Quarterly Update on Conflict and Diplomacy Source: Journal of Palestine Studies, Vol. 32, No. 4 (Summer 2003), pp. 128-149 Published by: University of California Press on behalf of the Institute for Palestine Studies Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/jps.2003.32.4.128 . Accessed: 25/03/2015 15:58

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This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions QUARTERLY UPDATE ON CONFLICT AND DIPLOMACY

16 FEBRUARY–15 MAY 2003

COMPILED BY MICHELE K. ESPOSITO

The Quarte rlyUp date is asummaryofbilate ral, multilate ral, regional,andinte rnationa l events affecting th ePalestinians andth efutureofth epeaceprocess.

BILATERALS 29foreign nationals had beenkilled since 9/28/00. PALESTINE-ISRAEL Positioningf orWaronIraq Atthe opening of thequarter, Ariel Tokeep up the appearance of Sharon had beenreelected PM of Israel movementon thepeace process in the and was in theprocess of forming a run-up toawar on Iraq, theQuartet government.U.S. Pres. GeorgeW. Bush conveneda series of high-proŽle but had delayeduntil theformation of the ultimatelyineffective meetings in London Sharon governmentpublication of theroad 2/18–20 with Israeli, PA,and donor map,the U.S.-draft plan for resuming representatives,including side meetingsof negotiations and creating aPalestinian thedonor’ s Ad HocLiaison Comm. stateby 2005, which theU.S. had Žnalized (2/18–19; see below) and theQuartet’ s on 12/20/02in consultation with fellow International Task Forcefor Reform(ITFR; Quartetmembers, the European Union 2/19–20). Participants reviewedP Areform (EU), Russia, and theUN. Under pressure effortsand thehumanitarian crisis in the from theU.S. and Israel, Palestinian occupied territories, praised Israel and the Authority (PA)head Yasir Arafat had PAfor stepstaken to date, and urged agreed(2/ 14)to appointa Palestinian PM further stepstoward acease-Žre, PA responsible for day-to-day running of the reform, and easing restrictions on PA,which theU.S. and Israel hoped Palestinians. Theonly newdevelopment would relegateArafat toaŽgurehead resulting from themeeting was aQuartet (seeQuarterly Updatein JPS 127). agreementon thegeneral outline for a Meanwhile, global attentionwas focused monitoring mechanism toassess on thelikelihood of aU.S.-led attackon compliance with theroad mapafter its Iraq. adoption: theU.S. would head the As of 2/16,the Israel DefenseForces monitoring team,which would be (IDF)were inside or encircling all West divided into four subcomms. on Bank Palestinian population centers, humanitarian affairs, PAreforms, security, exceptJericho, as was thecase last quarter. and “special functions”(including Restrictions on movementin Gaza were settlements,P Aactivitiesin East Jerusalem). also tight, with theIDF frequentlyclosing TheU.S. continued toresist EUpressures main roads and dividing theStrip into three for theimmediate release of theroad sections. Across theoccupied territories, map. Israeli-Palestinian violencewas rising (see Meanwhile, Israel, which last quarter Quarterly Updatein JPS 127), with had increasingly disparaged theroad map tensions high following aHamasroadside and theQuartet (see Quarterly Updatein bombing on 2/15thatdestroyed an IDF JPS 127),took stepseither to amend the tank and killed four IDFsoldiers. Atleast 12/20/02draft or toreplace it with its own 2,326Palestinians (including 31Israeli U.S.-backed proposal thatwould reduce Arabs and 14unidentiŽed Arab Israel’s expectedconcessions, increase cross-border inŽltrators), 686Israelis demands on theP A,and curtail theEU (including 210IDF soldiers and security role. By2/ 19,an Israeli teamled byLikud personnel, 158settlers, 318 civilians), and MKDan Meridor had drawn upa list of

Journal of Palestine Studies XXXII, no. 4(Summer2003), pages 128–149. ISSN: 0377-919X;online ISSN: 1533-8614. C 2003by the Institute for PalestineStudies. All rights reserved. Sendrequests for permission toreprint to: Rights andPermissions, Universityof California Press, Journals Division, 2000Center St., Ste.303, Berkeley, CA 94704-1223.

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions QUARTERLY UPDATE ON CONFLICT AND DIPLOMACY 129 morethan 100 “corrections ” totheseven- Žring Qassam rockets atSederot, inside pageroad mapthat it intended tosubmit theGreen Line, and atJewish settlements totheU.S., including aclari Žcation that in Gaza, causing one light injury. Bythe implementationwould besequential timeviolence began toslow on 2/25,due (requiring theP A Žrst tocompletea totheonset of theworst winter storm in cease-Žre, achange of leadership, and years, 51Palestinians and 5IDFsoldiers far-reaching reforms beforeanything had beenkilled, bringing thedeath toll would berequired byIsrael) and the since 9/28/00to 2,377Palestinians and 691 addition of aclause requiring theP Ato Israelis. giveup the right of return for Palestinian refugees. Israel also continued toexplorethe Sh aronNamesaGov ernment, idea of a “Gaza First” stagedcease- Žre and ArafatNom inatesaPM withdrawal proposal (seeQuarterly Update On 2/24and 2/25,Sharon Žnalized his in JPS 127)to preemptthe road map.The coalition deals with theright-wing, pro- idea meshedwith theP A ’sown calls (e.g., settlerNational Religious Party (NRP;6 2/21,2/ 24)on Palestinian factions seats),the ultraright-wing National Union (especiallythe al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade Party (NUP; 7seats),and theright-wing [AMB], Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the secular nationalist Shinui (15seats), giving Popular Front for theLiberation of himself control of 68of theKnesset ’s 120 Palestine [PFLP]) toagree to a unilateral seats. Thecoalition government, one-yearcease- Žreto jumpstart comprising far moreMKs who oppose negotiations. Meridor had reportedly creation of aPalestinian stateand favor passedmessages to Hamas (one on 2/17, Jewish settlementexpansion than the one earlier) indicating thatIsrael would previous Sharon government,was sworn makeunspeci Žed conŽdence-building in on 2/27.(See Doc. C1for Basic gesturesto themovement if it signed on to Guidelines excerpts.)In presentinghis a cease-Žreagreement, and thatwhen it team,Sharon pledgedthat the economy becameclear thatthere would beno would takepriority overthe peace cease-Žre, heoffered (ca. 2/25 –27) to ease process, and statedthat the Palestinians restrictions in Gaza if theP Acracked down would haveto giveup the right of return, on Hamasthere. agreeto Jerusalem remaining theuni Žed Meanwhile, Israel steppedup attacks capital of Israel, and halt all violenceif on Palestinians, especiallyin Gaza, in theywanted acomprehensivepeace. retaliation for the2/ 15Hamasincident (see In Washington, as escalating Chronology for details). TheIDF presidential statementsmade it assassinated six senior Hamasmembers in increasingly clear thatthe U.S. was Gaza City(2/ 16),Izzeddin al-Qassam determinedto go towar against Iraq, U.S. Brigades second-in-command RiyadAbu allies Britain and Spain pressedthe U.S. to Zaydnear Netzarim(2/ 17),Hamas send an encouraging messageto the Arab memberMuhammad Muhr in Yatta(2/ 18), world thatthe peace process would bethe and AMB memberShahar Zakarna in Jenin U.S.’stoppriority afterdealing with Iraq. (2/19);staged (2/ 18)a major raid on Gaza Tothis end, Bush gave(2/ 26)a brief Citythat left 11 Palestinians dead and 25 televisedaddress, arguing thatthe wounded; invaded BaytHanun (2/23 –24), overthrow of theIraqi regimewould serve killing 7Palestinians and wounding 28; as acatalystfor peacein theregion, conducted (2/19 –24)a prolonged explicitlylinking resolution of theIsraeli- incursion into Nablus, leaving 6 Palestinian con ict and creation of a “truly Palestinians dead; tightened(2/ 20) democratic Palestinian state ” to removing restrictions on movementin Gaza, dividing Saddam Hussein, whom Bush claimed theStrip into threesections; and Žnanced Palestinian “terrorism” by giving dramatically increased thebulldozing of “rewards tothe families of suicide Palestinian land around Gaza ’s Aley Sinai bombers.” Bush also signaled ashift closer settlement(2/ 16 –17)and Rafah (2/23).A to Sharon’sviewthat no action should be wanted tanzim memberalso mayhave takenon settlementsuntil thePalestinians beenassassinated on 2/20.On the had takensigni Žcant stepsto halt violence, Palestinian side, aPFLP sniper fatally shot stating that “As progress is madetowards (2/23)an IDFsoldier in Khan Yunis, and peace,settlement activity in theoccupied Hamasresumed (e.g., 2/19,2/ 20,2/ 23) territories mustend. ”

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Meanwhile, theQuartet renewed (2/ 28) Th eU.S. andth eRoadMap pressure on Arafat toappointa PM In thelast days beforethe war against quickly, beforea war on Iraq was Iraq was launched, Bush (under pressure launched (seeQuarterly Updatein JPS from British PMTonyBlair ,theEU, and 127).On 3/6,Arafat nominated PLO Secy.of StateColin Powell) madeseveral ExecutiveComm. gen.secy. and senior pledgesto promotethe road mapthat Palestinian negotiator Mahmud Abbas ultimatelyraised questions as tohis desire as his candidate. Abbas was reportedly topursue theplan. Following U.S. thefavored choice of Israel and theU.S. dismissal as “completely” insufŽcient of a and is well regarded within Fatah, but UNweapons inspectors ’ update(3/ 7)on does not havea strong popular Iraqi disarmament progress, Bush formally following. announced (3/8)that the U.S. would not On theground, Israel timedits issue theroad mapuntil afterthe Iraqi announcement of thenew government crisis was resolved. Severaldays later with IDForders (2/25)to step up “active (3/10),after the Palestinian Council (PC) defense” in Gaza, targetingHamas. The approved(73 –1)amendmentsto the Basic process startedgradually on 2/25(see Law creating thepost of PMand opened Chronology for details), with morehouse debateon abill outlining thePM ’s duties, demolitions in Rafah and bulldozing of theU.S. cautioned thatwithout assurances land in Khan Yunis, thenincreased sharply thatthe new PM had authority over on 3/1,with major raids —termed securityand peacemaking,it would not “preemptiveoperations, ” mirroring theU.S. moveforward with theplan. rhetoric on terrorism —on Khan Yunis Under pressure from Blair, facing (3/1–2),leaving 3Palestinians dead and 47 tremendous domesticopposition for his wounded, and on Bureij and Nussayrat position on Iraq, Bush madea statement refugeecamps (r.c. ’s; 3/3),killing 8and on 3/14promising torelease the road map wounding morethan 40.The IDF also as soon as theP Aappointeda “credible” aggressivelyconducted arrest raids in PM in a “position of real authority, ” at Nablus (3/3)and Jenin (3/4).Hamas struck which point thesides would havean back on 3/5,staging asuicide bombing in opportunityto submit changes tothe draft. Haifa (the Žrst inside Israel since 1/5/03) TheState Dept. clari Žedon 3/19thatthe thatkilled 17and wounded 38.In light of road mapitself was nonnegotiable, but arare U.S. warning on 3/4regarding the that “how toimplementthe plan ” was Gaza escalation, Israel vowed(3/ 5)not to opento discussion. TheP Astated(3/ 19) respond on “ascale thatwould disrupt any thatthis position showed thatthe U.S. was U.S. preparations for apossible attackon “not atall serious ” about theplan, meaning Iraq.” Nonetheless, theIDF stageda major abreakthrough was unlikely. Israeli raid on Jabaliya r.c. (3/5 –6),killing 11 ofŽcials cautioned (3/15)that even if Palestinians and wounding morethan 120; Abbas wereinstalled quickly, it mighttake carvedout (3/7)a 4mi 2 “securityzone ” in timeto determine how much authority he north Gaza toprevent Palestinians from would actually have.(Of note: Atthe Žring rockets into Israel, razing 100 Azores summiton Iraq (3/16),where Bush, dunams (4dunams 1acre)of Palestinian Blair, Spanish PMJos e´ Mar´õa Aznar, and land; and assassinated (3/8)senior Hamas Portuguese PMJos e´ Manuel Durao political of Žcial Ibrahim Maqadama, the Barroso—theleading coalition members — mostsenior Palestinian political Žgure to made a Žnal ultimatum toIraq, Aznar, bekilled byIsrael since theintifada began. Barroso, and Blair each mentionedthe (Ofnote: theU.S. did not of Žcially road mapin their statementsto the press, commenton theIDF ’sseizure of thenorth whereas Bush did not —an omission Gaza territory, whereas Israel ’s seizure of widely seenas deliberate and an indication the same “securityzone ” on 4/17/01 thatBush was not serious about pursuing promptedsuch strong criticism from the the plan.) U.S. thatthe IDF withdrew thesame day; Meanwhile, Israeli pres. Moshe Katsav seePeace Monitor in JPS 120. The IDF met(3/ 13)secretly with PAInterior MHani pulled out of thezone of its own accord al-Hassan topush theGaza First proposal. on 3/10,after having denuded atleast 314 On theground, Israeli-Palestinian violence dunams of land.) Bythe close of 3/9,2,427 remained high (seeChronology for Palestinians and 704Israelis had been details). TheIDF launched (3/12 –13) a killed. major raid on Saida, near Tulkarm,

