The Palestine Chronology

Israeli authorities arrest more than 300 Hamas and Islamic Jihad mbrs. in o.t. in crackdown ordered by PM Rabin. Rabin says govt. will fight terrorism "with all the means available to us." (MM 4/19; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/20)

6 Fateh mbrs., fugitives fr. Gaza Strip, allowed to return fr. Egypt. Among those returned is "Black Panther" leader Salim Shurafa, 28. PM Rabin pledges to allow return of 20-30,000 Palestinians, mostly relatives of Palestinian police, after agreement with PLO reached. (WP, WT 4/20)

Israeli AG Michael Ben-Yair tells Jerusalem Bar Assoc. that Israeli law does not apply in o.t. "unless the Knesset expressly states this," and that settlers are as subject to military law as Palestinians. Ben-Yair says that in criminal cases "parallel" authority applies to settlers, so they are tried by Israeli law in Israeli courts, not military courts. Settlers' council criticizes Ben-Yairemarks, calls for mtg. (MM 4/20)

Hamas Damascus political office head Musa Abu Marzuq, in interview with Jordanian Islamist weekly al-Sabil, says Hamas would make peace with Israel in return for complete Israeli withdrawal fr. o.t., dismantlement of all settlements. Statement expands on hint of compromise in 4/17 statements by Hamas reps. in Jordan. (WT 4/20; CSM 4/21)

800,000 Palestinians in West Bank hold commercial strike to protest arrest of "Black Panther" leader Ahmad Ikhmail. Technical Comms. head Sari Nusseibeh calls arrest "a provocative action," says it "creates an explosive situation." (MM 9/30)

Lebanese PM Hariri, speaking to UNGA, says DoP may "remain an isolated step" if not followed up, warns Lebanon "cannot provide a solution to the Palestinians who have been uprooted fr. their land," says international community bears responsibility for Palestinians' return. (MM 10/1)

Secy. of State Christopher meets in New York with reps. of GCC, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, asks for immediatend to Arab boycott of Israel. Arab officials say action premature and public opinion against lifting boycott. Arab side also defers action on reversing UNGA resolutions critical of Israel. (WP 10/1)

IDF arrests Ahmad 'Awad Ikhmail and 4 other members of Fateh-affiliated "Black Panthers" group in raid in Qabatiya, West Bank. Ikhmail is described by Israeli officials as their most-wanted fugitive. (NYT 9/30)

Cyprus pardons, releases 3 Palestinians imprisoned for 1985 killing of 3 Israelis alleged to be Mossad agents. (Qol Yisra'el 9/30 in FBIS 10/1)

Acting Secy. of State Eagleburger warns that there will be "more pressure in the Security Council for some kind of Chapter 7 enforcement" of UNSCR 799, which "puts the Israelis and us and a lot of other people in an awkward spot," and that Israel is "going to have to find some solution to the problem, whether it's to take them back and put them in jail or whatever itis." (MM 1/15)

Palestinian, Jordanian, and Lebanese presses level harsh criticism on the U.S. and the West for their 1/13 attack on Iraq, Gulf states are notably cool or silent, Syria and Egypt try to strike medium in their criticisms of both Iraq and the West. Fateh issues statement condemning the attack on Iraq, as well as a 28th anniversary statement. (MM 1/14; Algiers, Sanaa VOP 1/14 in FBIS 1/15)

IDF kills 2 Palestinians, wounds 45 in clashes in Gaza Strip. Border Police surround, fire anti-tank missiles at house near Jenin, kill 1 suspected Black Panther activist as he tries to escape. (MM, WT 1/15; Qol Yisra'el 1/14 in FBIS 1/15)

Chemical weapons agreement signed in Paris. Russia, the U.S., Israel, and Iran are among the 120 signatories; despite Arab League's 1/11 unanimous boycott, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, Libya, Kuwait, Yemen, and Oman also sign. Negotiated since 1968, the treaty banning production, stockpiling, and use of such weapons, as well as mandating their destruction with a complex verification regime, will go into effect after a minimum ratification period of 2 years. (NYT, WP 1/14)

