The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a carshop in Beitin, damaging all the vehicles. Israeli settlers also vandalize Palestinian-owned vehicles in al-Twana, puncturing tires and smashing windshields. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers dig graves outside of a school in al-Ma’rajat. Israeli settlers also kill 2 Palestinian-owned sheep in Kisan. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man at the Annab checkpoint near Tulkarm, claiming he had opened fire at the soldiers. Israeli forces shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during raids in Beit Furik and al-Bireh. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assault 2 Palestinians in Ya’bad and seize a vehicle and a forklift. Israeli forces also demolish a home in Lasifar in the Masafer Yatta area and a water well in Ras Atiya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb al-Mawasi, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Rafah, killing at least 195 people. Israeli forces also shoot and kill several Palestinians with live ammunition in Khan Yunis. A video released by ITV News shows a man being interviewed while holding a white flag shortly before Israeli snipers shoot and kill him. Meanwhile, Israeli forces attack people fleeing from Khan Yunis to Rafah with both live ammunition and tank fire. In Lebanon, Hezbollah forces fire 12 missiles at an Israeli air base on Mount Meron; no damage is reported. In Syria, U.S. forces kill 2 people in an airstrike near the Iraqi border. In Yemen, U.S. and UK forces attack 18 Houthi-linked sites in the Sanaa, Hodeidah, Taiz, and Baida governates. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/23; AP, HA, ITV 1/24)

More than 25,490 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 63,345 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 364 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 92 children. More than 4,348 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 219 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,203 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 69,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 185 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 1/23)

The Israeli military says its forces have encircled Khan Yunis and issued an evacuation order for parts of the city affecting 500,000 people. A Palestinian woman says Israeli forces set fire to the tent her and her family were sheltering in on 1/22 in al-Mawasi, killing her husband and daughter. The PA warns the international community that Israel is pressuring Palestinians to move to Rafah as part of its goal of displacing Palestinians from Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 1/23; AJ, AJ, NYT 1/24)

Hamas calls on the UN, Red Cross, and the WHO to intervene and stop Israeli attacks on Palestinian hospitals, as both the Nasser and al-Amal hospitals are under attack. Reuters report that Hamas rejects an Israeli proposal that would see 6 leaders of Hamas removed from Gaza, including Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 1/23; AJ, AP, NYT 1/24)

Israel acknowledges that it is demolishing Palestinian homes in Gaza to widen the “buffer zone” between residential areas of Gaza and the Gaza fence. In response, U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken says “[w]hen it comes to the permanent status of Gaza going forward, we have been clear, we remain clear about not encroaching on its territory.” France also says it opposes Israeli plans to reduce the size of Gaza. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT 1/23; AJ, HA 1/25)

Israeli tourism minister Haim Katz announces a conference for the resettlement of Gaza on 1/28 called “Conference for the Victory of Israel – Settlement Brings Security: Returning to the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria,” inviting members of the Israeli public. In a video, Katz says the “withdrawal [of the Israeli settlements in Gaza in 2005] created the Nazi monster.” In response to the killing of 21 Israeli soldiers on 1/22, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says Israel “must continue to subdue, crush, and mow down the Nazi enemy in Gaza with all our might.” (AJ 1/23; AJ, HA, HA 1/24)

At the UN Security Council, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres reiterates his calls for an immediate ceasefire and condemns Israeli’s collective punishment of Palestinians. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki tells the council that Israel will continue killing Palestinian civilians if the council does not act. Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan says if there is a ceasefire now Hamas will remain in power and attempt another “Holocaust.” (AJ, HA, UNOCHA 1/23; AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/24)

210 members of the U.S. Congress sign a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, condemning the South African case against Israel at the ICJ and calling it disgusting. (AJ 1/24)

Palestine Legal says it has received several reports of FBI agents visiting pro-Palestinian activists in response to social media posts critical of Israel’s attacks on Gaza. (AJ 1/23)

The Palestine national soccer team advances to the knockout stage of the Asian Cup for the first time after beating Hong Kong. (AJ, HA 1/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a late-night raid in Beitunia and injured 1 other. Israel said that the 2 were in a vehicle that did not stop when they signaled it to do so and that they were reviewing the incident; the man driving the car was released 2 days later. Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian homes in Tarqumiyah and 3 homes in Elmenia near Bethlehem. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished walls and razed 100s of olive trees in Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli forces also assaulted Palestinians harvesting olives near Dura, injuring 3, including 2 children. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in ‘Anata, Halhul, and Beitunia. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; MDW, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/15; BBC 11/16; PCHR 11/17; UNOCHA 11/25; HA 11/27)

The U.S. told Israel that the FBI will open an investigation into the killing of the Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/11. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said that Israel would not cooperate and “will not allow interference in Israel’s internal affairs.” The PA applauded the decision by the U.S. Justice Department. U.S. representative André Carson (D-IN) also introduced the Justice for Shireen Act demanding accountability for the killing of Abu Akleh. (AJ, AX, HA, MEE 11/14; AJ, F24, GDN, HA, HA, MDW, WAFA, WAFA 11/15; ALM, AX, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 11/16)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said the agency needs $50-$80 million to keep its services running through the end of the year and will need a capital investment of $200 million over the next 3 years to restore its assets. (AJ 11/14; WAFA 11/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers from working their land in al-Diyouk al-Tahta and Khirbet Humsa, confiscating 1 tractor in Khirbet Humsa and demolishing 1 fence and 1 storage room in al-Diyouk al-Tahta. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 3 poultry sheds in Ya‘bad. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, al-Bireh, Jenin, Halhul, Tulkarm refugee camp, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession for 1 Palestinian man who, on 5/14, succumbed to injuries sustained by Israeli forces at the Haram al-Sharif compound on 4/22; 1 Palestinian man was resuscitated after being shot by Israeli forces using a baton round, some 70 were injured, including 13 that were taken to hospitals, and 20 were arrested. 11 journalists were prevented from covering the event. Israel said 6 police officers were lightly injured by stone throwing. Israeli forces also arrested 1 of the pallbearers who was attacked by Israeli police during the funeral procession for Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/13. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction and 3 agricultural structures in Isawiya. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; MDW, WAFA 5/17; AJ, MEE, WAFA 5/18; AJ, REU 5/18; PCHR 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

U.S. congressperson Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced a resolution to the U.S. House to recognize the Nakba. The resolution was co-sponsored by Betty McCollum (D-MN), Marie Newman (D-IL), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Cori Bush (D-MO). (AJ 5/16; MDW, MEMO, WAFA 5/17; AJ, JP 5/18; TOI 5/19)

