The Palestine Chronology

World leaders attend funeral of King Hassan II of Morocco in Rabat. Egypt's Mubarak, Israel's Barak, Jordan's King Abdallah, PA's Arafat, U.S.'s Clinton attend. Although Syria's Asad stays in Damascus to avoid meeting Barak, his brother, Rifat, attends, grants an interview to the Israeli daily Ma'ariv afterward. On the sidelines, Barak holds brief, warm mtg. with Algerian pres. Bouteflika; also speaks with leaders of Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Yemen. Kuwaiti crown prince Saad Abdallah Sabah refuses to shake hands with Arafat. Clinton speaks briefly with Arafat, Barak, Mubarak about the peace process. (ATL, MAP [Rabat], MENA 7/25 in WNC 7/26; CSM, MM, NYT, USIS Washington File, WP, WT 7/26; RE 7/26 in WNC 7/27; MM, WT 7/27; MA, QA 7/27 in WNC 7/28; MM, WP 7/28; QA 7/28 in WNC 7/29; MEI, MM 7/30; al-Watan [Algiers] 7/31 in WNC 8/2; Le Monde 8/1-2; JP 8/6)

Israeli PM Barak sends the IDF to remove 5 mobile homes placed by Jewish settlers on a West Bank hilltop on 7/23 to expand an existing encampment, Shvut Rahel. Barak does not order the dismantling of Shvut Rahel itself--1 of 25 new enclaves that have been set up since the Wye agmt. was signed in 10/98. (NYT, WP 7/26)

In Amman, Iran, Jordan hold talks on expanding cooperation in culture, religion, tourism. (IRNA, RJ 7/25 in WNC 7/26)

IDF bulldozes the temporary shelter constructed by the Palestinian family whose home was demolished on 7/14. (INFOPAL [Internet] 7/30)

King Hassan II of Morocco dies of a heart attack, is succeed by his son, Sidi Muhammad, who becomes King Muhammad VI. Israeli PM Barak cancels mtgs. with Arafat and Mubarak, scheduled for this weekend, to attend the funeral. (NYT, WP, WT 7/24; NYT, WP 7/25; CSM 7/26; WJW 7/29; JP, MEI 7/30)

Israeli, PLO negotiators meet in Cairo to prepare for another round of talks btwn. PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli FM Peres to follow up on negotiations in Davos, Switzerland. Israeli PM Rabin and aides play down expectations autonomy accord will be reached soon. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/2)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, addressing UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, calls for continued investigation of Israeli humanrights violations, saying "the human rights process must go on despite the current negotiations." (WP 2/2)

State Dept. annual report on human rights cites Israel for use of torture, death squads against Palestinians in o.t. (NYT 2/2)

Israel announces plans to test-launch "Arrow 2" missile by end of year, deploy U.S.-funded anti-ballistic missile system by 1997. (WT 2/2)

PLO sources say PLO security officers will go to U.S. for training. (WT 2/2)

B'nai B'rith Int'l. announces return of delegation fr. visit to Morocco, where King Hassan II told it he seeks trade and tourism ties with Israel. (WT 2/2)

Knesset unanimously approves law allowing Israeli state attorney to investigate complaints against Shin Bet. Previously secret police agency, often accused of torture and abuse of prisoners, investigated allegations itself. (MM 2/2; WT 2/9)

4-day "Religious Leadership in Secular Society" conference grouping 400 Christian and Jewish leaders opens in Jerusalem. Frmr. Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren refuses to attend, as do many Israeli rabbis. (MM 2/1)

Secy. of State Christopher meets PLO Chmn. Arafat in Tunis, 1st visit by a U.S. secy. of state to PLO hq. Christopher delivers invitation fr. PM Rabin to Arafat for mtg. in Cairo, says both should reach "agreement so the accord will move forward." Christopher also says he is "impressed" by PLO plans for economic development ino.t. Later Christopher meets in Rabat with Moroccan King Hassan II. (NYT, WP, WT 12/11; NYT 12/13)

3 Palestinians killed by settlers in ambush nr. Hebron. Kach movement claims responsibility for attack. (NYT, WP, WT 12/11)

Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi resigns fr. her PLO posts to form Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights. Ashrawi had earlier been nominated to head PLO office in Washington, D.C. (NYT, WP, WT 12/11)

PFLP mbr. Zaki Ahmad Najar killed in Jabaliya camp, Gaza Strip. PFLP says he died in gun-cleaning accident; other sources blame factional fighting or IDF undercover units. (NYT 12/14

