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CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS- 1999-2001

3 Jul 2002
 VOLUME 18: 1999-2001
 
  CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1999-2001

1999
17 MayEhud Barak is elected Prime Minister of Israel, gaining 56.1% of the vote. Labor wins 27 seats, Likud 19, Shas 17, Meretz 10, Shinui 6. Benjamin Netanyahu announces temporary retirement from politics.
20 MayPrime Minister-elect Barak announces he will seek IDF withdrawal from Lebanon within a year.
28 MayDefense Minister Arens approves plans to extend Ma'aleh Adumim boundaries. The US denounces this move.
31 MaySLA troops begin withdrawal from the Jezzin area in the security zone in Lebanon.
8 JuneIsrael calls on Iran to release 13 Iranian Jews accused of spying for Israel.
24 JuneAfter Hizbullah fires rockets into Israel, the IDF strikes bridges and power stations near and in Beirut. Hizbullah fires 36 rockets into Israel killing two civilians.
29 JuneThe IDF is told by Defense Minister Arens to ignore the April 1996 arrangements concerning Israel's participation in the Israel-Lebanon monitoring group, saying Hizbullah's attack voided the agreement.
2 JulyBarak phones Arafat to suggest an early meeting.
5 JulyAn Israeli military delegation holds talks with Croatian officials in Zagreb.
6 JulyBarak presents his government to the Knesset, wins a vote of confidence by 75 votes. David Levy is appointed Foreign Minister while Barak will also serve as Defense Minister.
8 JulyBarak re-instructs the IDF to abide by the April 1999 understandings with Lebanon.
9 JulyBarak holds talks with President Mubarak in Alexandria.
11 JulyBarak and Arafat meet at Erez crossing point.
13 JulyBarak and Jordan's King Abdullah hold talks in Akaba: Barak promises to abide by all agreements with the PA. The Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group meets for the first time since June.
14 JulyTurkey's President Demirel visits Israel, and holds talks with President Weizman and PM Barak.
15 JulyBarak holds talks with President Clinton in the White House. Later the Clintons and Baraks have a private dinner at Camp David. Barak sets a target deadline of 15 months to achieve a compromise framework for a Middle East peace.
16 JulyBarak meets with Secretaries Albright and Cohen and senior officials, and later with Jewish leaders in New York.
19 JulyBarak and Clinton hold a second round of talks. They agree to create a Strategic Policy Planning Group.
20 JulyBarak holds talks with Secretary Albright and asks Congressional leaders not to push for speedy implementation of the Jerusalem Embassy Act.
22 JulyBarak holds talks in Jerusalem with Spanish Premier Aznar, and says that Israel is prepared to restart talks with Syria from the point they left off in March 1996.
23 JulyKing Hassan II of Morocco dies and is succeeded by his son King Mohammed VI. Barak attends his funeral in Rabat on 25 July. During the funeral, he exchanges words with Algeria's President Bouteflika, and the leaders of Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Yemen.
26 JulyKing Abdullah of Jordan briefs Barak by phone of his talks in Syria with President Assad.
27 JulyBarak and Arafat meet at Erez to discuss the Wye agreement implementation.
Israel and the Republic of Georgia sign a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation. Israel and Uganda sign an agreement to expand economic ties.
29 JulyPA-Israel Committee to examine the Wye agreement implementation timetable holds its first meeting. Israel asks for delay in implementing the Wye FRDs.
Barak and Mubarak hold talks on the peace process in Alexandria.
2 AugustBarak meets Russia's President Yeltsin in Moscow, and urges Russia to halt transfer of military technology to Iraq and Iran.
4 AugustGreek Deputy Foreign Minister Yannous Kranidiotis holds talks in Jerusalem with Foreign Minister Levy.
5 AugustNawaf Massalha is appointed Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel.
6 AugustBarak asks Secretary Albright to delay her scheduled visit to the Middle East until the Wye implementation dispute is resolved.
8 AugustIsrael's cabinet says implementation of the Wye agreement will begin on 1 September.
9 AugustBarak meets with PA Chief Negotiator Mahmud Abbas who says the PA agrees to delay the FRD second stage to 1 October.