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions QUARTERLY UPDATE ON CONFLICT AND DIPLOMACY 131 rounding upall menages 15 –65 for DMShaul Mofaz in adocumententitled questioning; staged(3/ 17)a major “ProŽleof theIsraeli Diplomatic Initiative ” incursion into Nussayrat r.c., fatally (notreleased), which also reportedlyset shooting sevenPalestinians, including out guidelines to “deectinternational wanted Islamic Jihad memberMuhammad pressure should theroad mapfail. ” Israeli SaaŽnin what mayhave been an and PAsecurityteams held (3/27)their Žrst assassination; raided (3/17)Bayt Lahia, high-level meetingin overa yearto detaining all menages 15 –40 for discuss details of how aGaza First questioning, arresting 100s,and fatally proposal mightbe implemented and shooting four Palestinians; and continued possible WestBank areas towhich house demolitions, especiallyin Gaza. The theplan could beextended, though no deaths of six Hamasmembers on 3/13, decisions weretaken. Ata meeting(2/ 27) AMB’sYusif Masharqa on 3/14,and in CampDavid todiscuss Iraq, Bush and Hamas’sNasir Assida on 3/18also may Blair reiteratedtheir intention torelease havebeen IDF assassinations. An AMB the road map “soon.” Separately,Powell gunman fatally shot (3/19)a Jewish settler said (3/27)that Bush would pressSharon near Jenin; aPalestinian gunman “todo something ” about thepeace process ambushed (3/10)an IDFpatrol in Hebron, as soon as thewar in Iraq was over. killing one IDFsoldier and wounding Žve; Israeli FMSilvan Shalom told (3/31 –4/1) another gunman ambushed and wounded U.S. ofŽcials in Washington thatIsrael (3/13)two Jewish settlersin occupied would giveAbbas one totwo months Jerusalem; and Qassam rocketattacks “probation” once inaugurated toshow remained frequentbut caused no damage whetherhis newgovernment could halt or injuries. As of 3/19,2,466 Palestinians Palestinian violence, but stressedthat and 710Israelis had beenkilled. “without cessation of terrorism, thereis no chance of any peaceprocess of any kind. ” Th eWaronIraq Shalom also briefed of Žcials on the100 On 3/17,the U.S. and Britain changes Israel sought tothe road map, abandoned effortsto put forward anew underlining thatIsrael would not accept UNres. on Iraq, determining thatthe any process thatcon Žned Jewish motion would besure tofail, and Bush settlementsto their existingboundaries. issued an ultimatum giving Hussein and (Underlining this point, the Žrst Jewish his sons 48hours toleaveIraq or face settlersmoved into thehomes in theRas military confrontation. As thedeadline al-Amud/Ma’ale Ha’Zeitimsettlement in approached, Palestinian civilians in the East Jerusalem on 4/1,despiteU.S. and WestBank and Gaza, fearing Israel would French appealsto Sharon toblock the stepup attacks and imposestiff curfews as move.)Reportedly among Israel ’s 100 soon as thewar broke out, closed schools changes weredemands for abandonment and businesses, hoarded provisions, and of asetimplementation timetable, P A stayedinside. Israel extendedthe closure abandonment of theright of return, a on theterritories (imposedon 3/17for change of Palestinian leadership, IDF Purim) until 3/30,then inde Žnitely. On freedomof operation in PAterritories, 3/19,the U.S. launched amissile strike on detailed securityrequirements of the Baghdad, marking theopening of thewar. Palestinians (including thearrest, For thenext week, Palestinian violence interrogation, and trial of “terror suspects ” remained low, while Israeli violence and conŽrmation thatthe Palestinian state continued ata moderatelevel, with the could only befounded afterthe complete IDFincreasingly imposing 24-hour curfews dissolution of the “terrorist infrastructure ”), on Palestinian population centersto keep no dismantling of any settlementsduring Palestinians indoors. TheP Areceived theinterim period, explicitPalestinian (3/20)assurances from Britain and France recognition of Israel as aJewish state,and thatIsrael would not exploitthe war to elimination of referencesto theSaudi expelPalestinians, as manyfeared. initiative, which refersto a return to1967 Around 3/27,after the U.S. military borders as thebasis for peace(see offensivein Iraq hit its stride, partiesto the Quarterly Updatein JPS 24).The State peaceprocess resumedpositioning for the Dept.stated (4/ 1)thatthe themes, ideas, postwar environment. Meridor ’s team and conceptsin theroad mapwere “not Žnalized Israel ’sdesired corrections tothe negotiable, ” but that “what’s going to be road mapand submitted(3/ 25)them to elastic will bethe time frame, themanner

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 132 JOURNAL OF PALESTINE STUDIES in which weachieve reciprocity, the details). Thesituation was especially sequencing, [and] theveri Žcation process. ” complexbecause Abbas, towhom Arafat In Brussels, Quartetreps. discussed (4/3) was forced bythe U.S. tocede authority as how topresent the road map,how to thenew PM, intended as aFatah loyalist reach consensus concerning the and PAinsider torespectArafat ’s position monitoring mechanism, and whetherIsrael as thedemocratically electedhead of the would accepteither. PA.But since healso disagreed with many Afterhis return toIsrael, and after of Arafat’sdecisions, and ultimatelywanted reportedlyhaving grouped its 100changes toencourage real governmentreform and into 15broader categoriesto make them ahalt toviolence, hewas largely an appearmore digestible, Shalom unknown, or atleast an untested,quantity. announced (4/5)that Israel would present Abbas spentthe war period in theU.S. with alist of 15 “reservations ” to consultation with all Palestinian factions theroad map.Israel, hestated, would not regarding formation of acabinet and acceptthe road mapor discuss reopening implementinga unilateral cease- Žre, negotiations unless all 15points were without reaching a Žnal decision. On 4/9, addressed. theday of his deadline for cabinet Violence in theterritories began appointments,the PC granted him atwo- escalating around 3/27,starting with an weekextension. On 4/13,he revealed his IDFraid on BaytHanun and thenfollowed provisional cabinet choices, criticized by bylarge-scale incursions (involving reformers for not going far enough and by house-to-house searches) into Khan Yunis Arafat cadres for going too far. and Rafah on 3/28,Nussayrat r.c. on 4/3, Arafat and Abbas debatedthe cabinet Jenin on 4/4,and Massadir on 4/6.On4/2, makeupfor aweek,marked byAbbas ’s theIDF launched amajor operation in threatsto resign and international pressure. Tulkarm r.c., rounding upall malesages Egypt,the EU, France, Russia, and theU.S. 14–40and busing themoutside thecamp; sentdelegates and messagesto Arafat, some2,000 were detained, and therest warning thatAbbas was theonly werereleased but barred from returning to acceptablechoice for PMand urging him thecamp until soldiers withdrew on 4/4. todrop his demands and approveAbbas ’s TheIDF conducted asimilar one-day cabinet. Aftera day of direct mediation by operation in Nussayrat r.c. on 4/9, Egyptianintelligence chief Omar including busing menoutside thecamp. Sulayman, phonecalls from King Abdallah TheIDF also assassinated four Hamas of Jordan and Pres. Husni Mubarak of members(two on 3/25,4/ 3,4/8),killing 8 Egypt,and public warnings byBlair thatif bystanders and injuring 56;the IDF ’s fatal Arafat continued toobstruct Abbas, the shooting of awanted Palestinian on 4/8 international communitywould giveup its mayalso havebeen an assassination. The effortsto revive the peace process, Arafat only major incidents on thePalestinian and Abbas reached (4/23)a compromise side weretwo Islamic Jihad acts on 3/30:a thatleft Abbas ’s4/13slate nearly intact. suicide bombing in Netanya,injuring 38, Thevote of con Ždenceby the PC was set and an attemptto in Žltratea kibbutz in s. for 4/29. Israel, causing no injuries. Bythe time the Meanwhile, Sharon senthis Chief of U.S. occupied Baghdad on 4/9,marking StaffDov Weisglass and National Security theoverthrow of theHussein regimeand Adviser (NSA) Ephraim Halevyback to the unofŽcial end of combat in Iraq, the Washington (4/13 –15)to restate Israel ’s Palestinian toll had reached 2,513,whereas “preliminary comments ” on theroad map theIsraeli toll remained 710. toPowell, NSA Condoleezza Rice,Dept. DefenseSecy. Douglas Feith,and National ArafatandAbbasJockeyforPower SecurityCouncil (NSC)Middle East adviser As soon as Baghdad was taken, Britain Elliott Abrams. TheU.S. of Žcials gave and France declared (4/9)that it was assurances thatthe U.S. would taketheir urgentfor theU.S. topresent the road viewsinto consideration (somereports map,but theU.S. stood byits decision to said theyindicated general supportfor as wait for Abbas toform agovernment.The manyas 14of the15 reservations), but cabinet formation process constituted a reiteratedthat the road mapwould be tug-of-war betweenArafat and Abbas that released without changes. In Israel, U.S. ultimatelyleft open questions as tothe amb. Dan Kurtzerattended (ca. 4/13)a extentof Abbas ’sauthority (seebelow for privatedinner with severalsenior Israeli

