Crisis Phase (May 14, 1948-September 13, 1993) – David Ben-Gurion, the chairman of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, formally declared the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. The British Mandate under the League of Nations (LON) was terminated, and David Ben-Gurion was appointed as prime minister of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. The U.S. and Soviet Union governments provided diplomatic assistance (diplomatic recognition) to the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. The military forces of Egypt, Transjordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen attacked the State of Israel on May 15, 1948. On May 21, 1948, the UN General Assembly appointed Folke Bernadotte as UN Mediator for Palestine. The UN mediated a truce that went into effect on June 11, 1948. The UN truce ended on July 9, 1948. A second UN truce went into effect on July 18, 1948. A third UN truce went into effect on October 22, 1948. On February 24, 1949, the governments of Israel and Egypt agreed to an armistice. More than 6,000 Israeli Jews, including 4,000 soldiers and 2,000 civilians were killed during the Israeli war of independence, More than 10,000 Arab soldiers and civilians were killed during the Israeli war of independence. More than 500,000 Palestinian Arabs were displaces as refugees during the Israel war of independence.
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) headed by Ahmed Shuqairy was established in Cairo after the proclamation of the Palestinian National Charter on June 2, 1964. The PLO consisted of several groups, including al-Fatah, al-Saiqah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and the Popular Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PDFLP). Some 50,000 Palestinians fled as refugees to Egypt in 1967. President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt expressed support for the “Palestine resistance movement” on April 10, 1968. The Palestine National Council (PNC), which was the governing organ of the PLO, held its first meeting in Cairo, Egypt on July 10, 1968. Members of the PFLP hijacked an Israeli civilian airliner and diverted the plane to Algeria on July 23, 1968. Twelve Israeli passengers were released after the Israeli government released sixteen Arabs from police custody. Yasser Arafat, the leader of al-Fatah, became chairman of the PLO on February 4, 1969. The PFLP severed its link to the PLO. On September 4, 1969, the PNC condemned Palestinian terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens abroad. The PNC met in Amman, Jordan on August 27, 1970, and reaffirmed its war of national liberation against Israel. Iraq and Syria expressed their support for the PLO on August 27, 1970. The PFLP hijacked four airliners traveling to New York on September 7, 1970, and diverted the planes to Cairo and Amman. Jordanian security forces freed the hostages held by the PFLP in Amman on September 27, 1970. The meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) expressed support for the PLO on March 27, 1973. The meeting of heads of state of the League of Arab States (LAS) expressed support for the PLO on October 28, 1974.
The UN General Assembly approved a resolution on November 22, 1974, which recognized the right of the Palestinian people to independence. The Organization of African Unity (OAU) condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements on the West Bank on March 29, 1976. Israeli intelligence agents assassinated Mahmud Saleh, a PLO representative, in Paris on January 3, 1977. OAU foreign ministers expressed support for the PLO, and condemned Israel on February 28 and July 18, 1978. OAU foreign ministers expressed support for the PLO, and condemned Israel on June 26, 1981. The meeting of the heads of government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expressed support for Palestinian self-determination on November 18, 1982. OAU heads-of-state expressed support for the PLO, and condemned Israel on June 12, 1983. Israeli military aircraft attacked PLO headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia on October 1, 1985. OAU foreign ministers expressed support for the PLO, and condemned Israel on July 26, 1986. The meeting of foreign ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) expressed support for the PLO and condemned Israel on September 7, 1986. Six Palestinians were killed by an Israeli in the Gaza Strip on December 6, 1987. The PLO began an intifada (uprising) against the Israeli government beginning on December 9, 1987. The UN Security Council condemned Israel on December 22, 1987. U.S. Secretary-of-State George Schultz mediated negotiations between the parties beginning in February 1988. Israeli intelligence agents assassinated Khalil Wazir (Abu Jihad), a PLO leader, in Tunis on April 16, 1988. Some 16 Palestinians were killed in violence in the occupied territories following the assassination. The UN General Assembly condemned the government of Israel on November 3, 1988 and October 6, 1989. The first session of the Middle East Peace Conference was held in Madrid from October 30 to November 3, 1991. Israeli and PLO representatives signed an interim agreement facilitated by Norwegian government officials in Washington DC on September 13, 1993. Some 12,000 individuals were killed, and some 50,000 individuals were displaced between 1964 and September 1993.