IDF undercover unit shoots dead armed Palestinian in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip. (MM 11/23; Qol Yisra'el 11/21 in FBIS 11/24)

IDF undercover unit shoots dead 2 wanted, unarmed Black Panther mbrs., apparently after they had surrendered and were handcuffed. IDF denies the charge, saying they were shot when 1 prepared to open fire on their unit. (MM 11/23)

Arab delegates to Washington peace talks warn that unless the incoming Clinton administration prods Israel into concessions, they will abandon negotiations early next year. Syria accepts invitation toresume negotiations in Washington 12/7. (NYT 11/21)

PLO office in London announces it sent a letter to the Pope asking to set up a Palestinian-Vatican commission similar to that of Israel and the Holy See, which is now exploring bilateral ties. (Reuters in MM 11/20)

Israeli Border Police shoot dead 2 armed Black Panther mbrs. near Jenin. (Qol Yisra'el 11/21 in FBIS 11/23)

AIPAC names new president. Steve Grossman, a businessman and chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic party, will replace David Steiner, who resigned 11/4. (NYT 11/21)

Seventh round of peace talks ends in Washington. Palestinian delegation presents Israeli delegation with memorandum of responses to Israeli autonomy plan. (WP 11/20; al-Sha'b 11/20 in FBIS 11/23)

IDF undercover unit shoots dead wanted Black Panther near Janin. (MM 11/23)

Islamic Resistance attacks SLA personnel in Jazzin and points south in Lebanon. Israel, SLA shell, strafe region. (VOL 11/19 in FBIS 11/20)

PLO Central Council meeting ends in Tunis, issues statement giving "green light" to peace delegates. Unity prevailed as opposition figures either did not attend, or did not voice proposals made earlier in public. Only the DFLP (Hawatima wing) rejected the majority recommendations, and withdrew from the final sessions. The PFLP voiced reservations but signed the final statement. (MM 10/19; Sawt al-Sha'b 10/20 in FBIS 10/20)

Four Palestinian factions participating in PLO Cent. Council meeting-DFLP (Hawatima wing), PFLP, PLF, PPSF-submit memorandum to Cent. Council rejecting all self-rule proposals and urging a pullout from peace talks. (QPAR 10/17 in FBIS 10/19)

Chmn. Arafat conveys condolences to Pres. Mubarak over recent earthquake in Cairo, then meets with Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa and PLO officials. Musa tells them he has received an Israeli "promise" to work toward finding an interpretation of UNSC 242 "satisfactory to all parties." (MENA 10/17 in FBIS 10/19; Sawt al-Sha'b 10/19 in FBIS 10/19)

One Israelis killed and 9 injured in roadside bomb attack outside a settlement near Ramallah, W. Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 10/18 in FBIS 10/19; WP 10/18; MM 10/19)

Three suspected collaborators shot dead in Nablus, W. Bank, reportedly by the Black Panthers. (NYT 10/18)

Funeral in E. Jerusalem for Palestinian prisoner who died after hunger strike, and a cousin shot at a protest supporting the hunger strike turns into multi-factional nationalist demonstration. (NYT 10/18)

Settlers stone Arab cars during second day of demonstrations iouthern Galilee after death of Israeli farmer 10/15. (MM 10/17)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazin) plays down Palestinian fears of separate Israeli-Syrian peace, responding to recent reaffirmations by Syria of commitment to comprehensive settlement. Abbas says it is not important ifone track moves slightly ahead of another as long as there is a simultaneous final agreement. (al-Hayat in MM 9/30)