10 AugustForeign Minister Levy holds talks in Amman with King Abdullah.
12 AugustCyprus pardons two Israelis accused of spying and sends them back to Israel.
14 AugustTalks continue in Jerusalem with the PA on the Wye agreement FDR timetable.
17 AugustIsrael sends a large mission to Turkey to help in the rescue efforts following a massive earthquake.
2 SeptemberSecretary Albright meets Barak in Jerusalem.
4 SeptemberBarak and Arafat sign the second Wye Accord in Sharm el-Sheikh. Secretary Albright, President Mubarak and King Abdullah also sign as witnesses.
5 SeptemberThe Cabinet approves the Wye II Accord by 21 to 2.
8 SeptemberThe Knesset approves the Wye II Accords by 54-23.
9 SeptemberIsrael releases 199 of 350 Palestinian prisoners in the framework of the Wye II Accords.
10 SeptemberIsrael transfers 7% of the West Bank land from Area C to Area B.
13 SeptemberIsrael and the PA mark the sixth anniversary of Oslo I in Erez in the presence of FM Levy, Mahmud Abbas and EU, US and Russian representatives.
15 SeptemberPA hands over to Israel the names of 30,000 policemen.
16 SeptemberArafat and Barak hold talks in Israel.
21 SeptemberBarak meets German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Berlin.
22 SeptemberBarak meets in Paris with President Chirac. The next day, he meets with Prime Minister Lionel Jospin.
27 SeptemberFM Levy meets with Secretary Albright in New York.
29 SeptemberFM Levy addresses the United Nations General Assembly.
5 OctoberIsrael and the PA sign the Gaza -West Bank Safe Passage Protocol.
7 OctoberFrench FM Vedrine holds talks in Jerusalem with PM Barak and FM Levy.
10 OctoberFM Levy holds talks in Luxembourg with European Foreign Ministers.
The cabinet approves removal of 42 settlements built since the October 1998 Wye accord.
12 OctoberBarak orders dismantling of 15 of 42 unauthorized settlements built since October 1998. Eleven are to remain; in 16, no new buildings are to be allowed.
14 OctoberIsrael and Greece sign a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation and arms production.
15 OctoberIsrael releases additional 151 Palestinian prisoners.
18 OctoberFormer South African President Nelson Mandela holds talks in Jerusalem with Israel's leaders.
25 OctoberIsrael opens the safe passage road from Gaza to the West Bank.
PM Barak holds talks in Ankara with President Demirel and senior Turkish officials.
26 OctoberBritish Foreign Secretary Robin Cook holds talks in Jerusalem with PM Barak and FM Levy.
Ambassador Oded Eran is appointed to head Israel's negotiating team on final status talks with the PA.
28 OctoberIsrael and Mauritania raise their missions to embassies.
1 NovemberPresident Clinton holds talks in Oslo with Barak and Arafat on Final Status Negotiations. Barak and Arafat also have a private meeting. Clinton meets with both the next day.
7 NovemberThree pipe bombs explode in Netanya injuring 27 Israelis.
8 NovemberIsrael and the PA start talks on FAPs (Framework Agreement on Final Status).
Barak meets in Paris with Prime Minister Jospin.
9 NovemberBarak and Arafat meet in Paris while attending the 21st Socialist International Congress.
Barak also meets with President Mubarak in Paris.
11 NovemberArafat refuses to sign the map for the next FRD.
14 NovemberBarak and Arafat meet but fail to reach an understanding on the next FRD. Israel decides to delay the second stage of the Wye II FRD.
17 NovemberIn Istanbul, Clinton holds talks with Barak on the Syria-Israel track.
The next day Barak and Levy meet with Secretary Albright and Egypt's Foreign Minister Moussa.
22 NovemberPA and Israeli teams hold their fifth round of FAPs talk.
25 NovemberLi Peng, Chairman of China's National People's Congress, starts a six-day visit to Israel.
29 NovemberIsrael and the PA hold a sixth round of talks on FAPS.
1 DecemberFM Levy starts a two-day visit to Moscow, he meets President Putin and senior officials.
3 DecemberThe PA cancels the next FAPS round of talks.
8 DecemberSecretary Albright holds talks in Jerusalm with Barak and Levy.
Israel and Syria agree to resume negotiations the following week in Washington, D.C. Clinton and Barak tell that Arafat the Israel-Syria talks will not affect current Israel-PA negotiations.