PLO Chmn. Arafat, in Washington, breakfasts with 20 U.S. senators, appeals for U.S. loan guarantees for Palestinian entity and end to legislation restricting PLO activities in U.S. He then speaks to National Press Club luncheon and travels to New York for 1st visit to UN since 1974. (NYT 9/15)

Jordanian Amb. to U.S. Fayez Tarawneh and Israeli negotiator Eliakim Rubinstein, in Washington, sign "common agenda" for further negotiations. (NYT 9/15)

Israeli PM Rabin, returning fr. U.S., stops in Morocco for surprise meeting with King Hassan II. After 2 hours of talks, Rabin calls visit "a step toward diplomatic relations"; Hasan, head of ICO's Jerusalem Comm., calls PLO-Israel agreement "astep toward abetter future." (MM 9/14; NYT, WP 9/15)

PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq Qaddumi holds talks in Baghdad with Iraqi Dep. PM Tariq 'Aziz, other Iraqi officials. Meanwhile, PFLP chief Habash meets in Damascus with Syrian VP Khaddam, who promisesupport for Palestinian "national righto a state with Jerusalem asits capital." (MM 9/15)

PFLP-GC, "unified leadership" of PFLP and DFLP, ALF all issue statements rejecting DoP. (QPAR, SANA, INA 9/14 in FBIS 9/14)

Baha al-Din al-Najr, 19, presumed Hamas activist, dies in suicide bomb attack on Gaza City police station. Also in Gaza, Ismail Sheber, 21, attempts to stab IDF soldier and is shot dead. Closure imposed on Gaza Strip by IDF 9/15-19. (IDF Radio 9/14 in FBIS 9/14; NYT, WP 9/15)

In Beirut, 15,000 (Hizballah claims 150,000) attend funeral of 8 Hizballah mbrs. killed 9/13 by Lebanese soldiers during demonstration against PLO-Israel accord. Hizballah leader Shaykh Hasan Nasrallah calls for resignation ofPM Rafiq Hariri's govt. over incident. (MM 9/14; NYT 9/15)

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Arafat meets with King Hasan II of Morocco [MET 8/8]. Arafat states that Jamil Tarifi's meetings with Shamir have approval of Palestinian leadership [FBIS 7/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tulkarm Israeli soldiers shoot, kill 21-year-old Palestinian [NYT 7/28, FJ 7/31]. In Gaza 79-year-old Palestinian is hit and killed by Israeli vehicle [FJ 7/31]. In Khan Yunis Palestinian accused of collaboration is killed [NYT 7/28]. At least 15 Palestinians are injured in the Gaza Strip [FJ 7/31].

Arab World: SLA ambushes, kills 5 Palestinian guerrillas east of Sidon [FBIS 7/31, MET 8/8]. SLA expells 23 Lebanese policemen from south Lebanon's Israeliimposed "security zone" for refusing to cooperate with SLA, IDF [MET 8/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prime Minister Shamir threatens to resign if Herut Central Committee approves no confidence vote in wake of election proposal [FBIS 5/17]. Public opinion poll shows that Israelis think Ariel Sharon "is the Israeli figure best suited to deal with the intifadah" [FBIS 5/19].

Arab World: Hasan II invites Egypt to participate in upcoming Arab summit [FBIS 5/17]. PLO Chairman Arafat offers to name Palestinian government composed of residents of O.T. [WP 5/18]. Egypt rejects Israel's plan for elections in O.T., reiterates call for international conference [FBIS 5/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jenin Palestinian is shot, killed [FBIS 5/17]. Troops shoot, wound at least 5 Palestinians in Gaza [FBIS 5/18]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: All of Ansar 3 joins hunger strike begun 2/26 to protest conditions at desert facility [FBIS 3/3]. Likud emerges from municipal elections as big winner [WP 3/2].

Arab World: King Hasan II of Morocco meets with Arafat [FBIS 3/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza troops kill 24-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 3/2]. In Nablus soldiers shoot, wound 3 Palestinians [FBIS 3/1].

Arab World: Israeli forces shell post of Palestine Liberation Front in S. Lebanon killing 1, wounding 3 [MET 3/14]. Lebanese Army announces it is sending forces to southern Lebanon "to help in confronting the continuing Israeli aggression against Lebanese territory" [FBIS 3/1]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. Vice Pres. Bush arrives in Jerusalem to meet P.M. Peres as start of M. E. tour [WP 7/26].

Arab World: King Hassan II quits post as Arab League conference chairman over criticism for Peres meeting [NYT 7/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police Inspector General David Kraus appointed to head investigation into Shin Bet scandal [JP 7/24].

