ian bystanders; later IDF troops fire on stone-throwing Palestinian youths protesting the assassination, killing a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy. The IDF also fatally shoots 2 Palestinians outside Kefar Darom settlement in Gaza; demolishes 9 Palestinian homes in the Shaykh ‘Ajlin neighborhood of Gaza City; raids a clinic in Jenin, destroying medical equipment, barring dialysis patients fr. taking their treatments. In Hebron, Israeli border police ambush, hold at gunpoint a group of 15 Palestinian journalists, seriously beat 1. (NYT, PCHR, WP 11/20; NYT 11/21; REU 11/23; UPMRC 11/27)

The Labor party elects Haifa mayor Amram Mitzna as its candidate for PM in the 1/28/03 elections. Mitzna takes 54% of the vote over fmr. Israeli DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer’s 38% and Labor mbr. Haim Ramon’s 7%. Mitzna says he will run on a platform calling for immediate, unconditional resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians, withdrawal of settlers from all of Gaza and some of the West Bank, and unilateral withdrawal fr. the West Bank if peace talks fail; says he would withdraw fr. Gaza by the end of 2003 if elected. (MM 11/19; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/20; MENA 11/20 in WNC 11/21; WT 11/21; JT, MA 11/21 in WNC 11/22; MA 11/22, SA 11/23 in WNC 11/25; JT 11/26 in WNC 11/27; JPI 11/29; AYM 12/13 in WNC 12/16)

The IDF temporarily lifts the curfew on Hebron; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, destroying 1 Palestinian home; bulldozes 3 Palestinian homes s. of Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Khan Yunis, Karabatha Bani Harith, Rafah (taking 8 Palestinians to Morag settlement for interrogation); temporarily detains, beats, confiscates the camera of Palestinian journalist for Reuters. Israel's National Religious Party (NRP) reports that 4 new settler bypass roads are under construction in the West Bank. (Hatzofe 8/18 in WNC 8/20; LAW, PCHR 8/21; PCHR 8/26)

In Tel Aviv, Israeli DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, PA Interior M `Abd al-Razzaq Yahya agree on implementation of Ben-Eliezer's Gaza First plan: the IDF is to withdraw fr. parts of Gaza and fr. Bethlehem within 48 hrs.; the PA is to take control of security in areas evacuated; if calm is maintained, Israel would extend the arrangement to Hebron. Israel makes no promises to halt assassinations, arrest raids, home demolitions; the PA makes no promises to make preventive arrests of mbrs. of opposition groups. National unity talks among the 12 Palestinian factions making up the National and Islamic Higher Coordinating Comm. of the Intifada (NIHC) reportedly continue in Gaza. (XIN 8/18 in WNC 8/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/19; AFP 8/19, AYM 8/20 in WNC 8/21; MM 8/21; al-Quds 8/21 in WNC 8/22, 8/23; MM 8/22; MA 8/25 in WNC 8/26; JPI, MEI 8/30)

In Qalqilya, IDF soldiers chasing curfew breakers toss stun grenades into a building, sparking a fire that kills 1 Palestinian. The IDF fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian during an arrest raid in Bayt Lahia; bulldozes 4 dunams of Bayt Lahia farmland nr. Dugit settlement; raids the Ramallah offices of the largest Palestinian Internet service provider, PalNet, disabling email, Internet access; conducts house-to-house searches in Hebron. (UPMRC, WT 7/16; LAW, PCHR 7/17; LAW 7/19)

In Alexandria, Ben-Eliezer confers with Mubarak, reportedly presents a "Gaza First" plan, which has not been endorsed by Sharon. Mubarak also meets with PA Local Government M Saeb Erakat; there is no evidence that Ben-Eliezer and Erakat meet. (MM 7/15; MENA 7/15, QA 7/16 in WNC 7/17; MM, NYT, WT 7/16; WT 7/17; JPI 7/26; MM 7/29)

The IDF enters Halhul; lifts curfews for several hrs. in all areas to allow Palestinians to resupply, students to take their final exams. In Nablus, Palestinian boy with asthma dies fr. inhaling tear gas. Israeli DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer says he plans to dismantle 20 Jewish settlement enclaves built without permission, which are too small and remote to be protected; at least 9 are uninhabited. (IDF press release, PRCS press release 6/29; HA, WT 6/30; MM, WP 7/1; WJW 7/11)

