Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians, 1 Jewish settler dead. Jewish settlers stone Palestinian cars nr. Keddumim settlement, fire on Palestinians in Bazari (injuring 2). The IDF shells residential areas of al-Bireh and Ramallah, damaging offices of the PA Central Bureau of Statistics, the Local Government Min., WAFA news agency; bulldozes Palestinian land in Bayt Hanun. Sharon announces that he has given the IDF "freedom beyond imagining" to act against Palestinians, saying, "There are things we will tell the public about. There are things we will deny, and there are things that will remain hidden forever." (MM 5/1; NYT, WP 5/2; MA 5/2 in WNC 5/3; LAW, WT 5/4)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. In a predawn strike, IDF bulldozers move into Brazil camp in PA-controlled Rafah under cover of tank, machine gun fire to demolish 20 Palestinian homes, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding at least 14, leaving 150 homeless. Israel claims the aim of the 4-hr. assault was to halt sniper fire fr. the area. (AP, BBC, NYT, REU 5/2; BDL, NYT, WP, WT 5/3; al-Quds 5/3 in WNC 5/4; LAW, MM 5/4; MEI 5/18)

At a mtg. of his inner cabinet held in the Jewish settlement of Ofra, Sharon says that he cannot foresee Israel ever ceding sovereignty over the Jordan Valley "from the Jordanian border in the east to the mountain ridges of Judea and Samaria and the Allon Road in the west." (JP [Internet] 5/3; WJW 5/10)

In Washington, Israeli FM Peres discusses with Secy. of State Powell Israel's position on the Jordanian-Egyptian initiative, urges the U.S. to help arrange a cease-fire. Powell, echoing Israel's positions, says the U.S. it supports the Arab proposal as the "beginning of a dialogue. But, of course, that dialogue cannot get underway until violence is brought down" significantly; he does not mention the Israeli attack on Brazil hrs. earlier. The State Dept., however, denounces the Brazil attack as "undermin[ing] the efforts to defuse the situation." (MENA 5/2 in WNC 5/3; WP, WT 5/3; MM 5/4) (see Peace Monitor)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. Jewish settlers attack, beat up several Palestinian farmers nr. Aqraba; fire on Palestinians nr. Hawara, causing no injuries; throw stones at Palestinian cars nr. Shavei Shomron settlement. The IDF shells residential areas in Bayt Hanun. (HJ 5/4; PCHR 5/10; LAW 5/11)

The U.S. is voted off the UNCHR for the 1st time since the comm. was established in 1947. (NYT, WP 5/4; NYT, WT 5/5; MM 5/8; WJW 5/10; JT 5/13 in WNC 5/14; MM 5/14; MEI 5/18) (see Peace Monitor)

In Washington, Bush, Peres discuss the Jordanian-Egyptian initiative. This evening, the 2 leaders address the American Jewish Comm., where Bush says the U.S. and Israel "see eye to eye on how to handle the peace process," that the U.S. will be "steadfast in supporting Israel against terrorism." (AP, NYT 5/4)

Lebanon sends a letter to UN Secy.-Gen. Annan protesting his 5/2 proposal to the UNSC to reduce the size of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) contingent when the UNIFIL mandate comes up for renewal in 7/01, arguing that the troops are necessary while tensions in the region remain high. (RL 5/3 in WNC 5/4; MEI 5/4; WT 5/10; MEI 5/18) (see Peace Monitor)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. The IDF fires 4 tank shells at a PSF post nr. Bayt Hanun in response; also shells residential areas of al-Bireh, Gaza City, Jinin. Jewish settlers fr. Tapuah settlement fire on Palestinians, destroy property in Yasuf; Israeli border police capture, arrest 4 of the settlers. (WT 5/5; MA 5/7 in WNC 5/8; PCHR 5/10; LAW 5/11)

The Mitchell Comm. gives Israel, the PA copies of its preliminary report on the causes of the 7-mos. of clashes. The report targets 3 goals--halting violence, rebuilding confidence, resuming negotiations--though it says the "timing and sequence" of steps must be decided by the parties themselves. (MM 5/4; WT 5/5; HA, NYT, WT 5/6; al-Quds 5/6 in WNC 5/7; HA, NYT, WT 5/7; AYM 5/7, JT 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM, WT 5/8; WJW 5/11; AN 5/14 in WNC 5/15; MEI 5/18) (see Peace Monitor; Docs. A2, B4, C3, D7)

As Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, the IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad mbr. Ahmad As`ad. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The IDF shells 10 mobile trailers used by the GIS in Jericho, injuring 9 GIS mbrs.; shells residential areas in Bayt Hanun, nr. Jericho; begins bulldozing wide tracks of land nr. Yabad for a new settler bypass road. (LAW 5/5; WT 5/6; PCHR 5/10; LAW 5/11; HA 5/16)

Pope John Paul II arrives in Damascus on a 4 day trip to Syria, is greeted by Pres. Asad. (NYT, WT 5/6; AFP 5/7 in WNC 5/8; MM, WP, WT 5/8; MM 5/9; WJW 5/10; MEI 5/18) (see Peace Monitor)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. In what the IDF says is an effort to silence shooting at its positions, Israeli paratroopers, border police in armored personnel carriers and under cover of IDF tank and machine gun fire enter PA-controlled Bayt Jala and al-Khadir, where they fire on Palestinian homes for several hrs., killing 1 Palestinian, injuring 23. The IDF also briefly enters and shells residential areas of Tulkarm, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 9; bulldozes 17 dunams of Palestinian land in Bayt Hanun. Israeli DM Ben-Eliezer says he has given IDF field cmdrs. greater freedom to launch ground attacks into areas under PA control to suppress Palestinian gunfire. (LAW, NYT 5/7; al-Quds 5/7 in WNC 5/8; WP, WT 5/8; PCHR 5/10; LAW 5/11)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. The IDF opens fire on Khan Yunis, killing a 4-mo.-old Palestinian girl inside her home, wounding at least 23 Palestinians, including 10 children. Sharon apologizes for the incident in which the IDF was responding to 4 mortars fired toward Neve Dekalim settlement that caused no damage. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at a car clearing a PA checkpoint nr. Hebron, killing 1 PSF officer, wounding 2. The Israeli navy captures a boat nr. the Israel-Lebanon border carrying a load of weapons, ammunition. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine+nGeneral Command (PFLP-GC) acknowledges the boat is theirs; the PA denies any connection to the shipment. In the West Bank, the IDF enters 2 towns in area A in pursuit of Palestinians said to have fired on Israeli forces. The U.S. criticizes recent incursions into area A as a "serious escalation." The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Jinin; bulldozes 230 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Khan Yunis, 71 dunams in Gaza City. (AP, LAW 5/7; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/8; al-Quds 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM 5/9; SA 5/9 in WNC 5/10; PCHR, WJW 5/10; DUS 5/10 in WNC 5/11; LAW 5/11; AYM 5/11 in WNC 5/14)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. IDF bulldozers push 150 yds. into PA-controlled territory nr. Netzarim settlement to demolish Palestinian agricultural land. The IDF also shells residential areas of Tulkarm. (NYT 5/8; WP, WT 5/9; al-Quds 5/9 in WNC 5/10; WJW 5/10; LAW 5/11; MA 5/11 in WNC 5/14)

Israel's Public Security Min. says it has drawn up a list of 11 offices operated by the PA in East Jerusalem, which it plans to close in the near future to "thwart any activity by the PA infringing on our sovereignty in Jerusalem." (MA 5/8 in WNC 5/9; WJW 5/10; AYM 5/10 in WNC 5/11)

Dismissing Mitchell Comm.'s conclusion that settlements are a barrier to peace, Sharon vows to continue expanding Jewish settlements; says settlements are not illegal because they are built "not on occupied territory, but disputed territory." The State Dept. says Sharon's plans (announced 5/6) to seek an additional $350 m./yr. for settlement construction "risks further inflaming the already volatile situation . . . and is provocative." (NYT, WP 5/9; WP 5/10; MEI 5/18)

