The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers damaged Palestinian property in the old vegetable market in the old city of Hebron, which has been closed to Palestinians by Israel since 2000. Israeli settlers also slashed tires of 25 Palestinian-owned vehicles and wrote racist graffiti on nearby walls in Salfit. Israeli forces forced Palestinian vendors in Huwwara to close their shops. Israeli forces also raided the home of a former Palestinian prisoner in Zeita, informing him that they will temporarily seize 2 floors of his home for a military outpost. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tubas, Ramallah, ad-Doha, Zeita, and Deir Sammit. In East Jerusalem, 119 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinians was arrested in Isawiya. In Israel, 1 Israeli man who was shot during an attack in Tel Aviv on 3/9 succumbed to his wounds. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/20; HA 3/21; PCHR 3/23; UNOCHA 3/31)

The Knesset repealed part of the 2005 Disengagement Law, allowing Israelis to enter the Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim settlements that were evacuated in 2005 and potentially buy or be allocated land to repopulate the settlements. U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel called the law inconsistent with Israeli commitments made in Sharm El Sheikh on 3/19 and stated that the bill contradicts commitments made by Ariel Sharon to George Bush when the law first passed. PA presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said the bill “goes against all decisions of the international community.” (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MDW, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA 3/21; HA, PCN 3/22; HA, WAFA 3/23; WAFA 3/24)

The UN independent commission of inquiry began 5 days of public hearings in relation to its investigation into human rights violations in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. This round of hearings, held in Geneva, will commence on 3/24. (AJ 3/24)

In Cairo, Egyptian pres. Mubarak, Israeli PM Netanyahu hold tense, inconclusive talks, marked by disagreement over Israeli settlement plans. (MM 3/5; RE 3/5 in WNC 3/7; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 3/6; ITV 3/7 in WNC 3/13; WJW 3/13; MEI 3/21)

After New York, Arafat heads to Georgia to meet with fmr. Pres. Jimmy Carter and Houston to meet with fmr. Pres. George Bush, fmr. Secy. of State James Baker III before returning to Gaza. (MM, NYT 3/6; WT 3/7)

UNSC begins debate on Israel's Har Homa plan. (MM, WT 3/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/6; MEI 3/7; WJW 3/13)

After 4 days of talks in Tehran, Jordan, Iran sign memorandum of understanding on health issues, medicine, medical training. (IRNA, VIRI 3/2 in WNC 3/4)

Israel's Likud party holds its 1st ever primary to select its slate of MK candidates, excluding candidate for PM, for the 5/29 elections. Retired Gen. Yitzhak Mordechai is selected to head the list, with fmr. DM Ariel Sharon 2d, Oslo opponent Benjamin Begin 3d, party veteran Dan Meridor 4th. Combined with the coalition agmt. with Gesher, Tsomet (see 3/12), the slate suggests a Likud government would have security-oriented hardliners in its top posts. (MM 3/26, 3/27; QY 3/27 in FBIS 3/27; MM, NYT 3/28; WJW 4/4; MEI 4/12)

PSF head Muhammad Dahlan claims the PSF has discovered a secret group within the Qassam Brigades that is controlled by the Hamas leadership in Jordan; says the PA has detained all but 2 mbrs. (Muhammad Daif, Yahya al-Ghoul) of the Qassam Brigades and a total of 70 percent of Hamas mbrs. overall. (WT 3/27; CSM 4/8)

IDF arrests 10 additional alleged Hamas mbrs. in the Bethlehem, Hebron, Janin, Tulkarm areas. To date Israel has arrested over 400 persons suspected of hostile anti-Israeli activities. (QY 3/26 in FBIS 3/26)

Fmr. U.S. Pres. George Bush meets with Syrian Pres. Asad in Damascus; then drives to Beirut to meet with Pres. Hrawi. Bush is on a regional tour to thank Gulf War allies (incl., Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain) for their support during that conflict. (RL, SARR, VOL 3/26 in FBIS 3/26; RL 3/26, 3/27 in FBIS 3/27; MM 3/27; WT 3/27; NYT 4/5)

Fmr. negotiator, current PC mbr. Hanan Ashrawi (I-Jerusalem) says that she will meet lawyers' requests to submit an affidavit in defense of Hamas political leader Musa Abu Marzuq for his extradition hearing, scheduled for 4/2 in New York. (AFP 3/26 in FBIS 3/26)

In 2d day of mtgs., FM Peres presses Argentinean Pres. Carlos Menem to step up investigation of Jewish center bombing 7/94, welcomes his attempts to mediate btwn. Syria, Israel. (WT 1/15, NYT 1/17; MEI 1/20) (see 11/23)

American, Arab officials say plans for regional bank are being scaled back to overcome opposition fr. Saudi Arabia, France. Bank expected to have initial capital of only $1.5 b., not expected to give subsidized loans. (NYT 1/14) (see 1/11)

Lebanese FM Buwayz, Peter Martinez, head of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan desk at U.S. State Dept., meet in Beirut; discuss agenda for upcoming U.S.-Lebanon Security Comm. mtg. to cover bilateral relations only. (VOL 1/14 in FBIS 1/17)

YESHA Council reports that through natural growth, new arrivals West Bank settler population has grown 17% since PM Rabin took office. (QY 1/14 in FBIS 1/17; NYT 1/16, 1/20)

