Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. A Jewish settler is killed in a drive-by shooting nr. Bethlehem; the IDF reseals the city. Some 600 mbrs. of the Union of Palestinian Women's Comms. hold a nonviolent march nr. the al-Ram checkpoint, where the IDF fires tear gas and percussion grenades, beating some with their rifles, injuring 15, including Hanan Ashrawi. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Brazil, Khan Yunis, Rafah (hitting an elementary school, injuring 8 children); bulldozes 50 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Bayt Hanun, destroying a PSF post. Nr. Jerusalem, IDF soldiers stop, arrest, beat 2 ambulance drivers returning from a call; the pair are freed after the International Comm. of the Red Cross intervenes. (MM, Palestinian Red Crescent Society press release, REU 3/19; HP, MM, WT 3/20; WJW 3/22; MEI 3/23; LAW 3/24; JP 4/6)
At Manara kibbutz on the Israeli-Lebanese border, residents find the kibbutz's security head murdered, the kibbutz's arsenal ransacked, 60 rifles and handguns stolen. The border fence with Lebanon is intact, so Israel suspects Palestinians or Israeli Arabs. (MM 4/20; WJW 3/22; MA 3/24 in WNC 3/26)
Sharon arrives in Washington for his 1st mtg. with U.S. officials since his inauguration; also addresses the annual American Israel Public Affairs Comm. conference. (MM 3/19; WT 3/20; WJW 3/22; MM 3/23; JP 3/30; NYT 4/19; MEI, WP, WT 4/20; NYT 4/22; MM 4/24; WJW 4/26)