PASSIA: Jerusalem Chronology

1995

Jan. 2: Israeli forces close off the Ambassador Hotel area in Sheikh Jarrah to prevent a press conference protesting Israel's settlement policy.
Jan. 6: Jerusalem Post quotes Rina Zamir of the Housing Ministry’s Jerusalem Dept. saying that construction of 10,000 housing units in Jerusalem settlements begins soon.
Jan. 10: Palestinians and Israelis demonstrate in solidarity with the Jahalin bedouins and in protest of Ma'ale Adumim expansion.
Jan. 11: On a visit of the Old City, Rabin stresses that he does not intend to share the city, nor to end control of East Jerusalem or to give in to Palestinian demands to establish their capital in East Jerusalem.
Jan. 13: Jerusalem Link holds a against settlements and the closure demonstration at Dahiet checkpoint
Jan. 15: Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Gingrich tells Israeli TV that Israel has a right to choose its own capital and that he favours moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.
- Israeli security forces raid Al-Quds press office in East Jerusalem.
Jan. 15-17: The Jerusalem Committee of the Islamic Conference Organization condemns Israel’s 'Jerusalem Law' against Palestinian activity in the city and votes to create an agency to defend Palestinian rights and Islamic heritage in the city.
Jan. 16: A group of Jewish settlers attempts to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque but is prevented by Israeli police.
- Israeli forces destroy the house of Abdul Rama in Beit Hanina which laid in the way of the new Road 1.
Jan. 18: Israeli bulldozers destroy Nadir Shalabi’s house in A-Tur.
Jan. 21: Yediot Aharanot publishes a map of "Greater Jerusalem" with a diameter of 23km (Al-Bireh to the north, Efrat to the south, Beitar to the west, and Jericho to the east).
Jan. 22: The Israeli government announces it will allow settlement expansion in the OPT and Jerusalem.
- Following the Beit Lid bomb attack, Israeli imposes a total closure of the OPT.
- The Israeli Housing Ministry reports that the majority of the 1995 budget (NIS 95 mill) for settlement activity will be spent in Maale Adumim, Givat Ze'ev and Betar.
Jan. 24: Israeli forces destroy Ahmed Abu Leban’s house in A-Tur.
Jan. 25: The Israeli government approves the building of thousands of new housing units in settlements of the "Greater Jerusalem" area, incl. 1,800 in Ma'ale Adumim, 900 in Betar and 800 in Givat Ze'ev.
Jan. 27: Israeli soldiers raid Abu Dis College of Science and Technology,destroy furniture and seize material. 200 students are forced to sit blindfolded in the yard for hours and over 20 are arrested. Prior to the 8-hour rampage (100,000 NIS in damages), a curfew was clamped on the village.
Jan. 30: Israeli soldiers destroy the house of the Abu Ghanem family, home to 22, in A-Tur without prior warning for being built illegally.
Jan. 31: With the beginning of Ramadan, Israel intensifies its police in Jerusalem, especially around Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Jan. 1995: Despite a 1994 Israeli court ruling, Givat Ze'ev settlers begin work on land belonging to Palestinians from Al-Jib.
- Israeli bulldozers destroy the house of Khaled Abu Sha'er in A-Tur for being built illegally.
- Faisal Husseini returns from a visit to Arab states with $30 mill in promised aid from Saudi Arabia to Palestinians in Jerusalem.
Feb. 1: WJM approves the new Har Homa settlement: 8,000 housing units on 2,000 dunums of Abu Ghneim land confiscated from Sur Baher, Beit Sahur and Im Tuba.
Feb. 9: As the EU Troika (Germany, Spain, France) meet with Faisal Husseini at Orient House, right-wing group ‘Women in Green‘ gathers outside in protest of the visit.
Feb. 10: The Israeli police reports the arrest of a member of the out-lawed Kach group in the Old City, who had carried high explosive chemicals and planned a bomb attack on Muslim worshippers on the second Friday of Ramadan.