Sharon meets with his cabinet, which agrees to intensify attacks on Palestinians in response to escalating violence. The IDF stages massive aerial, naval assaults on PA targets in the West Bank and Gaza, leaving a total of 16 Palestinians dead, including 2 Hamas mbrs. allegedly preparing to fire mortars in Gaza. The IDF also makes incursions into Nablus, killing 9 Palestinians, occupying an apartment building, confining 130 residents to a single floor, allegedly ordering some Palestinian men to stand at the windows as human shields. The IDF again shells Arafat's Ramallah compound, hitting a room adjacent to where he is taking shelter, injuring 1 bodyguard; also shells 2 PSF buildings in Gaza City, 1 in Jenin; further tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement, even barring young children who had passed through checkpoints in the morning fr. walking home fr. school. (AP, MM, WT 2/20; AFP 2/20 in WNC 2/21; NYT, Physicians for Human Rights press release, WP, WT 2/21; NYT 2/22)

In Tel Aviv, Israel DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer holds a secret mtg. with PSF Gaza head Muhammad Dahlan, Arafat financial adviser Muhammad Rashid to discuss the escalating violence. The sides agree to a CIA request to hold a secret trilateral security comm. mtg. on 2/23. (NYT 2/22)

In response to the 11/29 Hadera bombing, Israeli DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer authorizes the IDF to step up assassinations, tighten blockades on PA areas. The IDF encircles, takes up positions just inside PA-controlled areas of Jinin, Nablus, Tulkarm; directs machine gun fire at residential areas of Beitunia, Nablus; sends bulldozers into al-Bireh, temporarily occupy the roof of the PA Min. of Planning and International Cooperation while land in front of the building is razed; conducts an arrest raid in Hebron. 1,000 Palestinians demonstrate in Ramallah, 8 are injured when the IDF fires on the crowd. (MM 11/30; PMC, NYT, WP, WT 12/1; LAW 12/5)

Islamic Jihad detonates a car bomb in a parking garage in Talpiot settlement in East Jerusalem, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Jinin, Rafah; tightens the closure on Jinin, Khan Yunis, Ramallah, Tulkarm; bars teachers, students fr. entering a school in Hawara; raids a 2d school in Nablus. Jewish settlers severely beat 2 Palestinian children en route to school in Nablus; bulldoze 350 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Mihula; raid Kafr Laqif village nr. Qalqilya, attack several Palestinians, set fire to an olive grove. The IDF bars a pregnant Palestinian woman in labor fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital, forcing her to give birth at the crossing. (AP, HP 10/1; GS, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; MM 10/3; LAW 10/10; MEI 10/12)

Senior Israeli, PA security officials discuss cease-fire implementation. Israeli DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer authorizes the IDF to remove roadblocks around Jericho, reopen the Rafah crossing into Egypt, ease Palestinians' passage through checkpoints, withdraw tanks from areas "where quiet is maintained." (Israeli DMin. press release, JP [Internet] 10/1; AYM 10/1 in WNC 10/2; al-Quds 10/2 in WNC 10/3)

Inside Israel, Israeli Arabs observe a general strike, stage protests to mark the 1st anniversary of the 10/00 riots, which left 18 Israeli Arabs dead (13 killed by Israeli police; 5 by Israeli civilians). Israeli police keep a distance fr. demonstrators; no violence is reported. (MM 10/1)

In Netanya, Israel, a Hamas suicide bomber kills 5 Israelis, injures 110. After dark, Israel sends F-16s to drop 1,100-lb. bombs on PA security targets in Gaza City, Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm, killing 12 Palestinians, wounding 90--marking Israel's 1st use of warplanes against the Palestinian areas since the 1967 war. (Sharon makes the decision to use F-16s in a mtg. with FM Shimon Peres and DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer; he has not met with his security cabinet in 3 wks.) An IDF officer is also killed when his car is ambushed in the West Bank. Britain, European Union (EU), Russia, the UN, the U.S. condemn the sharp escalation; urge PA, Israeli leaders to bring violence to a halt. (AP, BBC, HA, JP [Internet], MM, REU 5/18; AFP, Interfax 5/18, al-Quds 5/19, JT, MA, RMC 5/20 in WNC 5/21; LAW, PCHR, NYT, WP, WT 5/19; QA 5/19, El Pais (Madrid) 5/22 in WNC 5/23; HP, NYT, WT 5/20; al-Ra'i 5/20, MA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; MM 5/21 PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; MEI 6/1)

The UN Security Council (UNSC) accepts UN Secy.-Gen. Kofi Annan's 5/2 proposal for a staged reduction of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) troops. (UN press release 5/18)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 3 Palestinian dead, including a 9-yr.-old boy hit by IDF gunfire inside his home. A 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The IDF tightens the closure on al-Bireh, Ramallah; shells residential areas of Brazil, Tulkarm. (HP 3/2; LAW, NYT, WP 3/3; LAW, WT 3/4)

Labor selects MK Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, a hawkish fmr. gen., to fill the post of DM in a unity government with Likud. MK Salah Tarif, a Druze, will become minister without portfolio, becoming the 1st non-Jewish cabinet mbr. in Israeli history. PM-elect Sharon is negotiating with smaller, right-wing parties to fill out the coalition. (NYT, WP, WT 3/3)