13 DecemberBarak tells the cabinet that an Israel-Syria agreement is possible within a few weeks.
Addressing the Knesset, Barak says Israel may have to pay a "heavy territorial price" for peace with Syria. He wins a vote of confidence 47 for, 31 against, 24 abstentions and 18 absent.
15 DecemberIsrael and Syria resume talks in Washington, D.C. Barak, Clinton and Syrian FM Shara hold an opening ceremony at the White House.
16 DecemberIsrael-Syria talks end in Washington, D.C. They will resume near Washington in early January.
20 DecemberAnother round of FAPS talks is held in Ramallah.
21 DecemberBarak meets with Arafat in Ramallah.
26 DecemberItalian PM D'Alena meets with PM Barak in Jerusalem. Israel releases five Hizbullah members as a goodwill gesture before the talks with Syria.
2000
3-10 JanuaryIsrael and Syria hold negotiations in Shepherdstown, near Washington D.C., with the active participation of President Clinton.
5 JanuaryIsrael transfers to the PA 3% of land from Area C to Area B and 2% from Area B to PA-controlled Area A.
10 JanuaryThe Israel-Syria talks end after the US proposes a draft agreement.
12 JanuaryIsrael and Jordan renew their bilateral trade agreement.
In Rabat on a four-day visit, FM Levy meets with King Mohammad VI and senior officials.
17 JanuaryThe US announces freezing of the Israel-Syria talks due to fundamental differences.
PM Barak meets with Arafat seeking an extension to the 15 February FAPS deadline. Arafat refuses.
EU delegation meets with PM Barak.
Jordanian PM Khatib meets with FM Levy in Tel Aviv.
A pipe bomb explodes in Hadera, 22 are injured.
An Israeli Defense Ministry mission starts talks in Cyprus.
19 JanuarySyria says it will not resume talks with Israel unless Israel pledges to withdraw to the 5 June 1967 lines.
25 JanuaryIsrael cancels plans to send experts to Washington, D.C. to discuss a working paper on Syria.
30 JanuaryPM Barak meets with President Mubarak in Cairo. FAPS talks resume in Eilat.
31 JanuaryHizbullah attacks an IDF post in Lebanon killing three soldiers.
1 FebruaryThe Multilateral Steering Committee meets in Moscow.
3 FebruaryPM Barak and Arafat meet at Erez on FAPS talks.
6 February
PM Barak meets with King Abdullah in Amman.
Turkey and Israel start a four-day meeting of their Joint Economic Committee.
7 FebruaryIsraeli planes attack targets in the Beka Valley in response to Hizbullah attacks.
Tunisian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Tahar Sioud meets with FM Levy in Tel Aviv.
8-11 FebruaryIsraeli planes attack Hizbullah targets in southern Lebanon.
Israel leaves the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group meeting.
21 FebruarySpecial US Envoy Dennis Ross holds talks in Israel on the stalled negotiations.
24 FebruaryFrench PM Jospin holds talks with PM Barak in Jerusalem. After he condemns Hizbullah attacks on Israel, he is reprimanded by President Chirac.
29 FebruaryEgyptian senior official Osama el-Baz holds talks in Israel with PM Barak and FM Levy.
5 MarchCabinet approves unilateral IDF withdrawal from Lebanon no later than July 2000.
7 MarchAnother Barak-Arafat meeting on FRD implementation.
8 MarchPM Barak and Arafat meet with Special Envoy Ross in Ramallah.
9 MarchPM Barak and Arafat meet with President Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh in advance of Israel-PA talks to be held in Washington, D.C.
14 MarchIsrael begins the deployment of the Arrow 2 missile system.
21 MarchIsraeli and PA negotiators meet at Bolling Air Force Base near Washington, D.C. Israel hands over 6.1% of Area B to Area A. The PA now controls 18.2% of the West Bank (Area A), and partially controls 21.8% (Area B).