Post-Crisis Phase (September 14, 1993-September 27, 2000): The World Bank provided reconstruction assistance for the West Bank and Gaza Strip beginning on May 26, 1994. The European Union (EU) condemned a Palestinian attack against Israelis in Netanya on January 23, 1995. The Palestinian Authority (PA) took control of the Gaza Strip on May 17, 1995. Palestinians bombed a bus in Jerusalem on August 21, 1995, resulting in the deaths of five individuals. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) condemned the bombing in Jerusalem on August 21, 1995. The EU condemned the bombing in Jerusalem on August 22, 1995. Israeli intelligence agents assassinated Fathi Shikaki, an Islamic Jihad leader, in Malta on October 26, 1995. Israeli intelligence agents assassinated Yahya Ayyash, a member of Hamas, in Gaza on January 5, 1996. Palestinians killed two government soldiers near Hebron on January 16, 1996, and government troops killed three Palestinians near Jenin on January 19, 1996. Legislative elections were held in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on January 20 and January 31, 1996, and Fatah won 55 out of 88 seats in the Palestinian Council. The EU sent 285 observers to monitor the election process from November 9, 1995 to February 15, 1996. The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and Carter Center (CC) sent 40 observers headed by Jimmy Carter of the U.S. and Hanna Suchocka of Poland to jointly observe the elections. Palestinians killed one government soldier near Jenin on January 30, 1996. Members of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) killed 26 individuals in two bombings in Jerusalem on February 24, 1996. UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in Jerusalem on February 25, 1996. The ICRC condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in Jerusalem on February 25, 1996. The London-based human rights non-government organization, Amnesty International, condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in Jerusalem on February 26, 1996. Members of Hamas exploded a bomb in Jerusalem on March 3, 1996, resulting in the deaths of 19 individuals. The EU condemned Hamas for the bombing in Jerusalem on March 3, 1996. UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in Jerusalem on March 4, 1996. Amnesty International condemned Hamas on March 4, 1996 for the bombing in Jerusalem. PFLP rebels killed two individuals near the Jewish settlement of Beit El in the West Bank on December 11, 1996. Amnesty International condemned the PFLP for the killings near Beit El on December 12, 1996. Members of Hamas exploded a bomb in Tel Aviv on March 21, 1997, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned Hamas on March 21, 1997 for the terrorist bombing in Tel Aviv. Amnesty International condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in Tel Aviv on March 21, 1997. Members of Hamas killed 18 individuals in a bombing in west Jerusalem on July 30, 1997. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in west Jerusalem on July 30, 1997. Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in west Jerusalem on July 30, 1997. The ICRC condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in west Jerusalem on July 31, 1997. Amnesty International condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in west Jerusalem on July 31, 1997. Members of Hamas exploded a bomb in west Jerusalem on September 4, 1997, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in west Jerusalem on September 4, 1997. Amnesty International condemned Hamas for the terrorist bombing in west Jerusalem on September 4, 1997. Israeli intelligence agents unsuccessfully attempted to kill Khald Mish’al, a leader of Hamas, in Amman, Jordan on September 25, 1997. On October 8, 1997, Amnesty International condemned the government for the attempted assassination of the leader of Hamas. Li Peng, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, expressed support for Palestinian statehood on November 27, 1999. Government police killed two members of Hamas near the village of Beit Awwa on December 13, 1999. The Iranian government condemned the government for the killing of the two Hamas members on December 14, 1999. The meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) foreign ministers condemned Israel on June 30, 2000. Some 100 individuals were killed in political violence between September 1993 and September 2000.