Feb. 12: The Israeli Antiquities Authority announces plans to uncover the ruins of the Solomon Temple, supposedly located under Al-Aqsa Mosque. This involves large-scale digs and violates international law. Feb. 15: The Israeli GSS has prepared a document on Palestinian activity in Jerusalem, listing 13 institutions with "authorative character" which are considered "illegal" and ought to be closed down (Orient House, PECDAR, Islamic Waqf, Palestinian Higher Industrial Council, Palestinian Health Council, Palestinian Housing Council, Palestinian Broadcasting Co., Palestinian Energy Center, Palestinian Bureau of Statistics, Palestinian Human Rights Information Center, LAWE, Al Quds and Open University).
Feb. 21: WJM bulldozers start to level large areas of cultivated land from Sur Baher to prepare for a ring road (Eastern Beltway) around East Jerusalem, passing through a tunnel beneath Mt. of Olives and Izariyya and leading to the Jericho highway; 50 acres of land will be destroyed.
Feb. 25: Israeli special police units are deployed inside Haram al-Sharif compound among Muslim worshippers attending services marking the end of Ramadan.
Feb. 1995: The Israeli Interior Ministry introduces new procedures for East Jerusalem Palestinians who want to renew their IDs: they must first prove that they paid their municipal tax (arnona).
- Israeli bulldozers destroy the house of Bassam Ash-Shayir in A-Tur.
- The WJM plans to move the Wadi Joz industrial zone near Qalandia since an Israeli shareholder company wants to take over that site.
- Israeli news say the WJM plans to an Israeli war college (National Defense College) in East Jerusalem. March 6: Israeli bulldozers destroy the houses of Mohammed Abu Sneineh and Ayd Salah Burgan in A-Ram for being built illegally.
March 9: A hole discovered at the north wall of the Umariyah School (Via Dolorosa) turns out to be part of a 500m long tunnel which begins at the Western Wall and is planned to lead to Lion's Gate.
March 12: The Arab League and the Islamic Conference hold a symposium on Jerusalem in Cairo, condemning Israel’s Judaization policy.
March 12-14: During his visit, PM Major affirms Britain’s position that East Jerusalem is part of the OPT. March 11: The Israeli Finance Ministry places a notice in main newspapers declaring expropriated land (335 dunums) from Beit Hanina for public use, ie. new Jewish housing.
March 14: The Israeli Finance Ministry places a notice in newspapers declaring 200 dunums of expropriated Beit Safafa land for public use (under 1945 land regulation law).
March 18: WJM mayor Olmert announces a WJM study - for the first time in 30 years- on East Jerusalem: $80 mill and 3 years are needed to improve the current situation.
March 20: Israeli bulldozers destroy the houses of Saed Radi and Jamal Sirhan in Silwan for being built without permission.
March 22: Israeli Interior Ministry spokeswoman Tova Allenson says that Jerusalemites will lose their IDs if they are for over 7 years absent.
March 24: Israeli media reports Housing Ministry plans to built 72 housing units in Wadi Joz, on 10,230m2 near Hebrew University.
March 27: Israeli forces demolish Awni Issa Shkawi’s house in Ras Khamis near Shufat RC as it lied too close to extension area of Road 1.
- Palestinian NGO conference decides -among others- to work to speed up negotiations on Jerusalem
March 29: During a meeting with Faisal Husseini, Dutch Foreign Min. Hans van Mierlo reconfirms that Holland regards East Jerusalem as part of the OPT.
March 1995: The Higher Islamic Council warns that Al-Aqsa Mosque may collapse due to Israeli digging below it.
- When returning from Damaskus, where she lived since 1988 after Israel expelled her husband Islamic Jihad leader Fathi Shikaki, East Jerusalemite Fatiyah Shikaki has her residency permit confiscated.
- 39 houses of Zelayim village receive demolition orders from the WJM for being built ‘unlicensed’.
April 1: PHRIC and AIC organise a demonstration at Jerusalem check-points to protest and mark the second anniversary of the closure.
April 2: In a meeting with Faisal Husseini at Orient House, Russian Deputy Foreign Min. Viktor Posouvalyouk reiterates Russia's position: East Jerusalem is part of the OPT.
- The Mufti of Russia, Ismail Ein-Addim, visits al-Haram a-Sharif.
- Israeli bulldozers demolish the houses of Mohammed Abu Leban and Mohammed Silwadi in A-Tur for being built illegally.