The IDF detains 15 Palestinians for questioning after Bethlehem killings. YESHA settlers council says the proper response is to accelerate settlement construction, declare Arafat an enemy of the state, bring down the PA. The IDF makes 4 incursions into PA-controlled territory: sending bulldozers covered by tanks into Rafah to demolish a Palestinian home, shell a PSF post; bulldozing Palestinian land nr. Gaza City; twice entering Bayt Hanun to bulldoze land, a PSF post. (AP, MM 5/9; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/10; LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/11; WJW 5/17; MEI 5/18)

For the 1st time in 3 yrs., the Israeli government demolishes 2 bedouin homes in the Negev. (Mossawa Center press release 5/17) (see 4/26)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. A critically ill Palestinian dies when the IDF bars his transportation through a checkpoint to a hospital; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. In retaliation for the death of 2 Rumanian workers on 5/9, the IDF shells Gaza City, targeting and severely damaging Fatah and PSF offices, the PA Transportation Min., PSF central prison, injuring 5 PSF officers, 8 civilians. The IDF also shells residential areas of Rafah; bulldozes 2 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 200 dunams of agricultural land in al-Qarara; surrounds 15 Palestinian homes (occupied by 150 people) nr. Kefar Darom settlement with barbed wire, barring any entry or exit to the area for 7 hrs. In Hebron, Jewish settlers severely beat 3 Palestinians (ages 9, 27, 54). (AFP [Internet], LAW, MEZ, PCHR 5/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/11; Interfax, QA 5/11 in WNC 5/14; HP 5/12; PCHR 5/17; LAW, MEI 5/18; JP 5/25)

U.S. Secy. of State Powell praises the Mitchell Comm.'s preliminary report, says it could become the basis of a peace initiative. (HA, NYT, WP 5/11)

The House votes (252-165) to pass an amendment to the foreign operations budget that would withhold $244 m. in UN arrears slated for payment in 2002 unless the U.S. regains it seat on the UNCHR. (NYT, WP, WT 5/11; MM 5/14) (see 5/3)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. Overnight, Palestinian assailants throw hand grenades at an IDF post nr. Gaza's Dayr al-Balah refugee camp. In retaliation, the IDF sends tanks and bulldozers into the camp at dawn, firing 15 shells, demolishing 5 Palestinian homes and a PSF post; the 700 yd. incursion, the deepest into PA-controlled territory since IDF field cmdrs. were given (5/6) free rein to carry them out, leaves 27 Palestinians homeless. Later, the IDF fires machine guns toward journalists, Palestinians digging through the rubble in search of their possessions. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Bethlehem, Jabaliyya, Jericho, Khan Yunis; opens a new settler bypass road linking the Jewish settlements of Mevo Dotan, Homesh, Shaked. For the 2d day, Jewish settlers in Hebron attack, seriously injure 3 Palestinians (ages 6, 14, 16). (HP, PMC, WP 5/12; PCHR 5/17)

Overnight, Palestinian assailants throw hand grenades at an IDF post nr. Gaza's Dayr al-Balah refugee camp. A pipe bomb explodes in the Old City of Jerusalem, wounding 2 people.