Frmr. PM Yitzhak Shamir gives interview on Gulf War; says Israel was in constant communication with Jordan, flew reconnaissance flights over Iraq, was shocked frmr. U.S. pres. George Bush ended war before Saddam Hussein was overthrown. (IDF Radio 1/14 in FBIS 1/17; WP, WT 1/15)

In reaction to ax attack 1/12, settlers fr. Kiryat Arba riot in Hebron's main market, fire rifles in air, destroy Palestinian merchandise. IDF uses tear gas to disperse Palestinians, injuring 10. (MEI 1/20)

Yitzhak Shamir warns Israeli Arabs who yesterday protested 5/20 killings that they had "passed the limit of what is allowed" [NYT 5/23]; Pres. George Bush urges Israel to use maximum restraint in dealing with renewed Palestinian protests in wake of 5/20 killings [NYT, WP, MEM 5/23]; In departure from norm, Bush sends personal condolences to families of those Palestinians killed on 5/20, 5/21 [WP 5/23].

2 Gazans are killed, at least 14 wounded in continued clashes in Gaza set off by 5/20 killings; Palestinian wounded 5/21 by settler gunfire dies [JDS 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; NYT 5/23].

UN Sec. Council announces it will convene in Geneva to allow Yasir Arafat to address the body; U.S. agrees to the change [MEM 5/23].

U.S.-based Physicians for Human Rights releases report "Health Care in Detention: A Study of Israel's Treatment of Palestinians," which concludes Israeli health professionals are not "fulfilling their obligation to prevent physical abuse" and Palestinian detainees are subjected to "unacceptable" conditions [FJ 5/28].

In E. Jerusalem, police teargas procession of some 400 representatives of Palestinian organizations (and 3 Knesset members) as they seek to deliver to U.S. consulate petition calling for international protection for Palestinians [MEM 5/22].

Socialist Intemational conference opens in Cairo, Pres. Mubarak meets with various delegates, including Shimon Peres [MENA 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; WT 5/ 23; MEM 5/24].

Yasir Arafat telephones French Pres. Francois Mitterand to condemn 5/21 attack on French tourists in Amman, and to offer condolences to farnilies of victims [SVP 5/24 in FBIS 5/25].

New York Times reports a growing frustration among Israeli Arabs that they are being excluded from Israeli society. Awad Abdel Fatah, leader of Sons of the Village party, says "Palestinians in Israel are coming more and more to feel that we are not citizens of the state. And it's because the state itself does not act in a way to make us feel part of the state" [NYT 5/23]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PNC meeting opens in Algiers. Arafat calls on President-elect George Bush and the U.S. to adopt "a new policy, not a policy aligned with Israel" [NYT 11/13].

Other Countries: In U.S. 27 Jewish organizations call on Israel's govermment not to amend the Law of Return [NYT 11/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres states in keynote speech opening Labor party convention that Israel recognizes the Palestinians "as a nation," states Israel is trying to "create interim conditions for an interim arrangement" in the occupied territories until their final status is resolved [DT 4/10]. Egyptian delegation headed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Butrus-Ghali attends the convention, as well as delegations from 20 other countries [JP 4/9].

Arab World: Former chief of intelligence for the PLO, 'Atallah 'Atallah (Abu Za'im), is reported to have been touring Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan delivering speeches critical of policies of Yasir Arafat and blaming him for the collapse of dialogue with King Hussein; Abu Za'im's statements have been given front-page coverage in Amman [JP 4/8; NYT 4/9]. Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Abba Eban arrives in Cairo for a visit [JP 4/9].

Other Countries: U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy, originally scheduled to accompany Vice Pres. George Bush on his M.E. tour, stops instead in Cairo and then proceeds to Israel; Bush tells press conference Murphy is investigating a new peace initiative [LAT, BG 4/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Firebomb is thrown at bus on northern edge of Jerusalem, injuring 9 Israeli passengers; police detain 17 Palestinians for questioning [LAT, WP 4/9]. A bomb explodes in Afula, injuring a soldier; WAFA, the Palestine News Agency, states the PLO is responsible for placing the bomb [WP, LAT 4/9].

Arab World: Suicide bomber drives car into checkpoint near Hasbayya, at edge of Israeli-declared "security zone," killing himself and injuring 3 SLA militiamen and 3 civilians; the pro-Syrian Lebanese Ba'th party claims responsibility [WP, NYT 4/9]. Car bomb in Christian port city of Juniyah kills 10, injures over 100; no one claims responsibility [WP, NYT 4/9]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Saudi Arabia has given $28.5 million to the PLO, believed to be a quarter of the $114 million earmarked for the PLO for this year [JDW 4/5]. Former first vice president of the Sudanese government under Pres. Numayri, Maj. Gen. 'Umar Muhammad al-Tayyib, is sentenced to 2, 30-year jail terms for his role in airlifting Ethiopian Jews out of Sudan to Israel [NYT 4/6; LT 4/7].

Other Countries: U.S. Vice Pres. George Bush arrives in Saudi Arabia for start of 8-day, 4-country tour aimed largely at demonstrating continuing U.S. commitment to Arab states of the Persian Gulf; Bush promises U.S. arms to Saudi leaders [WP, NYT 4/6].