The Intercept reported that 2 U.S. congresspeople André Carson (D-IN) and Lou Correa (D-CA) were circulating a letter demanding that the FBI investigate the 5/11 killing of Abu Akleh, who was an American citizen, in the West Bank. By 5/19, the letter had received 57 signatures from members of the U.S. House. (INT 5/16; AJ 5/19; HA, MEE, WAFA 5/20; MDW 5/26)

The EU announced a donation of $26 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. (WAFA 5/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at 1 Palestinian vehicle driving near the Homesh settlement outpost, injuring 1 and damaging the car. Thousands of Palestinians partook in a funeral ceremony in Ramallah for Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israeli forces on 5/11 in Jenin refugee camp. PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke at the ceremony and awarded her the Al-Quds star of honor. Abu Akleh will be buried in East Jerusalem on 5/13. Israeli forces prevented Palestinians in the funeral procession from accompanying her casket through the Qalandia checkpoint from Ramallah to East Jerusalem. Israeli forces also demolished a water collection pond used for irrigation in Marj Na‘aj. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during a late-night raid in Hebron, Rumana, Qabatiya, and Burqin, and 2 at flying checkpoints in Hebron and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a house in Bayt Hanina, where friends and family of Abu Akleh were holding a memorial ceremony for her; Israeli forces confiscated Palestinian flags. Israeli police also raided Abu Akleh’s house on 5/11, confiscating Palestinian flags. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids. (AJ, AJ, AP, CNN, GDN, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/12; WAFA 5/13; PCHR 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

Israel’s higher planning council approved 4,427 new settlement housing units in the West Bank. 2,791 received final approval, while 1,636 were deposited for public comment before final approval. Among the new housing units are the retroactive legalization of the Mitzpeh Dani and Givat Oz VeGaon settlement outposts and expansion of the settlements of Negohot, Shvut Rachel, Dolev, Betar Ilit, and Kiryat Arba. According to Haaretz, the government’s meeting to approve the settlements was a condition by Yamina MK Nir Orbach to remain in the fragile government coalition. UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland condemned the settlement expansions. On 5/13, 15 European countries urged Israel to reverse its decision, including France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. (PCN 5/9; ABC, AJ, AP, GDN, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA 5/12; AJ, ALM, F24, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/13)

Ecuadorian president Guillermo Lasso met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, saying he will open a representative office in Jerusalem and support Israel in votes at the UN. President Lasso also met with prime minister Naftali Bennett and foreign minister Yair Lapid. (HA 5/12)

The New York Times reported that the FBI stated in a 2018 letter to the Israeli government that it wanted to use NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware “for the collection of data from mobile devices for the prevention and investigation of crimes and terrorism” before purchasing the spyware later the same year. (NYT 5/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians protesting the incursion; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian farmers with pepper spray east of Hebron. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 1 mosque, 3 houses, and 1 commercial structure in Marda. Israeli forces also forced Palestinian business owners to close their shops in Huwwara, claiming that stones had been thrown at Israeli settlers near the shops. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 4 water wells in Khallet al-Dabe. Israeli forces also demolished 1 commercial structure in ‘Anata. Israeli military said that shots were fired from a car at Israeli soldiers near Nablus; no injuries were reported. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 during late-night raids in Dahariya, Za‘atra, Silwad, and Zeita; 3 were arrested at checkpoints near Bethlehem and Nablus. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; MEMO, MEMO, PCHR 2/3)

Haaretz reported that Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit authorized establishing an Israeli settlement on the evacuated Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita. Attorney General Mendelblit is leaving office this week. Palestinians have held weekly protests at the site since the outpost was erected in May 2021. The outpost was evacuated in June 2021, but the houses erected remained as the settlers struck a deal with the Israeli government that they could move back if Israel deemed that the land is state-owned. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz will have to declare the area state-owned, after which there will be a 45-day period to file objections. Several Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the past year while protesting the outpost. In a letter from Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid to Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, Lapid warned that if the Israeli government legalized the Evyatar settlement outpost, it “could have serious diplomatic consequences and damage foreign relations, first and foremost from the United States,” saying that the U.S. has already made this clear to him. Labor and Meretz publicly opposed legalizing the settlement outpost. (AP, HA, IN 2/2; HA, JP, MEE, TOI, TOI, TOI 2/3; HA, HA, HA 2/4; UNOCHA 2/11)

The Shin Bet admitted to having threatened random Palestinians in Israel that it would “settle the score” if they had participated in protests related to the May 2021 uprising in Israel that coincided with Israeli attacks on Gaza and eviction threats against Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah. (HA, MEE 2/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Amnesty International’s secretary-general Agnès Callamard in Ramallah, discussing the report Amnesty released on 2/1 that charged Israel with the crime of apartheid. (WAFA 2/2)

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, at a conference in Tel Aviv, that the Israeli military on 4 occasions had offered assistance to Lebanon. According to Gantz, the offers were made to strengthen the Lebanese army in facing “the strengthening of Hezbollah under Iran’s support.” Israeli military sources later denied that Israel had made such offers and that Israel had only offered humanitarian aid following the explosion in the Beirut port. (HA 2/2; MEMO 2/3)

Israel, Oman, and Saudi Arabia all took part in the International Maritime Exercise 2022, led by the U.S. and with the participation of nearly 60 countries. It was the 1st time that Saudi Arabia and Oman partook in a naval exercise with Israel, which they have no formal relations with. (AJ, ALM 2/2)

The FBI confirmed reporting from the New York Times published on 1/28 that the agency had bought the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, but claimed to never have used it. The FBI further stated that it had bought the spyware for “product testing and evaluation.” (ALM, AP, HA, REU 2/2; MEMO 2/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized equipment worth around $30,000 in a quarry near Beit Fajjar, Israeli forces had earlier in the day sealed off a road leading to the quarry. Israeli forces also set up mobile structures on Palestinian-owned land in Khirbat Humsa. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian-owned structures near al-Ramadin; 1 Palestinian journalist working for WAFA was assaulted and another Palestinian was detained during the demolition. Israeli forces also demolished 25 produce stands near al-Jalama checkpoint north of Jenin. 32 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids, including 21 in al-Am‘ari refugee camp, 1 Palestinian was also was bitten by a police dog. PA forces opened fire at a sit-in protest in front of the education directorate headquarters in Tubas, injuring 2 with live ammunition bullet shrapnel. The Palestinian students were peacefully protesting in Tubas, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Nablus, demanding that parts of the matriculation exams are removed due to the COVID-19 virus. The Tubas governor said that an investigation into the incident was underway and that it was the action of 1 individual. 11 others were arrested during late-night raids in Qalqilya, Qatanna, Tuqu‘, and Sa‘ir. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home, in Shu‘fat refugee camp, of 1 Palestinian man who was killed after killing 1 Israeli settler and injuring 4 others in the Old City on 11/21/2021. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled agricultural land east of Khan Yunis and north of Bayt Lahiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of the shore; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/1; MEMO 2/2; AJ, MEMO, PCHR 2/3; UNOCHA 2/11)