In Amman, Jordanian security forces violently disperse 100s of Jordanians taking part in 2 Palestinian solidarity rallies sponsored by the Muslim Brotherhood to mark the 53d anniversary of the Nakba. (HP 5/12; al-Ra'i 5/12, JT 5/13 in WNC 5/14; QA 5/14 in WNC 5/15; MM 5/15; JT 5/16 in WNC 5/17; MEI 5/18) (see Peace Monitor)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 3 Palestinians dead. The IDF attempts to assassinate Fatah tanzim leader `Abd al-Karim Owais by firing 5 missiles fr. a helicopter at his car as he drives through Jinin, killing 1 passenger and 1 bystander, wounding 17 (mostly students returning home fr. school); Owais, 3 other passengers escape after the 1st rocket misses the car. Over 10,000 Palestinians attend the funeral of the 2 killed, call for more attacks on Israeli targets. Palestinians fire 6 mortars at 2 Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing no damage. In response, the IDF shells al-Maghazi refugee camp, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 10; sends tanks into and fires on Khan Yunis, damaging a cemetery that the IDF claims was the source of mortar fire. For the 3d day, Jewish settlers in Hebron attack, injure 4 Palestinians (ages 3, 6, 13, 37). Settlers also establish a new settlement outpost nr. Kochav Hasachar settlement. (HP 5/12; LAW, NYT, WP, WT 5/13; al-Quds 5/13 in WNC 5/15; PCHR 5/17; LAW, MEI 5/18)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. Late this evening, the IDF helicopter gunships, naval boats shells PSF posts across the Gaza Strip specifically targeting, destroying at least 8 PSF armored personnel carriers, not aiming at adjacent PSF buildings; 3 PSF officers are wounded. The IDF says the attacks were in response to the "unprecedented number of mortar attacks" (they report 17) on Jewish settlements in Gaza in the past wk. The IDF also sends tanks, bulldozers into Rafah to demolish 2 Palestinian homes; 2 other homes are damaged by shelling. (MA 5/13 in WNC 5/14; WP, WT 5/14; PCHR 5/17)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving a total of 7 Palestinians dead. Hrs. before dawn, without warning, the IDF opens fire with M-16s and heavy machine guns on a PSF post in Beitunia, killing 5 PSF officers. Later in the day, 10,000s of Palestinians attend a memorial for the 5 in Ramallah. The U.S. says Israel's actions mark a "very disturbing" escalation. When a Palestinian throws a grenade at an IDF checkpoint nr. Khan Yunis, IDF soldiers open fire on cars waiting to pass through, killing the assailant (who is reportedly wearing an explosive device), 1 bystander, wounding 5 bystanders. The IDF also demolishes a PSF building nr. Tulkarm. Palestinian gunmen fire on Gilo settlement, wounding 4 Jewish settlers. (LAW, MEZ, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/15; AN, MENA 5/15 in WNC 5/16; AYM 5/16 in WNC 5/18; PCHR, WP 5/17; LAW, MEI 5/18)

Hizballah fires 5 rockets fr. Lebanon into the Israeli-occupied Shaba` Farms. The IDF responds by firing mortars at Hizballah targets in s. Lebanon, overflying the area. Neither side reports damage. (RL 5/14 in WNC 5/15; NYT 5/15; MEI 5/18)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate due to the Nakba anniversary, leaving 5 Palestinians, 1 Israeli settler dead, some 250 Palestinians wounded. In an apparent assassination in Gaza, the IDF fires a tank shell at the car driven by `Abd al-Hakim al-Manama, bodyguard of Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Yasin, killing him and a passenger. In Ramallah, an IDF soldier shoots French TV reporter Bertrand Aguirre, who captures his targeted shooting on video; Aguirre escapes fatal injury because he is wearing a bulletproof vest. A Palestinian woman gives birth at an IDF checkpoint when soldiers refuse to let her pass to reach a hospital. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah, Tulkarm. (AP, LAW 5/15; HP, NYT, WP, WT 5/16; PCHR 5/17; CSM 5/18; JP 5/25)

The Higher Follow-Up Comm. for the Arab Community (HFCAC), composed of Israeli Arab political and community leaders, reports that Israel is restricting the freedoms of Israel Arabs in light of the al-Aqsa intifada. Israeli Arab journalists, poets have been detained for questioning, warned against "incitement" for writing on the intifada; community activists have received threatening telephone calls fr. police, intelligence officials; Israel police have opened investigations against 4 Israeli Arab MKs; 1 Israeli Arab has been placed under administrative detention; several Israeli Arabs have had their passports confiscated for taking part in a trip to Syria. (HFCAC press release 5/15)

Israel reinforces troops in Shaba` Farms, directs machine gun fire across the border into Lebanon, flies helicopters along the border area. (RL 5/15 in WNC 5/16)

In Washington, PA senior negotiator Abbas holds talks with Secy. of State Powell, National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice on halting violence, Arafat visiting the U.S. (WP, WT 5/16; MENA 5/16 in WNC 5/17; NYT 5/17, 5/21)

Israel, the PA submit their official responses to the Mitchell Comm. report, generally welcoming the report as a basis for a cease-fire. (MM 5/15; NYT 5/16; AYM 5/16 in WNC 5/18; NYT 5/17) (see Peace Monitor; see Docs. B4, C3)