Arab World: P.M. Peres and King Hassan II end talks [NYT 7/24]. King calls meeting "a failure" [WP 7/24], Peres calls it a success [NYT 7/25]. PLO calls for extraordinary Arab League meeting to discuss Israeli-Moroccan talks [NYT 7/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: King Hassan II of Morocco and P.M. Peres meet for several hours at the king's summer palace at Ifrane, but officially Morocco has still not acknowledged the Israeli leader's presence [NYT, WP 7/23]. Syria severs diplomatic ties with Morocco to protest Peres' visit [NYT 7/23]. Egyptian Pres. Mubarak states his complete support for the meeting [WP 7/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Justice Minister Yitzhak Mod'ai (Likud) resigns, sharp critic of Peres' handling of Shin Bet scandal, averting crisis in coalition govemment [NYT, WP 7/22]. Controversial Lavi jet fighter unveiled at Ben-Gurion Airport [VS 7/21]. Shin Bet Deputy Chief Reuven Hazak resigns [DT 7/21].

Arab World: Israeli P.M. Peres travels secretly to Morocco to meet with King Hassan II [NYT 7/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hundreds of policemen and border police are sent to Afula to prevent another outbreak of violence. UP 7/28].

Arab World: King Hasan II of Morocco announces first Arab summit meeting in three years will be held in Casablanca 8/7. Meeting will cover ways of "remedying the Arab situation" and the Palestinian question, "in all its aspects" [NYT 7/28, MG 7/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Two katyusha rockets apparently fired from security zone land in the Galilee panhandle; there are no injuries [JP 7/28].

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Denied building permits since 1948, refugees of Kadita village living in Anbara camp granted 35 dunums by Israeli Lands Administra- tion. In response to latest clashes with Arab residents in Upper Nazareth, Arab-Jewish committee formed in Jerusalem to combat increasing racism against Arabs. Law in the Service of Man (Ramallah) publishes reply to misinformation in US State Dep't. report on Israel's human rights record.

Arab World: US Sec. of State Shultz defends "strategic coorperation" with Israel during talks with HM Hassan II in Rabat. About 2,000 Lebanese and Palestinian former Ansar prisoners rearrested and interrogated by Israeli forces. Israeli military court in Nablus sentences 14 youths from Qabatyah to 2 to 3-year prison terms for stone-throwing.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Dhib Mahmoud Daba'ak killed instantly by Israeli patrol while ploughing field near Tayasir, NW of Nablus; body airlifted to Jaffa for autopsy and Israel Army spokesman announces man killed by stray bullet while riding horse into firing range. Israeli forces set up checkpoints at entrances to al-Najah National University, harassing students and faculty. Booby-trapped IDF grenade explodes on doorstep of Palestinian home in Husan village; 2 other bombs discovered in search of village.

Military Action:

6 separate attacks against IDF include tank damaged by mine near Kafr Shima, explosion on road south of Damour near IDF patrol, APC hit by explosion at Kabar Shamoun, small arms fire at IDF trucks in Beirut, bomb near troop buses, small arms fire at IDF patrols near Zaharani river.

Casualties:

IDF reports 1 soldier killed, 3 injured in attacks, Lebanese National Resistance Front says 20 IDF killed or wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel makes no official response to Hussein's decision regarding negotiations, reportedly considers Reagan plan dead; new WZO settlement department plan calls for 57 new settlements in next 4 years, bringing total to 165, with Jewish population of West Bank 100,000 by 1986 and Jewish-Arab population parity at 1.3 million in 30 years; spokesman for Israeli Embassy in US says West Bank land is being sold in the US not by government but by private group associated with Kedumim settlement; 10,000 dunums from Surif village near Hebron declared state land under military order 59; High Court legalizes 1976 imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) in occupied territories; Cabinet nominates Meir Rosenne, ambassador to France, to replace Arens as ambassador to US.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO officials deny Jordanian statement that Hussein and Arafat had reached agreement on a course of political action; Issam Sartawi assassinated at Socialist International congress in Portugal, Abu Nidal group claims responsibility.

Arab Governments: Jordan says Hussein and Arafat had reached agreement in principle and detail, PLO now proposes different course, so Jordan will not enter peace talks on basis of Reagan plan, will not act separately or in lieu of any party, and will leave it to PLO and Palestinian people to choose the ways and means for the salvation of themselves and their land.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says radical elements in PLO introduced changes in peace proposals that are an impediment, and are unacceptable to King Fahd, King Hussein and to US; Reagan telephones Kings Fahd, Hussein, and Hassan II of Morocco.