Israel’s interior ministry said it would start processing family unification requests from Palestinians over the age of 50 who had received residency permits within the last 5 years. The ministry said it would start with that age group because they pose less of a security threat. If a family unification request is approved, the Palestinian will be “upgraded” to “temporary resident” with social benefits. There are 1,680 requests waiting as the Israeli interior ministry has refused to process the requests despite a temporary ban on Palestinian unifications expiring in July 2021. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Hamoked, and Physicians for Human Rights said Israel should start reviewing all applications and not just those for Palestinians over the age of 50. (HA 2/1)

Amnesty International released a 280-page report named “Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity,” prepared over the last 4 years. Amnesty said in its report that it had found that “Israel has imposed a system of oppression and domination over Palestinians wherever it exercises control over the enjoyment of their rights—across Israel and the OPT and with regard to Palestinian refugees. The segregation is conducted in a systematic and highly institutionalized manner through laws, policies and practices, all intended to prevent Palestinians from claiming and enjoying equal rights to Jewish Israelis within Israel and the OPT, and thus intended to oppress and dominate the Palestinian people.” Amnesty concluded that this institutionalized discrimination perpetrated by Israel is “the international wrong of apartheid, as a human rights violation and a violation of public international law wherever it imposes this system.” Its research was based on “relevant Israeli legislation, regulations, military orders, directives by government institutions and statements by Israeli government and military officials.” Amnesty said that “Israel must grant equal and full human rights to all Palestinians in Israel and the OPT in line with principles of international human rights law and without discrimination, while ensuring respect for protections guaranteed for Palestinians in the OPT under international humanitarian law. It must also recognize the right of Palestinian refugees and their descendants to return to homes where they or their families once lived in Israel or the OPT. In addition, Israel must provide victims of human rights violations, crimes against humanity and serious violations of international humanitarian law—and their families—with full reparations. These should include restitution of and compensation for all properties acquired on a racial basis.” The Israeli foreign ministry called the report anti-Semitic. Amnesty refuted the charged said that Israel is diverting attention away from its violations of Palestinians’ human rights. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. does not agree with Amnesty’s assessment “that Israel’s actions constitute apartheid.” Neither U.S. or Israeli senior officials commented on the evidence presented in the report. The UK and Germany also said they disagreed with the terminology of apartheid used in the report. The PA foreign ministry welcomed the report. (AP, HA, HA, JDF, WAFA 1/31; +972, AI, AJ, AP, CNN, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HILL, IN, JP, MDW, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, POL, REU, SKY, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 2/1; HA, HA, JP, JP, MDW, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; +972, MEE, MEMO 2/3; TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/4; AJ 2/5)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said at a conference in Tel Aviv that Israel will start using lasers to intercept missiles “within a year.” (ALM, AP, HA, JP, MEMO, REU 2/1)

A vice president of the American telecommunications company Mobileum said that he had alerted the FBI to a meeting between the Israeli company NSO Group and Mobileum in 2017, saying that the NSO Group sought to buy access to the SS7 network. Mobileum did not deny the meeting but said that no deal was made with the NSO Group. The former employee who now works for Citizen Lab filed a whistleblower complaint about the meeting and presented evidence to the U.S. justice department, the securities and exchange commission, and the federal communications commission in June 2021. The former VP said that NSO Group senior employees explicitly said during the meeting that they would “drop off bags of cash in [the VP’s] office.” The former VP also said that if the NSO Group had gained access to the SS7 network, it would have “access to the home networks of operators around the world, access to millions and millions of users without bypassing any sort of security controls. That’s a very tantalizing capability for them to have.” (AJ, GDN, HA, MEE, WP 2/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers grazed their cows on Palestinian-owned land in Khirbet Samra, destroying crops. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with rubber-coated bullets, including 1 minor, and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 14 with rubber-coated bullets, including 1 medic, others with tear gas, and damaging 1 ambulance. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; PCHR 2/3)

The New York Times reported that the Israeli government under then-prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu used authorization of the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware as a bargaining chip for foreign policy gains in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, India, Hungary, and Poland, among many other countries. 1 example from the NYT reporting was the reinstating of the NSO license to Saudi Arabia after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which was directly linked to Saudi Arabia opening its airspace to Israeli flights. Saudi Arabia regained its Pegasus license the same day as Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman called Prime Minister Netanyahu, striking the deal to open Saudi air space to Israel. Similarly, the UAE restarted cooperation with Israel on security issues in 2013 after being offered Pegasus spyware. The UAE had severed ties with Israel in 2010 after Israel assassinated Mahmoud al-Mahbouh at a Dubai hotel. Another example brought out of the investigation is a correlation between Panama and Mexico changing their votes at the UN after gaining access to Pegasus spyware. The NYT also said that the NSO Group had sold its Pegasus spyware to the FBI and tried to sell a special version of its spyware product to the FBI, called Phantom. The Phantom spyware is able to hack into American phones, unlike the Pegasus spyware. The Finnish foreign ministry also said that Finnish diplomats working at Finnish missions outside of Finland were targeted by the Pegasus spyware. (AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, NYT 1/28; HA 1/31)

A federal court in Texas blocked the state from enforcing its anti-BDS law against 1 Palestinian American business owner. The man filed a lawsuit against the state in October due to its requirement that he promise not to boycott Israel. (AX 1/29; WAFA 1/30)

It was reported that the African Union will vote on 2/2 to decide if Israel will have its observer status revoked. Israel was readmitted as an observer state in July 2021. (HA 1/28; JP 1/30; F24 2/1)

Overnight, the IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians in clashes in Brazil r.c. An FBI team meets with PSF officials to begin an investigation regarding the 10/15 Erez bombing. (NYT, WP 10/18; WT 10/19; PCHR 10/23)