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions QUARTERLY UPDATE ON CONFLICT AND DIPLOMACY 133 politicians in which hereportedly ( Ma’ariv Chronology). TheIDF assassinated (4/10) 4/15)attempted to allay right-wing Islamic Jihad military leader Mahmud concerns about theroad mapby saying Zatmain Gaza City,injuring 15bystanders; that it was “irrelevant” and aimed only at attemptedto assassinate (4/10)3 AMB “reactivating ” thepeace process, after membersin Tulkarm, killing 1bystander; which theprocess would continue of itself launched (4/19)a major raid on Rafah r.c., and not necessarily belinked tothe road killing atleast 5 Palestinians and wounding map. 30;and steppedup bulldozing of AfterAbbas and Arafat agreedon a Palestinian land in Gaza and around East cabinet, Israel and theU.S. hardened their Jerusalem. Thedeath of aHamasmember positions. Sharon and his advisers began in amysterious explosion on 4/23may (e.g., 4/25,4/ 27,4/ 28)to express alarm also havebeen an assassination. An AMB overthe idea of aPalestinian cease- Žre offshoot staged(4/ 24)a suicide bombing (originally Israel ’sprerequisite for in Kfar Saba (in Israel), killing 1and restarting talks), arguing thatit would only wounding 13;Palestinian gunmenraided serveas atimeoutthat would “permit (4/10)an IDFbase and killed 2soldiers; terrorists torearm ”;said (e.g., 4/25)that and Islamic Jihad membersraided (4/19) theP Ashould instead “arrest or kill Hamas Shaked settlement,wounding 2soldiers and Islamic Jihad activists ”; and stated and 1guard beforebeing shot dead. Atthe (4/25)that a provisional Palestinian state close of 4/28,2,546 Palestinians and 720 should last for 10or moreyears rather that Israelis had beenkilled. thetwo speci Žedin theroad map.The U.S. and Israel also began (4/25)to press Th eU.S. Presents theRoadMa p foreign statesto cutall contact with Arafat Just beforethe PC meetingto con Žrm on thegrounds thatcontinued engagement thenew P Acabinet, Israel assassinated would undermine Abbas and makeit (4/29)PFLP leader Nidal Salama in Khan impossible for him tohalt violenceand Yunis and AMB commander Mahmud incitement.The U.S. reportedlyalso urged Salah in Bethlehem.The PC metanyway (4/25)donors not totransfer assistance to and approved(69 –12,with 3abstentions) theP Aas long as Arafat assertedany Abbas’sgovernment.In his inaugural measureof control. Abbas announced speech(see Doc. B2),Abbas statedthat (4/27)that he would not travelto any thereis no military solution tothe foreign capitals todiscuss theroad map Israeli-Palestinian con ict, rejected until Israel allowed Arafat totravel abroad “terrorism,” pledgedto crack down on and return freely.Israel replied (4/27)that militant groups, and demanded an it would not makeany gesturestoward independentPalestinian statewithin 1967 Abbas until hearrested, interrogated, and borders, with Jerusalem as its capital, and tried Palestinian militants. without Jewish settlements.Israel By4/ 25,the U.S. had reportedlydrafted cautiously welcomed(4/ 29)his words on acodicil tothe road map,aimed at violencebut said his statementson Žnal enhancing theU.S. role and diluting the status raised “serious questions regarding a participation of other Quartetmembers, so readiness toarrive atan agreed-upon as toaddress anumber of Israeli concerns. solution.” Twohours afterthe PC session, Thecodicil, entitled “VeriŽcation Hamasand theAMB jointly claimed Mechanism for theQuartet Road Map, ” responsibility for asuicide bombing in Tel outlines formation of an on-the-ground Aviv, carried out bytwo British Muslims, comm.to monitor compliance with and thatkilled 3and wounded 34.Israeli overseeimplementation of theroad map, governmentspokesman Dore Gold stated, which would beled solely bythe U.S. “This is really the Žrst testof thenew (apparentlyby the CIA), though all Quartet Palestinian government and memberswould beresponsible for funding unfortunately it has turned out tobea its operation. Thecomm. would bedivided completefailure. ” into four subcomms., as agreedin the AfterAbbas and theExecutive Authority 2/18–20London meetings,but theU.S. (EA)were sworn in (4/30),the U.S. would head thesecurity, PAreform, and formally presented(4/ 30)him and Sharon special functions subcomms., while theEU with theroad map(see Special Documents would bein charge of humanitarian affairs. section in this issue), with acting U.S. As theseevents unfolded, violence consul gen.Jeffrey Feltman noting thatit declined slightly in theterritories (see was “not asacred text ” but rather “a

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 134 JOURNAL OF PALESTINE STUDIES guideline, astarting point. ” Bush issued a En route totheregion, Powell stressed low-keystatement (see Special Documents (5/10)that he did not want tospendtime section)saying that “thepace of progress discussing theterms of theroad mapwith will dependstrictly on theperformance of thesides; theplan would not bealtered, theparties. ” U.S. ofŽcials statedthat and thesides should start implementingit changes should bediscussed between in earnest. Heasked (5/11)Sharon to Israel and theP A,not with theQuartet, acceptthe road map,but Sharon again and thatanything agreedto by the two refused and said thattime had run out for sides would beacceptable to the U.S. “declarations, promises, talks. ” Sharon Hours later, Israel launched (5/1)a major stressedthat Israel would not halt incursion into Gaza City,killing senior settlementexpansion, thata Palestinian Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades commander cease-Žrewould bedangerous, and that Yusuf Abu Hin, his two brothers, and 10 theP Amustcombat militant groups, and other Palestinians, wounding morethan only offereda series of limited measures to 60,and destroying some20 Palestinian easePalestinian restrictions (e.g., homes. TheIDF also fatally shot (4/30)a increasing thearea wherePalestinians may senior AMB memberin Yattain what may Žsh off Gaza, giving another 4,000 havebeen an assassination. Palestinians permitsto work in Gaza ’s TheU.S. originally intended thatPowell Qarni industrial zone, easing travel would begin aregional tour in Israel and restrictions on Palestinians with permitsto theterritories on 5/1,immediatelyafter the work in Israel, transferring VATrevenues, road map’srelease, toencourage thetwo restoring VIP status for travelinside the sides tobegin implementingthe plan territories toPalestinian of Žcials who quickly and topressthe Arab statesto cut “advance thereform process, ” and tieswith Arafat. Soon afterthe U.S. releasing somePalestinian prisoners), announced thetrip, it reconsidered (4/25), which Powell called “verypromising. ” fearing thatPowell ’sarrival so soon after Powell, like Burns beforehim, pressed Abbas’sinauguration could makeAbbas (5/11)Abbas todisarm militant groups, look like aU.S. puppet.Powell instead noting Sharon ’smeasures toease split theregional tour, going toLebanon restrictions. Abbas reiteratedthat he would and Syria Žrst (5/3),then going toIsrael, not takeaction until Israel formally theW estBank, Jordan, Egypt,and Saudi approvedthe road mapand dismissed Arabia (5/10 –14). Sharon’sgesturesas mostlysymbolic. In advance of Powell ’sarrival, thePLO Hours afterPowell ’smeetings,the IDF ExecutiveComm. approved(5/ 3)theroad imposed(5/ 11)the most severe closure on map,while Israel would not. NSC adviser theGaza Strip since theal-Aqsa intifada Abrams and Dep.NSA StephenHadley began, barring everyoneexcept diplomats secretlymet (4/ 30)with Sharon toassess and aid workers from enteringor exiting his intentions concerning theplan. Sharon (though in practice, aid workers were sent(5/ 4)Tourism MBennyElon toNew barred as well; seebelow). Overthe next York and Washington tolobby membersof four days, 15Palestinians werekilled by Congress and evangelical Christians to theIDF .While Israel did release(5/ 11 –12) urgeBush todrop theinitiative. Asst. Secy. around 100prisoners, almost all were of StateWilliam Burns arrived (5/4)in the Palestinians who had beencaught working region to “takesuggestions from thetwo in Israel illegally and who had only days sides” on how toimplementthe road map leftto their sentences;none weresecurity in preparation for Powell ’s visit, but prisoners. Sharon said (5/4,5/6)hewould not move In meetings(5/ 12)with Mubarak, King forward until hepresented his objections Abdallah, and Quartetreps. on his way toBush in ameetingin late5/ 03or early home, Powell statedthat it made “no 6/03and until Abbas took action against difference” whetheror not Israel had Palestinian militants. When Burns pressed declared acceptanceof theroad mapand Abbas (5/5)to launch adecisive Žght thatthe U.S. would not pressit todo so; against “terrorism and violence, ” Abbas what matteredwas thatthe sides took steps said Israel must Žrst acceptthe road map. tomoveforward. Of Žcials in Washington In addition, theIDF assassinated (5/8) echoed(5/ 12)these statements, adding senior Hamasmember Iyad al-Bik and thatthe U.S. believedthat the “initial killed (perhapsassassinated, 5/7)wanted steps” Israel had taken(apparently a Hamasmember Amin Manzalawi. referenceto the gestures announced 5/11)

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“in effect” marked thebeginning of reported(3/ 16)the toll as 2,110 implementation. Palestinians —304combatants (14%)and Atthe close of thequarter ,Sharon and 1,806civilians (86%),including 115women Abbas tentativelyplanned tohold their Žrst and 436children under age18; 136 had meetingon 5/17 —what mightbe the last beenassassinated (notincluding chance tosalvagethe road map.Violence, bystanders) and 39had beenkilled by which had beencontinuing ata moderate Jewish settlers. pacesince 4/29,jumped sharply on 5/13 This quarter, Israel carried out 18 when theIDF ,responding tomortar Žre killings thatwere clearly or almost (5/13)that lightly injured nine soldiers, deŽnitelyassassinations (upfrom 15last sentmore than 100tanks and armored quarter), also killing 14bystanders and vehicles, supportedby helicopter wounding 77:AMB ’sShahar Zakarna gunships, into Khan Yunis, shelling (2/19)and Muhammad Salah (4/29); residential areas, wounding atleast 20 Hamas’s MuŽdal-Bul (2/16),Nidal Farahat Palestinians, demolishing 26houses and (2/16),Ayman Mahana (2/16),Akram damaging another 30,leaving 247 Nasar (2/16),Iyad Shaladan (2/16), Palestinians homeless. On 5/15,the IDF Muhammad Silmi (2/16),Riyad Abu Zayd stageda major incursion into BaytHanun. (2/17),Muhammad Muhr (2/18),Ibrahim Troops enteredwith 70tanks and armored Maqadama (3/8),Ala ’ Ayad (3/25),Nadir vehicles, killing 5Palestinians, wounding Jarawish (3/25),Khalid Rayan(4/ 3),Sa ’ad 20,demolishing atleast 4 houses, Arabid (4/8),and Iyad al-Bik (5/8);Islamic bulldozing 100sof orange trees,and Jihad’sMahmud Zatma(4/ 10);and the conducting house-to-house searches. Gaza PFLP’sNidal Salama (4/29).At least 14 remained cutoff, and movementin the other deaths (2/20,6 on 3/13,3/ 14,3/ 17, WestBank was tightlyrestricted, with 3/18,4/ 8,4/ 23,5/ 1,5/7)had themarkings frequentclosures. TheIDF ban imposed of assassinations but could not be on 3/15/03barring Palestinians aged16 –35 conŽrmed; 3bystanders werekilled and 11 from traveling outside theWest Bank and wounded in theseincidents. An attackon Gaza remained in place. 4/10was clearly afailed assassination attempt,which killed one bystander. IntifadaDa ta andTrends During thequarter, therewere 12 During thequarter atleast 272 Palestinian suicide attacks(down from 15 Palestinians and 38Israelis werekilled, last quarter), which killed 28and injured bringing thetoll atthe close of thequarter around 146(compared to 51 killed and toatleast 2,598 Palestinians (including 31 around 97injured last quarter). Of these,6 Israeli Arabs, 14unidenti Žed Arab werebombings (2/18,3/ 5,3/ 30,4/ 24, cross-border in Žltrators, and 2British 4/29,5/ 8).The other 6attacks(3/ 7,3/10, suicide bombers), 724Israelis (including 4/10,4/ 19,5/ 1,5/15)could becalled 219IDF soldiers and securitypersonnel, “suicide” insofar as theywere certain to 165settlers, 340 civilians), and 34foreign result in thedeaths of thosewho staged nationals. TheIsraeli DMin. issued (3/13) them.Though in somecases multiple “unofŽcial” statistics showing that groups took responsibility for asingle according totheir Žgures, 1,945 incident, Islamic Jihad is believedto have Palestinians had beenkilled since thestart staged2 attacks(down from 5),the AMB 1 of theintifada, with 18%(365 individuals) (down from 4),the AMB Nablus faction 1 noncombatants, including 130children (upfrom 0),Hamas 3 or 4(upfrom 1), under 16(not 18). (Israel typically and thePFLP possibly 1(thesame as last categorizesstone throwers as combatants.) quarter); 3incidents werecarried out by Of thecombatants, according toIsraeli unafŽliated individuals (down from 4).The statistics, 441were Hamas and Islamic bombing on 4/29was stagedby two Jihad members(22%); 324 were Fatah and British Muslims, one of Kashmiri and one tanzim (presumablyincluding AMB) of Pakistani descent,marking the Žrst time members(17%); 329 were P APreventive non-Palestinians havestaged such an SecurityForce (PSF) of Žcers (17%);69 attack. Useof mortars and rockets seemed wereArab Liberation Force, Democratic tobemuch morefrequent than last quarter. Front for theLiberation of Palestine IDFdemolition of Palestinian houses (DFLP),Fatah-Uprising, or PFLP members was down slightly this quarter, though still (4%);and 417were unaf Žliated (22%).The veryhigh (seeChronology for details). Palestinian human rights group LAW Onceagain, thevast majority of house

