The Palestine Chronology

Overnight, the IDF makes a major incursion into areas e. of Khan Yunis, conducting arrest raids and house searches, occupying several homes as observation posts, bulldozing 153 d. of olive and citrus trees, rounding up all males ages 16–50 for questioning (arresting 60), exchanging fire with Palestinians, and making 3 air strikes (killing 2 Hamas mbrs.; wounding at least 3 Hamas, 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs.). During the day, the IDF makes 2 more air strikes on Gaza, assassinating senior Islamic Jihad cmdr. Omar al-Khatib, 2 aides (Ahmad al-Balawi, Khalil al-Duayfi) as they drive in Gaza City, and wounding a Palestinian bystander nr. a suspected rocket launching site Bayt Lahiya. In the West Bank, the IDF fatally beats a 16-yr.-old Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem, claiming he attempted to stab a soldier; sends undercover units into al-Dahariyya nr. Hebron, where they hijack a Palestinian taxi, shoot and seriously wound a Palestinian teenager (no motive is given; the IDF transports the boy to an Israeli hospital for treatment); conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, nr. Tulkarm, and in Hebron, Jenin town and r.c. (targeting Islamic Jihad members), Qalqilya. Overnight, 100s of Jewish settlers attempt to set up a new, unauthorized settlement outpost on 1,000 d. of Palestinian land nr. Artas outside Bethlehem. (NYT, WT 7/27; OCHA 8/1; PCHR 8/2)

Secy. of State Christopher eulogizes Norwegian FM Johan Jorgen Holst at funeral in Oslo, meets separately with Israeli FM Peres, PLO Chmn. Arafat, urges them to reconcile differences. Peres and Arafat meet twice, report progress, Peres saying "there is a chance we can reach an agreement," Arafat that "we have overcome some bridges." Peres and Arafat agree to meet again 1/30 in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss security issues of Gaza-Jericho autonomous regions. (NYT, WP, WT 1/23; CSM 1/24)

PLO official Hakam Balawi announces PLO Chmn. Arafat will meet Saudi King Fahd after making 'umra pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in 1st visit by Arafat to kingdom since Gulf war. (WP 1/23)

Secy. of Commerce Ron Brown meets 26 Palestinian businessmen in Gaza City. 1st U.S. cabinet mbr. to visit Gaza Strip says "the economic situation in Gaza is unacceptable, and we should work to improve it." (WT 1/23)

100,000 Syrians attend funeral in Qurdaha, Syria, of Basil al-Asad, killed in car crash 1/21. Syrians in occupied Golan Heights observe 24 hours of mourning. U.S. represented at funeral by amb. Christopher Ross. (WP 1/23; CSM 1/24)

600 students at Gaza's al-Azhar university march to PLO office in Gaza City to protest intra-Palestinian violence. (WT 1/26)

Tunisian police arrest 'Adnan Yasin, aide to PLO security chief and rep. in Tunisia Hakam Balawi, for spying for Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. Also arrested is his son Hani. Yasin had apparently been subomed by Mossad during 1991 visit to France. Arrest is not announced for 1 week. Israeli officials refuse comment. (NYT 11/3, 11/5)

4th round of multilateral talks on Middle East water resources convenes in Beijing, involving 43 nations and international organizations. 2-day session to focus on conservation, sharing of resources. (WT 10/27)

White. House announces intention to nominate Thomas A. Dine, former AIPAC executive director, assistant administrator of U.S. Agency for International Development for Europe and the Newly Independent States. Statement calls Dine "experienced in [his] field," citing his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer and Senate staffer as qualification for appointment to head AID's largest program. (White House release 10/26; WT 10/29)

PLO official Bassam Abu Sharif proposes forming Palestinian govt. in Jericho to negotiate final-status arrangements with Israel. Israeli Health Min. Haim Ramon rejects offer, but notes "PLO-Tunis is a meaningful eement even in the current negotiations." PLO envoy to Jordan Hakam Balawi says Abu Sharif's statements "not authorized." (Radio Lebanon, IDF Radio, Radio Jordan 8/14 in FBIS 8/16)

Jordan reportedly arrests 10 mbrs. of Islamist al-Tahrir party for attempted assassination of King Hussein. (RMC 8/14 in FBIS 8/16)

PLO rep. Hakam Balawi meets in Tunis with U.S. ambassador Robert Pelletreau to discuss U.S.-PLO relations [TDS 6/9 in FBIS 6/12].