The IDF assassinates senior Hamas mbr. Iyad al-Bik, whom Israel claims is tied to al-Qa‘ida, firing 3 missiles at his car as he drives through Gaza City, causing no other injuries. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian riding a donkey nr. Nablus; fires on residential areas of Rafah, killing 1 Palestinian; fires on stone-throwing youths in Balata r.c., injuring 5; bulldozes 30 dunams of land s. of Khan Yunis; raids the Ramallah central bus station, arresting a wanted Hamas mbr.; conducts additional arrest raids in Tulkarm, nearby refugee camps. A 13-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/3/03; another Palestinian dies of injuries received in 4/29/03. Palestinian gunmen fire on an IDF patrol nr. Kefar Darom, luring an IDF tank to the scene; a Palestinian suicide bomber drives up to the tank, detonates a car bomb, killing only himself; no IDF soldiers are injured in the incident; the IDF demolishes a PSF office in retaliation. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. (BBC, HA, JP 5/8; HA, NYT, WP 5/9; AYM 5/9 in WNC 5/12; PCHR 5/15)

U.S. officials say that the 11/02 ruling by a secretive 3-judge federal appeals panel interpreting the 2001 Patriot Act as permitting the use of classified wiretaps and intelligence reports fr. foreign security agencies against terrorism suspects has allowed the FBI to intensify greatly its decades old investigations of alleged U.S. supporters of Hamas, Hizballah. Investigations reportedly have been focusing on U.S. mosques. (WP 5/8)

Bush prepares the U.S. for a long, sustained "war on terrorism." Admin. officials say they are considering lifting the 25-yr.-old ban on U.S. involvement in foreign assassinations, loosening restrictions on FBI surveillance and detention of foreigners. Iran, Hizballah spiritual leader Shaykh Fadlallah denounce the 9/11 attacks. (NYT, WP, WT 9/17; WP 9/18; MM 10/4)

The IDF announces that it is establishing an 18-mi.-long "closed military area," or buffer zone, along the Green Line btwn. Jinin and Tulkarm. In response to the 9/15 DFLP shooting, the IDF sends tanks into Bayt Hanun, al-Qarara, and Ramallah, shelling residential areas while helicopters fire missiles; 2 Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are killed, 26 Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are wounded before Israeli forces withdraws fr. areas A 4 hrs. later. In al-Qarara, the IDF confiscates 200 dunams of Palestinian land for a new settler bypass road to Gush Katif (see 9/12), confiscates a Palestinian home as an military post. The IDF also conducts an arrest sweep in Ramallah. (AFP, LAW, WP, WT 9/16; HP, NYT, PMC, WP, WT 9/17; NYT, WP, WT 9/18)

Arafat says he is ready to hold talks with Israel "any time, any place," but Sharon says he will only allow cease-fire talks to resume after 48 hrs. without a Palestinian attack. Sharon reiterates Israeli support for the U.S. effort to build a coalition but is "not prepared to pay the price" if it involves concessions to the PA. Arafat publicly reiterates his call on Palestinians to adhere to a cease-fire. (al-Quds 9/16, XIN 9/17 in WNC 9/18; MM 9/17; NYT, WT 9/18; AFP 9/18 in WNC 9/19; NYT 9/19; ATL 9/19 in WNC 9/20; MM 9/20; AYM 9/22 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/28)

In Tel Aviv, U.S. special envoy Ross says that the U.S. plans to play a much less active role in final status negotiations, thinks "permanent status is not something that should be mediated." (USIS Washington File 1/12; NYT, WP 1/13; PR 1/15)

After 4 yrs., Lebanon lifts travel restrictions on Palestinians, dropping requirement for Palestinians to obtain visas to return to Lebanon. (RL 1/12 in WNC 1/13; NYT 1/13; RL 1/16 in WNC 1/20)

Netanyahu's office warns the PA that Israel would bar Arafat, PA officials fr. leaving he autonomous enclaves should the PA unilaterally declare statehood. (MEI 1/15)

PM Netanyahu meets with U.S. millionaire Irving Moskovitz, who is in town to decided which right-wing candidate for PM he will support financially in the 5/17 elections. Netanyahu gives assurances that he will not halt Moskovitz's construction of 132 units in the Palestinian neighborhood of Ras al-Amud in East Jerusalem. Congressman Michael Forbes (R-NY) is accompanying Moskovitz. (MM, WP 1/14; MM 1/21; JP 1/22; PR 1/29)

In what police, FBI term a sophisticated operation, burglars break into offices of prominent Washington polling firm, Greenberg Quinlan Research, that is advising Israeli PM-candidate Barak. Firm says that its international work was targeted, but it is uncertain whether files on Barak were among those stolen. (MM, WP 1/13; YA 1/13 in WNC 1/14; WJW 1/14; MM 1/20)

Israeli Religious Affairs M Eli Suissa cuts the size of local religious councils to keep them all Orthodox. A recent High Court ruling ordered the powerful councils (which run marriage bureaus and burial societies, maintain synagogues and ritual baths, supervise kosher inspections for both religious and secular Jews) be expanded to include Reform, Conservative Jews. (WT 1/13)

IDF lifts closure on Hebron imposed 1/4. (MM 1/14, MEI 1/15)

Unidentified assailant stabs, wounds Palestinian in West Jerusalem. (MM 1/12; PR 1/15, JP 1/22)

IDF uproots Palestinian orchard nr. Jewish settlement in the West Bank. (AFP [Internet] 1/12)

In Cairo, FMs of Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen hold 2d mtg. to prepare agenda for 1/24 Arab League mtg. on Iraq. Jordan does not condemn mtg. but is upset at not being included, blames Syria, warns that "forming axes" only deepens Arab divisions. (MM 1/12; MENA, RE 1/12 in WNC 1/13; MM 1/13; al-Dustur, MENA 1/13 in WNC 1/14; MM 1/14; JT, MENA, RE 1/14 in WNC 1/16; MM 1/15) (see 1/3)

The U.S. secretly sends letters to Arab states urging them to support its position on Iraq at the 1/24 Arab League mtg. (MM 1/22)

U.S. planes fire on Iraqi missile battery in n. no-fly zone. Defense Dept. says that Iraq has sent planes into the no-fly zones 66 times in the past 2 wks., targeted U.S. and British planes 12 times, increased its number of missile sites fr. 9 to 17. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/13)

Israel seals borders with the occupied territories to prevent what DM Mordechai claims are plans for an "unprecedented, horrific" attack by Hamas. (MM 10/2; ITV 10/2 in WNC 10/6; WT 10/3)

Syria calls for dialogue with Turkey on security issues, accuses Israel of being behind Turkey's recent belligerent tone. (MM 10/2; SANA 10/2 in WNC 10/5; Sabah, SATN 10/2, ATL, JT, SA, SATN 10/3 in WNC 10/6; WP, WT 10/3; NYT 10/4; Anatolia 10/5 in WNC 10/7) (see 10/1)

