The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement demonstrations in Kufr Qaddum and Qalqilya; no injuries were reported. In Halhul north of Hebron, clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents during a raid; 3 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets. At the Allenby Bridge, 1 Palestinian returning from Jordan was arrested. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian during a daytime raid in Bayt Fajjar. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and Palestinian-owned property around Hebron. East of Yatta, settlers sprayed racist graffiti and set fire to hay bales. Settlers also threw stones and glass bottles at Palestinian-owned vehicles on a road east of Hebron. They also threw stones at 2 Palestinian-owned homes in Tuqu‘ and Nahalin near Bethlehem; in the incident in Tuqu‘, 1 vehicle also sustained damage. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition east of Khan Yunis by the Gaza fence. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/22)

In protest over the possibility that Israeli police would allow Israeli Jews to commemorate Tisha B’Av on the Haram al-Sharif compound on the same day as Eid al-Adha, the Islamic Waqf called on Muslims to attend a mass service on the compound on 8/11—the day of Eid al-Adha—and announced that all mosques in the Old City would be closed except Al-Aqsa Mosque. (HA, WAFA 8/9)

A demonstration after Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem devolves into clashes with Israeli police, who use stun grenades against stonethrowing protesters.

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, 1 village nr. Hebron (firing stun grenades), and 3 villages nr. Jenin at night; conducts house searches and issues summonses in 2 villages nr. Salfit at night. The IDF also attacks a weekly nonviolent protest against settlements and the separation wall in Kufr Qaddum village nr. Qalqilya, causing no serious injuries. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians harvesting olives in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and destroy olive trees and vineyards in 1 village nr. Bethlehem. (IMEMC, MNA, NYT 10/5; PCHR 10/11)

Israeli PM Rabin, FM Peres meet Jordan's King Hussein in Amman to "show that terror attacks will not stop peace from coming." Progress noted on land, water issues. (MM 10/12; NYT 10/13; QY, RJ 10/13 in FBIS 10/13)

Jordan, Israel conclude mtg. in Eilat, agree to link electricity grids btwn. the 2 countries, make no progress on border demarcation. (QY 10/13 in FBIS 10/13; RJ 10/13 in FBIS 10/14)

Palestinian police raid homes across Gaza in search of kidnapped IDF soldier, arrest 200-300 Hamas mbrs. plus 4 journalists who obtained videotape of the soldier. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/14; AFP, QY 10/13 in FBIS 10/14)

SLA permits villagers evicted fr. Kufr Hunah to return. (RL 10/12 in FBIS 10/13)

Israel suspends all negotiations with PLO after Hamas announces it is holding an IDF soldier hostage. Hamas says it will kill the soldier 10/14 if 200 Palestinian prisoners--inc. Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, Shaykh Salah Shehadeh, Shaykh `Abd al-Karim Obeid, Mustafa al-Dirani--are not released. PM Rabin calls emergency cabinet mtg., suspends transfer of aid fr. donor countries, seals Gaza, says he holds Arafat responsible. Arafat condemns abduction, calls mtg. of PSF. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/12; AFP, ITV, JP, Al-Quds radio 10/11, MENA, VOP , QY 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; CSM 10/13; HA 10/14 in FBIS 10/14)

Jordanian, Palestinian officials conclude talks in Amman, announce broad agmts. on trade, customs, banking, civil aviation; agree to draw up position papers on Awqaf, refugees. (JT 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; JTV 10/12 in FBIS 10/13)

U.S. FM Christopher meets with Syrian Pres. al-Asad, says both Syria, Israel have made significant movements towards peace, says he has been pleased al-Asad has taken U.S. advice and made public gestures showing he is serious. (SARR 10/11 in FBIS 10/11; WP 10/12)

FM Christopher leaves Syria for Amman, meets with King Hussein, Crown Prince Hassan to discuss U.S.-Jordanian relations, peace talks, Iraqi maneuvers. (JTV 10/11 in FBIS 10/12, MM 10/12)

