May 30, 2001

Islamic Jihad detonates a car bomb in Netanya, Israel, lightly injuring 8 Israelis. Another bomb is found, disarmed on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. Sharon phones Powell to warn that Israel will have to take action if the current "intolerable" situation does not change. Powell urges both Sharon, and Arafat (whom he phones) to deescalate the situation. (NYT, WP 5/31; SA 5/31 in WNC 6/1; WT 6/1)

The U.S. initially cancels a 2d round of Israeli-PA security talks on the Mitchell Comm. because of the refusal of PSF Gaza head Muhammad Dahlan, PSF West Bank head Rajub to attend. The U.S. ends up convening the session later this evening at Erez, but talks are unproductive. (AP 5/30; WP 5/31; MA, SA 5/31 in WNC 6/1; QA 6/3 in WNC 6/6)