Arab FMs hold annual coordination meeting in New York. Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa says Syria requires a clear Israeli statement of willingness to withdraw from Golan Heights before top-level Israeli-Syrian meetings can take place. FMs of Jordan, Syria, Lebanion, Egypt, and the PLO hold separate meeting regarding the peace process. (MENA, Syrian Arab TV 9/29 in FBIS 9/30; WP 10/1)

Hamas supporters attack house near a "Hamas-controlled" mosque in Khan Yunis, Gaza, prompting retaliation by residents and Fateh-affiliated Black Panthers; 70 are wounded in most serious Fateh-Hamas clash since July. (MM 10/2)

Palestinian man attacks Israeli soldier with an axe north of Jerusalem, is shot dead by another soldier. (MM 10/1)

Qatar reports Saudi attack on border post, killing 2; Saudi Arabia reports Qatari attack on Saudi Bedouin in which 1 Saudi, 2 Qataris die. (WP 10/1)

Israel presents new plan for interim self-government arrangements including elections for an administrative council with responsibility for a number of areas; foreign policy and defense would remain under Israeli control. (WP 8/26)

In special Knesset session, motion attacking govt. position on territorial compromise with Syria is defeated, 42 to 34. Motion protesting govt. opposition to Jewish settlement in Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem is defeated 41 to 40. (MM 8/26)

Undercover Border Police unit raids house in Janin, killing 2 Black Panther activists and 1 other woman. Unit's commander is also killed. (IDF Radio, Qol Yisra'el 8/26 in FBIS 8/27; NYT, WP 8/27)

IDF announces it has discharged the commander of an undercover unit for issuing unlawful orders to shoot at Palestinian activists. (WP 8/26)

IDF patrol on Jordanian border shoots, kills 3 armed infiltrators from Jordan. Israel "holds Jordan responsible" for the unauthorized border crossing (Jordan denies); Hizballah-Palestine claims responsibility. Israeli navy fires on, kills 4 "terrorists conducting naval training" off Lebanese coast north of Beirut. Islamic Jihad Org. claims operation. (Qol Yisra'el 8/4 in FBIS 8/4; Radio Free Lebanon, Radio Monte Carlo 8/4 in FBIS 8/5; MM 8/4; Qol Yisra'el 8/6, VOL 8/7 in FBIS 8/7)

Detained and interrogated in a W. Bank jail 8/3, Mustafa Mahmud Abdul Hadi Barakat dies of an asthma attack "brought about by conditions in detention" according to an American examiner present at the Israeli army autopsy. (NYT 8/11)

Israeli Police Min. Moshe Shahal orders Ateret Cohanim mbrs. to move out of 2 East Jerusalem houses settled 18 months ago. (Qol Yisra'el 8/4 in FBIS 8/4)

Israeli Radio announces formation of new radical Palestinian-Israeli group, the National Front for the Struggle Against Zionism, which calls for separating the Arab population from Israeli administration and infrastructure, eventually liberating all lands from Zionist control. (Qol Yisra'el 8/4 in FBIS 8/4)

Red Eagles (close to the PFLP) and Black Panthers (close to Fateh) issue joint communique in o.t. (Algiers VOP 8/4 in FBIS 8/5)

Malta, historically in solidarity with Arab nations, lifts its economic boycott on Israel and South Africa. (Qol Yisra'el 8/4 in FBIS 8/4)

PM Rabin appoints Housing Min. Benyamin Ben-Eliezer to serve also as labor and social affairs min., Tourism Min. Uzi Baram to serve also as religious affairs min. (Qol Yisra'el 8/4 in FBIS 8/4)

Rabin survives first no-confidence vote by 59 to 48, jointly dismissing 5 separate motions submitted by parties opposed to settlement policy, peace moves. (see 7/22). (MM 7/28)

Israeli undercover unit corners, shoots dead unarmed 17-year-old Palestinian activist in Khan Yunis. Three Palestinians are wounded by plastic bullets in clashes with IDF in Shati' camp. (MM 7/28)