April 3: Russian Foreign Min. Andrei Koyrew visits al-Haram a-Sharif and meets the Mufti of Palestine.
April 4:Following the Ramallah Military Court’s rejection of the Jahalin Bedouin's appeal, Israeli bulldozers begin to destroy their houses near Ma'ale Adumim settlement.
April 9: Israeli Housing Min. Ben-Eliezer proposes to the special ministerial committee on settlements to construct 5,600 extra housing units for Jewish settlers, preferably in and around East Jerusalem.
April 13: With the beginning of Pesach, Israel imposes a complete 10-day closure, preventing Palestinian Christians from attending Easter services in Jerusalem.
April 20: Al-Liqa Center for Religious & Heritage Studies hosts a study day on the question of Jerusalem at the Notre Dame Hotel.
April 22: Three Palestinian are injured when Israeli soldiers open fire on churchgoers celebrating Holy Saturday at the Holy Sepulchre. The clashes emerged when soldiers tried to disperse worshippers from the church's front yard.
April 24: Right-wing Jews - dressed as tourists - try to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque but are identified and prevented by Waqf guards.
- Abed Samad Hreizat from Yatta dies in Hadassah Hospital after being held in Jerusalem’s Mosqobiyah prison. The autopsy, attended by a Scottish pathologist, reveals the death resulted from torture.
April 25: Returning from the Gulf States where he raised $30 mill, Faisal Husseini announces plans to build 8,000 new housing units in Jerusalem for Palestinians only, not for foreigners or offices.
April 27: Yussef Nasr from Issawiye is killed at an Israeli checkpoint trying to enter Jerusalem.
April 28: The Israeli government announces its decision to confiscate more land in East Jerusalem, affecting 130 acres of Beit Hanina and Beit Safafa land - the largest confiscation since 15 years.
April 29: WJM Deputy mayor Uri Lubulianski says yesterday's confiscation was only the first step in a broad plan to confiscate 1,000 more acres in Jerusalem, incl. in Walajeh village (200), Old City (200) and Givat Hamos area (200).
April 30: The WJM approves the structural plans (7-9,000 housing units) and the construction of the first 2,500 housing units for Har Homa settlement near Sur Baher.
April 1995: The Treasury Ministry is demanding 4 mill NIS of property purchase tax (=tax on property zoned for building) from Palestinian landowners in Beit Hanina. Otherwise,the 19 concerned land parcels - in an area designated 10 years ago as new Palestinian neighbourhood which never received building permits - will be expropriated and given to the Ateret Cohanim group. The original plan - 18,000 housing units, later reduced to 7,500 - was never approved;even if so, building would not be possible since the area is designated for roads and "green" areas. The tax, therefore, is not even applicable.
- Israeli authority tells residents of Sawahreh a-Sharqiyye village not to use their land for any purpose that will harm settlers of nearby Ketar.
- The PA submits a proposal to the Arab League for a 10,000-unit housing project in East Jerusalem.
May 2: A 5-day total closure is imposed on Jerusalem while Israel celebrates Independence Day.
- Masked Israeli soldiers raid Maqassed Hospital after having closed all entries and exits.
May 4: Islamic Higher Council decides to close Haram a-Sharif Compound to tourists until further notice after Jewish extremists tried to enter the compound.
May 5: The WJM orders Orient House to stop renovations undertaken inside the building for lack of a construction permit.
May 6: The Arab League hold an emergency meeting on Jerusalem calling for an urgent session of the UN Security Council to address the land confiscation in the city.
May 9: Jerusalem Post reveals plans to display the cars of East Jerusalemites with special markings so they can be easily identified.
May 10: Congress majority leaders Bob Dole and Newt Gingrich introduce bills calling for building a new US Embassy in Jerusalem.
May 12-15: UN Security Council holds a special session on recent land confiscation in Jerusalem.
May 14: Israeli Human rights organisation B'Tselem holds a press conference at Beit Agron to release a new report confirming that all Israeli governments since 1967 have systematically followed a policy discriminating East Jerusalem Palestinians in all land- related matters: confiscation,planning and building.
- Israeli forces impose a curfew on Nabi Samuel and raid the homes of several Fatah activists, confiscate papers and arrest one youth.