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 136 JOURNAL OF PALESTINE STUDIES demolitions werein Gaza, with some144 demolition of aPalestinian home(see In concentrated in theKhan Yunis/Rafah area, Perspectivesection in this issue). ABritish 35in central Gaza, and 41in thenorth. ISM volunteerwas leftbrain-dead byan Relativelyfew were in theW estBank: IDFbullet on 4/11,and two other ISM roughly 16in theEast Jerusalem region, 15 memberswere seriously wounded bythe in Hebron, 15in theNablus region, 8in IDFon 4/5.In light of thepublicity, the Ramallah, 6in Tulkarm, 4in Qalqilya, and IDFordered (4/15)the removal of ISM 3each in Bethlehemand Jenin. UNRWA activists from theterritories, saying they reported(5/ 7)thatas of 4/30,12,737 were “creating provocations thatinjure Palestinians had beenmade homeless by [IDF]freedom of action on theground. ” IDFhouse demolitions. IDFbulldozing of (The Žrst ISM memberwas detained on Palestinian agricultural land seemedto be 4/22.)After the IDF learned (5/3)thattwo up signiŽcantly, especiallyin thenorthern British suicide bombers had attendedan and southern Gaza Strip. In theBayt ISM function, IDFraided (5/22)ISM Hanun area, theIDF bulldozed morethan headquarters in BaytSahur, con Žscating 850dunams during thequarter (2/16 –17, computersand arresting threemembers. 3/7–10, 4/23–24, 5/9–14).In thesouth, More arrests followed on 5/10. theIDF razed some315 dunams in Khan In addition, in late4/ 03,the IDF began Yunis (4/22–5/10)and another 315in restricting access of international aid Rafah (4/24,5/ 10).In central Gaza, 64 workers toGaza, Žrst (4/26)requiring that dunams werebulldozed in Dayral-Balah theyundergo additional securitychecks on 3/21. when enteringor leaving, thenrequiring Only one ailing Palestinian (down from (beginning 5/1)long interviews(up to 11last quarter) reportedlydied as aresult sevenhours) on their activitiesbefore they of IDFdelays. IDFattacks and raids on could enteror leave,randomly denying medical centers(e.g., 4/17,4/ 23,two on (beginning 5/5)entrywithout giving a 5/5,5/ 12)were also down slightly from at reason, requiring (beginning 5/8)that they least7 last quarter, but attackson sign awaiver freeingthe IDF from ambulances and delays of medical responsibility for deathor injury as aresult personnel seemedto remain high. The of military activity,and Žnally (after Palestine RedCrescent Society reported imposing on 5/11a general closure on the thatas of 5/9,ambulances had been Strip toeveryone except diplomats) barring restrictedaccess topatientson 838 access altogether. (ANorwegian diplomat occasions and Žred on 244times, was barred entryon 5/14.)As aresult, the damaging 116ambulances, 28of them international medical relief organization beyond repair; threemedics had been Medecins´ du Monde permanentlyended killed, 192injured, and (since 3/29/02)80 (5/12)its operations in Gaza, saying Israeli arrested while on duty. TheIDF also killed military measures madeit impossible to 2journalists (4/19,5/ 2),wounded 2(both continue work; theUN warned (5/19)that 3/6),beat 2 (both 4/9),and detained 4 it mighthave to do thesame; numerous (2/23,2 on 4/9,4/22)to prevent them other international aid groups suspended from covering clashes; mostof the Gaza activitiesinde Žnitely. reportersand cameramenwere Israel also announced (3/11,4/ 10) Palestinians working for foreign outlets. As plans todeportseveral more W estBank of 5/15,the IDF had killed 7journalists (5 Palestinians toGaza for allegedlyaiding Palestinian, 1British, 1Italian) and injured relativesin staging attackson Israelis, 95since thestart of theintifada. though no one was actually transferred. TheIDF also increasingly targeted TwoPalestinians, thebrother and sister of foreign activists ( “internationals ”) with the asuicide bomber, havebeen banished to International Solidarity Movement(ISM), Gaza todate (see Quarterly Updatein JPS which organizes with local Palestinians 126). and Israeli peaceactivists tostageacts of TheIsraeli DMin. reported(5/ 1)that nonviolent resistance toIsraeli occupation therewere 90 –100 “illegal” settlement (for moreon theISM seethe Seitz report outposts (i.e., not approvedby the in this issue). Israeli pressures against government)in theW estBank as of 5/03, internationals increased afterAmerican ISM upfrom 66in 5/02.This is despiteIsraeli volunteerRachel Corrie was crushed and claims tohave dismantled 35such outposts killed (3/16)by an IDFbulldozer while between7/ 02and 10/02,with orders given taking partin ademonstration toblock the in 10/02todismantle another 30.

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BufferZone s TheDMin. was also reportedly Israel continued work this quarter on a considering (3/23)plans toconstruct an buffer zone and securityfence between easternseparation fencethat would cutoff Israelis and Palestinians in theW estBank Palestinian access totheJordan Valley. (seeQuarterly Updatein JPS 127).The IDF This fencewould run along the “Alon axis” stated(4/ 30)that the completed fence from Mehola toMa ’ale Adumim and from would run some600 km —nearly twiceas thereto the desert southeast of Hebron. long as the330-km Green Line —and On3/26,Sharon presenteda plans for a would delineate “theentire boundary area fencethat would divide theW estBank into betweenIsrael and theterritory under the anorthern bloc (Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, jurisdiction of thePalestinian Authority. ” Ramallah, and Tulkarm) and asouthern The donors’ Local Aid Coordination bloc (Bethlehemand Hebron), leaving Comm. (LACC), which released (5/4)a Jericho in themiddle and seizing the studyof theimpact of thesecurity fence Jordan Valley. Unnamed Israeli ministers construction on thePalestinians, said (3/23)that Sharon intends thefences concluded thatthe Žrst phaseof thefence tooutline thetemporary borders of the projectwould placesome 12,000 Palestinians stateunder Bush ’s road map. Palestinians and 11,500dunams of land Indeed, his 3/26plan concords with his (including someof therichest agricultural previous statementsthat he would approve land in theW estBank) on theIsraeli side aPalestinian stateon no morethan 45%of of thefence, perhaps forcing Palestinians theWest Bank and 70%of Gaza. in thoseareas who havebeen cut off bythe fence from their lands tomigrate INTRA-PALESTINIAN RELATIONS east.Ultimately, 95,000 Palestinians AND REFORM EFFORTS (4.5%of theW estBank population; 61,000 TheP Acontinued reform effortsbut ata of themaround Jerusalem) mightbe slower pacethan previously. Already atthe affected. start of thequarter ,theP Aargued (2/18) TheLACC also statedthat as of early thatmany steps, such as holding elections 4/03,147 km of fencewas under and issuing aconstitution, could not move construction, but only small stretcheshad forward unless Israel easedrestrictions on beencompleted —4.5km in thenorth, thePalestinians and resumedpeace talks. running from Kfar Salam, 4kmwest of Qalqilya and northwest of Tulkarm, and 3 PoliticalReform kmnear Jerusalem. TheIsraeli Treasury Most activitythis quarter surrounded and DMin. approved(3/ 6)funding for two creating and Žlling the PM’s post and stretchesof thesecurity fence totaling 160 forming anewEA (or cabinet). As noted kmand costing $34m. Onestretch would above, Arafat strenuously resisted run parallel tothe Green Line from Salim relinquishing any measureof real control, toElkana, theother would surround especiallyto individuals such as former Jerusalem. Gaza securitychief Muhammad Dahlan, a TheIsraeli DMin. recommended(3/ 23) favoriteof Israel and theU.S., who might thatthe fence run further eastthan make signiŽcant concessions toIsrael to originally planned in someareas tobring consolidate their own powerbase. moreJewish settlements(including Ariel, The Žrst strugglewas tode Žne the Emmanuel, and Keddumim),housing duties of thePM. AfterArafat namedAbbas 40,000Jewish settlersand some3,000 as his choice (3/6),the PLO Central Comm. Palestinians, overto the Israeli side of the (PLOCC) endorsed (3/8 –9)his candidacy fence(cf. the YESHA plan in theQuarterly and thecreation of thepost of PM, as well Update in JPS 127).Israel announced as discussed theduties of thePM. (Israel (2/18)plans toplace14 dunams of allowed 90of the143 PLOCC membersto Bethlehemland, including Rachel ’s Tomb travelto Ramallah toattend.)Although the and some40 Palestinian homes, on the PLOCC could not of Žcially approveAbbas Israeli side of thefence, effectively or sethis duties —legally thejob of the annexing themto Jerusalem. Sharon was Palestinian Council (PC) —the PLOCC’s set to Žnalize theseplans but thendelayed opinions carry weightwith thePC. on 4/6,reportedly fearing it would raise ThePC quickly approved(3/ 10)14 new tensions with theU.S. while theIraq war articles tothe Basic Law, creating the was going on and cause budgetproblems position of PM, but retained clauses at home. outlining theduties of thepresident intact.

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Subsequent PCdebate(3/ 17 –18) under him as stateminister for security reconciling thetwo setsof articles and affairs. Otherwise, the24-member detailing thePM duties was heated:Arafat ExecutiveAuthority (seeDoc. B1), demanded thatthe PM berequired toseek approvedby the PC on 4/29,differed by his approval, as president, in selectingthe only afewmembers from theone thathad EAand making ministerial appointments, raised such objections when Abbas and sought provisions for two dep.PM presentedit on 4/13. poststo be appointed by the president and Among the Žgures retained atArafat ’s thus curb thePM ’spower. ThePC rejected insistence was Saeb Erakat, local (22–49)these proposals, forcing Arafat to governmentminister and senior PA accept the Žnal bill (approved69 –0, with 1 negotiator since 1995,who was giventhe abstention, on 3/18)allowing him to newpost of negotiations affairs minister appointand dismiss thePM and leaving afterAbbas attemptedto demote him to Žnal sayon securityand negotiations in his minister without portfolio. On 5/15,Erakat hands, but giving thePM theauthority to resigned without giving areason. Rumors makeministerial appointmentswithout suggestedthat he had not beeninvited by consultation and day-to-day decisions. This Abbas totake part in theAbbas-Sharon seemedto meet U.S. and Israeli demands meetingset for 5/17,the Žrst high-level thatArafat beleft with symbolic authority PA-Israeli talks since theTaba negotiations only. in 1/01. OnceAbbas accepted(3/ 19)his of Žcial Bythe end of thequarter ,Arafat nomination, hekept consultations on the reportedlyhad appointed58 Fatah new EA conŽdential. As is customary, membersto senior posts(including 15to though not legally required, Abbas made postsin theInterior Min.) without (4/13)his initial presentationto the Fatah consulting Abbas, in an attemptto reassert Central Comm. (As with thePLOCC, the control overcertain ministries; Abbas was Fatah bloc typicallymeets before an reportedlyfurious and had demanded important PCsession for consultations and Arafat revokethe appointments to form a uniŽed position—apracticethat immediately. has givenArafat ameasureof control over TheP Acontinued work on the PCdecision making.) When Abbas constitution, reportedlycompleting a indicated thathe would replacethe 43-pagedraft ca. 2/17,which it began interior and justiceministers with mennot circulating toexperts for comments.The closely tiedto Arafat, Arafat and some draft was presentedto PC memberson Fatah leaders strongly objectedand forced 3/10but not discussed. Abbas reportedly Abbas todelay the presentation of his gavethe draft toPowell in their meeting cabinet tothe PC. Further uproar was on 5/11. caused when thetentative slate was leaked (4/13):Reformers complained of too many Se curityR eform old faces, and no women, while some Abbas’sremovalof Hassan as interior cabinet memberswere stunned to Žnd minister and appointmentof Dahlan as theywere not included or movedto new statesecurity minister marked amajor posts. Abbas, who apparentlyhad not change thatIsrael and theU.S. hoped briefed existingor proposed ministers on would lead toa revampingof thesecurity his choices, angeredeven his allies, some forces, reassertion of PAsecuritycontrol of whom threatenedto rejecttheir new overthe territories, and ahalt toviolence. portfolios. Atthe 4/ 29PCmeeting,however ,Arafat More than aweekof heateddebate also established anewnational security within Fatah followed, with Abbas council thatwould reportdirectly tohim, threateningto quit overArafat ’sattemptsto undercutting Abbas and Dahlan ’s ultimate curb his decision making (particularly by control overthe security organizations. demanding thatAbbas return Interior M Thecouncil would include Arafat, Abbas, Hassan and excludeformer Gaza PSF chief Dahlan, Hassan (kepton as Arafat ’s Dahlan) and Žnally walking out of personal adviser on securitymatters), meetingson 4/19.Under stiff pressure Finance MSalam al-Fayyad, and theheads from theinternational community(see of Force17, General Intelligence, naval above),Arafat and Abbas agreedto a intelligence, military intelligence, and the compromiseon 4/23:Abbas himself would civilian police, with theselast Žve to report serveas interior minister, with Dahlan toHassan, leaving Dahlan in direct control