Salah Khalaf, senior PLO official, calls Shamir's new gov't. "a war cabinet, the worst in Israel's history." Arab mood blends apprehension, anger, and deepening hostility toward U.S. as Israel's main ally [NYT 6/10]; Shamir, however, states that new gov't. will not swing Israel toward narrow right-wing policies [WP 6/ 10].

Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze tells Sec. Baker in Copenhagen that USSR will not curtail or halt emigration of Soviet Jews [WP, WIT 6/7].

Soviet legislature postpones final approval of law relaxing emigration restrictions which was condition for Congress to ratify new U.S.-Soviet trade agreement [WP 6/6].

PLO rep. Hakam Balawi meets in Tunis with U.S. ambassador Robert Pelletreau, who delivers letter to Arafat from Bush admin. explaining U.S. 5/31 UN veto [TDS 6/5 in FBIS 6/6].

Israeli army and intelligence officials tell Knesset For. Affairs and Defence Committee that they believe 5/30 attempted raid by PLF members was directed at military, not civilian, targets (cf. 6/6) [JDS 6/5 in FBIS 6/6].

General strike called for by UNLU to commemorate 23d anniversary of 1967 war is observed in W.Bank; 2 Palestinian youths in Nablus are killed by IDF bullets [IDF, JDS 6/5 in FBIS 6/7; WT, LAT 6/6].

IDF lifts collective bans on travel to Jordan that had been imposed on some 25 W.Bank communities for periods up to 2 years [JPD 6/5 in FBIS 6/6].

Clashes in S.Lebanon between Shiite militiamen and SLA and Israeli soldiers; no injuries reported [BVL 6/5 in FBIS 6/6].

Yasir Arafat says PLO's institutional and official forces had no connection with 5/30 attempted attack on Israeli beach; sees "no reason" U.S. should end dialogue with PLO; says he cannot expell Abul Abbas from PNC, as PLF leader was elected democratically [NYT, WP, LAT, WT 6/1; WAKH 5/31 in FBIS 6/1 AVP 6/1 in FBIS 6/4]; U.S. sends message to PLO, outlining actions State Dep't. wishes Arafat to take [NYT, LAT 6/1]; PLO representative Hakam Balawi meets in Tunis with U.S. ambassador Robert Pelletreau to discuss 5/30 attempted attack [KUNA 6/1 in FBIS 6/4].

U.S. vetoes UN Sec. Council resolution to send special commission of inquiry to O.T. (cf. 6/1) [WT 6/1, LAT 6/ 2].

Private Israeli security specialist, Lt.Col. Yair Klein, ret., is indicted on charges of illegally exporting military equipment to drug cartel in Colombia [WP, LAT 6/1].

Israeli Supreme Court upholds eviction order of 150 Jewish settlers from Hospice of St. John in Jerusalem, saying all but 20 settlers must leave by 5/1; the 20 may remain in hospice as guards while lower court hears testimony on Panamanian-owned company that sublet to settlers [WP, NYT, LAT 4/27].

Labor party leader Shimon Peres officially surrenders his mandate to form new Israeli gov't. after 5 weeks of bargaining [NYT, LAT 4/27; IDF 4/26 in FBIS 4/ 26].

In departure from usual custom, Israel declines to release Muslim prisoners in celebration of Muslim holiday of Id al-Fitr, apparently to avoid speculation it is involved in prisoner exchange [NYT 4/ 27].

U.S. State Dep't. statement strongly criticizes start of 2 new Israeli settlements in O.T. [WP 4/27].

PLO rep. Hakam Balawi meets with ambassador Robert Pelletreau to discuss situation in O.T. [TDS 4/27 in FBIS 4/ 27].

Israel's Knesset Finance Committee approves NIS 2.44 billion plan to build 32,500 housing units for new immigrants [JPD 4/27 in FBIS 4/27].

After 2 weeks of denials, Israeli officials acknowledge that Shamir's caretaker gov't. was helping fund controversial occupation by Jewish nationalists of Hospice of St. John in Jerusalem's Christian quarter [NYT, WP, LAT, WT 4/23].

Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine frees American educator Robert Pohill after 39 months in captivity [NYT, WP, WT 4/23]; New York Times reports Iran gave weapons and financial assistance to Islamic Jihad to persuade group to release Pohill [NYT, LAT 4/23]; Pres. Bush tells reporters he does not plan any gestures to respond to release of Pohill, says release of all hostages is "bottom line" for any reciprocal "goodwill" action [WP 4/23].

Israeli officials insist that 4/19, 4/20 air force raids on PFLP-GC and Hizballah bases in Lebanon have no impact on fate of American hostages, and dismiss as rhetoric warning that such attacks could endanger future hostage releases [WP 4/ 23].