In Rabat, King Muhammad of Morocco meets with Israeli dep. PM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, says he looks forward to visiting Israel "when the conditions are right." (MA 7/2 in WNC 7/3)

Netanyahu sends Cabinet Secy. Nave to Washington to present U.S. special envoy Ross with "bridging proposals" for resuming PA-Israeli talks. (MA, YA 7/21 in WNC 7/22; NYT, WT 7/22; ITV 7/22 in WNC 7/23; WT 7/23; WJW 7/24; YA 7/25 in WNC 7/28)

Israel's Labor faction forms an unofficial "shadow cabinet," assigning party mbrs. to monitor, react to the activities of each ministry (e.g., MK Beilin on FMin., MK Ori Or on DMin., MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer on Housing Min.). After 6 mos. the assignments will rotate, though party chmn. Barak will remain the "shadow PM," tracking Netanyahu. (YA 7/21 in WNC 7/29)

Labor Chmn. Barak flies to Amman at King Hussein's invitation to discuss ways of restarting Israeli-PA talks. (IDF Radio 7/21 in WNC 7/22; NYT 7/22)

Netanyahu loses (49-44) a no-confidence vote in the Knesset but is not deposed under the direct-election law. (MM 7/22) (see 7/20)

The `Abd al-Rahim comm. to investigate the PA GCO report on financial corruption submits its final report to Arafat. (NYT 7/22)

Israeli Interior M Eli Suissa, Jerusalem Mayor Olmert say marketing of Har Homa to developers will begin in 3 mos. (MA 7/22 in WNC 7/23)

PA police announce that based on inquiries into Shukah's death 7/14, they have uncovered a Hamas bomb-making factory in Bayt Sahur, containing 66 lbs. of explosives, IDF uniforms, Jewish prayer shawls and caps. (MM 7/21)

PA police arrive at the home of al-Azhar's Dr. Subuh, confiscate the student answers to the exam he gave 6/21. The PSF is still detaining Subuh. (LAW 7/24; Palestine Center for Human Rights press release 7/26; NYT 8/16) (see 7/2)

Israel, Poland sign free trade agmt. under which customs tariffs on industrial goods will be lifted by 1998, on all other goods by 2001. (PAP [Warsaw] 7/21 in WNC 7/22; MA 7/23 in WNC 7/24)

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)

Israeli Supreme Court blocks the government fr. releasing Palestinian prisoners until Knesset approves Oslo II. (QY, VOP 10/2 in FBIS 10/3; MM 10/3)

IDF Central Commander Ilan Biran briefs settler leaders on Oslo II accord; tells them IDF will close off some major West Bank roads to Israelis during the 1st 3 mos of the interim period. If settlers try to use the roads, IDF will arrest them. (QY 10/3 in FBIS 10/4)

Israel Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer announces plans to confiscate 380 dunams of Palestinian land in East Jerusalem, demolish 16 houses on that land for road construction. (Davar 10/2 in FBIS 10/4)

After Syria eases its demands for "equality" (see 4/3), Israel, Syria come to agmt. on "guidelines" for a security arrangement for Golan that would follow Israeli withdrawal. Details are to be worked out by military experts in late June. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/25; SARR 5/25 in FBIS 5/25; CSM, MM 5/26; JP 6/3; SARR 6/8 in FBIS 6/9)

In Damascus, PNG's Shak`a holds conference with 10 Damascus-based Palestinian factions opposed to Oslo Accord to discuss PNG's political program, need for alliance btwn. internal, external groups. Hamas refuses to attend. (al-Hayat, Voice of Iran 5/24 in FBIS 5/25; al-Safir 6/15 in FBIS 6/23) (see 2/21)

Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says Israel will continue building housing in East Jerusalem despite suspension of 4/27 confiscation, plans for 6,500 new units on 620 acres of Palestinian land at Har Homa settlement in East Jerusalem will be ready soon. (QY 5/23, AFP 5/24 in FBIS 5/24; NYT, WT 5/24; JP 5/24 in FBIS 5/25; PR 5/28, 6/4; WSJ 6/6)

Jordan's 1st amb. to Israel, Marwan Muasher, arrives in Tel Aviv to assume his duties. Israel's 1st amb.to Jordan, Shimon Shamir, arrives in Amman to take his post. (MM, WT 4/6; RJ, JT 4/6 in FBIS 4/6; JP 4/15; WJW 4/20)

U.S. envoy Ross arrives in Israel for brief shuttle btwn. Israel, Syria; meets with PM Rabin, military Chief of Staff Shahak, senior IDF officials to discuss security arrangements within framework of agmt. with Syria. Israelis present demand for 1:9 geographical ratio for demilitarized zones. Ross will transmit Israeli suggestions, concerns to Syria 4/7. (MM 4/6; IDF Radio 4/7 in FBIS 4/7; MA 4/7 in FBIS 4/10)