21-26 MarchVisit to Israel of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
26 MarchPresident Clinton meets President Assad in Geneva; he later admits that the Israel-Syrian differences cannot be bridged.
28 MarchIsrael-PA FAPS talks end in Bolling Air Force Base. No progress is achieved.
3 AprilUS Defense Secretary Cohen holds talks in Israel. US demands that Israel cancel the Phalcon deal with China.
4 AprilFM Levy meets UN Secretary-General Annan, telling him that Israel will withdraw from Lebanon by July 2000.
6 AprilIsrael and the PA resume FAPS talks in Bolling Air Force Base. No agreement is reached.
11 AprilPM Barak and President Clinton hold talks in the White House on FAPS, withdrawal from Lebanon and the Phalcon deal with China.
12 AprilIsrael reiterates its plans to withdraw from Lebanon by July.
16 AprilFM Levy holds talks in Paris.
23 AprilKing Abdullah of Jordan meets with PM Barak in Eilat.
24 AprilIsrael is given full membership in the UN regional group Western European and Other Groups.
30 AprilPA-Israel FAPS talks resume in Eilat. On 2 May, Israel presents maps which are rejected by the PA.
5 MayThe IAF carries out air strikes on infrastructure targets in Beirut and other targets in Lebanon.
7 MayPM Barak and Arafat meet in Ramallah. Barak says that Israel will shortly cede three West Bank villages near Jerusalem to Palestinian control.
12 MayIsrael and Jordan sign an agreement to proceed with plans for the construction of the Akaba-Eilat airport.
14 MayIt is revealed that back channel talks between Israel and the PA took place in Stockholm. Israel was represented by Internal Security Minister Ben-Ami.
15 MayThe cabinet, and later the Knesset, approve the transfer of Abu Dis, Izariyah and Sawarah al-Sharquiya to Area A.
18 MayThe Stockholm talks are resumed.
21 MayFollowing attacks on Israeli civilians near Jericho, Israel suspends the Stockholm talks and postpones transfer of the three villages near Jerusalem to the PA.
The IDF begins withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
23 MayThe IDF completes its withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
1 JunePresident Clinton and PM Barak meet in Lisbon. Clinton says FAPS is within reach.
4 JuneAnother FAPS round is held.
5 JuneSecretary Albright and Envoy Ross hold talks in Israel and Gaza with PM Barak and Arafat to prepare for a Clinton-Barak-Arafat summit.
6 JuneSecretary Albright announces an Arafat-Clinton meeting on 14 June.
Israel-PA teams to resume talks in Washington, D.C. on 12 June to prepare for a summit at the end of June.
7 JuneThe Knesset adopts by 61-48, 11 absent, a preliminary motion to dissolve itself.
10 JunePresident Assad of Syria dies; he is succeeded by his son Beshar.
13 JuneIsrael and PA teams resume talks on FAPS and interim issues.
16 JuneUN Secretary-General Annan certifies that Israel completed its withdrawal from Lebanon. This certification is endorsed on 18 June by the Security Council.
21 JuneThree Meretz ministers resign from the cabinet.
26 JuneThe government survives a no-confidence motion in the Knesset by 57-32.
27 JuneSecretary Albright arrives in Israel for talks with PM Barak and Arafat on the three-way summit which Israel supports.
5 JulyPresident Clinton announces that a Camp David summit will start on 11 July.
Barak meets with PM Blair in London and President Chirac in Paris.
9 JulyOn the eve of the Camp David summit, the NRP, Shas and Yisrael Ba'aliyah quit Barak's government. FM Levy says that he will not attend the summit.
10 JulyOn his way to Camp David, Barak holds talks with President Mubarak in Cairo.
President Ezer Weizman resigns his office.
12 JulyIsrael cancels the Phalcon deal with China.
11-25 JulyClinton, Barak and Arafat hold a summit meeting at Camp David.
25 JulyThe Camp David meeting ends in failure. President Clinton and PM Barak blame Arafat for the failure; Clinton says that Barak was much more flexible.
28 JulyIn a television interview on Israel TV, President Clinton praises PM Barak for showing courage during the failed Camp David summit.