Crisis Phase (September 28, 2000-February 8, 2005): Ariel Sharon, right-wing opposition leader, visited the Temple Mount (Haram as-Sharif) in Jerusalem on September 28, 2000, resulting in the second Palestinian Uprising (al-Aqsa Intifada). The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) condemned the Israeli government on September 30, 2000. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) sent a fact-finding mission headed by Per Erik Nilsson of Sweden to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories on October 4-7, 2000. HRW sent a two-member fact-finding mission to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories on October 4-11, 2000. The UN Security Council appealed for a ceasefire on October 7, 2000. The government of Bangladesh condemned the Israeli government on October 8, 2000, and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) condemned the Israeli government’s use of military force against Palestinians on October 10, 2000. Palestinians killed two government soldiers on the West Bank on October 12, 2000. President Jiang Zemin of China appealed for peaceful negotiations on October 12, 2000. Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission, appealed for a ceasefire on October 12, 2000. President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and President Jacques Chirac of France appealed for a ceasefire on October 12, 2000. Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar of Malaysia condemned Israeli government on October 13, 2000. The government of India appealed for a ceasefire on October 13, 2000. On October 17, 2000, HRW condemned the Israeli government’s use of “excessive, lethal force” against Palestinian demonstrators. The OIC condemned the Israeli government on November 14, 2000. Hamas rebels exploded a bomb in Hadera on November 22, 2000, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The U.S. government condemned the bombing on November 22, 2000, and the Turkish government condemned the bombing on November 23, 2000. Israel Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat had a summit meeting in Taba, Egypt on January 21-27, 2001, but the leaders failed to reach an agreement to end the violence. Amnesty International condemned the Israeli government for a “policy of state assassination” on February 21, 2001. Three Israelis were killed in a Palestinian suicide bombing in Netanya on March 4, 2001. The U.S. government condemned the suicide bombing on March 4, 2001, and the president of the EU condemned the suicide bombing on March 5, 2001. Israel government troops killed a member of the Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip on April 2, 2001. The government of Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli government on April 2, 2001. EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patton appealed for an immediate ceasefire on April 2, 2001. The OIC condemned the Israeli government on April 10, 2001. Government troops killed two Palestinians in the Khan Younis refugee camp on April 11, 2001. The Russian government appealed for a ceasefire and negotiations on April 11, 2001. The French government condemned the Israeli government on April 11, 2001. U.S. President George W. Bush appealed for negotiations between the parties on May 23, 2001. Forty-three Israelis were injured in a Palestinian suicide bombing in Hadera on May 25, 2001. The U.S. government condemned the suicide bombing on May 25, 2001. Four individuals were injured in a Palestinian bombing in Jerusalem on May 27, 2001. The Russian government condemned the bombing on May 27, 2001. Twenty Israelis were killed in a Palestinian (Hamas) suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on June 1, 2001. Prime Minister Lionel Jospin of France, Foreign Minister Abdul-Illah Khatib of Jordan, Prime Minister John Howard of Australia, Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer of the Council of Europe (COE), President Nicole Fontaine of the EU Parliament, Javier Solana of the EU, and the foreign minister of Russia condemned the bombing on June 2, 2001. Amnesty International and HRW condemned the bombing on June 4, 2001. Government troops demolished several Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip on July 10, 2001. King Abdullah of Jordan and the U.S. government condemned the Israeli government on July 10, 2001. Fifteen Israelis were killed in a Palestinian suicide bombing of a restaurant in Jerusalem on August 9, 2001. HRW condemned the bombing on August 9, 2001. OIC Secretary-General Abdelouahed Belkiziz condemned the Israeli government on August 11 and August 28, 2001. Several Israelis were injured in a Palestinian suicide bombing in Jerusalem on September 4, 2001. The British and Russian governments condemned the bombing on September 4, 2001. Government troops killed six Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on October 3, 2001. Israeli government troops killed five Palestinians in the village of Beit Eema on October 24, 2001. Some 25 Israelis were killed in Palestinian suicide bombings on December 1-2, 2001. Israeli government missiles were launched against Palestinian targets in the Gaza Strip and West Bank on December 3, 2001. The Iranian government condemned the Israeli government on December 3, 2001. Members of the Islamic group Hamas clashed with government soldiers near Kerem Shalom on January 9, 2002, resulting in the deaths of two members of Hamas and four government soldiers. OIC Secretary-General Abdelouahed Belkiziz condemned the Israeli government on March 4, 2002. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed for the withdrawal of Israel from the occupied territories on March 12, 2002. Hamas militants carried out a suicide bombing of a hotel in Netanya, Israel on March 27, 2002, resulting in the deaths of 30 civilians. In response, the Israeli military launched a military operation in the West Bank, known as Operation “Defensive Shield”, from March 29 to May 10, 2002. OIC Secretary-General Abdelouahed Belkiziz condemned the Israeli government on March 29, 2002. Thirteen Israelis were killed in a Palestinian suicide bombing in Haifa on March 31, 2002. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) appealed for a cessation of violence and resumption of dialogue between the Israeli government and Palestinians on April 2, 2002. U.S. President George W. Bush appealed for the withdrawal of Israeli government troops from the West Bank on April 4, 2002. The Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) expressed support for the Palestinians on April 4, 2002. OIC Secretary-General Abdelouahed Belkiziz condemned the Israeli government on April 8, 2002. Palestinians killed 13 government soldiers in the Jenin refugee camp on April 9, 2002. The EU appealed for a ceasefire on April 9, 2002. Palestinians killed four Israelis in the Adora settlement on April 27, 2002. Walter Schwimmer, secretary-general of the COE, condemned the suicide bombing on June 18, 2002. Palestinians killed seven Israelis in the West Bank on July 16, 2002. Israeli military aircraft attacked targets in the Gaza Strip on July 23, 2002, resulting in the deaths of 15 Palestinians. The U.S. government condemned the Israeli government for the attack on July 23, 2002. The OIC condemned the Israeli government for the attack on July 23, 2002. Palestinians killed four Israelis in the West Bank on July 26, 2002. Nine individuals, including five Americans and four Israelis, were killed in a bombing at Hebrew University in Jerusalem on July 21, 2002. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the bombing of Hebrew University on July 31, 2002. Fourteen Israelis were killed in a Palestinian bombing on October 21, 2002. Walter Schwimmer, secretary-general of the COE, condemned the bombing on October 22, 2002. Palestinian suicide bombers killed some 22 individuals in Tel Aviv on January 5, 2003. U.S. President George W. Bush, Chinese government, and Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer of the COE condemned the suicide bombings on January 5-6, 2003. Yasir Arafat, president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), appointed Mahmoud Abbas as prime minister on March 13, 2003. Mahmoud Abbas took office on April 30, 2003. Hamas launched a suicide attack against Israelis in Jerusalem on June 17, 2003, resulting in the deaths of 17 individuals. Hamas launched a suicide attack against Israelis in Jerusalem on August 19, 2003, resulting in the deaths of 23 Israeli civilians. Prime Minister Abbas submitted his resignation on September 6, 2003. A Palestinian suicide bomber killed some six individuals near Tel Aviv on September 9, 2003. The U.S. government condemned the suicide bombing on September 9, 2003. Some 21 Israelis were killed in a suicide bombing in Haifa on October 4, 2003. Ahmed Yassin, leader of Hamas, and ten other Palestinians were killed by Israeli military personnel on March 22, 2004. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, League of Arab States (LAS), chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), UN Human Rights Commission, and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw of Britain condemned the killings on March 22-23, 2004. Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, the leader of Hamas, was killed by Israeli military personnel on April 17, 2004. On April 17-18, 2004, the secretary-general of the OIC and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw of Britain condemned the Israeli government for the killing. Palestinian militants killed 13 Israeli governmental soldiers in the Gaza Strip on May 11-12, 2004. Israeli government troops killed some 40 Palestinian militants and 12 Palestinian civilians in Rafah refugee camp on May 18, 2004. Alpha Oumar Konare, chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), condemned the Israeli government on May 26, 2004. Israeli government troops killed 62 Palestinian militants and 42 Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip from September 29 to October 16, 2004. Alpha Oumar Konare, chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), condemned the Israeli government on October 22, 2004. Yasir Arafat, president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), died in Paris on November 11, 2004. Palestinian militants killed five Israeli government soldiers near Rafah on December 12, 2004. Mahmoud Abbas was elected president of the Palestinian Authority (PA) on January 9, 2005. The COE parliamentary assembly sent 15 observers headed by Lord Kilclooney of Britain to monitor the presidential election on January 7-10, 2005. The EU sent 13 election experts, 40 long-term observers, and 130 short-term observers headed by Michel Rocard of France to monitor the presidential election from December 8, 2004 to February 4, 2005. The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Carter Center (CC) sent 80 observer from 15 countries headed by former U.S. president Jimmy Carter to monitor the presidential election on January 6-10, 2005. The Chinese government sent 12 observers to monitor the Palestinian president election. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority (PA) agreed to a truce at a summit meeting held in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on February 8, 2005. Israel agreed to release 900 Palestinian prisoners and to withdraw from some West Bank towns. More than 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis were killed during the crisis.