A British analysts claims that Israel is the government referred to in a passage of the Starr report (see 9/19) in which Lewinsky testified that Clinton said that he suspected a foreign emb. of tapping his phones. The analyst claims that Mossad installed the tap after the FBI began looking into reports of an Israeli mole, Mega, in the administration (see 5/6/97); used its recordings of more than 30 sexually explicit calls btwn. Lewinsky, Clinton to force Clinton to call off the Mega investigation. A Washington source confirms that Israeli bugging, blackmail halted the FBI hunt. (MEI 10/2; see also MM 9/18)

In Hebron, 7 Palestinians are injured as clashes with the IDF continue. (WT 10/3)

Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus fire on Palestinians in the neighboring village of Burin. In East Jerusalem, settlers throw molotov cocktails at a Palestinian home causing light damage. (PR 10/9)

Arafat, Netanyahu agree to go to Washington next wk. to meet separately with Pres. Clinton. No 3-way mtg. is planned. Clinton last met with the 2 leaders in 1/98. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/25; ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/29)

 On his 1st trip to the U.S. in 10 yrs., Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah meets with Pres. Clinton, Secy. Albright, and various Treasury, State Dept., CIA, FBI officials. (RJ, SANA 9/25 in WNC 9/28; MEI 10/2)

 A small bomb explodes at a Jerusalem bus stop during rush hour, injuring 1 IDF soldier. (WP 9/25; PR 10/2)

IDF searches the Palestinian village of Arura nr. Ramallah, detains 30 alleged Hamas mbrs. for "being involved in hostile activities." (ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/29)

Saying it would be "useless," Arafat cancels scheduled mtg. with Israeli negotiator Molho. (HA [Internet] 8/18; WJW 8/20)

Hamas mbr. Imad Awadallah, jailed by the PA for the 3/29 murder of Hamas mbr. Muhieddin Sharif, escapes fr. PA jail in Jericho. PA police conduct house-to-house search in Jericho, Ramallah; place curfew on central Jericho, marking the 1st time the PA has placed a curfew on Palestinians. (CSM, WP, WT 8/17)

Jordan's parliamentary speaker arrives in Iran for 3-day visit; discussions on expanding bilateral economic, political, cultural relations. (IRNA, RJ 8/15, IRNA, JT 8/16, IRNA 8/17 in WNC 8/18)

Pakistan hands over to Kenya a suspect, Muhammad Saddiq Odeh, in the 8/7 U.S. embassy bombing in Nairobi, claiming that he admitted during interrogation that he helped carry out the Kenya, Tanzania bombings for Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden. In Nairobi, Kenyan, FBI officials question Odeh. (WP, WT 8/17; NYT 8/17)

Arafat arrives in Oman for talks on possible Arab summit. (Oman Television Network 6/3 in WNC 6/8)

In Cairo, the Arab League's Arab Economic Unity Council convenes annual session. (MENA 6/3 in WNC 6/4)

Algeria, Jordan sign 2 cooperation agmts, a free trade agmt. Crown Prince Hassan, Pres. Lamine Zeroual also discuss peace process, possible Arab summit. (RJ 6/3, ENTV [Algiers], JT 6/4 in WNC 6/8)

Egypt invites FBI agents into the country to arrest, extradite Palestinian bomb maker Muhammad Rashid, a mbr. of the 15th of May group known for placing bombs on international flights during the 1980s, including on a 1982 Pan Am flight in which 1 person died. (NYT, WP 6/4; WT 6/16)

In Dura nr. Hebron, Palestinians demonstrate following the funeral for 3 Palestinian laborers killed by the IDF 3/10; 32 Palestinians, 1 Israeli border policeman are injured. Palestinians also protest in Bethlehem and Ramallah, where IDF injures 9 Palestinians. Also nr. Ramallah, a Jewish settler whose car is hit by a stone opens fire with live ammunition, wounding 1 Palestinian. PA, Israeli security forces hold emergency mtgs. on containing the violence. (MM 3/11; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 3/12; WT 3/13)

PM Netanyahu appoints Reserve Maj. Gen. Meir Dagan as his adviser on intelligence affairs. The new position, recommended in the Ciechanover report (see 2/16), was created to enhance coordination btwn. the PM, the intelligence bodies. (YA 3/11 in WNC 3/12)

Based on legislation passed by Congress in 1996, U.S. district judge orders Iran to pay the family of Alisa Flatow, killed in an Islamic Jihad suicide bombing in Israel 4/95, $247.5 m. in damages. The court heard no evidence that Iran planned, carried out the attack, but lawyers presented testimony fr. fmr. FBI, Israeli intelligence officials that Iran has funded Islamic Jihad. Administration officials say "this case is not what we needed at this time" when the U.S. is trying to renew relations with Iran. (WT 3/12; MM 3/24) (see 2/26/97)

American Friends of Lubavitch (AFL) hosts its 5th annual Purim party for Capitol Hill staffers. AFL also hosts an annual Hanukkah party; plans to start bimonthly discussion groups, a mentoring program where senior Jewish staffers can help younger staffers just starting their careers. All projects are meant to "make politically minded Jews more politically involved." (WJW 3/26)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan, Israeli PM Netanyahu meet in Tel Aviv, hail "new beginning" to Jordan-Israel relations, announce full restoration of security cooperation. (MM 3/10; ITV, QY, RJ, RMC 3/10 in WNC 3/11; JTV 3/10 in WNC 3/12; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/11; SA 3/14, JT 3/16 in WNC 3/17; JTV 3/15 in WNC 3/17; JP 3/21) (see 3/8)

Jordan, Iran hold talks on allowing academic, collegiate exchanges btwn. their countries. (IRNA 3/10)

Nr. Hebron, IDF soldiers open fire on van of Palestinian laborers, killing 3, wounding 5. Israel arrests 2 soldiers, then releases them, claiming that they "followed regulations" when van tried to "crash through the roadblock," run them over. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/11; IDF Radio 3/11 in WNC 3/12; PR 3/13; al-Ayyam, al-Quds al-Arabi 3/13 in WNC 3/16; CSM 3/18; PR 3/20; JP 3/21; MEI 3/27)

Based on classified testimony fr. the FBI that cannot be viewed by lawyers, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service orders 6 Iraqis who aided the CIA in failed attempts against Saddam Hussein be deported because they pose "a danger to the national security." (NYT 3/11)

Israeli High Court publicizes 4-mo.-old secret ruling that condones as a "vital interest of the country" Israel's kidnapping, continued detention of 21 Lebanese men solely as "bargaining cards" for future prisoner exchanges, deals with Lebanese resistance; admits men, some of whom have been held for a decade, pose no security threat to Israel. (NYT 3/5; WT 3/11; MM 3/13; JP 3/14)

