Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Group of Sephardi Jews announce founding of Committee for Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue, to counter generalization that Sephardim "hate the Arabs" [JP 1/27].
Arab World: Yasir Arafat, 9 other PLO officials meet for talks with King Hussein in Amman (first time in 3 months) [NYT 1/27]. Senior PLO official states PLO would only accept UN resolutions 242, 338 in return for "ironclad" guarantees from U.S. of PLO participation in M.E. peace conference and U.S. recognition of Palestinians' right to self-determination [NYT, WP, JP 1/27]. Pres. Husni Mubarak meets in Cairo with Israeli Cabinet member Ezer Weizman [CSM, JTA 1/29].
Military Action
Occupied PalestinelIsrael: Bomb explodes in Jerusalem restaurant, causing structural damage; 20 Palestinians are detained [JTA 1/27].