PLO officially requests extraordinary Arab summit to discuss Soviet Jewish emigration (cf. 4/24) [TDS 4/23 in FBIS 4/ 24].

Meeting for the 3d time in 15 days, Hakam Balawi and Robert Pelletreau discuss latest developments as part of U.S.-PLO dialogue [WAFA 4/24 in FBIS 4/25].

Jerusalem's Greek Orthodox patriarch Diodorus I is overcome by tear gas as Israeli police disperse group of clergymen protesting Jewish nationals' occupation of church building in Old City's Christian quarter [WP, LAT, WT 4/13; JDS 4/12 in FBIS 4/13]; Jerusalem magistrate court issues evacuation order to settlers in church building [IDF 4/12 in FBIS 4/13].

PLO formally requests membership in World Health Organization. PLO made same request last year, was denied membership after U.S. delegation walked out in protest (cf. 4/23) [WP 4/13].

PLO rep. Hakam Balawi meets with U.S. ambassador Robert Pelletreau to discuss latest developments [TDS 4/13 in FBIS 4/18].

Arafat arrives in Czechoslovakia for state visit [NYT 4/13].

After internal debate, Likud party says Labor must agree to "basic and essential" issues before Israeli-Palestinian negotiations can proceed: (1) E. Jerusalem Arabs be excluded from talks and (2) Israel reserves the right to walk out of sessions if it believes PLO is trying to control or direct discussions [NYT, WP, WT 3/6]; Labor rejects these terms [NYT 3/7].

U.S.-PLO dialogue continues in Tunis, where Hakam Balawi meets with Robert Pelletreau [BVP 3/7 in FBIS 3/9].

In op-ed piece to Washington Post former Sec. of State George Shultz writes "some form of confederation between Israel, the Palestinians, Jordan, and perhaps Egypt seems as necessary as it is inevitable" [WP 3/6].

Quoting "regional officials and experts," New York Times reports changes sweeping E. Europe represent major strategic setback for Palestinians and other Arabs [NYT 3/6].

Arub Academy, a 2-year teachers' college in W. Bank, is reopened by Israeli army [WP 3/7].

Chrmn. Arafat arrives in Baghdad on official visit; will meet with Pres. Saddam Hussein [BVP 2/25 in FBIS 2/27].

PLO envoy Hakam Balawi meets with U.S. ambassador to Tunisia Robert Pelletreau [TDS 2/26 in FBIS 2/28].

General strike called for by Hamas is observed in O.T. [HAD 2/26 in FBIS 2/ 27].

Israeli Employment Services tells representatives of UN International Labor Organization (ILO) that unemployment in O.T. is 4.5% compared to 9% inside green line [MAA 2/26 in FBIS 2/27].

In advance of human rights report to be issued 2/21, U.S. State Dep't. says Israeli soldiers continue to violate Palestinian human rights, causing "avoidable deaths and injuries." State Dep't. also reports "significant increase in violence by Palestinians directed at other Palestinians" (cf. 2/21) [NYT 2/21].

Washington Post article cites recent statements by Israeli gov't. officials to the effect that PLO is continuing terrorism [WP 2/21].

Jordan's P.M. and D.M. Mudar Badran says financial considerations have forced Jordanian fighter pilots to train with Iraqi counterparts; this does not mean joint squadron is being formed. Badran accuses Israel of exploiting the subject [RAY 2/21 in FBIS 2/21].

Egypt's ambassador to Israel, Muhammad Basyuni, says "Egypt does not oppose Jewish immigration to Israel, but does oppose the settling of new immigrants in the territories" [MAA 2/21 in FBIS 2/22].

PLO envoy Hakam Balawi meets with U.S. ambassador to Tunisia Robert Pelletreau to discuss Soviet Jewish emigration to Israel [SVP 2/21 in FBIS 2/23].

Hundreds of Israeli Arabs demonstrate against Interior and Finance ministries, urging them to honor pledge to aid Arab local councils in Israel [FJ 2/26].

Chrmn. of the Supreme Soviet International Affairs Committee, A.S. Dzasokhov, meets in Moscow with PLO Executive Committee members Mahmud Abbas and Sulayman Najjab to discuss strengthening Soviet-Palestinian relations [IZV 2/21].

2 UNIFIL soldiers are killed, at least 6 are wounded by artillery fire directed at S. Lebanon outpost from inside Israel's "security zone"; initial Israeli army statement says bombing occurred during gunfire between SLA and Hizballah [JDS 2/20 in FBIS 2/20; NYT 2/21]; UN protests to Israeli gov't. [WP 2/21].