May 15: Swedish Deputy PM Mona Sahlin cuts short her visit after Israeli authorities refused to allow her to visit East Jerusalem and Orient House, where a meeting with Feisal Husseini was scheduled.
May 17: US veto prevents adoption of a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli confiscation of land in East Jerusalem (14 other Security Council members vote for the resolution).
May 18: An Israeli soldier fires at the Gethsemane Church.
May 22: Faisal Husseini holds a press conference on Jerusalem at the National Palace Hotel. PA Min. Yasser Abed Rabbo is denied entry to Jerusalem and cannot attend.
May 23: Hadash and the Arab Democratic Party declare that they will boycott the next Histradut executive meeting as it is held on Israel's "Jerusalem Day".
- Faisal Husseini states that over 70% of West Jerusalem's land is Palestinian-owned and asks the PA to claim this land. Israeli historians confirm Husseini's assertion.
May 25: The Israeli government reverses its decision to expropriate land in Jerusalem to prevent the government from falling over no-confidence motions - introduced by Arab Parties - relating to the plan.
- After the Israeli government freezes the expropriations in Jerusalem the Arab League cancels the meeting of the Jerusalem Committee.
May 28: Jerusalem Action Week, organised by the Palestinian Housing Rights Movement, begins with activites throughout the city.
- Israelis celebrate "Jerusalem Day" - anniversary of the conquest of East Jerusalem in 1967. Israeli forces are deployed in and around the city.
- Guards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque are forced to shut the gates after a number of Zionists tried to enter the compound to pray.
- The right-wing settler group Le-Dorot begins inhabitation of land in Beit Hanina to set up a new settlement, although the expropriation was halted on May 25th; they are removed by Israeli police.
- Orient House issues a statement accusing the Israeli government to confiscate Palestinian land in East Jerusalem in order to eliminate its Islamic character and emphasizing the importance to begin negotiations on Jerusalem now.
- A peaceful demonstration at New Gate in protest of Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem is dispersed by violently by Israeli police.
- Jerusalem Link holds a conference at Ambassador Hotel on Women's Perspectives on the Future of Jerusalem: 28 Years of Occupation: What Next? Israeli participants call on West Jerusalemites to withhold that portion of their municipal property tax which goes to support settlement policies in East Jerusalem.
May 30: Israeli forces demolish the houses of Abu Duweik in Jabal al-Mukabber and of the Shqueir family in Sawahreh al-Gharbiyyah as built "illegally" on "Green Land".
May 31: In a fundraising banquet for Ateret Cohanim in New York, Olmert, via telephone, calls on the participants to support the group in its efforts to purchase Arab houses in the Old City of Jerusalem.
May 1995: As the ongoing complaints of Waqf to Olmert are labeled "politically motivated" and thus ignored, UNESCO files a formal protest with the WJM about its excavations in the Old City, incl. the digging under Al-Aqsa Mosque.
- Jewish settler groups (Ateret Cohanim, Ateret Lishone, Elad) make efforts to buy Arab homes in the Old City from owners living in Amman.
-Palestinian taxi drivers with permit to enter Jerusalem are forced to collaborate with Israeli authorities: they have to check their passengers for permits and refuse to transport anyone without.
- WJM major Olmert and his deputy Lubilyanski signed 27 demolition orders during May; in 1994, they signed "only" 19 such orders.
- During May, Israeli forces arrest some 45 alleged Hamas activists from the Jerusalem area.
June 5: Islamic Waqf demands control over 10 mosques located in West Jerusalem (Malha, Ein Karim, Mamilla, Rehavia), abandoned since 1948 and not preserved by the Israeli Religious Affairs Ministry; other mosques were already transformed in restaurants or museums.
June 6: 8 Arab-owned cars in the Old City are vandalized by settlers.
- Israeli High Court denies Fathiyya Shiqaqi, wife of expelled Islamic Jihad leader Fathi Shiqaqi, residency right in her birthplace Jerusalem.
June 9: Israeli forces detroy the dwellings of Abed and Daoud Abu Asida of the Jahalin tribe, to expand Ma'ale Adumim settlement.