PM Rabin confirms that rifles used in Hamas attack 10/10 were AK47's belonging to the Palestinian police. (NYT 10/12)

The Nobel committee decides to award the Nobel Peace Prize to PLO chmn. Arafat, Israeli PM Rabin. (MM 10/11; NYT, WT 10/12; CSM, WJW 10/13; MM 10/14)

U.S. Commerce Sec. Ron Brown holds mtg. with mbrs. of Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) delegation of Palestinian businessmen on 5-day visit to seek American funding for projects in West Bank, Gaza. (WT 10/12; JP 10/15)

Iraqi retreat is detected by U.S. intelligence. Pres. Clinton says it is too early to reach conclusions on Saddam Hussein's action, U.S. will continue reinforcement of the Gulf, may press for enlarging demilitarized zone along Kuwaiti border. (NYT, WP, WT 10/12)

IDF, SLA continue shelling southern Lebanon, "deport" 26 Kufr Hunah villagers fr. self-declared security zone. Lebanese FM Buwayz asks UN to act. (RL 10/11 in FBIS 10/12; MM 10/12)

Arafat, Rabin end 2 days of mtgs. in Paris, both sides agreeing to continue talks on expanding Palestinian self-rule.  Talks to resume 7/11 in Cairo.  2 sides plus Jordan and Egypt to organize conference on 1967 refugees.  Arafat pledges to convene PNC in Gaza "in the very near future" to repeal PLO charter provisions calling for Israel's elimination.  (MM 7/7; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/8)

17-yr.-old Israeli girl killed, father wounded by Palestinian gunmen in drive-by shooting nr. Hebron; IDF soldier found shot, stabbed to death in Kufr Aqab, West Bank, north of Jerusalem, in separate incident.  (MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/8; JP 7/16)

Second phase, face-to-face bilateral talks between Israeli, joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation begin in Madrid. Israeli negotiating team is headed by Elyakim Rubinstein, while Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi and Abd al-Salam al-Majali colead the Palestinian-Jordanian delegation. Negotiators agree to discuss proposal for Palestinian autonomy in occupied territories. Syrian delegation headed by Muwaffaq al-Allaf agrees to participate in direct talks at last moment, but no progress is made. Israeli team negotiating with Syria is headed by Yossi Ben Aharon. Bilateral Israeli-Lebanese talks also commence. (NYT, MEM 11/4; NYT 11/5)

Curfew imposed on Gaza on eve of peace conference islifted. (Qol Yisra'el 11/3, in FBIS 11/4)

Lebanon sends 500 troops to Kufr Rumman, Nabatiyya, S.Lebanon to face Israeli troops who have been shelling the towns. (NYT 11/5)

Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, two other members of the Palestinian steering committee, fly to Morocco for consultations with Chmn. Arafat. (NYT 11/3)

Pro-peace marches continue in o.t., including one involving thousands of marchers in Jenin. Curfew imposed 10/27 on Nablus lifted, but is imposed on 400,000 Gaza residents. (MEM 11/4)

Thousands flee Kufr Rumman, S. Lebanon, after Israeli troops order them to evacuate the area, which has come under recent heavy Israeli artillery fire. South Lebanon Army radio broadcast also orders 100,000 residents of some 100 villages near the Israeli "security zone" to flee. Israel denies it officially ordered the evacuation, claims order came from a local Israeli commander or from SLA acting on its own authority. As Israel continues its bombardment of the area, Lebanese pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi calls Lebanon's defense council into emergency session, and Shi'ite Amal militia announces a general mobilization, vowing to stand with Lebanese army troops in repelling any Israel attacks. (NYT, WP 11/3)

Israeli cabinet approves PM Shamir's recommendation to attend peace conference by vote of 16 in favor to 3 opposed. Tehiya party announces it will leave the government on 10/30. Tehiya Chmn. Yuval Ne'eman decides to support the Likud-led coalition, however, and resigns as party chair [party later reversed its decision]. (MEM 10/21, 10/31)