Palestinians mark Nakba commemoration day (expulsion of 800.000 palestinians from Palestine by Israel in 1948) by observing 3 minutes of silence. Large rallies are held in every major Palestinian city in the West Bank and Gaza, after which a recorded message by Arafat is read over loudspeakers. Israeli Arabs hold marches to the sites of their destroyed villages. Marches, rallies are also held in Amman (where 1,000s demonstrate), Cairo, Tehran, Washington. (MM 5/15; IRNA, MENA 5/15 in WNC 5/16; SA 5/15, HJ, JT, al-Quds 5/16 in WNC 5/17; NYT, WP, WT 5/16; WJW 5/17; HA, WP 5/18)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes, now in their 8th mo., continue, with Israel Defense Force (IDF) increasingly striking Palestinian targets and entering areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA) without provocation so as to "keep them guessing and [have] them spend more time defending themselves" and with Palestinians stepping up their sniping at soldiers and settlers and firing of mortars (especially in Gaza). To date, around 511 Palestinians, 82 Israelis have been killed. Today, 1 Palestinian is shot dead by IDF troops. The IDF also shells the PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) offices in Jabaliyya, Jinin; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis; sends tanks, bulldozers into 2 PA-controlled areas in Gaza, occupying a multistory building in al-Qarara nr. Gush Katif settlement and a factory in Dayr al-Balah. IDF soldiers at a checkpoint on the Nablus+nRamallah road halt a Red Crescent ambulance en route to pick up a critically ill patient, severely beat 3 medics, empty the ambulance and damage supplies; the harassment ends when the International Comm. of the Red Cross (ICRC) intervenes. (AFP [Internet], HP 5/16; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/17; LAW, WT 5/18)

The IDF concedes that the 5/14 attack on a PSF post in Beitunia that left 5 PSF officers dead was a "blunder" and that the area was quiet when soldiers attacked. (WP 5/17; AN, HJ 5/17 in WNC 5/18, 5/21; HA, NYT 5/18)

PA Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbuh appeals to Congress to support the recommendations of the Mitchell Comm., the U.S.-led international inquiry into the causes of the al-Aqsa intifada headed by fmr. U.S. sen. George Mitchell. The comm.'s preliminary report (submitted to Israel and the PA on 5/1) suggests a two-pronged approach to restoring calm based on Israel halting all settlement construction, the PA making a 100% effort to halt violence. The comm.'s final report is expected in 1 wk. The State Dept. says Secy. of State Colin Powell is considering meeting with Sharon, Arafat on the sidelines of his trip to Africa, Europe 5/22+n30. (WT 5/18) (see Peace Monitor)

In Washington, U.S. Pres. George W. Bush holds a strategy session on the Middle East with his top foreign policy advisers, including Secy. of State Powell, Secy. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, National Security Adviser (NSA) Condoleeza Rice. Powell advocates using the recommendations of the Mitchell Comm. and the Jordanian-Egyptian initiative as the base for a cease-fire plan (see Peace Monitor in JPS 120). Both plans call for a full freeze on settlement construction, which admin. officials claim they cannot directly demand from Israeli PM Ariel Sharon. (MM 5/16; MM, NYT 5/17)

Israel's Internal Security M Uzi Landau says Sharon is escalating Israel's response to Palestinian unrest and may resort to "all-out" combat if violence continues apace. The IDF sends bulldozers into Rafah to demolish several greenhouses; tanks covering the bulldozers fire several shells. The IDF also shells a PSF post in Qalqilya; conducts arrest raids in Aqraba, Nablus. (Globes 5/17 in WNC 5/18, 5/21; WP, WT 5/18; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25)

After dark, Israel sends F-16s to drop 1,100-lb. bombs on PA security targets in Gaza City, Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm, killing 12 Palestinians, wounding 90--marking Israel's 1st use of warplanes against the Palestinian areas since the 1967 war. (Sharon makes the decision to use F-16s in a mtg. with FM Shimon Peres and DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer; he has not met with his security cabinet in 3 wks.) Britain, European Union (EU), Russia, the UN, the U.S. condemn the sharp escalation; urge PA, Israeli leaders to bring violence to a halt. (AP, BBC, HA, JP [Internet], MM, REU 5/18; AFP, Interfax 5/18, al-Quds 5/19, JT, MA, RMC 5/20 in WNC 5/21; LAW, PCHR, NYT, WP, WT 5/19; QA 5/19, El Pais (Madrid) 5/22 in WNC 5/23; HP, NYT, WT 5/20; al-Ra'i 5/20, MA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; MM 5/21 PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; MEI 6/1)