June 10: A PA ministerial committee decides to reactivate the Jerusalem Arab Municipal Council, dissolved after the occupation of the city in 1967. Arafa appoints former council member Dr. Amin Majaj as mayor; all still living members of the pre-1967 council become deputies.
June 11: WJM deputy mayor Shmuel Meir marches with right-wing activists to Orient House, chanting anti-Arafat/Husseini slogans, and setting up his "office" at the site.
June 12: Jabel al-Mukabber residents hold a sit-in at Orient House, calling on the PA to help combat Israeli house demolitions.
June 13: Israeli bulldozers destroy the house of Mohammed Obeid in Issawiya without prior warning for being built without permit. As the building is destroyed, clashes break out between residents and Israeli forces leaving at least 15 Palestinians injured and dozens arrested.
- After the destruction of the Obeid house in Issawiya, Israeli Min. David Liba'i orders the freeze of house demolitions in Jerusalem, pending a thorough reexamination.
- Israeli right-wing extremists shoot at and try to forcibly enter Faisal Husseini’s house in Jerusalem.
June 15: 5 female right-wing Jews get arrested when they start to pray near Lion's Gate after failing to enter Al-Aqsa compound.
June 23: During his visit, Irish PM Dick Spring provokes much discussion in the Israeli government and media when he visits Orient House and meets Palestinians there.
June 24: Clashes occur outside Orient House when Israeli forces try to disperse demonstrators demanding the immediate release of Palestinian prisoners. Following the incident, WJM Mayor Olmert announces that he will anything to close down Orient House.
June 25: WJM mayor Olmert cancels a graduation ceremony at Issawiya Second School saying it was a provocative act to reinforce the PA's status in Jerusalem.
- The Organization of Arab Unity issue a resolution in support of Palestine,saying that Jerusalem is "an integral part of the Palestinian lands".
- Fathiyya, wife of expelled Islamic Jihad leader Fathi Shiqaqi, is expelled by order of the Interior Ministry through Allenby Bridge.
June 1995: Israel limits permits to enter Jerusalem for taxi drivers:morning permits last from 5 am to 1 pm, afternoon one from 1 to 7 pm - During his visit, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl refuses to visit the Old City with an Israeli escort.
- As prisoners are on hunger-strike, their wives and mothers camp outside the East Jerusalem Red Cross, call to suspend the peace talks.
- Israeli right-wing group Beit Sedeq ask the Israeli High Court to prohibit Faisal Husseini and all PA members to be active in Jerusalem.
- Bethlehem residents with West Bank ID receive orders from the WJM to halt any construction work on their land; some house owners receive demolition notices.
- Although Min. David Liba'i described the conditions at the East Jerusalem Interior Ministry as inhuman and promised improvement, no remarkable changes occur.
July 4: Jerusalem Post reports that the PA agreed to close down three PA institutions in Jerusalem (Bureau of Statistics; Housing Council; Information bureau).
July 6: WJM informs Orient House that it violates the law since: it is licensed as a hotel but not functioning as such.
July 10: The WJM releases a report acknowledging a huge gap in services offered in East and West Jerusalem. More than $83 mil are needed to improve roads, buildings, sewage and schools. The report reveals that only 10% of the municipal employees handle East Jerusalem issues and only 10% of the WJM road service employees deal with the east part. At least 151km new pipes have to be added to the existing sewage system. Ca. 345 classrooms and special schools (eg. for handicapped children) are needed.
- 8 Jewish extremists try to enter Al-Aqsa compound but are prevented by Waqf guards, some of which are arrested by the Israeli army, now facing criminal charges for efforts to stop fanatic Jews.
- The Higher Islamic Council holds an emergency session on the seizure of Waqf land (Bab al-Rahma) by the WJM to widen a road.
July 12: Jewish extremists take over a building in the Bab al-Silsila area, near al-Aqsa Mosque.
July 13: Israeli settlers fire at Faisal Husseini's house in East Jerusalem.
July 19: Settlers block the path of Faisal Husseini's car in Al-Bireh and try to attack the passengers, but are stopped by an Israeli patrol.
July 26: Settlers march through Wadi Joz, chanting "death to Arabs" and anti-government slogans.
- Settlers attack Feisal Husseini's house in Suwaneh with gunfire and vandalise cars parking nearby.