Israeli, Egyptian FMs meet in Paris to try to solve NPT conflict . Egypt says it is willing to sign a ban on chemical weapons in exchange but no final compromise is reached. Sides agree to continue discussions within Multilateral Working Group on Arms Control, upgrade working group talks to FM level. (WP 4/5; CSM 4/6; MBC, MENA 4/6 in FBIS 4/7; HA 4/19 in FBIS 4/20)

Israeli Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says he will present plan to ministerial comm. for additional 5,600 homes beyond Green Line, incl. 1,300 units in Matityahu settlement, 3,000 units in Ma'ale Adumim, finishing work on 800 units in Giva'at Ze'ev. (MM 4/7; QY 4/6, JP 4/7 in FBIS 4/7)

Arafat decides to replace editorial board of Jericho-based al-Aqsa newspaper with journalists who are Fatah mbrs. Decision is criticized as interference with freedom of press. (ITV 4/6 in FBIS 4/7)

Congressional hearings open on Clinton's Omnibus Counterterrorism Bill to speed deportation of illegal immigrants suspected of terrorism, prohibit fundraising for organizations the pres. deems dangerous, grant FBI broader authority to investigate, order wiretaps. Arab-American, Muslim groups protest bill, fearing it will be used to discriminate against them, curb legitimate fundraising. (WP 4/7)

Bomb explodes on Gaza border as IDF foot patrol passes, wounding 1 soldier. No one claims responsibility. (JP 4/6 in FBIS 4/7; NYT 4/7)

U.S. issues "angry warning" to PM Rabin to stop talks with Iraq following reports 2 Iraqi-born MK's initiated contacts in July; suggests military, economic aid is at risk. Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer admits secret negotiations with Syria over a peace treaty occurred. Rabin claims he knew nothing, Syrian government denies reports. (AFP, ITV, JP, QY 9/19 in FBIS 9/19; WT 9/23)

PECDAR concludes econ. mtg. in Cairo. PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi issues statement encouraging new mtg. of donor states, quick disbursal of aid so autonomy process is not hampered. (Al-Hayat 9/20 in FBIS 9/20)

Islamic Unification Movement issues leaflet in Gaza announcing its establishment; claims it advocates unity and coordination, does not oppose any Islamic or national faction (inc. PNA). (Al-Manar 9/19 in FBIS 9/22)

Declassified British documents admit British intelligence secretly established, ran Sharq al-Adna radio in Palestine fr. 1941-56. The station, fronted as an Arab radio, was influential during the Suez crisis, broadcasting anti-Nasir/anti-Israeli propaganda. (WT 9/19)

Britain's MI6 says Iraq's Deputy PM Tariq Aziz met secretly with an Israeli delegation headed by Housing M Binyamin Ben Eliezer in Rabat 1 mo. ago to try to draw up a peace treaty. Israeli FMin. denies the report. (Sunday Times 9/18 in WT 9/19, FBIS 9/21; CSM 9/19; WT 9/21; WJW 9/22; MEI 9/23)

Israeli police extend ban on Kach, Kahane Chai for 6 mos. (QY 9/18 in FBIS 9/19)

Palestinian Amb. to Iraq `Azzam al-Ahmad says PLO has stopped VOP transmissions fr. Baghdad, Sana`a', Algiers; will now rely solely on VOP Jericho. (Al-Dustur 9/18 in FBIS 9/20)

IDF kills 1 Palestinian, wounds 1 when car fails to stop for roadblock nr. Ramallah. In separate incident, 1 IDF soldier wounded in knifing by Palestinian nr. Tel Aviv. (WT 9/19)

Hamas issues leaflet denying association with men who shot a Palestinian policeman 9/17, blame PSF men who were also at the scene. Arafat calls in PSF's Gaza head Muhammad Dahlan to explain. (MM 9/19; QY 9/19 in FBIS 9/19; MEI 9/23)

PLO Chmn. Arafat convenes PLO Exec. Comm. to approve recognition of Israel, "Gaza-Jericho lst" agreement; Israeli and Palestinian negotiators continue meetings in Paris to complete details of accord. (WP 9/9)

Israeli police use water cannon to disperse 1500 anti-accord demonstrators outside PM Rabin's Jerusalem residence. (WP 9/9)

Israeli Housing Min. Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says Israel plans new road network to link Haifa and Ashdod with Amman, Beirut, and Damascus as part of overall peace agreement. (MM 9/8)

Poll of Palestinian refugees in Jordan shows 60% oppose DoP. (al-Bilad 9/8 in FBIS 9/10)