The UN Security Council (UNSC) accepts UN Secy.-Gen. Kofi Annan's 5/2 proposal for a staged reduction of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) troops. (UN press release 5/18) (see Peace Monitor in JPS 120)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at a high level, leaving 3 Palestinians dead; 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. IDF helicopters shell 5 PSF targets in Jinin, Tulkarm. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of al-Azza refugee camp, Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Nablus, Rafah. (LAW 5/19; HP, NYT, WT 5/20; NYT 5/21; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25)

The Arab League convenes an FMs mtg. to discuss Israel's sharp escalation of violence against the Palestinians on 5/18, issues a statement calling on Arab states to halt all political contacts with Israel as long as Israeli violence, blockages continue. (AP 5/19; MENA 5/19, JT, MENA, RMC 5/20 in WNC 5/21; NYT, WT 5/20; JT, al-Quds 5/21 in WNC 5/22; MM 5/22; WJW 5/24; MENA 5/28 in WNC 5/30) (see Peace Monitor)

The IDF shells the home of PSF West Bank head Jibril Rajub, injuring 6 bodyguards; Rajub, his family are home but are not injured. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at al-Arub refugee camp, Bayt Jala, al-Bireh, Hebron, al-Khadir, Ramallah. Jewish settlers establish a new settlement enclave in Nabi Salih, nr. Ramallah; occupy 2 Palestinian shops in Jerusalem's Old City; set Palestinian wheat fields on fire nr. Hebron. Israel's Peace Now reports that at least 15 new Jewish settlement sites have been established since Sharon was elected in 2/01. (HP, Peace Now press release 5/20; NYT, PMC, WT 5/21; HA, WP 5/22; HA, MM, NYT 5/23; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; MEI 6/1)

Angry over Sharon's decision to use F-16s on 5/18 without consulting the full cabinet or security cabinet, the full Israeli cabinet limits the "kitchenette" (Sharon, Peres, Ben-Eliezer) to ordering strikes against 3 types of Palestinian targets without prior approval. (HA 5/21; MA 5/21 in WNC 5/22) (see Peace Monitor)

The Mitchell Comm. gives Israel, the PA its final report, which is identical to its preliminary report (see 5/16). Comm. heads Mitchell and fmr. sen. Warren Rudman send a letter to the Anti-Defamation League stressing that the report makes no direct linkage between halting violence, halting settlements. (MENA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; ITAR-TASS 5/21, AYM, HJ, MENA 5/22 in WNC 5/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/22; MM, WP 5/23; AYM, HA, JT, MA, MENA, QA, al-Ra'i 5/23 in WNC 5/24; WJW 5/24; QA 5/25 in WNC 5/29; MEI 6/1; NYT 6/2) (see Doc. A2, B2, C2 in JPS 120; Doc. A???? in this issue)

U.S. VP Dick Cheney states that the Israel should stop using American-supplied F-16s against Palestinian targets. Sharon says Israel will use as much military force against the Palestinians as it deems necessary. (MM, NYT, WT 5/21; al-Quds 5/21 in WNC 5/22; QA 5/21 in WNC 5/23; WJW 5/24; MEI 6/1)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. Under police surveillance, Israelis, Jewish settlers march through Jerusalem to celebrate Jerusalem Day, marking Israel's capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. IDF helicopter gunships shell PSF post, a factory in Gaza where Israel claims mortars have been made. The IDF also sends tanks into al-Qarara to fire on several Palestinian homes; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Netzarim settlement; fires heavy machine guns at residential areas of Bayt Jala, al-Bireh, Hebron, Gaza City, al-Tira. (NYT, WT 5/21; London Press Association 5/21 in WNC 5/22; HP 5/22; NYT 5/23; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; MEI 6/1)