July 29: Some 1,000 settlers demonstrate in Wadi Joz, vandalize cars and chant anti-Arab slogans.
July 30: Israeli settlers try to enter Orient House but are prevented by guards and Israeli soldiers.
- During the night, 2 settlers try to enter Orient House through the al-Hakawati theatre's compound but are apprehended by guards and handed over to Israeli police.
July 31: Israeli settlers fire at Faisal Husseini's house in East Jerusalem.
July 1995: The Israeli Interior Ministry reports growing request (monthly average: 200) of East Jerusalem Palestinians for Israeli citizenship.
- Jerusalem’s Central District Court refuses an appeal by Mohammed Abed Rabbo of a demolition order of a building on his property in Beit Jala, disclosing that the area was annexed to Jerusalem over 10 years ago, although the inhabitants still hold West Bank I.D. cards.
- Throughout July, Israeli settlers demonstrate outside Orient House.
-The Israeli Civil Administration approves restrictions hindering new students to study in Jerusalem; the security records of those already enrolled will be reviewed before they will be permitted or denied to continue their studies. Currently, 70% of Al-Quds University's students hold West Bank IDs.
- A PA Information Ministry study finds that since the beginning of the Intifada, Israel destroyed 123 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem for being built unlicensed, and sealed 34 houses for "security reasons". Aug. 1: The Jewish extremist group Hai Vakayam warns the Waqf in a letter not to deny Jews entry to Al-Aqsa compound for prayer.
Aug. 2: Israeli settlers protest against the "pro-Arab" government outside the Moscobiyah prison.
Aug. 3: Israeli High Court of Justice reverses 28 years of policy, permitting extremist Jews to enter Al-Aqsa compound for prayer on Aug. 5/6.
- Clashes break out between Palestinians and some 150 Jewish settlers who try to raid Al-Aqsa.
Aug. 5: Moslems camp overnight at the Haram compound to prevent Jewish extremists from entering Al Aqsa Mosque.
Aug. 5/6: A small group of Jews is allowed to enter Al-Aqsa area on the night of the 5th (Jewish holiday commemorating Second Temple’s destruction). For fear of clashes, no Jew is allowed in on the 6th.
Aug. 6: Settlers try to break into Al-Aqsa compound through Bab al-Qattanin but are stopped by guards. Aug. 7: While Sabreen group plays at Orient House, settlers hold an anti-Arab demonstration outside.
Aug. 8: PM Rabin rejects a proposal of the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs Shimon Shetreet, asking to allow Jews to pray at Al-Aqsa along an agreement as applied at Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.
Aug. 9: Likud leader Netanyahu and former PM Shamir join hundreds of right-wing demonstraters protesting against Orient House.
Aug. 11: The EU announces that it will boycott all Jerusalem 3000 events, as they ignore Muslim and Christian connections to the city and prejudice the final status talks.
Aug. 14: Police Min. Shahal pledges to close down Orient House and Palestinian offices in Jerusalem.
Aug. 16/17: Israeli forces enter numerous Palestinian institutions, ask about their finances, licenses and relation to the PA, and raid at least 10 (e.g. LAWE, Palestinian Hydrology Group, PARC, and JMCC).
Aug. 19: PA Preventive Security order Al-Quds to close, ostensibly for publishing material critical of the PA's performance. Though only for one day, the closure is seen as the most serious attack on the freedom of expression so far.
- Hundreds of right-wing demonstrators clash with Israeli police at a protest tent set up at Orient House.
Aug. 20: 9 members of the extremist Hai Vakayam group are detained as they try to enter Haram ash-Sharif compound for prayer.
Aug. 21: A Hamas suicide bomber blows himself up on an Egged Bus in Ramat Eshkol, killing 4 Israelis and wounding dozens more. After the attack, Israel closes off Jerusalem and cancels all permits.
Aug. 22: A Palestinian women who tried to stab a soldier is shot and wounded by at Ras al-Amud check-point.
Aug. 23: The Israeli Cabinet's Jerusalem Committee decides to forbid political activities of Orient House.
- Israeli police arrest 6 members of the extremist Hai Vakayam group who attempt to enter Haram ash-Sharif compound for prayer.