31 JulyThe government survives two no-confidence motions in the Knesset, 50-50 with 8 abstentions 12 absent and 53-48.
Moshe Katsav is elected Israel's eighth president.
2 AugustFM Levy resigns. On 10 August Internal Security Minister Shlomo
Ben-Ami is appointed Acting Foreign Minister.
3 AugustPM Barak meets with President Mubarak in Alexandria.
5 AugustUNIFIL completes its deployment along the Blue Line.
AugustActing FM Ben-Ami briefs Spanish officials in Madrid on the Peace Process.
16 AugustPrime Minister Barak holds talks in Amman with King Abdullah.
Senior Israeli and PA negotiators hold talks.
18 AugustUS Special Envoy Dennis Ross meets PM Barak and Saeb Erekat.
22 AugustKing Abdullah holds talks with Arafat in Ramallah and with PM Barak in Tel Aviv.
24 AugustMinister Ben-Ami meets President Mubarak in Alexandria.
28 AugustMinister Ben-Ami holds talks in Paris with FM Vedrine.
29 AugustMinister Ben-Ami meets British Foreign Secretary Cook in London.
30 AugustMinister Ben-Ami meets German Foreign Minister Fischer.
31 AugustIsraeli and US negotiators open talks on Strategic MOU.
1 SeptemberCIA Director Tenet meets PM Barak in Israel.
4 SeptemberMinister Ben-Ami meets King Mohammed VI in Rabat.
6 SeptemberPresident Clinton meets in New York separately with PM Barak and Arafat.
PM Barak addresses the Millenium UN Assembly.
10 SeptemberThe PLO Central Committee votes to postpone plans to declare Palestinian statehood.
12 SeptemberMinister Ben-Ami holds talks in New York with Secretary Albright.
13 SeptemberMinister Ben-Ami holds talks in Washington, D.C. with senior officials, and the next day with Secretary Albright.
19 SeptemberPM Barak calls for a "time out" in Israel-PA informal talks.
Minister Ben-Ami meets with President Chirac in Paris.
25 SeptemberPM Barak and Arafat meet at Barak's home, later they announce Israeli and PA teams will meet in Washington, D.C.
26 SeptemberIsraeli and PA peace talks teams start talks in Washington, D.C.
28 SeptemberLikud leader Ariel Sharon visits Temple Mount with heavy security.
29 SeptemberClashes erupt between Palestinians and Israeli security forces.
1 OctoberSerious clashes in the West Bank and Gaza spread to a number of Israeli cities. 13 Israeli Arabs are killed.
2 OctoberIn an effort to stem the violence, Secretary Albright announces she will meet PM Barak and Arafat in Paris on 4 October.
4 OctoberPM Barak and Arafat meet in Paris with Secretary Albright. President Chirac of France and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan are also involved in the 12-hour talks that fail as Arafat refuses to sign a document unless Israel agrees to an international inquiry.
7 OctoberThree Israeli soldiers are kidnapped by Hizbullah on the Israel-Lebanon line.
9 OctoberUN Secretary-General Annan and Russia FM Ivanov hold talks with PM Barak in Tel Aviv. They continue their efforts for three more days.
12 OctoberTwo Israeli reservist soldiers who strayed into Ramallah are captured and lynched by a Palestinian mob. Israeli helicopters attack Palestinian targets in Gaza and Ramallah.
13 OctoberOman closes its trade office in Tel Aviv. Morocco recalls its envoy from Israel.
16 OctoberThe Sharm el-Sheikh summit is attended by PM Barak, Arafat, President Clinton, President Mubarak, King Abdullah, and EU.
17 OctoberPM Barak and Arafat reach oral understanding on ending the uprising. President Clinton decided to appoint an international inquiry commission (later headed by Senator Mitchell).
18 OctoberIsraeli, PA and US security officials meet to discuss ways to implement the Sharm el-Sheikh agreements.
22 OctoberPM Barak suspends the peace process. Gilo comes under fire from the Bethlehem area.
In the wake of an Arab League summit decisions, Tunisia demands Israel close its trade office in Tunis.