Powell urges Israel, the PA to implement the Mitchell Comm. recommendations by declaring an unconditional cease-fire but does not endorse the comm.'s call for a settlement freeze (saying Israel should "restrain" settlement expansion as a confidence building measure after violence halts). Powell says he will not meet with Arafat or Sharon as discussed on 5/16; instead charges U.S. Amb. to Jordan William Burns, who has been nominated as asst. secy. of state for Near East affairs, with exploring what confidence building measures could be employed once violence ceases. (MENA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; ITAR-TASS 5/21, AYM, HJ, MENA 5/22 in WNC 5/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/22; MM, WP 5/23; AYM, HA, JT, MA, MENA, QA, al-Ra'i 5/23 in WNC 5/24; WJW 5/24; QA 5/25 in WNC 5/29; MEI 6/1; NYT 6/2)

Although Sharon calls on the IDF to stop instigating attacks, the IDF continues to retaliate for Palestinian actions, responding to "life-threatening" incidents of stone-throwing with live fire, rubber-coated steel bullets, shells, and heavy machine gun fire, particularly at residential areas east of Jerusalem, Hawara, Khan Yunis. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, 1 in al-Mughraqa; bulldozes Palestinian land in Beitunia, Hebron, al-Mughraqa, al-Qarara; erects new posts in al-Qarara, outside Ramallah. 100s of Palestinians stage a nonviolent march in Hebron to protest continued Israeli attacks on medical workers. Also in Hebron, Jewish settlers stone Palestinian cars, and the IDF declares the vegetable market and Old Quarter a closed military zone. Jewish settlers also stone Palestinian cars on the Nablus+nQalqilya road; shoot and wound a Palestinian herder in Tubas, kill 3 sheep. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (Gush Shalom press release, HP 5/22; NYT, WP 5/23; NYT, PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; NYT 6/2)

U.S. Amb. Indyk, U.S. Consul General Ronald Schliecher hold talks with Sharon on the Mitchell Comm. findings, especially regarding a settlement freeze. Sharon calls for an unconditional cease-fire, which he says must be followed by a 2-mo. "cooling-off period" before any "concessions" can be discussed; orders the IDF to "stop taking the initiative in attacking Palestinians." The PA says sees no reason to clamp down on the intifada, make preemptive arrests without some confidence building gestures fr. Israel. (MM 5/22; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/23; MA 5/23 in WNC 5/24; MM, NYT, PCHR 5/24; MM 5/25; QA 5/25 in WNC 5/29; MEI 6/1)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes abate slightly but are still at a relatively high level, leaving 1 Israeli civilian (a worker on a road crew nr. Ariel settlement) dead in a West Bank shooting. Bush phones Arafat, Sharon to urge both sides to contain violence. Sustained gun battles are reported nr. Gilo settlement outside Jerusalem. IDF tanks enter 4 PA-controlled areas nr. Khuza in Gaza to bulldoze agricultural land, shell a PSF post; conduct an arrest sweep in Atil village. The PSF arrests the Palestinian owner of an iron-casting company on charges of manufacturing mortars. (AP 5/23; WP, MM, NYT, PCHR, WT 5/24)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. Palestinians fire mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza; in response, the IDF sends 5 tanks into nearby PA-controlled territory. The IDF also shells residential areas of Bayt Jala, Bethlehem; bulldozes 30 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Gaza City. (REU 5/24; WP 5/25; PCHR 6/4)

On the anniversary of the IDF pullout fr. s. Lebanon, Israel shoots down a civilian light aircraft that crosses the border fr. Lebanon, killing the pilot. Israel sends jets into Lebanese airspace to break the sound barrier. (HA, MM 5/24; RL 5/24 in WNC 5/29; NYT, WP, WT 5/25; MEI 6/1)

In retaliation for Gaza suicide attempt, the IDF demolishes a PA police station, shells residential areas of Rafah. Fatah activist Azzam `Abd al-Fatah Mezher is killed, 5 Fatah mbrs. are wounded when their car explodes. Israel says a grenade they were carrying exploded; the PA claims it is an assassination. (NYT, WP, WT 5/26; WT 5/27; MM 5/29; MEI 6/1; PCHR 6/4)

Lebanese celebrating the 1st anniversary of Israel's withdrawal fr. the south stage demonstrations along the blue line. A demonstrator is wounded when he tries to climb the border fence and is shot by IDF troops. (WP 5/26)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes diminish. (NYT, WP, WT 5/27; MM 5/29; MEI 6/1)