U.S. acknowledges that the CIA, FBI have been training PA security services with Israel's knowledge since mid-1996. (NYT 3/5; JP 3/14)

Israeli pres. Ezer Weizman is reelected (63-49) in race against Netanyahu-backed Likud candidate Shaul Amor, who ran a controversial campaign based on support to Sephardic Jews against discrimination by Ashkenazis. (MM 3/4; NYT, WP, WT 3/5; WT 3/9)

PM Netanyahu names Efraim Halevy as new head of Mossad. (MM 3/4; MM, NYT, WP 3/5; SA 3/8 in WNC 3/10; WT 3/31) (see 2/24)

In Ramallah, the PC votes (56-1) to urge Arafat to dissolve the EA within 1 mo., appoint a new cabinet. After the session, Israel prevents 18 PC mbrs. fr. returning to their homes in Gaza. (CSM, WP, WT 8/1; LAW 8/7; PR 8/8)

With less than 24-hrs. notice, Syrian Pres. Asad travels to Iran as head of a delegation comprising his VP, FM, several senior military cmdrs.; discusses Syrian-Iranian relations with outgoing Pres. Rafsanjani. (MM 7/31; RMC 7/31 in WNC 8/1; MM 8/1; SATN 7/31, IRIB Television [Tehran] 8/1 in WNC 8/4; MA 8/3 in WNC 8/5; MEI 8/8)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan, FM Tarawnah meet with EU special envoy Moratinos. (RJ 7/31 in WNC 8/1)

Following a mtg. with his inner cabinet, PM Netanyahu threatens to send commandos into PA areas to preempt any new anti-Israeli attacks, to halt transfer of all tax revenues to the PA, to jam all Palestinian radio and television broadcasts; calls on the U.S., international donors to halt aid to the PA. (MM 7/31; RMC 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, WP, WT 8/1)

IDF detains 2 Palestinian families fr. the West Bank town of Dahariyya whose sons have been missing for over a yr., but they are unable to identify the 7/30 bombers' bodies. Israeli cabinet orders the arrest of PA's Gaza police cmdr. Brig. Gen. Jabali for encouraging attacks on Israeli settlements (see 7/23). PA police arrest 28 Hamas mbrs., including Rantisi. PA, Israeli security forces hold 2 mtgs. during the day. (MM 7/31; IDF Radio, QY, RMC 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/1)

New York City police seize 5 pipe bombs, arrest 1 Egyptian, 2 Jordanians in a raid on a Brooklyn apartment. Police were tipped to the bombs by a Pakistani, Muhammad Shindli, who believed that his friends, Ghazi Ibrahim Abu Mayzar and Lafi Khalil (who both identify themselves as Palestinian), were planning to bomb the New York subway. Abu Mayzar had stated in his application for asylum in the U.S. that he had been arrested in Israel on charges of "being a mbr. of a terrorist organization." The 3d man, Egyptian `Abd al-Rahman Musabah, is detained as a witness. Hamas denies any connection to the men. (NYT, WP, WT 8/1; RJ 8/1 in WNC 8/4; NYT, WP 8/2; AFP 8/2 in WNC 8/5; NYT, WT 8/3; al-Hadath [Amman] 8/4 in WNC 8/5; NYT 8/5; WJW 8/7; MEI 8/8)

Unnamed Gulf diplomats reveal that Sidi al-Madani al-Ghazi Mustafa al-Tayyib, financial director for Saudi dissident and alleged "terrorist financier" Osama bin Laden, has been in custody in Saudi Arabia since 5/97. Saudi authorities have passed some of Tayyib's revealed information to the CIA, FBI to track militant groups in Detroit, New York. (WT 8/1)

Lebanese court sentences 5 Japanese Red Army mbrs. to 3 yrs. in jail on charges of forging official stamps, illegal entry into Lebanon, forging passports. (VOL 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, WP 8/1) (see 7/29)

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)

Netanyahu offers the position of finance M, left vacant by Meridor, to Yaacov Neeman, the choice of Netanyahu's Orthodox coalition partners, rather than Infrastructures M Sharon, who lobbied for the position. (ITV 7/6, 7/7 in WNC 7/8, 7/9; MM 7/7; CSM, NYT, WT 7/8; CSM 7/9; WJW 7/10; JP 7/19) (see 6/18)

Higher Iranian-Syrian Comm. ends 2-day mtg. in Damascus. The 2 countries agree expand bilateral ties; reach accords on export of Iranian tractors to Syria, technical cooperation, economic and industrial cooperation. (IRNA, SATN 7/6, IRNA, SA, VIRI 7/7 in WNC 7/8)

London Times reports that the FBI is on the verge of revealing the identity of a National Security Council employee currently under surveillance on suspicion of being Mega, an Israeli mole. (London Times 7/6) (see 5/16)

Muhammad al-Hindi, a senior Islamic Jihad military leader, is released fr. PA prison in Gaza. (YA 7/11 in WNC 7/14)

Hizballah mbrs. ambush an IDF-SLA patrol in s. Lebanon, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 1 SLA mbr. IDF strikes Hizballah targets in response, wounding 7 Lebanese civilians. Hizballah retaliates, firing at least 7 rockets into n. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. (IDF Radio, VOL 7/6 in WNC 7/8; MM, NYT 7/7; JP 7/19)

In Amsterdam, a 2-day mtg. of EU leaders closes. Attendees issue statement for the 1st time urging Israel not to rule out the possibility of a Palestinian state. (MM 6/18)

In Washington, U.S. secy. of state Albright informs visiting Crown Prince Hassan of U.S. plans to give Jordan $100 m./yr. in aid for the next 5 yrs. (al-Aswaq, al-Dustur, JT 6/17, RJ 6/18 in WNC 6/19; MM, WT 6/18; WJW 6/19; JT 6/19 in WNC 6/20; al-Dustur 6/20 in WNC 6/23; MEI 6/27)

The Senate passes a version of House Res. 1757 that contains a section prohibiting most financial transactions with "state sponsors of terrorism," including Syria. A conference comm. must now work out the differences btwn. the bills. (WJW 7/24; MEI 7/25) (see 6/11)

6 wks. after the IDF forcibly evacuated settlers fr. their outpost nr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus (5/6), several settler families are living on the disputed site, guarded by IDF reservists, while IDF bulldozers break ground to expand the settlement and build a permanent IDF lookout. (YA 6/17 in WNC 6/19) (see 5/7)

Hani `Abd al-Rahim Sayigh, the Saudi accused of participating in the 6/25/96 al-Khobar barracks bombing, is extradited to the U.S. from Canada to provide testimony that could link Iran, Syria to the attack. Under his deal with the FBI, Sayigh will plead guilty to plotting a different attack that never took place in exchange for telling all he knows about the al-Khobar incident. (WP, WT 6/18; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/19; MM 6/24) (see 3/30)