MK 'Abd al-Wahhab al-Darawsha sends letter to PM Rabin demanding that the office of Arab affairs advisor be disbanded, because of its negative effects on Jewish-Arab relations in Israel. (MM 8/6)

DFLP head Nayif Hawatima says he would reconsider his boycott of the peace process if the leadership insists on comprehensive Palestinian representation, linkage of any autonomy agreement to self-determination, right of return, and complete halt to settlement. (Al-Sharq al-Awsat 8/6 in FBIS 8/7)

Janin continues to protest Israeli burial of Black Panther leader Mahmud Abu Hasan al-Zarini in military cemetary in Jericho, demands return of body; commercial strike enters 5th day (see 7/23). (MM 7/27)

Greece "strongly protests" 7/23 demoltion of Orthodox church in East Jerusalem. (MM 7/27)

Israeli armored force advances north of "security zone" into western Biqa' valley, clashes with Hizballah. Israel shells Kafr Rumman, Litani river basin. (Radio Lebanon 7/27 in FBIS 7/27; Voice of the Oppressed 7/28 in FBIS 7/28)

Secy. of State Baker holds news conference with FM Faruk al-Shara' in Damascus, urges negotiation by Israel and Syria on Golan Heights. Baker then travels by armored motorcade to pay surprise visit on Lebanese Pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi at his home in Zahle, where he affirms U.S. support of 10/89 Taef agreement, Syrian withdrawal by end of September in meeting attended also by FM Faris Buwayz and PM Rashid al-Solh. Lebanese leaders had earlier (7/15) stated their refusal to meet with Baker outside of Lebanon. (Radio Lebanon 7/23 in FBIS 7/24; WP 7/'24)

HaAretz details new National Master Plan for construction (NMP 31). Plan sets goal of 140,000 settlers in o.t. by mid-1990s, down from 250,000 of previous govt. For this increase, 10,000 housing units will be required in the o.t. (HaAretz 7/23 in FBIS 7/27)

Janin, other towns, villages, and refugee camps throughout the o.t. stage strike in solidarity with Palestinians in Israeli jails, called for by UNLU. (MM 7/23)

On Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem, an "unlicensed" Greek Orthodox church is demolished. Two Palestinian homes were demolished elsewhere in East Jerusalem on the same grounds. (MM 7/23)

Two Black Panther activists give themselves up to Border Police in the W. Bank, following 7/22 killing of Mahmud Abu Hasan al-Zarini. (MM 7/23)

Fateh Revolutionary Council (Abu Nidal) spokesman Walid Khalid is shot dead in Mar Ilyas camp, Beirut. (NYT 7/24)

Israeli fighter jets raid 13 villages, Hizballah bases in lqlim al-Tuffah, Jabal Safi regions, S. Lebanon, in 18th Israeli air raid this year. (IDF Radio 7/23 in FBIS 7/23; NYT 7/24)

Secy. of State Baker meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, then travels to Damascus to meet with Pres. Asad, FM Faruk al-Shara'. (Syrian Arab Republic Radio 7/22 in FBIS 7/22; WP 7/23)

Peace Now reports there are 10,443 housing units under construction in W. Bank and Gaza Strip, 8,000 of which are in advanced stages. Population of these units could add 50,000 settlers to the current total of about 120,000. (WP 7/23)

Political committees in o.t. headed by Sari Nusseibeh issue statement warning against "excessive optimism" in Palestinian approach to negotiations. (ITV 7/22 in FBIS 7/24)

Mahmud Abu Hasan al-Zarini, "no. 2 fugitive in the o.t." and leader of Fateh-affiliated Black Panthers in Janin, is shot dead by undercover Border Police in Janin. Suspected collaborator and his father are killed in Kafr Ra'i, near Janin, by Palestinian militants. (MM 7/23; Qol Yisra'el 7/23 in FBIS 7/24)