- Likud MKs join a group of right-wing extremist at their tent outside the PM's office and begin a hunger strike to protest resumption of peace talks after the attack on the 21st.
Aug. 25: Israeli police arrest Dr. Mohammed Jadallah as he tries to stop bulldozers working on his land in Beit Safafa (a court order had blocked the land confiscation 5 months ago; see May 25).
Aug. 26: Some 150 members of the "Jerusalem is Ours" movement visit Orient House.
Aug. 27: Jewish settlers attack the house of Mohammed Nusseibeh, throwing Molotov cocktails and stones at the building as Israeli police stands nearby without intervening.
- Parents of Dar al-Tifl students form a committee to confront the settlers who announced that they would not move fom the spot when the new school-year starts.
Aug. 28: 3 Palestinian institutions (PCBS, Palestinian Health Council, PBC) receive closure orders, giving them 96 hours to close down or face police action otherwise.
Aug. 30: At a conference of the 3 monotheistic religions in Jerusalem, Faisal Hussein calls for the establishment of two capitals in the city.
Aug. 1995: Israeli forces raid Maqassed Hospital twice this month, smashing doors and equipment.
- ca.100 Christians from Bethlehem, brought in special busses, are allowed to attend services at Gethsemane Church in honor of the Virgin Mary; they must not leave the area.
Sept. 2: An Israeli stabs 75 years old Gum'a Qaq in the back near Jabel Mukabber.
- On his visit to the Vatican, Arafat briefs Pope Paul II on Israeli measures in Jerusalem and the "3000 years" celebrations.
- Dozens of teachers, students and parents begin a sit-in outside Dar al-Tifl school, protesting the presence of settlers who set up a tent near Orient House and harass students of nearby schools.
Sept. 4: At the Knesset opening ceremony to "Jerusalem 3000", Rabin says that "undivided Jerusalem is the heart of the Jewish people and the capital of the state of Israel. Undivided Jerusalem is ours"... "there is no state of Israel without Jerusalem and no peace without Jerusalem undivided." Olmert adds: "Except for a short period in recent history, Jerusalem was never divided and will never be divided again." Of the 70 ambassadors invited to attend the opening, only 17 show up; the US ambassador is absent.
Sept. 5: Israeli peace activist Uri Avnery calls on the international community not to back "Jerusalem 3000" which falsifies history and ignores past civilisations and Muslim and Christian presence in the city.
- Settlers try to raid Dar al-Tifl by night but are prevented by Orient House guards.
- Settlers attack parents and students protesting outside Dar al-Tifl, ione parent was hospitalised.
- On behalf of the PA, Arafat welcomes the world community's boycott of "Jerusalem 3000" festivities.
Sept. 7: Settlers block the entrance to Orient House with their cars and provoke students and parents protesting outside Dar-al-Tifl school by burning the Palestinian flag.
Sept. 9: Israeli police violently disperse Palestinian demonstrators outside Dar al-Tifl; in the evening, settlers try to enter the school in an attempt to raid the building.
Sept. 10: Settlers raid the Women's College of Arts (next to Dar al-Tifl).
-Israeli police arrest 2 Orient House guards when they return from a check at Dar al-Tifl.
Sept. 12: When MK Mahamid visits Orient House, settlers spray gas at him chanting "Abu Jihad died and your turn is next."
Sept. 14: Armed settlers force their way into the Palestinian Prisoner's Club, East Jerusalem, threatening those inside to kill them.
Sept. 16: South African Foreign Min.Alfred Nzo visits Orient House and discusses with Faisal Husseini and others the peace process and the situation in Jerusalem.
- The Muslim High Court releases a statement expressing the fear that Israel in connivance with radical settlers, may try to overtake authority over the Haram coumpound.
Sept. 17: Japan’s Deputy Foreign Min.Shugi Yanai discusses the peace process, Jerusalem, and bilateral relations at Orient House.
- A conference of the Real Estate Agents Association,West Jerusalem, finds that the non-Jewish population grows faster than the Jewish.
Sept. 18: Over 150 Israeli forces surround Um Tuba, declare it a closed military area and destroy a UNRWA daycare center.