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions QUARTERLY UPDATE ON CONFLICT AND DIPLOMACY 139 only of thePSF and counterintelligence. company).Fayyad said thatthe holding of Abbas countered byannouncing (5/5)the theinvestments in so manyaccounts is transfer of Interior Min. authority overall what apparentlygave rise toIsraeli securityservices to thestate security accusations thatArafat and theP Aheld department,raising protestsfrom Arafat slush funds and toother reports of theP A thatAbbas was attemptingto bypass him. controlling monopolies on important Afterfurther debatewith Arafat, Abbas goods. Healso said thatmost of the agreed(5/ 6)to give Dahlan responsibility investmentswould besold off when for “speciŽcsecurityoperations and marketconditions permit,stating, sectors” but not authority overall security “Commerceis an honorable profession, forces. but it’snot for thestate. ” PIF statements Dahlan held his Žrst meetingwith are now tobe issued monthly. Hamasand Islamic Jihad reps. in Gaza on Chairman of thePC budgetcomm. Sa ‘id 4/24todiscuss acease- Žreand reopened Karanz complained (3/26)that some salary securitytalks with Israeli Maj. Gen.Amos paymentsto thesecurity services and Gilad on 5/9.As of 5/10,Dahlan had Finance Min. werestill being madein cash reportedlydrafted asecuritystrategy plan (rather than bydirect deposit, as ordered for Abbas, but therewere no plans to byFayyad in 12/02)because of resistance implementit until Israel acceptedthe road by some ofŽcials who skim moneyfrom map.As of 5/14,the P Awas reportedly thecash transactions. On 4/12,Fayyad quietlyoffering cash rewards for announced thatall salaries werebeing information on arms dealers and arms paid bydirect deposit. smuggling. JudicialReform Israeli DMMofaz reportedon 4/2that Atits ITFRmeeting in London since theP A-Israeli securitymeeting on (2/19–20),the Quartet noted that the P A 3/27, the Žrst such high-level meetingin had not madesigni Žcant effortson therule overa year, thePSF had increased efforts of law, noting in particular theneed to topreventPalestinians from Žring Qassam eliminatesecurity courts, which are illegal rockets from Gaza, had madeseveral under theBasic Law. Then-Interior M arrests in this regard, and had begun Hassan had abolished thesecurity courts coordinating themanning of newPSF on 4/8,ordering military courts tobe postsnear theIDF ’soperational areas. createdto try members of thesecurity TheP Areportedlybegan (2/18) servicesonly. deployingdozens of unarmed security personnel in Nablus, called thePalestinian NationalUnity Authority Joint Forces, tohandle traf Žc Thenational unity dialogue among and civil complaints. TheP Asaid it had Palestinian factions held in Cairo last not coordinated with Israel regarding the quarter (seeQuarterly Updatein JPS 127) force. and tentativelyset to open its third round on 2/26did not recommencedespite much FiscalReform discussion. Instead Abbas held talks PAFinance MFayyadmet with Sharon (3/28–ca. 4/1)with thevarious factions in Jerusalem on 2/16to discuss the regarding forming his newcabinet and Palestinian economic situation and the outlining his security, political, and Israeli transfer of VATrevenues owed the economic policies. TheAMB, DFLP, PA.Therewas no con Žrmation thatV AT Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and PFLP refused to transfers continued this quarter. Israel participatein thenew government, saying seized(3/ 10)$7.4 m of thefrozen VAT theywould do so only if newelections funds topayfor repair of asewageand wereheld and recommendingthat before water puriŽcation systemin theW est tryingto form acabinet, Abbas should Žrst Bank. negotiatea national unity platform Fayyadissued (2/28)a 345-pagereport, acceptableto all factions. Atthe close of partially preparedby Standard and Poors, thequarter, Egyptand theP Awere detailing theholdings of thePalestinian discussing reconvening theCairo talks, but InvestmentFund (PIF)and showing no decisions had beentaken. consolidation of $658m. thathad Splits within theAMB continued tobe previouslybeen held as 79individual apparentthis quarter, as theNablus wing commercial ventures(including theOasis of theAMB continued toact on its own. A hotel and casino in Jericho and acement caller claiming tobe an AMB membertook

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 140 JOURNAL OF PALESTINE STUDIES responsibility for the4/ 24Kfar Saba 3.Do you think that Israelwill suicide bombing (stagedby a Palestinian implement theroad map proposed from Balata r.c., near Nablus), stating thatit bytheUnited States to resolvethe had beenplanned with thehelp of the conict? PFLP. AMB’schief spokesmanquickly WestBank Gaza Total denied (4/24)that the AMB was involved, saying thatthe Nablus breakaway faction a. Yes 18.3%13.9% 16.7% was toblame. b. No 69.3%79.4% 72.9% Palestinian PeoplesParty leader Mustafa c. Don’tknow 12.4%6.7% 10.4% Barghouti resigned (4/4)from theparty to stepup efforts to form thePalestinian 4.Do you believe that theUnited States National Initiative, an independentreform is seriousabout implementing theroad movementannounced on 6/17/02(see map? Quarterly Updatein JPS 125). WestBank Gaza Total Arafat canceled (3/16)elections for the al-Azhar Universityworkers union, fearing a. Yes 32.6%28.9% 31.2% alandslide victoryby Hamas. b. No 52.9%60.4% 55.6% c. Don’tknow 14.6%10.7% 13.2%

PALESTINIAN OPINION JORDAN-ISRAEL Thefollow ingd ata areexcerpted fromapollc onducte dby theBirzeit Jordan continued tokeep a low pro Žle UniversityDe velopmentStudies this quarter in light of potential Program(DSP)betw een8and10May ramiŽcations for thekingdom of the 2003.R esultsa rebasedonasurveyof U.S.-led offensiveagainst Iraq. Although 1,200m enandwomenfromth eWest public contacts with Israel werekept to a Banka ndGaza.Thepoll, thetwelfth in minimum, rumors circulated in theHebrew aseries,wasta kenfromDSP’s Web press(early 3/ 03)that Sharon and King sitea twww.birzeit.e du/dsp. Abdallah had held threesecret meetings in Amman and Aqaba in thepast year, with 1.Mr. Abbas, the new prime minister, thelatest three months previous, to calledupon Palestinian factions to “coordinate thetwo countries ’ positions refrainfrom attacking Israeli civilians ahead of apossible U.S.-led war in Iraq. ” to providea chancefor negotiations. Neitherstate con Žrmedor denied the Doyou support oroppose this call? stories. Jordan also approved(5/ 5)Israel ’s choice of Yaqub Haddas Handlsman as WestBank Gaza Total ambassador extraordinaire toAmman. a. Support 21.2%17.7% 19.9% Following rumors thatthere were b. Supportif 1,000sof U.S. troops in thekingdom Israel refrains (instead of 100sas thegovernment from using claimed), Jordanian opposition groups violenceagainst staged(3/ 15)a demonstration demanding Palestinians 53.0%48.8% 51.5% thatthe U.S. troops beexpelled. The c. Oppose 20.0%31.7% 24.2% governmentdenied therumors but did not d. No opinion 5.8%1.8% 4.4% quash theprotest, as would havebeen the casein recentquarters (seeQuarterly 2.In his inauguration speech, Updates in JPS 125–27).After the start of Mr.Abbas said that thenew theIraq war on 3/19,King Abdallah had governmentwill haltthe illegal ordered (3/22)the security services to possessionof weapons and that the exercise “self-restraint ” in dealing with onlylegal weapons are used by the protesters,and thegovernment began securityagencies to implement law issuing dozens of permitsfor antiwar andorder. Do you support oroppose demonstrations; some60 rallies wereheld this statement? between3/ 19and 3/23alone, mostif not WestBank Gaza Total all also condemning Israeli actions against thePalestinians and U.S. policy toward a. Support 74.3%76.1% 75.0% Israel. King Abdallah also paid (3/22) b. Oppose 15.5%20.5% 17.2% condolence visits tothe families of Žve c. No opinion 10.2%3.4% 7.8% Jordanians killed in Iraq.

