Israel releases another 7 Palestinian prisoners, all fr. East Jerusalem, to mark Ramadan. (CSM, NYT, WP 12/31; WJW 1/6; JP 1/7) (see 12/29)
An Israeli journalist reports that Pres. Ezer Weizman did not report receiving $453,000 fr. French executive Edouard Saroussi fr. 1988 to 1993, when he was an MK and cabinet minister. Weizman says money was a personal gift fr. a friend who has no connections to Israel, therefore he did not have to report it. (NYT 1/4; MM 1/5; JP 1/7; WP 1/10; MEI, MM 1/14; WT 1/16; WJW 1/20; JP 1/21)
In s. Lebanon, a car bomb is detonated nr. an IDF convoy, killing the unidentified bomber, injuring 1 IDF soldier and 12 Lebanese civilians (including 7 children). Hizballah claims responsibility. (NYT, WP, WT 12/31; RL 12/31 in WNC 1/2)