The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Qalqilya; during the raids in Ramallah and Bethlehem, 3 Palestinians were injured. Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers east of Tubas from plowing their land. In East Jerusalem, 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles off the coast of Jabaliya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/18; PCHR 12/19)

A 21-year-old Palestinian shepherd who lost 4 fingers due to an undetonated grenade in a West Bank military firing zone in 2012 was awarded, by the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, $87,000 for his injuries as the court ruled that the Israeli defense ministry had neglected to clear the area. (HA 12/18)

U.S. president Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. house of representatives. 2 articles of impeachment passed. Article 1: Abuse of Power passed 230-197 and Article 2: Obstruction of Congress passed 229-198. (FOX, NYT, REU, WP 12/18; AP, CNN 12/19)

The World Bank announced that it will provide a $9 million grant to improve early childhood development among Palestinian children. (World Bank 12/18; WAFA 12/20)

Israeli FMin. Dir. Gen. Uri Savir says that, following recent secret talks, PA has accepted a phased IDF withdrawal fr. West Bank, may also accept partial withdrawal. 1st phase would occur on eve of elections, additional stages after elections. (ITV 3/24 in FBIS 3/27; IDF Radio 4/13 in FBIS 4/13)

Israeli, Syrian ambs. hold 1st mtg. in Washington since 12/94, prepare for negotiations to resume 3/27. (WT 3/27)

VP Gore meets with Arafat in Jericho, announces PA will be allowed to export goods to the U.S. tariff-free, says $73 m. of pledged U.S. aid will be disbursed to build and renovate housing, pave roads, repair sewer system in Gaza. Arafat pledges to prosecute those who attack Israelis to derail the peace process. Both sign economic agmt. on U.S. participation in building health, educational, industrial projects. U.S., Palestinian businessmen meet. (MM 3/23, 3/24; VOP 3/24 in FBIS 3/27; NYT, WP, WT 3/25; WJW 3/30; MEI 3/31; JP 4/1) (see 2/16)

 Arafat attends Friday prayers at Jericho mosque. When prayer leader Shaykh `Abd al-Salaam Abu Shaykhidim denounces making peace with Jews, Arafat dispatches 2d shaykh to the pulpit, ending Abu Shaykhidim's sermon. (NYT, WP 3/25) (see 3/3)

PA Agriculture Min. bans entry of Israeli produce into Gaza, citing Israel's banning entry into Israel of Palestinian produce trucks. (VOP 3/24 in FBIS 3/28) (see 2/26)

Poll released by Dahaf pollsters shows 73% of Israelis think current negotiations will result in a Palestinian state as long as the PA "overcomes terror"; 23% think no state will result. (WT 3/25)

U.S. Secy. of State Christopher cancels plans to visit Middle East this wk. due to Haiti invasion, should arrive after 9/20. (MM 9/12)

U.S. VP Gore announces U.S. will loan Palestinian private sector $87 m. for 9 projects planned to create 1,800 temporary and permanent jobs in Gaza, West Bank. (MM 9/13; JP 9/24)

At Labor Party caucus, PM Rabin says if Knesset passes law requiring special majority for withdrawal fr. Golan, it will torpedo talks with Syria, divert money fr. welfare to defense; calls proposal "racist move, aimed at minimizing . . . the Arab vote." Most Labor hawks defer to Rabin. Likud Party chmn. Moshe Qatzav says Likud will not honor withdrawal agmt. if national referendum is not held. (ITV 9/11 in FBIS 9/13; MM 9/12; QY 9/12 in FBIS 9/13; JP 9/17; MM 9/21; JP 9/24) (see 9/7)

Israeli-Palestinian Security Comm. meets to discuss release of Palestinian detainees, safe passage, joint patrols. No agmts. reached. (QY, VOP 9/12 in FBIS 9/13)

Israeli Finance M Avraham Shohat meets Arafat in Gaza, gives PNA $5 m. in VAT taxes on goods imported to the self-rule areas via Israeli ports, says Israel will speed up transfer of tax funds as goodwill gesture. (IDF Radio, QY, VOP 9/12 in FBIS 9/13; MM 9/13; JP 9/24)

Jordanian-Israeli talks on borders, water, security, energy, environment, tourism, economy continue in Tiberias. Jordan-Israel-U.S. trilateral comm. continues talks on development of Jordan Rift. (RJ 9/11 in FBIS 9/12; MM 9/12)

Israel PM Rabin, Pres. Clinton hold joint teleconference with American Jews at 70 sites around U.S.; discuss peace process, threat from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Iran. (MM, WP, WT 9/13; QY 9/13 in FBIS 9/13)

2d IDF officer arrested in connection with illegal extremist right-wing organization. Lt. Qobi Pino, settler fr. Qiryat Arba, is 10th arrested for anti-Arab activity. (IDF Radio 9/12 in FBIS 9/14)

Saddam reportedly visits Kuwait for 1st time since invasion [LAT, NYT, WT 10/4].

Pres. Mitterrand leaves for 36-hour visit to Gulf to review French troops, meet UAE leaders and King Fahd [ATS 10/3 in FBIS 10/4; MEM 10/3; NYT 10/4].

Soviet envoy Primakov arrives in Amman to meet King Hussein and Chrmn. Arafat [MEM 10/3; NYT 10/4, 10/5].

Foreign ministers or envoys of all Arab nations except Iraq meet at UN in informal session to discuss Gulf crisis; no progress is reported [LAT, NYT 10/4]; F.M.s of GCC nations meet UN Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar [WAKH 10/3 in FBIS 10/5].

Bush admin. says proposed $7.3 billion arms package to Saudi Arabia is vital to long-term strategy to deter attacks against Saudis after Gulf crisis [NYT 10/4].

Amnesty International issues report accusing Iraqi troops of carrying out torture and extrajudicial killings to crush resistance in Kuwait [MEM 10/3]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Arens decides, for "security reasons," not to ban Arab-Jewish "Progressive Slate for Peace" election slate. Military censor bans article by Neturei Karta's Rabbi Hirsch from publication in al-Fajr. Families of commandos killed (4/12/84) by IDF demand permission to rebuild houses demolished 4/14/84.

Other Countries: US Defense Dep't. notifies Congress of Hughes Aircraft sale of 7 Firefinder mortar-locating radar systems to Israel for $87 million.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF patrols attacked by rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) near Mishki and al-Muhdadi villages, S. Lebanon; grenade attack on IDF patrol in Nabatiya.