Iraq announces that it will begin rebuilding, expanding the al-Tanf border post with Syria in the next wk. (MEI 6/13; WT 6/18; MM 6/30) (see 6/2, 6/4, 6/14)

In Hebron, IDF troops clash with Palestinian demonstrators for the 4th day, wounding 17 Palestinian. An AP photographer is attacked, kicked in the head by a Jewish settler; IDF soldiers do not intervene. (WP, WT 6/18; MEI 6/27)

Visiting delegation of American Reform and Conservative Jewish leaders convinces PM Netanyahu to shelve the legislation that would give Orthodox rabbinical courts exclusive jurisdiction over government recognition of conversions to Judaism (see 4/1), form 7-mbr. comm. (comprising 5 Orthodox, 1 Reform, 1 Conservative) to investigate the issue. (WT 6/20)

U.S. special envoy Ross extends his stay in the region after Israel, PA agree to hold informal mtg. at Amb. Indyk's residence. Israeli team will be led by DM Mordechai, Netanyahu personal atty. Yitzhak Molho. PA side will be led by Local Government M and PISMC head Erakat, Culture M `Abid Rabbu. (MM 5/13; YA 5/13 in WNC 5/14)

In Amman, Norwegian FM Godal meets with King Hussein. (RJ 5/13 in WNC 5/14; JTV 5/13 in WNC 5/15)

Israeli amb. to Jordan Eran, quits after 8 days on the job because he was not informed about the 5/8 mtg. btwn. PM Netanyahu, King Hussein until 1 hr. before it happened; hopes that his resignation leads to improved relations btwn. Netanyahu's office, the FMin. (MM 5/13; JTV 5/13 in WNC 5/15; CSM 5/14; JP 5/24) (see 5/5)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak travels to Morocco for talks on the peace process with King Hasan. (WT 5/14)

Turkish PM Erbakan postpones indefinitely joint naval maneuvers with Israel. (Analtolia [Ankara], ITV 5/13 in WNC 5/14; MM 5/14; IGPO, SANA 5/14 in WNC 5/15; al-Nahar 5/14 in WNC 5/19) (see 5/1)

Labor party mbrs. vote down a proposal (37% for, 63% against) to create the post of party pres. for fmr. PM Peres, defer further debate until 9/97 (well after the new party leadership is selected 6/3). Decision heralds end of Peres's formal leadership of the party, is seen as victory for party rival IDF Chief of Staff Barak. (MM, NYT 5/14; YA 5/14 in WNC 5/15; JP 5/24)

In testimony before Congress regarding domestic and international terrorism, FBI Dir. Louis Freeh states that several Middle Eastern "terror groups" (including Hamas, Hizballah) "have placed supporters inside the U.S. who could be used to support an act of terrorism here." (WP 5/13)

FBI begins investigating whether a "senior U.S. government official" has been passing highly sensitive information to Israel. U.S. officials say that in 1/97, the National Security Agency intercepted a transmission btwn. 2 Israeli intelligence officers in Washington and Tel Aviv, discussing a request by Israeli Amb. to the U.S. Eliahu Ben-Elissar to activate a alleged mole code-named Mega to obtain the secret letter of assurances fr. fmr. Secy. of State Christopher to Arafat, which was attached to the Hebron protocol and has never been made public. The transmission suggests that Mega has provide information to Israel in the past. Israel denies spying. (WP 5/7; NYT, WP 5/8; MM 5/8; IDF Radio, ITV, YA 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM, WP, WT 5/9; SANA 5/12 in WNC 5/13; MEI 5/16; JP 5/17)

Arafat, Israeli pres. Weizman meet in advance of U.S. special envoy Ross's arrival 5/8. (MM, WT 5/6; ITV 5/6 in WNC 5/7; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 5/7; AFP, YA 5/7 in WNC 5/8; WJW 5/8; JP 5/10; MM 5/12)

After Arafat-Weizman mtg., an Israeli-PA-U.S. security mtg. is held to discuss resuming coordination. (MM 5/7; ITV 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak accepts Iran's invitation to attend the 12/97 OIC mtg. in Tehran but says that Egypt is not considering resuming diplomatic relations with Iran (severed after Egypt signed its peace treaty with Israel in 1979). (WT 5/7)

Iran's FM Velayati arrives in Beirut for mtg. with FM Buwayz. (VOL 5/6 in WNC 5/7; IRNA 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

Israeli police forcibly evacuate 30 Jewish settlers fr. a shack they had set up nr. Nablus in an attempt to expand Yitzhar settlement. (MM, NYT 5/7; IDF Radio 5/7 in WNC 5/8; PR 5/16)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, Ramallah for being constructed without a permit. (LAW 5/6; PR 5/16) (see 5/5)

A bomb explosion in s. Lebanon blamed on Israel kills 2 civilians, injures 2. A 2d bomb at the same site is dismantled. In a separate incident, Israeli planes attack suspected Hizballah targets in the Biqa` Valley, injuring 1 civilian. (RL, VOL 5/6 in WNC 5/7; WP 5/7)

King Hussein returns home fr. trip to Morocco, UK, Germany, Ireland. (JTV 2/20 in WNC 2/24)

FBI chief Louis Freeh arrives in Jordan to discuss extradition of Hamas political leader Musa Abu Marzuq, raising speculation the U.S., Israel prefer to deport him to a 3d country. Freeh arrived in Amman fr. Israel, is heading to Egypt. (NYT 2/21; SA 2/22 in WNC 2/25; al-Ra'i 2/24 in WNC 2/26; JP 3/1; MEI 3/7) (see 2/11)

ILMG closes 2-days of talks on death of 1 Lebanese civilian, wounding of 2 others during IDF shelling 2/18; blames Israel for the death. (RL 2/19 in WNC 2/20; RL 2/20 in WNC 2/21; RL 2/20, 2/21 in WNC 2/24; al-Nahar 2/21, RL 2/22 in WNC 2/25)

IDF mine explodes in s. Lebanon, killing 1 Lebanese civilian. (RL 2/21 in WNC 2/24)

After discussions with MKs, Netanyahu approves the construction of 6,500 housing units for 30,000 Israelis at Har Homa in East Jerusalem. (MM 2/19; CSM, MM, WP, WT 2/20; YA 2/20 in WNC 2/21; MM 2/21; MA 2/21 in WNC 2/24; MM 2/27) (see 2/18)