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Some95 prominent Jordanians Oncemilitary operations in Iraq were (including former PMs, chiefs of theroyal under control, theU.S. unleashed a court, and intelligencechiefs, as well as diplomatic barrage against Syria, leading Islamists, leftists, and pan-Arabists) suggestingit could bethe next U.S. target. delivered(3/ 30)a petitionto King U.S. DefenseSecy. Donald Rumsfeld Abdallah, urging him toclearly denounce launched the Žrst salvo on 3/28,when he thewar on Iraq. TheJordanian Muslim publicly accused Syria of shipping military Brotherhood also issued (3/30)a statement equipmentto Iraq and giving freepassage condemning “certain Arab governments ” across theSyrian border toindividuals who (alluding toJordan as well) for allowing wanted to Žghtalongside Iraqi forces, “invading forces ” tousetheir bases and saying thatthe U.S. considered these airspace for attackson Iraq. Abdallah ’s Žrst “hostile acts ” and would hold Syria ofŽcial statementdid not comeuntil 4/3, accountable. Theaccusation was made when hecriticized U.S. forces for causing despitethe fact that senior U.S. sources the Iraqi civilian casualties. sameday clari Žedthatmilitary equipment Israeli Infrastructure MJosephParitzky referredto was night vision gogglesand stated(4/ 9)that Israel would soon hold other dual-use itemssent from Russian talks with Jordan regarding rebuilding the companies toIraq “via Syria” and that the old Mosul-Haifa oil pipelinevia Jordan U.S. for weekshad beenin quiet contact (toreplace the pipeline that crosses Syria). with Russia, urging it torein in theprivate Paritzky Žrst raised theidea of reviving companies and halt theshipments. thepre-1948 pipeline, little of which Moreover, aside from thefact that the remains, around 4/1,believingthat the lengthof theSyrian-Iraqi border madeit U.S. would supportthe project after Iraq impractical toassume thatSyria could halt was defeated.Jordan denied (4/9)that any all cross-border traf Žc, topU.S. military talks wereplanned. TheU.S. had no ofŽcers reported( NewYork Times 4/15) comment. thatthey knew of no Syrian role in Jordan extradited(3/ 9)toIsrael a recruiting Žghtersfor Iraq. Nonetheless, Palestinian from Hebron, Abdallah thepublic attackscontinued. al-Wawi, on suspicion of being amember In aspeechto the American Israel of al-Qa‘ida. Jordan’sStateSecurity Court Public Affairs Comm. (AIPAC) on 3/30, sentenced(3/ 12)Jordanian ‘Abd Powell cautioned Damascus tostop “direct al-Rahman Abu Khudayr to15years hard supportfor terrorist groups and thedying labor for importing ari e from Saudi regimeof Saddam Hussein, ” warning that Arabia with theintention of in Žltrating into Syria “facesa critical choice ” and would be Israel. held responsible for its decisions. The sameday, Israel revivedaccusations SYRIA-ISRAEL (which evenSharon said hecould not From thestart of thequarter, Israel and conŽrm; seeQuarterly Updatein JPS 127) theU.S. increased pressure on Syria, with thatIraq had exportedits weapons of mass Sharon urging (2/17,4/ 15)the U.S. to destruction (WMDs)to Syria beforethe “disarm” Syria—as well as Iran and start of thewar. (Joint Chiefs of Staff Libya—afterIraq, and theU.S. vowing Chairman Gen.Richard Myers statedca. (2/17)that it would “deal with” the threats 4/9 that “thereis no evidence ” that WMDs emanatingfrom thosestates. At a session weretaken out of Iraq.) Anonymous U.S. of theUN Counterterrorism Comm. in New intelligenceof Žcials werecited (4/ 14)as York on 2/20,Israel ’snewlyappointed saying thatHizballah membershad crossed Amb. totheUN Dan Gillerman launched a from Syria into Iraq, acharge Hizballah diplomatic assault on Syria, accusing denied (4/14).Dep. Defense Secy. Paul Damascus of openlyand Wolfowitz (4/6)and former CIA Dir. James “unapologetically ” supporting “tenseparate Woolsey (4/6)called for regimechange in terrorist organizations ” (i.e., the Damascus. Statementsin thesame vein Damascus-based Palestinian rejectionist followed from Bush (4/11),White House groups). Concerned bythe statements, spokesmanAri Fleischer (4/14),Pentagon Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad made(3/ 16)an adviser Richard Perle (4/12),Powell (4/10, emergencytrip to Iran toconfer with Pres. 4/14),Rumsfeld (4/ 9),and again Wolfowitz Mohamed Khatami on theIraq situation (4/10).The House (4/ 11)and Senate(5/ 2) and speciŽcally what stepsthe U.S. might also reintroduced theSyria Accountability takeagainst Hizballah. Act, which was shelvedlast fall afterthe

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 142 JOURNAL OF PALESTINE STUDIES administration argued thatit would exhibit restraint. Syria sealed (mid-4/03)its complicatepeace efforts; theact calls for border with Iraq, urged Hizballah and the an exportban, prohibitions on U.S. private Palestinian groups tolay low before investment,and restrictions on diplomatic Powell’svisit tothe region on 5/3,and contacts. reportedlypassed information tothe U.S. Around 4/3numerous rumors citing regarding thewhereabouts of Palestine unidentiŽedadministration of Žcials and Liberation Front leader Muhammad Abbas NSC staffbegan circulating (e.g., Guardian (Abu Abbas) afterhe tried to ee Iraq for 4/15, Washington Post 4/17,UPI 5/2), Syria, leading tohis captureby U.S. Special indicating thatRumsfeld and Feithhad Forces in Baghdad on 4/14.On 4/20,Bush ordered theJoint Chiefs of Staffto direct statedthat Syria was showing some theU.S. European Command topreparea cooperation, and theaggressive statements contingencystrike plan for Syria, based on abated. (Oneexception was acommentby thepretext of “hot pursuit. ” Israeli NSA Israeli amb. DannyAyalon on 4/28that the Halevyreportedly pursued theidea in war on Iraq had createdgreat meetingswith Powell and Riceon 4/13 –15. opportunities for Israel but was “not Stories claimed thatthe plan had been enough,” saying “regimechange ” in Iran blocked bythe White House, speci Žcally and Syria was needednext.) byRice and Bush political adviser Karl Soon after, reports surfaced (particularly Rove,who statedthat Bush did not want in theHebrew press) that Asad had made any further military campaigns during his serious offers toIsrael torestart peacetalks Žrst term.On 4/14,an anonymous senior both beforeand afterthe war on Iraq administration of Žcial statedthat there began. Responding toreports thatRep. wereno plans tolaunch amilitary attack TomLantos (D-CA)had passeda message on Syria, but “we’retrying to scare them (4/28)to Sharon from Asad regarding for themoment ” in hopesthat “Syria will renewing talks, Sharon said (4/28)that change its behavior. ” Another anonymous Asad was merelyattempting to de ect U.S. ofŽcial said (4/14), “We’vechanged the criticism but thatIsrael would bewilling to geostrategicsituation in theMiddle East. reopentalks provided therewere no Syria can eitherwake up to that fact or “preconditions, ” such as starting from not. It’supto Syria todecidewhether to wherenegotiations leftoff in 1/00.Senior becomea partof thenew Middle East that aides toSharon con Žrmed(5/ 5)rumors weare shaping. ” TheU.S. also reportedly suggestingthat Asad had senta relativeto feltthat it was “an opportunemoment to Amman todiscuss an offer with Israeli pressthe allegations ” and “was looking for FMin. dir. gen.Eytan Ben-Tzur but that leverageto ensure Syrian cooperation ” Sharon rejectedit becauseSyria ’s with arenewedU.S. initiative on thepeace seriousness and motivation were process. questionable. Another aide said (5/5)that Israeli DMMofaz stated(4/ 14)that Sharon believedthat restarting talks would Israel had “along list of issues weare “letSyria off thehook ” ata timewhen the thinking of demanding of theSyrians, and U.S. was using themomentum of theIraq it would bebest done through the war topress Damascus tocomplywith Americans.” Thelist reportedlyincluded numerous demands favorable toIsrael. removingSyrian troops from Lebanon, Sharon thensaid (5/8)thatIsrael “must ending Syrian supportof Hizballah and wait afewweeks before deciding on talks Palestinian rejectionist groups, and with Syria tomakethe best use of U.S. “effectiveSyrian disarmament. ” Sharon pressure on Damascus. ” Syria (5/7,5/11) warned (4/15)that Asad was “dangerous” and Jordan (5/6)eventuallydenied that and that his “judgmentis impaired, ” again any approaches took place. stating thatSyria held Iraq ’s WMDs and TheU.S. turned upthe heat with could givethem to Hizballah. Heurged Powell’svisit toSyria on 5/3.En route to (4/15,4/ 16)the U.S. toexert “heavy Damascus, Powell said (5/2)that the U.S. pressure” on Syria—“not necessarily going expected “speciŽcaction and performance ” towar, but diplomatic and economic from Syria on along list of issues tore ect pressure.” its understanding and acceptanceof the By4/ 14,the Arab League,Britain, region’s “newstrategic dynamic. ” In his Denmark, Egypt,the EU, France, Germany, meetingwith Asad, Powell demanded that Lebanon, Russia, Spain, and theUN had Syria halt aid toHizballah, continue toseal strongly urged theU.S. to “cool down” and its border with Iraq and turn overany Iraqi

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions QUARTERLY UPDATE ON CONFLICT AND DIPLOMACY 143 ofŽcials found in thecountry, halt Syria, as aUNSecurityCouncil (UNSC) chemical weapons development(which rotating member,to vote against aBritish Syria denied was taking place),and draft UNSC res. giving Iraq until 3/17to address child custody disputes between disarm. Syrians and Americans, warning thatthere LEBANON-ISRAEL would be “consequences ” if Syria did not takeaction. Afterthe meeting, Powell Tensions on theIsraeli-Lebanese border declared thatSyria had shut theof Žces of remained high in light of theIraq con ict. somePalestinian groups regarded as Israel continued tomake surveillance “terrorist organizations ” by the U.S., overights of Lebaneseterritory, and including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Hizballah continued to Žreoccasional Popular Front for theLiberation of antiaircraft missiles in symbolic protest,as Palestine-General Command. Syria did not in previous quarters; one unexploded conŽrmtheclosures, and thegroups missile landed (3/15)in KiryatShimona themselvesclaimed (5/3,5/7)thatthey inside Israel, causing no damageor had receivedno such orders and werestill injuries. Oncethe war on Iraq began, operating. In an interviewon 5/11,Asad Hizballah redeployed(3/ 20)Katyushas said hehad nevergiven Powell any toward theIsraeli border, and the assurances hewould close theof Žces and, Lebanesearmy reinforced troops in the tothecontrary, had told him thatthe south todeter Israel from using theU.S. issues would haveto bediscussed in the offensiveas apretextto attack Lebanon. contextof restarting peacetalks. By On 4/15,Lebanese PM Ra Žq Hariri common accord, however, the10 announced his cabinet ’sresignation, Damascus-based Palestinian groups reportedlyunder pressure from Syria, agreed(5/ 10)to “freezetheir activities which wanted to “order its affairs in becauseof thecircumstances in Syria. ” Lebanon as apreemptivemeasure against Journalists who visitedthe of Žces expectedU.S. pressures following the thereafterfound themclosed. Around collapse of theBa ‘thregimein Iraq, ” 5/10,Hamas political leaders Musa Abu according toanalysts (see al-Qudsal-Arabi Marzuq and Khalid Mishal leftSyria for 4/17, Middle East International 5/2). Qatar, and senior Islamic Jihad political Lebanesepres. Emile Lahoud, supported leader Ramadan Shallah leftSyria for by93 of theparliament ’s128members, Lebanon. quickly appointed(4/ 15)Hariri toform a In the Žrst half of 5/03,the Syrian newgovernment. The government, governmentreportedly licensed its Žrst approvedand sworn in on 4/17,was more threeprivate banks, approvedtwo new strongly supportiveof Damascus and privateuniversities and four privateradio Hizballah. stations, announced thatschool children En route toSyria, Powell stopped(5/ 3) would no longer haveto wear military- in Lebanon, wherehe urged Lahoud and styleuniforms as of thefall, and began Hariri todisarm Hizballah, removeall debateon eliminating requirements thatall long-range rockets from southern Lebanon, students join Ba ‘thist youthgroups and on assert military control oversouthern allowing theposition of PMtobe held bya Lebanon, and providea list of suspects non-Ba‘thpartymember. The moves were involved in thekidnapping of U.S. citizens thought toberelated to thewar on Iraq. in Lebanon. Powell also stressedU.S. Also of note: Syria withdrew (2/18) supportfor a “Lebanon freeof all —all— 4,000of its troops from Lebanon, leaving foreign forces, ” in referenceto Syria. (In 16,000troops in thecountry. Syrian talks with Asad, however, Powell did not ofŽcials said it was implementingthe 1989 mention withdrawing Syrian troops from Ta’if Accord, while unof Žcial sources cited Lebanon.) both domestic(placating Lebanon ’s Lebanon reported(5/ 8)thatit had Christian opposition, which condemns the arrested, with thehelp of Syrian Syrian presence)and regional (concern intelligence, 25persons, including 5 overa strike on Iraq) causes as Palestinians, involved in astring of explanations. bombings outside American fast-food On 3/9,more than 10,000Lebanese and restaurants in Lebanon and an aborted plot Palestinians droveto Syria toexpress toassassinate U.S. Amb. toLebanon supportfor Asad ’sstanceagainst theU.S. Vincent Battleduring avisit toTripoli on positions on Iraq and Israel, and urged 1/15/03.Lebanon also announced (5/15)