Chmn. Arafat arrives in Jordan for talks with King Hussein, who along with Arafat co-chairs a joint Palestinian-Jordanian committee overseeing participation of the joint delegation at peace conference. The two agree to give PLO a major but behind-the-scenes role in conference process. (MEM 10/21, 10/23)

U.S., Jordan sign $22 million military assistance pact. In March 1991, U.S. Congress had blocked a request from Bush administration for $55 million in military aid to Jordan to punish Jordan for its stance in the Gulf war. Bush allowed resumption of economic aid to Jordan in July. (NYT 10/31)

Roadside bomb near Kufr Rummana, in the Israeli "security zone" in S. Lebanon, kills three Israeli soldiers, wounds two others. (MEM 10/21)

At economic summit in Britain, Group of Seven leaders (U.S., Canada, France, Italy, Britain, Japan, and Germany) endorse U.S.-led peace efforts, call for end to both Arab boycott of Israel and Israeli settlement-building. Prime Min. Shamir reacts to linkage of two issues with "disgust." (LAT 7/17; WP 7/20)

Fateh central committee mbr. Khalid al-Hasan criticizes PLO leadership for supporting Iraq in recent Gulf war, urges formation of provisional government comprised of Palestinian independents. He urged restoration of Palestinian-Arab relations. (MEM 7/17)

Hizballah fighters ambush Israeli troops in Kufr Huna, north of Israel's "security zone" in S. Lebanon. Three Israelis killed, including two officers; four others were wounded. One Hizballah fighter died. Clash was most lethal for Israeli troopsince Nov. 1990. Israel has recently begun dispatching patrols north of the "security zone" to engage anti-Israeli forces before their arrival in zone. (WP, MEM 7/18)

Lebanese Def. Min. Michel al-Murr accuses PLO of hiding medium and heavy weapons in refugee camps near Tyre, vows continued blockade of camps until weapons are surrendered. PLO denies it holds such weapons. Issue centers on definition of "medium" weapon: Lebanese army considers rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) as medium weapons; PLO does not. Lebanese army now has some 10,000 troops deployed in S. Lebanon. (MEM 7/16, 7/18)

PLO committee meeting in Tunis agrees to convene Palestine National Council (PNC) within three months, urges PLO executive committee to seek rapprochement with Hamas, Palestinian National Salvation Front groups, which boycotted the meeting after PLO invited only those PNSF groups which had membership in the Palestine National Council before 1983 to participate. PNSF, Islamic Jihad, Fateh-Revolutionary Council (Abu Nidal) later call on committee to "reconsider" call for convening PNC in order to preserve "unity of Palestinian ranks." Committee also urged greaterepresentation from occupied territories within PNC. PNC currently has 637 seats, including 186 allocated to representatives from the occupied territories. PNC meeting would be first since August 1988, when it declared existence of independent Palestinian state, accepted U.N. Security Council resolution 242. (MEM 7/18, 7/26)

Egyptian-Syrian commission agrees to formulate joint foreign policies between the countries. (LAT 7/18)

Meeting of 6 March Damascus Declaration signatoriesnds. The eight states indicate "total agreement" about amendments to declaration but refuse to state what they are. Observers see move as signalling the effective end of the Syrian-Egyptian-led Gulf security plan. (MEM 7/17)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: After 10 days Israeli authorities lift curfew on the village of Burqa; villagers are forbidden to harvest olive crop [FJ 10/23].

Arab World: Christian Science Monitor reports that Israel's Labor party asked PLO through the Soviets to calm the uprising in order to help with the election [CSM 10/ 17].