IDF demolishes 2 buildings nr. Nablus in area B, 1 of which belongs to the UNRWA. In recent mos. most homes demolished by the IDF have been in area C, the rest in area B. Almost 300 Palestinian homes have been demolished since the signing of the Declaration of Principles in 9/93. (al-Hayat al-Jadida 2/20 in WNC 2/24; PR 3/28)

Arafat makes 1-day visit to Anakara, Turkey; heads to Russia for 2-day official visit. (WT 2/20; WJW 2/27; MM 3/3)

Jordan's King Hussein's 2-day visit to Morocco, heads to Ireland for official visit. (RJ 2/19 in WNC 2/20; JTV, London Press Association 2/19 in WNC 2/21)

The FBI announces that David Tenenbaum, a mechanical engineer working for the army, has informed the Bureau that, for the past 10 yrs., he has "inadvertently" passed classified military information to Israeli officials. FBI, Defense Investigative Service say they are investigating, but have not filed charges. Israel denies any wrongdoing. (NYT, WT 2/20; ITV 2/20 in WNC 2/24; JP 3/1)

IDF arrests a Lebanese shepherd n. of the self-declared security zone, takes him and his flock to s. Lebanon. (RL 2/19 in WNC 2/20)

PM Netanyahu visits Israeli self-declared security zone in s. Lebanon; warns that continued attacks by Hizballah could trigger strong Israeli retaliation. Hrs. later, 1 SLA mbr. is killed by roadside bomb. (MM 8/20; RL 8/20 in WNC 8/23; WT 8/21; RMC 8/21 in WNC 8/27) (see 8/16)

In Beirut, Pres. Ilyas Hrawi, Kuwait's Shaykh Sabah discuss peace process, Arab unity. (RL 8/19 in WNC 8/22)

After receiving notices that their land lies in area C and has been designated a military area, Israel demolishes 4 50-yr.-old Palestinian homes nr. Nablus. (LAWE 8/21)

Israeli Housing Min. drafts plan to approve construction of 5,000 new housing units in the West Bank, along the Green Line, over next 2 yrs.; increase West Bank settler population by 70,000 over next 5 yrs. (IDF Radio 8/19 in WNC 8/22; WT 8/21; MM 8/28; JP 8/31)

In the Golan, Israeli police arrest Human Rights Watch worker Bashar Tarabiyya, a U.S. resident, on suspicion that he threatened national security, engaged in pro-Syrian activity. (MM 9/23, 9/27; JP 9/7)

Jordanian security forces round up 100s of people around the country following 3 days of bread riots. 500 have been arrested in Karak alone. Opposition leaders call on PM `Abd al-Karim Kabariti to resign. (JTV, RJ, RMC 8/19, al-Ra`i 8/20 in WNC 8/22; MM, WP 8/20; MEI 9/6) (see 9/18)

Iraq calls on Turkey, Syria to resume as soon as possible tripartite talks on distribution of the Euphrates, Tigris waters, halted since 1992. (Mother of Battles Radio [Baghdad] 8/19 in WNC 8/22) (see 6/30)

FBI announces plans to open 23 new offices around the world--incl. in Ankara, Cairo, Riyadh, Tel Aviv--that will focus on combatting terrorism, drug trafficking that affects the U.S. (WP 8/20)

In a pre-dawn raid, IDF declares al-Fawwar refugee camp nr. Hebron a closed military zone, rounds up 1,000 men 16-64 yrs. old, arrests 30, seals homes of 2 suicide bombers. IDF also raids the Islamic College in Abu-Dis, arrests 14 students; arrests 10s of Palestinians in Hebron, Ramallah and holds them for questioning by Shin Bet. (MM 3/4, QY 3/4 in FBIS 3/4; IDF Radio, QY 3/4, QY 3/5 in FBIS 3/5; MM, NYT, WP 3/5)

Suicide bomber sets off explosion in Tel Aviv shopping district, killing 15, wounding 126. Bomber is identified as a man fr. Ramallah. A caller claiming to be fr. Hamas says Islamic Jihad is responsible. PM Peres vows to send IDF into self-rule areas to root out Hamas. U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton says he will allow the FBI, CIA to assist Peres in an antiterror campaign. (MM 3/4; IDF Radio, ITV, QPAR, VOP 3/4 in FBIS 3/4; QY 3/4 in FBIS 3/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/5; WJW 3/7; PR 3/8 MEI 3/15)

After an emergency cabinet session, PM Peres announces formation of a special antiterror war headquarters which is authorized to "act everywhere, using all means, without any limitation on regions," incl. house demolitions, deportations, entry of IDF forces into zone B. (QY 3/4, MA 3/5 in FBIS 3/5)

Israel recalls its negotiating team fr. Washington. (IDF Radio, SARR 3/4 in FBIS 3/5; NYT 3/5; MM 3/5; IDF Radio 3/6 in FBIS 3/6; SATN 3/6 in FBIS 3/7) (see 3/3)

Hamas political leaders, Mahmud Zahhar, Muhammad Sham'ah hold a news conference; deny political wing is responsible for recent bombings; call on Qassam Brigades, Yahya Ayyash Units to halt all military actions. PA says it believes both 2/27 leaflets fr. Qassam Brigades are real; think the one denying responsibility came fr. cadres inside West Bank, Gaza and the one claiming responsibility came from cadres abroad. (MM 3/5; Der Spiegel, ITV 3/5 in FBIS 3/5; VOP 3/5 in FBIS 3/6; PR 3/8)

In Gaza City, Fatah rallies 1,000s of supporters, some carrying signs in Hebrew reading "yes to peace, no to violence" and "terrorism is our enemy," to protest against recent bombings. (MM 3/4; QY, VOP 3/4 in FBIS 3/4; QY 3/4 in FBIS 3/5; WP, WT 3/5)

In Tel Aviv, over 1,000 Israelis hold violent protest outside the DMin. to denounce the Oslo agmts.; 100 rally outside PM Peres's home; some 200 protest at the site of the Tel Aviv bombing; 100 rally in Jerusalem. Israeli police detain 10s for questioning. (HA 3/5 in FBIS 3/5)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah mbrs. ambush an IDF convoy, killing 4 IDF soldiers, wounding 9. In 1st attack, IDF shoots back, killing 2 Hizballah mbrs. In a separate incident, a little-known Palestinian group, Islamic Revolutionary Army, ambushes a 2d convoy, wounding 1 IDF soldier. Peres sends 100s of troops fr. n. Israel into s. Lebanon to reinforce the border. (MM 3/5; VOP 3/5 in FBIS 3/5; IDF Radio 3/5 in FBIS 3/6; WT 3/6; MM 3/7)