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 144 JOURNAL OF PALESTINE STUDIES thearrest, again aided bySyrian In light of theIraq war,theIsraeli intelligence, of sevenLebanese and two Justice Min. began (ca. 4/16)preparing a Palestinians for plottinga major attackon list of propertyin Iraq, estimatedto be theU.S. embassy.Israeli police reported worth $1b., which emigrating Iraqi (2/17)that over the past month, theyhad Jews wereforced toleave behind in the arrested ŽveIsraeli Jews from Kiryat 1950s,with theaim of seeking Shimona and six Israeli Arabs from the compensation from frozen Iraqi assets. In divided cityof Ghajar, on theLebanese an effortthat may be coordinated, Iraqi border, for giving Hizballah intelligence Jews in Europe reportedlywere discussing information in exchangefor hashish. Three (5/15) Žling class-action lawsuits against Lebanesecaptured by Israel off thecoast Iraq toachieve the same end. Israel ’s of Gaza in 5/01and convictedin 12/02of TradeMin. removed(4/ 30)prohibitions on smuggling arms tothe Palestinians were Israel from doing business in Iraq. Several sentenced(3/ 23)by an IDFtribunal to Israeli businessmen werereportedly 10–12yearsin jail. already in contact with “U.S. elements ” Political rivalries in ‘Ayn al-Hilwa r.c. regarding becoming subcontractors toU.S. betweenFatah and theIslamist Usbat Žrms on various Iraqi projects. al-Ansar group, going on for ayear, INTER-ARAB HIGHLIGHTS escalatedsharply this quarter,with a number of killings (e.g., two on 2/23,2/ 24, Arab leaders keptin close contact this 3/1,5/ 13)and four explosions on 4/26.In quarter regarding theIraq and Palestinian the3/ 1incident, Fatah allegedlykilled crises, but wereunable or unwilling — ‘Abd al-Sattar Jad (alias Abu Muhammad givenU.S. pressures and therisks of being al-Masri, an Egyptianreported to be close perceivedas “supporters of terror ”—to toEgyptianIslamic Jihad, Usbat al-Ansar, formulate an effectiveunited Arab policy. and al-Qa‘ida), whom it accused of having Arab LeagueFMs held an emergency murdered aPLO activistin thecamp, in a session on 2/16to discuss movingthe car bombing. Israel, which gavehigh heads-of-state Arab summitslated for 3/24 proŽleto the killing, claiming Jad was the in Bahrain to2/ 26in Cairo and making it a leader of theLebanese branch of al-Qa ‘ida, special session on Iraq. (Themeeting was also rumored tobe behind the reportedlywas called atthe urging of assassination. France, which had asked theArab states Interior MElias Murr said (5/10)that ofŽcially tosupport the European antiwar his ministry would look into thecases of stand.) All partiesagreed on theneed 200,000individuals who became eitherto condone aU.S. attackon Iraq or naturalized Lebanesecitizens under a unite in opposition against it, but thestates 1994 ofŽcial decree,and warned that remained divided. In theend, both sides 10,000sof Palestinians and Syrians may opposeda special session on bestripped of their citizenship if theylied Iraq—Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and theother in their applications. TheMaronite Gulf stateshosting U.S. troops because League also Žled (5/8)suit, arguing that theydid not want tobeasked toapprove thedecree is unconstitutional and all aharsh statementopposing foreign troops citizenships awarded under it should be on Arab soil; Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, revoked. Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemenbecause they believed their strong opposition toa strike on Iraq would at REGIONALAFFAIRS bestbe watered down into aweak, noncommittal statement,thereby RELATIONSWITH ISRAEL highlighting theArab League ’s Because of thewar on Iraq and the ineffectiveness.As acompromise, the ongoing intifada, therewere few contacts statesagreed to move the meeting to 3/ 1 betweenIsrael and theArab states.Israeli in Sharm al-Shaykh but tokeep it aregular FMShalom met(5/ 14)with Qatari FM summitsession. ThePalestinian issue was Shaykh Hamad in Paris todiscuss not discussed. improving bilateral relations, marking the FMs metagain (2/27 –28)to draft a Žrst everpublic meetingbetween the two paragraph on Iraq thatall statescould countries and Israel ’shighest levelpublic subscribe tofor theArab summit ’s Žnal meetingwith asenior Arab of Žcial since statement,but themeeting ended without theintifada began. agreement.Powell called on thestates “to

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions QUARTERLY UPDATE ON CONFLICT AND DIPLOMACY 145 issue thestrongest possible statement ” Soon afterthe fall of Baghdad, telling Hussein thathe must “step down humanitarian relief agenciesbegan and getout of theway and letsome reporting (4/24)that Iraqis in thecapital responsible leadership takeover, ” and in thesouth wereretaliating against outraging theLeague members, who Palestinian refugees,seizing their homes stated,in thewords of EgyptianFM Ahmad and property,and thatrefugees were Maher, that “Weare not in thebusiness of trickling toward theborders, seekingsafe changing theregime of one country or haven. Thenumber of Palestinian refugees another Wecan only ask all partiesto in Iraq is variously estimatedto be 42,000 abide byinternational resolutions in order to90,000.The Hussein regimeforced toavoid war. ” The summit’s Žnal statement 1,000sof poor Iraqis togiveup their expressed(3/ 1) “completerejection of homesto refugees in return for atoken any aggression on Iraq ” without UN rent, paid bythe government, as ashow of approval, urged Arab statesnot to solidarity; refugeesalso receiveda small “participate ” in an attackon Iraq, called stipendfrom thegovernment (not enough on theinternational communityto work toliveon but enough tospark jealousy toward Israeli-Palestinian peace,and among poor Iraqis). With theregime gone, renewedmonthly budgetsupport for the someIraqis sought toreclaim their houses. PA.Syrian pres. Asad dismissed (3/10)the In Baghdad, as manyas 460Palestinian statement,calling theArab leaders families (some3,000 people) had been weaklings unable todefend their own evictedby the end of thequarter and were interests. TheArab LeagueFMs held living in aUN-established tentcity or another special session on Iraq and the vacantgovernment buildings. As of 4/28, Israeli-Palestinian con ict on 3/24,but thePLO reportedthat Jordan had allowed observers said thatthere was “an almost in 375Palestinian refugeeswith Jordanian, universal feelingthat [the Arab states]were Syrian, Egyptian, or Lebanese merelygoing through themotions for laissez-passer documents and setthem up public consumption. ” ata campnear al-Ruwayshid; another 50 Similarly, theNon-Aligned Movement without documents remained on theIraqi endedits heads-of-state summit(2/ 24 –25) side of theborder. with abland statementcondemning U.S. threatsto Iraq and Israeli violenceagainst INTERNATIONAL thePalestinians and urging the international communityto take action. UNITED STATES TheOrganization of theIslamic Conferenceheld (3/5)an emergency As notedabove, theIsraeli-Palestinian session todiscuss theIraq and Palestinian conict remained peripheral tothe situations and issued astrong statement administration ’sconcerns as theU.S. denouncing Israeli aggressions, but as with gearedup for and wagedwar on Iraq. the3/ 1Arab Leaguestatement, it had little Congress, however, madeit ahigh priority practical effect. and initiated unusually strong preemptive Meanwhile, as of late2/ 03,massive action against theroad mapand for popular demonstrations wereheld in the supplementalaid toIsrael (seebelow). Arab world in solidarity with both the Concertedcriticism of theroad map Palestinian and Iraqi peoples.For example, intensiŽedin mid-3/03,when House morethan 120,000Egyptians protested in majorityleader TomDeLay (R-TX) gave Cairo on 2/27;100,000 demonstrated in two speeches(3/ 12,4/ 2),calling Cairo on 3/5;10,000Y emenisrallied in supporters of theroad map “neoappeasers ” Sana’ on 2/28;and 5,000Palestinians and theplan an “absurd scheme[that] demonstratedin Syria ’sYarmuk r.c. on 3/6. ows from an ethically obtuse obsession Afterthe start of thewar on Iraq, much with establishing moral paritybetween the larger and morehostile demonstrations lone fountain of liberty in theMiddle East took place, particularly in Egypt,where and an apparatus of terror thatwas 10,000sof protestersclashed with police organized and deployedto destroy the on 3/20and 3/21.Observers notedthat the Jewish state. ” Republican and Democratic Arab protestswere directed “as much at congressional leaders (including DeLay, theindividual Arab governments ’ active or Housemajority whip RoyBlunt [R-MO], passivecollusion in theassault ” on Iraq as and Houseminority whip StenyHoyer atthe U.S. and Britain. [D-MD])called (4/3)on Bush and Powell

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 146 JOURNAL OF PALESTINE STUDIES totempertheir supportof theroad map loan guaranteemoney in theoccupied and adopt a “morestaunchly pro-Israel territories. TheU.S. mayreduce Israel ’s stance, evenif it feedsthe perception the nextannual installment bythe amount that United Statesis too closely aligned with thepresident determines to be Sharon’sgovernment. ” A number of “inconsistent with theobjectives and speechesby members of Congress understandings reached betweenthe (including Houseminority leader Nancy United Statesand theGovernment of Pelosi [D-CA], Housespeaker Dennis Israel” (i.e., used for settlement Hastert[R-IL], and Rep.Eric Cantor [R-VA]) expansion). Thelaw also provides over atthe annual AIPACconference(3/ 30 –4/1) threeyears $50 m. for humanitarian aid in echoedthis line and madeclear that theoccupied territories, $1b. in economic Congress would opposeany peacedeal aid and $8.5b in direct loans or loan thatdid not require thePalestinians tohalt guarantees for Turkey,$700 m. in violenceand change their leadership economic aid and $406m. in military aid beforeIsrael was forced totakeany action. for Jordan, $300m. in economic aid and Severalunnamed “key” Republicans said $2b. in loan guarantees for Egypt, (4/3)thatBush had privatelyassured them $127m. for Afghanistan, and $200m. for thathe agreed with them,but statedhe “Muslim outreach ” and theMiddle East was under pressure from Powell and Blair Partnership Initiative (seeQuarterly Update topressthe road map. in JPS 127). Afterthe road mapwas released, two Congress cut(ca. 2/17)FY 2003foreign lettersfrom 88senators and 313 appropriations across theboard by.65%, representatives(drafted by AIP AC)were meaning thatIsrael will receive$2.09 b. in sent(4/ 30)to Bush, urging against military aid and $596m. in economic aid pressing Israel tocomply with theroad for theyear. Israel was reportedly map’srequirements beforethe Palestinians considering (ca. 2/19)making another halt all violence(see Docs. D2,D3). $850m. special aid requestto the U.S. or Breaking with themain Jewish lobbying Germany to Žnance thepurchase of two organizations, 14major Jewish Dolphin submarines from Germanyto add philanthropists issued (4/29)a statement tothethree it already has. strongly supporting theroad map.Analysts Anthony Zinni of Žcially resigned (3/1) noted(e.g., Washington Post 5/1), as U.S. special envoyon the however, thatmost of thesigners likely Israel-Palestine con ict, saying thathe had would not votefor Bush anyway. not heard from administration of Žcials Sharon’schief of staffW eisglass about thecontinuation of his mission and (2/21–23)and Dep.DMin. dir. gen.Amos thatit seemedto him thatthe Yaron (2/25–26)returned toWashington to administration was not interestedin using presenta revisedrequest for additional aid him further. His last visit tothe region was (seeQuarterly Updatein JPS 127),seeking in 3–4/02,when herecommended a $12b.-$8 b. in loan guarantees (down three-stagecease- Žreplan (seeQuarterly from $10b.) and $4b. in military aid. Update in JPS 124).After the start of While Israel and theU.S. werestill Israel’sOperation DefensiveShield in 3/02, discussing details, Senatemajority leader U.S. and Israeli effortsshifted toremoving and presidential candidate Bill Frist (R-TN) Arafat, and Zinni ’sideas wereshelved. and Senateminority leader TomDaschle NSC Middle East adviser Abrams (D-SD)sent (3/ 13)a letterto Bush, urging reportedlydismissed (ca. 2/25)three NSC him toback theaid as necessaryto “help staffmembers who supportedthe jumpstart” theIsraeli economyand protect immediaterelease of theroad map.Some “akeyAmerican ally confronting both reports saythat the three (Flynt Leverett, terrorism and thethreat of attackfrom Hillary Mann, and Ben Miller) resigned. unconventional weapons. ” The White Bush announced (5/9)aplan for Houseultimately asked Congress togive creating aMiddle East freetrade zone Israel $10b. ($1b. military aid, $9b. loan within 10yearsthat would fosterregional guarantees)over three years as partof a “peaceand security. ” Thezone would $75b. supplementalaid requestsubmitted build on existingU.S. freetrade ca. 3/21.The package was stalled because agreementswith Israel and Jordan, and of add-ons unrelated tothe Middle East, one under negotiation with Morocco. To but Žnally passedon 4/16.Under thelaw qualify for participation in thezone, the (P.L. 108–11),Israel maynot spendthe stateswould berequired toundertake