Other Countries: Leaders of the American Jewish Congress, the American Jewish Committee, and the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith declare that the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee is out of step with the feelings of the American Jewish community; the three groups have agreed to form a joint political committee to work on behalf of Israel [NYT 10/17]. UNRWA releases its annual report at UN headquarters. In 1987 it spent $207 million to help 2.3 million Palestinian refugees. UNRWA reports that 47 workers are being detained by Israeli authorities [NYT 10/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations erupt throughout the Gaza Strip: in Rafah 5 Palestinians are shot, injured; in Khan Yunis troops injure 4 people with plastic bullets; in Beach camp 3 Palestinians are injured by Israeli troops. In Salfit 4 Palestinians are wounded by soldiers. In Nablus troops wound 4 Palestinians. In Kufr Thulth troops arrest 15 Palestinians [FJ 10/ 23]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Qabatiyyah near Nablus, Palestinians lynch collaborator who shot and killed Palestinian child, wounded 13 while trying to disperse anti-Israel protest; collaborator's house is burned down after family is allowed to escape [WP, LAT 2/25]. Shops, businesses, and transportation close in near complete observance of general strike in occupied territories [WP, LAT 2/25]. Aide to F.M. Peres says Israel was offered oil at reduced price in exchange for promise not to interfere with proposed Iraqi pipeline project [NYT 2/25]. In Nablus-district village of Kufr al-Dik, demonstrators burn Israeli bus used to transport Palestinian workers [FJ 2/28]. Settler convicted of killing Palestinian child in 1982 is sentenced to 6 months community service [FBIS 2/24; FJ 2/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 5 are wounded by army gunfire during violent clash in Nusayrat camp. Village of 'Isawiyyah is sealed following protests [FJ 2/28]. Soldiers raid Shu'fat camp, beating residents and arresting 36 [FJ 2/28]. Clashes are also reported in Jenin, Bethlehem, jabalya camp, Beach camp, Maghazi, Khan Yunis, and Rafah [FJ 2/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 10,000 demonstrators from inside the green line gather in Nazareth to protest force used by Israeli troops in last week's violence. The demonstration, organized by the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, is the largest protest inside the green line since 1982 [FJ 12/19]. Twenty prominent Palestinians issue statement condemning stabbing of an elderly Israeli in Jerusalem on 12/12 [NYT 12/15]. Court orders Justice Minister Avraham Sharir to explain his decision not to extradite William Nakash, a French Jew convicted of murdering an Arab in France [NYT 12/16]. Authorities order confiscation of land in Kufr al-Libbad village. Residents plan to take their protest to Israeli High Court [FJ 12/19].

Military Action

Arab World: Fateh refuses Iran-mediated plan requiring PLO to withdraw from Maghdushah. Fighting between PLO and Amal continues; at least 6 killed in Beirut camps [WP, NYT 12/15].

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 9th annual Land Day commemorated throughout Palestine in demonstrations protesting Israeli land theft and discriminatory policies; military authorities impose curfews on Balata and Ain Beit Alma refugee camps near Nablus; Israeli troops open fire on demonstrators and bystanders in jenin and Qabatya villages and Balata and Dheisheh camps, 5 people wounded. Meanwhile, IDF bulldozes wheat crops, olive and almond groves of Kufr Qalil family in 2nd day of work on Elon Moreh access road as settlers look on. Fara'a prison detainee Walid A'ardeh testifies before Tel Aviv District Court to torture used to extract confession to unspecified charge. Interior Min. issues travel ban for Fr. Fawzi Khoury.

Arab World: Arab FMs meeting in Tunis warn US of unspecified retaliation if its embassy moved to Jerusalem; fail to agree on proposed reform of voting procedure and establishment of pan-Arab Court of Justice.

Other Countries: Chrmn. Arafat and Pres. Mubarak meet while attending Guinean Pres. Sekou Toure's funeral in Conakry. US formally ends participation in Lebanon MNF. Sweden's FM Schori criticizes Israeli policy in West Bank and Latin America during official 3-day visit to Tel Aviv. Lebanon's PM al-Wazzan tells US amb. Bartholomew that US shares responsibility for IDF repression in South because of its "unlimited military and political support for Israel."