- MK Abdel Wahab Darawshe and 30 members of the Arab Democratic Party visit Orient House and join a demonstration in protest of the right-wing settlers presence.
Sept. 20: Despite huge protest, Israeli police chief Rubin allows 20 right-wing Jews to enter Haram a-Sharif compound where they, protected by strong police force, announce that they soon would enter Al-Aqsa Mosque itself.
Sept.24-27: Due to the Jewish New Year, Israel closes off Jerusalem and tightens the checkpoints.
Sept.1995: The Jerusalem Development Authority’s declares-in accord with the WJM - that keeping the demographic balance (72:28%) in Jerusalem requires more Jewish building; until 2010, 20,000 housing units are planned for Jews (Har Homa: 7,000; Niftah & Ramat Alona: 4,800; Jabat Hamtos: 4,500; Ramat Rachel: 1,300; Harkebit area: 900; Rumaina: 700; IBC/Schneller property: 700). For industrial reasons, 214 dunums shall be confiscated in Har Hotsvim, 110 near Pisgat Zeev, 510 at Atatrot (400 of which were previously designated as free trade zone) and 550 in Mevasseret Zion.
- The WJM destroys the house of Ibrahim Abu Ali in Anata - home to 14 - without prior notice for being built without permit. WJM says 90 more houses in Anata are slated for demolition.
- A meeting of the Israeli Union of Archaeologists concludes that Zionist claims to the Jerusalem’s origin are false, and that - in relation to "Jerusalem 3000" - King David did not build but conquered the city.
Oct. 10: After the Israeli High Court decided to allow Jews access to Al-Aqsa compound for the feast of the Tabernacles,Jewish extremists parade through the Old City with Israeli flags, chanting anti-Arab slogans.
Oct. 11: Jewish extremists try to enter Al-Aqsa compound from the Silsileh and Kattaneh Gates but are prevented by guards.
Oct. 13: Economy Min. Yossi Beilin surprisingly approves the US embassy's move to Jerusalem.
Oct. 17: Israeli authorities announce that Palestinians from East Jerusalem and Arab Israelis are not allowed anymore to enter Gaza unless they can prove urgent reasons.
Oct. 25: A bill calling for the US embassy's move to Jerusalem, submitted by congressmen Bob Dole and Newt Gingrich to the Senate and House of Representatives, passed with a majority voting in favor.
Oct.1995: WJM hands Beit Hanina, Shufat residents confiscation notes of some 100 acres of land needed to complete work on Road No. 1.
- Likud and the Israeli right-wing organise a campaign in support of the US embassy's move to Jerusalem. Nov. 1: Rabin announces he would not receive any foreign guest of ministerial rank or above, if s/he visits Orient House.
Nov. 6: King Hussein and Mubarak pay a historic visit to Jerusalem to attend Rabin's funeral, although both had previously said that they would never visit Jerusalem unless the issues had been settled between the PLO and Israel.
Nov. 23: 10 Jewish extremists try to raid Al-Aqsa; prevented by guards they pray outside the mosque's gates were Israeli police arrest them.
Dec. 3: UN General Assembly, in a vote by 129 in favour (13 abstentions, Israeli veto), reiterates its ruling that Israel's annexation of Jerusalem is illegal and null and void.
Dec. 4: The floor of the house of Hanan Nabulsi collapses due to Israeli settlers' diggings beneath it.
- During a memoral service for Rabin, Peres reiterates that Jerusalem will never be divided nor the capital of two states.
Dec. 11: Israel blocks a PA economic meeting at the Vatican-owned Notre Dame Centre in Jerusalem.
Dec. 18: Israeli police arrest 11 Jewish extremists trying to pray in Al Aqsa Mosque.
Dec. 21: Israeli forces prevent students to attend a ceremony celebrating their scholarships in Jerusalem.
Dec. 23: French FM Herve de Charette visits Orient House.
Dec. 30: Israeli police arrest right-wing Jew Eyal Kenan in the Old City in accord with a court order forbidding him to enter the Old City as his plans to attack Al Aqsa with anti-tank missiles were known.
Dec. 1995: Vatican FM Jean Louis Tawan reconfirms the Pope's and Vatican's position that the annexation of Jerusalem is illegal.