IDF squad breaks into, searches Gaza home of Palestinian delegation mbr. Zakariya al-Agha. IDF later states that his home was not searched, but that the roof was needed as a temporary lookout post. (Al-Agha, who lives on the 2nd floor of a 4-story building, asserted that soldiers entered and remained only in his apartment.) (Qol Yisra'el 7/22 in FBIS 7/23)

IDF upholds restriction of Gazan laborers under the age of 20 from travelling to Israel for work, stating most violence is committed by those under 20. (Ha'Aretz 7/22 in FBIS 7/24)

After meeting with Gaza Strip farmers, Israeli ag. min. upholds ban on marketing Palestinian goods in Israel, but says Israel must better facilitate Gazan exports to EC. (HaAretz 7/23 in FBIS 7/24)

United Torah Jewry submits motion of no-confidence in Rabin govt. to protest appointment of Shulamit Aloni as education min. (Qol Yisra'el 7/22 in FBIS 7/22)

General Electric Co. pleads guilty to charges of fraud and corrupt business practices in connection with its sale of military jet engines to Israel in the 1980s, agreeing to pay nearly $70 million in fines. A GE manager had conspired with Israeli Gen. Rami Dotan to divert $27 million in U.S. military aid with fraudulent vouchers. Dotan is now serving 13 years in Israel, which refuses to hand him over to U.S. investigators. (WP 7/23)

Israeli Border Police capture suspected armed Palestinian activist near al-Najah University, Nablus. In pursuit of 20 "wanted" armed activists, IDF demands that everyone leaving university submit to body search; 200 students barricade themselves inside the university. Army says activists entered the university following campus elections (which favored Fateh over Hamas, 11 to 0). Leaders Faisal Husseini and Sa'ib 'Urayqat travel to Nablus to calm the situation. (Qol Yisra'el 7/15 in FBIS 7/15)

Outgoing PM Shamir meets privately with PM Rabin, formally hands over prime ministership. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

Qalqiliya (W. Bank) Chamber of Commerce holds elections, PLO-identified National List wins 8 of 9 seats, Islamic List (Hamas) wins 1. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

Israeli undercover unit shoots dead "wanted" Fateh Black Panther activist near Janin, W. Bank. (MM 7/14)

Arab and Palestinian leaders and delegates reject Rabin's invitation in 7/13 speech for meeting in Jerusalem before positive concrete steps are taken by new govt., express cautious optimism about peace process. (NYT, WP 7/14, 15)

IDF fires incendiary shells into Nabatiyya area, S. Lebanon. Islamic Resistance attacks Israeli patrol, IDF resumes shelling "security zone" border villages of Jaru, 'Ayn Bu Siwar. (Radio Lebanon 7/14 in FBIS 7/15; Voice of the Oppressed 7/15 in FBIS 7/15)

Pres. Mubarak sends cable of congratulations to PM Rabin. (MENA 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

Lebanon calls on UN Sec. Council to take action to halt Israeli military activities in S. Lebanon and implement Sec. Council Res. 425. (MM 5/29)

Israeli DM Arens meets with heads of IDF undercover units, expresses government's "full support" for their activities. In Saylat al-Harthiyya, near Janin, undercover troops kill 2 Palestinian informants working for Israel, mistaking them for Black Panthers. (Qol Yisra'el 5/29 in FBIS 5/29; MM 5/29)

Artillery and rocket barrages continue in S. Lebanon as fighting between Islamic Resistance fighters and IDF-SLA forces continues. (MM 5/29)

U.S. administration confirms it has begun investigating intelligence reports suggesting that Israel supplied China with technical data from Patriot missile system. On a visit to U.S., DM Arens strongly denies charge. The controversy comes at a time when the State Dept.'s inspector general has formulated draft report [reported 3/13 in U.S. press] criticizing the department's bureau of politico-military affairs for failing to act on reports that Israel has been improperly transferring U.S.-made weapons to third countries. (WT 3/13; WP 3/14)