Post-Crisis Phase (February 9, 2005-present): Four individuals were killed in a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on February 25, 2005. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice condemned the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on February 25, 2005. Parliamentary elections were held in the Palestinian territories on January 25, 2006. Hamas won 74 out of 132 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council, and Fatah won 45 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council. Canada sent 39 short-term observers, 12 long-term observers, and 4 experts headed by Paul Adams to monitor the Palestinian parliamentary elections from December 5, 2005 to January 26, 2005. The EU sent 12 election experts, 32 long-term observers, and 128 short-term observers from 26 countries headed by Veronique de Keyser of Belgium to monitor the Palestinian parliamentary elections from December 13, 2005 to February 1, 2006. The COE parliamentary assembly sent nine observers headed by Lord Russell-Johnston of Britain to monitor the Palestinian parliamentary elections on January 23-26, 2006. The European Parliament (EP) sent 27 observers headed by Edward McMillan-Scott of Britain to monitor the Palestinian parliamentary elections. The EU established the European Union Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPM-Palestinian Territories) consisting of 33 observers beginning on January 1, 2006. Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas, was nominated for prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA) on February 16, 2006, and he was sworn in as prime minister on March 29, 2006. The U.S. government imposed economic sanctions (suspension of economic assistance) against the Palestinian Authority (PA) on April 7, 2006. The EU foreign ministers imposed economic sanctions (suspension of economic assistance) against the Palestinian Authority (PA) on April 10, 2006. Eleven Israelis were killed in a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on April 17, 2006. President George W. Bush of the US, Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain, President Jacques Chirac of France, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw of Britain, the Russian foreign ministry, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and Javier Solano, EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), condemned the suicide bombing on April 17, 2006. The governments of Egypt and South Africa condemned the suicide bombing on April 19, 2006. Palestinian militants and Israeli troops clashed in the Gaza Strip on June 25, 2006, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinian militants and two Israeli government soldiers. OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu condemned the Israeli government on June 28, 2006 and July 2, 2006. OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu condemned the Israeli government’s Operation Autumn Clouds on November 2 and November 4, 2006. Israeli military personnel killed some 28 Palestinians in Beit Hanun in Gaza Strip and Yamun village in the West Bank on November 8, 2006. OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu condemned the Israeli government on November 8, 2006. On December 12, 2006, the secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) condemned the Israeli government for the killings of three Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu initiated a good offices mission in the Palestinian territories on December 19, 2006. On August 16, 2007, the governments of the U.S. and Israel signed an agreement that will provide $30 billion in military assistance over the next ten years. On November 25, 2009, the Israeli government announced a ten-month moratorium on residential construction in the West Bank. The ten-month moratorium on Israeli settlement residential construction in the West Bank ended on September 26, 2011. On October 7, 2010, the U.S. government offered to sell the Israeli government 20 F-35 fighter jets in exchange for a 90-day moratorium on settlement construction in the West Bank. The Israeli government rejected the U.S. government’s offer regarding the 90-day moratorium on December 7, 2010.
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