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions QUARTERLY UPDATE ON CONFLICT AND DIPLOMACY 147

“necessaryreforms, ” which, dependingon on humanitarian rights. Israel said (2/19) thecountry, would include renouncing thatit was one of themost serious and combating terrorism, Žghting criticisms it has receivedrecently. The text corruption, ending theboycott of Israel, was not released. and lowering barriers totrade and Atthe close of atwo-day meetingin investmentby U.S. companies. In return, Brussels, theEU issued (3/21)a statement theU.S. would helpstates gain World saying thatthe war on Iraq madeit “all the TradeOrganization membership. moreimperative ” for theinternational Leading Christian membersof the communityto deal with theIsraeli- Senate,led bySen. Lindsey Graham Palestinian con ict and calling on Israel to (R-SC),submitted (4/ 2)anonbinding “contribute effectivelyto efforts aiming at resolution (S.Con. Res.32) calling for holy Palestinian reform and an end toviolence. ” sitesin Jerusalem toremain under Israeli TheEU said (5/9)thatIsrael and the sovereigntyso as to “assure thesafety of U.S. wereputting extreme pressure on EU American citizens ” visiting there.Rep. Joe ofŽcials not tomeet with Arafat during Wilson (R-SC)submitted a Houseversion visits toIsrael and theoccupied territories, (H.Con. Res.150) on 4/10. but Israel was selectivelyapplying its Of note: While Jenin r.c. was under policy of refusing tomeet of Žcials who curfew on 3/24,the IDF reportedlyled a had metwith Arafat. Sharon met(5/ 12) group of U.S. armyof Žcers on atour of the with EUrotating pres. GreekFM George campto study tactics Israel used during Papandreou despitehis plans tosee Arafat Operation DefensiveShield thatcould be thesame day, but pressedEU foreign adoptedby the U.S. in Iraq, including policy chief Javier Solana tocancel a bulldozing narrow streetsin crowded areas meetingwith Arafat. Solana instead tocreatewide pathsfor entryof infantry. canceled (5/14)his visit toIsrael and went TheU.S. reportedlywas particularly directly toRamallah on 5/15.Also of note: interestedin how theIDF used tank Israel’sJustice MTommyLapid canceled rounds toblast holes in thewalls of homes (4/7)a meetingwith GermanFM Joschka without collapsing them.According tothe Fischer afterFischer requestedthat the NewYork Times (4/1),Israeli military venuebe changed from theEast Jerusalem advisers stressedthat the IDF could use ofŽcesof theJustice Min. Fischer metwith helicopters toshell denseurban areas only Arafat and Abbas in Ramallah on 4/9. “becausethe Palestinians wereso poorly British-Israeli relations deteriorated armed” thatthey could not posea threatto further this quarter (seeQuarterly Update helicopters, which are veryvulnerable to in JPS 127)when FMJack Straw stated ground Žre. (3/25)in an interviewthat W esternnations had shown a “double standard ” by RUSSIA pressing Iraq tocarry out UNresolutions, Russia participatedin thepeace process while not puttingthe same pressure on mostlythrough theQuartet this quarter. Israel. Israel summoned (3/25)the British Russian special envoyAndrei Vdovin ambassador toprotestformally. Blair toured theregion (ca. 3/6)for himself had planned tolink action on Iraq consultations on thePalestinian and Iraq directly totheneed for immediateprogress issues and returned (ca. 4/21 –24) to help on thepeace process in aspeechto a mediateformation of thePalestinian prominentJewish group in London on cabinet. Russian dep.FM Aleksandr 2/26,but deletedthe statement at the last Saltanov also toured theregion (late4/ 03) minute, atIsrael ’s request. for consultations on theroad mapand the UNITED NATIONS Iraq postwar environment. TheUN was totally preoccupiedwith EUROPEAN UNION theIraq issue this quarter and did EU-Israeli relations remained strained comparativelylittle on theIsraeli- this quarter as theEU continued topress Palestinian con ict. for immediaterelease and implementation On 4/14,the UN Commission on of theroad map.The EU submitted(2/ 19) Human Rights(UNCHR) passed (33 –5, astrongly worded letterto Israel criticizing with 1abstention) arecurrent res. that IDFactions in theoccupied territories, “strongly condemned ” Israel’s military especiallyconstruction of thesecurity occupation as “an aggression and an fence,closing universities, and infringing offenseagainst humanity and agrant

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 148 JOURNAL OF PALESTINE STUDIES violation of human rights. ” Israel and the refurbish Turkish tanks. Theamount of U.S. condemned (4/14)the res. as biased workers’ salaries would bededucted from for failing tocondemn in comparable theamount Israel mustspend in Turkey termsthe threat to Israel. TheUNCHR also under themilitary agreement,which passed (50–1,with 2abstentions) a includes mutual procurements. Turkey recurrent res. calling on Israel tobegin canceled (5/13),however, a$12m. project dismantling Jewish settlementsand tohalt for Israel toupgrade eightC-130 cargo their expansion, including natural growth; planes and removedIsrael Aircraft theU.S. was thesole voteagainst. Industries (IAI) from its list of approved Israel was elected(4/ 29)to its second suppliers afterIAI tried toraise theprice of comm.post at the UN, winning one of 33 theproject. Turkey was also angry thatit openpositions for athree-yearterm on the had not receivedan order of airborne UNEconomic and Social Council ’s reconnaissance cameras from Israel ’s Elbit Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Before Systemsand RAFAEL 18months afterthe being selectedto serve on theUN Working order was due toarrive. Group on Disarmamentin 2/03(see Quarterly Updatein JPS 127),Israel had DONORS not won aUNelectionsince 1961,when it servedon theUN GeneralAssembly ’s The donors’ Ad HocLiaison Comm. (UNGA)legal comm. (AHLC),which was tohavemet in 12/02 following theplanned (butdelayed) IRAN releaseof theroad map,met in London Iran, like Syria (seeabove), was the 2/19–20on thesidelines of theLondon targetof U.S. and Israeli pressure this Quartetmtg. to discuss current conditions quarter. From thestart of thequarter, the in theterritories (seeDoc. A2),obstacles to U.S. (e.g., 2/17,3/ 30,4/ 10)warned it economic progress, and thepotential would “deal with threatsfrom Iran ” after impactof Israel ’snewseparation fence; taking care of Iraq, with Israel urging (e.g., both Israel and theP Aattended.The P A 2/17,4/ 14,4/ 28)the U.S. from the briefed attendeeson reform effortsand sidelines. Themain concern seemedto be called for therelaunching of thedonors ’ Iran’ssupportfor Hizballah. In testimony Joint Liaison Comm. (JLC), theoversight beforethe House appropriations comm. body of theLocal Aid Coordination Comm. (3/13),Powell statedhis concern thatIran (LACC) thatincludes Israeli and PAreps.; mightprovide Hizballah or other “terrorist” Israel said it was not preparedto resume groups with WMDs. On 5/7,U.S. of Žcials trilateral (Israel-PA-donor) mechanisms. claimed thatIran had recentlystepped up TheJLC last metin 4/00(see Quarterly its nuclear program and thatIsrael had Update in JPS 116).The W orld Bank beenpressing them “totakethis problem presenteda draft reporton theeconomic seriously.” OfŽcials also said (5/7)that and social damageto the Palestinian theyhad recentlylearned thatIran had an economyduring the Žrst two yearsof the undisclosed uranium enrichmentfacility in intifada and possible measures tostabilize Natanz, in north-central Iran, which they theeconomy, and called for Israel ’s said was moreworrisome than the immediatehalt toclosures and blockades. Russian-assisted nuclear powerfacility in TheW orld Bank estimatedthat the P A Busheir. would needanother $1.1b. in donor Iran released (2/19)the last Žve Iranian supportin 2003to keep the Palestinian Jews of the10 arrested in 1999and economy aoat and alleviatethe convictedin 2000on charges of spyingfor humanitarian crisis, stressing thatthis Israel (seePeace Monitors in JPS 113 and amount would cover “only themost urgent 118,and Quarterly Updatein JPS 126). day-to-day needs ”—emergencyfood, emergencyjob creation, and cash TURKEY assistance for theneediest. Around Israeli FMShalom held talks on bilateral two-thirds of thatamount had already been relations with Turkish PMRecepTayyip pledged;donors pledgedanother $700m. Erdogan, Pres. AhmetNecdet Sezer ,and (Ofthe $1.1 b. theP Areceivedin budget FMAbdallah Gul in Ankara on 4/14.Israel supportin 2002,$840 m. camefrom Arab agreed(4/ 11)to employ800 Turkish Leaguestates and $230came from theEU). construction workers in exchangefor TheLACC continued tohold monthly Turkeysigning a$687m. deal for Israel to meetingsthis quarter. Itmet (2/ 28)in

This content downloaded from 66.134.128.11 on Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:58:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions QUARTERLY UPDATE ON CONFLICT AND DIPLOMACY 149 al-Ram toreviewconclusions of the timeattended by the P A;Israel did not 2/19–20AHLC meeting;noted the attend.The P Apresenteddonors with a deteriorating economic and humanitarian draft EmergencyPublic InvestmentPlan conditions in theoccupied territories in (EPIP) for 2003,which anticipates 2002(real GDPdown 25%,real GNIdown continued Israeli military escalation and 26%,unemployment up 42%, those living deterioration of thehumanitarian situation, below thepoverty level of $2/day totaling and which aims atrelieving Palestinian 60%of thepopulation, lost investment suffering, preventingthe total collapse of equaling $3.4b.); discussed what thePalestinian economy,reducing poverty logistical problems Israel ’snewsecurity and unemployment(speci Žcally byurging fencecould create;noted coordination greaterdonor Žnancing of job creation with Israel toensure movementof programs togetanother 160,000 international aid workers in caseof a unemployedworking), maintaining social long-term curfew on theterritories during stability, and supporting and enhancing PA awar on Iraq; and notedthat donors had institutions. Theplan seeks$640 m. in new assembled a2 –3mo. stock of food and donor Žnancing tobring total donor medical supplies in caseof aprolonged disbursements for 2003to $1.75b. TheP A closure. Donors urged Israel tocontinue also briefed donors on reform effortsand VATtransfers, facilitate work of citedthe need for betterplanning, international aid agencies, and issue delivering, and monitoring of donor aid. permitsto Palestinians involved in reform UNRWAreportedthat of the$95 m. efforts; and urged theP Atodevelop and requestedof donors in its latestemergency rally Palestinians around anational appeal(see Quarterly Updatein JPS 127), emergencyplan tocopewith the only $35m. had beenpledged and $6m. continuing crisis and tocontinue reform delivered. TheW orld Bank generally efforts. approvedthe EPIP ,agreedto work with TheLACC met(4/ 1)in Ramallah to the PA to reŽnethe plan, and said thatthe discuss theanticipated presentationof the major aim for thenext few months would road mapand whetherthe LACC could beto secure suf Žcientbudget support for playa role in monitoring implementation. theP Aand fund theUNRW Aemergency This LACC meetingwas the Žrst in some appeal.

Photo takenby Reuters photographerAhmed Jadallahfrom wherehe landed,severely injured, when an IDFtank Žred a shell ata crowd inJabaliya r .c.Eight Palestinianswere killed and 60 wounded inthe6 March2003 incident.

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