King Hussein meets with Pres. Bush in Washington, discusses possibility of announcing formation of a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation to help Palestinian delegates in their negotiations with Israel. Hussein also agrees that Jordan will "do its part" to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq. (NYT, WP 3/13; WP 3/17)

Pres. Asad accuses Israel of asking the U.S. to intercept N. Korean ship reportedly carrying Scud-C missiles to Syria [see 3/9]. Asad denied the vessel was transporting missiles. (WP 3/13)

IDF kills Palestinian in Janin, arrests dozens others. Army states all were members of the Black Panthers organization. (MM 3/12; WP 3/13; NYT 4/12)

Negotiators Faisal Husseini and Hanan Ashrawi reportedly attend session of PNC political committee which had been closed to the press to urge PNC authorization of Palestinian participation in peace conference. Israeli government reportedly knew of their plans to attend and tacitly approved as long as they were not photographed at the meeting. (MEM 9/26, 9/27, 10/2; Tunisian Republic Radio Network 9/26 in FBIS 9/26)

Gun battle between Israeli undercover forces and Palestinian militants of the Black Panther organization (associated with Fateh) east of Jenin leaves three Palestinians dead, four captured. (MEM 9/26)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: More than 200 Jews and Arabs demonstrate outside Shamir's office demanding reopening of Palestinian universities [FJ 12/25].

The 3 leading religious patriarchs in Jerusalem cancel Christmas celebrations in O.T., except for those religious ceremonies that call for justice and peace [FJ 12/ 18].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee opens 2-day meeting in Tunis [FBIS 12/ 20].

Other Countries: Soviet Union says it will not support U.S. effort to have UN Gen. Assembly repeal "Zionism equals racism" resolution [NYT 12/16].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: "Black Panther" group takes responsibility for killing of accused collaborator on 12/14. The killing comes less than 2 weeks after Israeli army said they eliminated the group [JP 12/23; MET 12/26].

Israeli military bulldozes Palestinian home in village of Battir [FJ 12/25].

Shots are fired at IDF patrol from Egypt; no injuries [FBIS 12/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shin Bet head tells reporters that during the intifada's 2 years, more than 500 "terrorist squads" have been uncovered, and over 170 Fateh squads exposed since Arafat renounced terrorism [FBIS 12/5].

Arab World: PLO delivers to Cairo and U.S. Ambassador Pelletreau memorandum conditionally accepting Baker's 5- point formula [FBIS 12/4; WP 12/7].

Arab Countries: agree to postpone until 12/3 UN vote recognizing Palestinian state [NYT 12/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: IDF forces ambush members of Palestinian "Black Panther" group in Nablus, kill the group's leader and 3 others; 3 more are wounded. IDF imposes curfew on Nablus [FBIS 12/ 7; MET 12/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In joint communique, Israel and Egypt agree to talks on moving 6,000 Palestinians from Egyptian section of Rafah to Israeli-held portion; Israel seeks compensation for the move [LT 1/30]. Former "Black Panther" members, urban slum dwellers form activist group "Combat '85" to improve conditions in poor Israeli neighborhoods; among 1st demands is shift of W. Bank settlement funds to poor urban areas [JTA 1/29]. Knesset debates govt. decision to abolish office of adviser to the prime minister on Arab affairs [JP 1/30].

Arab World: PLO Central Com. mbr. 'Abd al-Rahim Ahmad reports Committee to meet mid-February to discuss jordanianPalestinian relations, other subjects; meeting to be held in Algeria, S. Yemen or Tunisia [MG 1/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF detain scores of residents of northern mountain in Nablus after gasoline bomb thrown at IDF vehicle; later released for lack of evidence [FJ 2/1].

Arab World: Katyusha launched at IDF position in Ruman, S. Lebanon; no injuries [JP 1/30]. IDF kill 4 resistance fighters near Jezzine, S. Lebanon [JP 1/31].