Arafat arrives in Jericho fr. Gaza on Egyptian helicopter that overflies Israel. Palestine National Authority, including Arafat and 12 cabinet members, sworn in, holds 1st official mtg. Arafat pledges establishment of Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital. 1 PNA appointee, Labor Min.-designate Samir Ghawsha, not sworn in due to Israeli objections. Crowd estimated at 5-10,000. Israel denies barring Palestinians fr. Jericho. (MM 7/5; Israeli Govt. Press Office release 7/5 in FBIS 7/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/6; TJT 7/8)
Nazareth Mayor and Hadash MK Tawfiq Ziyad killed in car crash while returning fr. mtg. Arafat in Jericho. (MM 7/6; TJT, WP 7/8; JP 7/16)
Palestinian prisoner held by PLO police in Gaza Central Prison on suspicion of collaboration with Israel dies in custody after being beaten. (NYT 7/10; CSM 7/11)
Israel and Morocco establish official direct telephone link. (Qol Yisra'el 7/5 in FBIS 7/6)