PASSIA: Jerusalem Chronology

Period following the Beginning of the Middle East Peace Conference in Madrid

1992

Jan. 14: Leaders of the 9 main Christian Churches in Jerusalem call on Israel to protect Christian archaeological sites in the city, threaten to seek international protection failing Israeli action.
Jan. 26: PLO issues statement authorizing participation in multilateral talks in Moscow if Palestinians from East Jerusalem and the diaspora are part of the delegation.
Jan. 29: Israeli mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek suggests that Jerusalem be divided into boroughs to accommodate Palestinian desire for increased self-rule. Kollek stresses that such a plan would not provide for full autonomy.
Feb. 9: Israeli settlers move into Palestinian house in Via Dolorosa in East Jerusalem.
February 13: Israel Police Min. announces first civil guard unit in OPT to be formed in Ma’ale Adumim settlement.
- Israel Interior Min. expands Jerusalem municipal area by annexing 3,750 acres of land south and west of the city.
April 2: UNLU issues proclamation no. 81 urging Palestinian unity and calling for "revival" of the Old City. April 6: Housing Min. Sharon confirms government in buying land to build new homes for Jews in East Jerusalem, incl. Silwan, Wadi Joz, Mt. of Olives, Old City.
May 5: Following reports that Saudi King Fahd will pay for repairs to Islamic sites in East Jerusalem, Jordan cabinet announces Jordan will pay for repairing Dome of the Rock.
May 10: King Hussein announces personal donation of $8.25 mill to restore Al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques in East Jerusalem.
June 28: British company Mivan is awarded 4.84 mill JD contract to restore Dome of the Rock.
July 23: Greek Orthodox church on Mt.of Olives and 2 Palestinian houses in East Jerusalem demolished for being built without license.
Aug. 12: Settlements in occupied Jerusalem area
- Ma'ale Adumim, Giv'at Ze'ev, Etzion Bloc, Efrat, Betar, Kfor Adumim and Adam - organize "Greater Jerusalem" forum to safeguard their interests, encourage government to annex the greater Jerusalem area. Aug. 14: Mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek says Palestinians from East Jerusalem should be allowed to participate in the peace talks, and be given the right to vote for the Palestinian "autonomy council."
Sept. 2: Jerusalem policy planning unit reports potential building of 39,880 units in Jewish and 15,260 in "non-Jewish" neighborhoods.
Sept. 10: MK Dedi Zucker, head of the Knesset legal commission, issues report to justice and finance ministries detailing illegal East Jerusalem settler activities.
Nov.16: Jewish settlers toss grenade into crowded market of Jerusalem's Old City Muslim quarter, killing an old man, wounding 11 others.
Dec. 1: Foreign Ministers of Islamic Conference Organization meeting in Jidda issue statement: Jerusalem is a "central issue for the Muslim nation" that cannot be excluded from peace talks.
Dec. 2: Jerusalem Post reports Israeli government’s allocation of NIS 10 mill for development of Arab neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem.

1993

Feb. 16: Jordan appoints Sheikh Suleiman al-Jabari Mufti of Jerusalem.
Feb. 24: US Sec. of State Christopher meets with Palestinian officials, presents 6-point plan to resume peace talks, incl. UN Res. 242, 338 as bases for talks and Jerusalem on the agenda.
Feb. 25: US withdraws 6-point plan due to Israeli rejection (mainly for putting Jerusalem on the agenda). March 8: Jerusalem Post reports that Israel in 1973 set quota for Palestinian Jerusalem population, enforced through housing plans. (1967: Palestinians= 26% of total population, today 27%).
March 31: Israel imposes military closure on West Bank and Gaza, erects checkpoints, denying Palestinians entrance to Israel, access to Jerusalem and free movement between the southern and northern West Bank. Closure prevents thousands of workers to reach their working places and medical, educational and economic services.
April 5: Palestinian Christians demand access to East Jerusalem for Easter prayers.
April 21: Israel allows Faisal Husseini (East Jerusalem) to head Palestinian team to the Peace Talks.
May 30: 200 Libyans arrive in Jerusalem for visit to the holy sites; first group pilgrimage from Arab country; call on Muslims to "topple Zionist leadership" and establish Jerusalem as capital of Palestinian state.
June 10: PM Rabin says Israel will allow US senators to monitor OPT election, and that East Jerusalemites can vote, but not run.
June 30: US presents new "working paper" to Israelis and Palestinians, urging the former to allow final status discussion of Jerusalem.
July 23: Jerusalem's Arabic daily Al-Fajr closes after 22 years of publication due to lack of funds.
July 1993: Israeli majority declared in East Jerusalem with 168,000 Israeli settlers and 154,000 Palestinians (or 180,000 counting those without residency permits).
Aug. 5: Sec. of State Christopher says in Amman "There's been absolutely no change in the US's position" on status of OPT or Jerusalem.
Sept. 13: PLO and Israel sign the Declaration of Principles (DoP) on Palestinian Interim Self-government Arrangements.