The Organization of the Islamic Conference calls on members to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel until it lifts the siege on Palestinian areas. (ATL, IRNA 5/26, IRNA, MENA 5/27 in WNC 5/29; IRNA 5/26, SA 5/28 in WNC 5/30; WP, WT 5/27; HJ 5/27 in WNC 6/1)

The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Tubas; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Khan Yunis. (NYT, WP, WT 5/28; MM 5/29; MEI 6/1; PCHR 6/4)

U.S. special assistant Burns (confirmed as asst. secy. of state for Near East affairs on 5/25) holds separate mtgs. with Sharon, Arafat on implementing the Mitchell Comm. recommendations; urges them to resume security talks. Sharon spokesman Raanan Gissin warns that Israel's suspension of assassinations, "delay" in responding to recent bombings will not last indefinitely, stating, "Our patience is running out." (IGPO, WP, WT 5/27; AYM 5/27 in WNC 5/29; NYT, WP, WT 5/28; al-Quds 5/28 in WNC 5/30; CNN, MM 5/29; MEI 6/1; NYT 6/2)

Burns holds another round of talks with Arafat and Sharon, who agree to resume security talks on 5/29. Arafat reportedly proposes implementing the Mitchell Comm. recommendations over the shortest time possible; his timetable includes forming an international monitoring comm., redeploying IDF troops to their 9/28/00 positions, halting settlement activity, implementing all outstanding Oslo provisions (e.g., 3d further redeployment, prisoner release). He also gives Burns a map showing 18 Jewish settlements that have been established in the West Bank, Gaza since 9/28/00. (CNN, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/29; AYM, SA 6/3 in WNC 6/4)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes leave a total of 3 Palestinians, 3 Jewish settlers dead. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians are shot dead in a failed suicide attack on an IDF post that lightly injures 2 soldiers. The IDF shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, Nablus, Rafah; places a closure on Nablus. Jewish settlers damage Palestinian property, throw stones at Palestinians in Hebron; trespass onto Palestinian property, threaten residents with guns, damage a water system nr. HaHarsina Junction. (BBC, HA, MM 5/29; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/30; PCHR 6/4; Christian Peacemaker Teams press release 6/11)

Asst. Secy. of State Burns convenes Israeli-PA security talks in Tel Aviv. PSF head Rajub, Shin Bet head Avi Dichter boycott. No progress is made, but the sides agree to meet again. (AP, NYT, WP, WT 5/30; SA 5/31 in WNC 6/1; QA 6/3 in WNC 6/6)

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)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes leave a total of 2 Palestinian, 1 Jewish settler dead. Israeli DM Ben-Eliezer approves deployment of special forces units to bolster the IDF in the West Bank; some units will operate undercover, lying in ambush for Palestinian attackers, while others will operate overtly in a show of force. Jewish settlers increase vigilante attacks in the West Bank, shooting at and stoning Palestinian cars, beating a group of Palestinians nr. Nablus. (HA, MM, NYT 6/1; HP 6/2)

In Washington, Israeli pres. Moshe Katsav meets separately with Bush, Powell; asks the U.S. to set a deadline for the Palestinians to halt attacks on Israel. Bush makes no commitment. Afterwards, Katsav says Bush did not ask Israel not to retaliate against Palestinian attacks; warns Arafat that he has a "few days, no more" to end the violence or face a sharply escalated IDF military response. Powell phones Arafat and asks him to "implement the Mitchell Comm.'s call for an immediate, unconditional cease-fire." (JP [Internet] 5/31; WP, WT 6/1; WJW 6/7)

In Bethlehem, a Palestinian, previously questioned by the PSF for selling land to Israelis, is killed in a drive-by shooting outside his home, raising speculation that Palestinians targeted him as a collaborator.

Orient House head and PLO Jerusalem Affairs M Faisal Husseini dies unexpectedly of a heart attack in Kuwait. (BBC, CNN, HA, JP [Internet] 5/31; AFP 5/31 in WNC 6/1; MM, WP, WT 6/1; DUS 6/11 in WNC 6/12; al-Quds 6/20 in WNC 6/22)