Netanyahu phones Arafat to ease tensions over settlement issue. Arafat and Netanyahu atty. Yitzhak Molho meet in the first high-level PA-Israeli contact in weeks. (ITV 12/15 in WNC 12/16; MM, WP 12/16; WP 12/17; MEI 12/20) (see 12/14)
PM Netanyahu says that his security services, specifically Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon, urged the opening of the archeological tunnel 9/24. Ayalon denies this. (ITV 12/15 in WNC 12/16; ITV 12/16, YA 12/17 in WNC 12/18; MM 12/17; HA, MA 12/18 in WNC 12/19)
PA security forces have detained 30 PFLP mbrs. since the 12/11 murder of 2 settlers. (MEI 12/20) (see 12/12)
PA military court sentences 2 Hamas mbrs. to death for killing 2 PA policemen a yr. ago. A 3d mbr. receives a life sentence for abetting the others. Since its establishment in 5/94, the PA has issued 12 death sentences of which 2 have been commuted, none carried out. (WT 12/16; PR 12/20)