29 OctoberTalks between PM Barak and Likud leader Sharon on forming a national emergency government, fail.
30 OctoberIsrael fires missiles at Force 17 and Fatah offices in Nablus, Khan Yunis and El-Bireh.
1 NovemberMinister Ben-Ami meets Secretary Albright in Washington, D.C, and says that the situation is no longer an uprising but a military confrontation.
2 NovemberAfter an early morning meeting between Arafat and Peres, they agree to end the violence, but Arafat fails to issue a call on PA radio and television. Shlomo Ben-Ami is appointed Foreign Minister.
5 NovemberFM Ben-Ami meets UN Secretary-General Annan in New York.
7 NovemberThe US names the Mitchell Commission members.
9 NovemberQatar orders the Israel trade mission in Doha to close.
12 NovemberPM Barak meets with President Clinton in Washington, D.C.
19 NovemberPalestinians attack a school bus near Kfar Darom killing two adults and wounding nine children. Israel shells targets in Gaza City.
21 NovemberEgypt recalls its ambassador from Israel.
22 NovemberIn a car bomb explosion in Hadera, two Israelis are killed, and 60 are wounded.
24 NovemberThrough the intervention of Russian President Putin, Israeli and PA security officials meet.
25 NovemberArafat meets Israeli Tourism Minister Shahak in Gaza.
27 NovemberGeorge W. Bush is declared President of the United States.
28 NovemberPM Barak announces in the Knesset his readiness to hold new elections in the Spring of 2001. Likud leader Sharon says he will challenge Barak for the premiership.
3 DecemberIsrael says it will cooperate fully with the Mitchell Commission.
9 DecemberPM Barak announces that he will resign on 10 December and call elections for the office of prime minister within two months.
Former premier Benjamin Netanyahu, not a Knesset member, cannot run against him unless the Knesset dissolves itself, which it does not.
11 DecemberMembers of the Mitchell Commission meet with PM Barak in Jerusalem.
DecemberFM Ben-Ami and Arafat meet in Erez to see if peace talks can be resumed. They meet again the next day.
18 DecemberIsraeli and PA negotiating teams hold preliminary separate talks with the US peace team near Washington, D.C.
A Security Council draft resolution to deploy UN observers in the West Bank and Gaza fails to pass.
19 DecemberThe Knesset decides not to dissolve itself, but to allow Netanyahu to run. He decides not to run.
20 DecemberIsraeli and PA teams meet at the White House with Secretary Albright and agree to begin direct talks near Washington, D.C. with her participation.
22 DecemberPresident Clinton presents the Israeli and PA negotiating teams with a peace plan and demands acceptance by Barak and Arafat within five days.
25 DecemberBarak says he is prepared to accept the Clinton plan with no reservations as long as the PA does the same.
27 DecemberArafat says he cannot accept the Clinton plan without additional clarifications.
28 DecemberPresident Clinton says he will not agree to further talks unless Arafat accepts his plan.
2001
1 JanuaryA car bomb explodes in Netanya wounding 40 Israelis.
Israel tightens the closure of the Palestinian areas.
6 JanuaryCIA Director Tenet holds talks on security issues with Israeli and PA officials.
9 JanuaryArafat and Minister Shahak meet for talks on security.
11 JanuaryIsrael-PA talks on FAPS resume at Erez.
13 JanuaryArafat and Peres hold talks in Gaza on ending the violence.
16 JanuaryIsrael-PA talks resume at Erez after a series of meetings between Arafat and Minsiter Shahak, and FM Ben-Ami and Palestinian negotiator Erekat.
20 JanuaryIsrael accepts Arafat's offer to embark on intensive talks in Taba starting 21 January.
21-27 JanuaryIsraeli and PA negotiators meet in Taba to try and reach a comprehensive final status agreement.
27 JanuaryIsrael and the PA end talks in Taba saying that they made progress but cannot reach an agreement prior to the February 6 elections in Israel.
28 JanuaryFollowing a fiery speech by Arafat in Davos, Barak suspends talks with the PA.
6 FebruaryAriel Sharon is elected Prime Minister of Israel by a majority of 62.4%. Barak resigns as head of the Labor Party and from the Knesset.

 
 
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