Chronology of Events: July 1, 1999 to October 1, 1999

12.7.99 The first summit between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak regarding the future of the peace process is held at the Erez crossing in the Gaza Strip. "We expect full implementation of existing agreements," Arafat told the press, calling Barak a "friend and partner." In turn, Barak said "both sides have suffered enough." 16.7.99 Israeli researcher Meron Benvenisti calls for Israeli understanding of the statement made by U.S. President Bill Clinton on the need to end the suffering of the Palestinians, especially in relation to Palestinian refugees. In an article in the Israeli daily Ha'aretz, Benvenisti called Israeli fears of the return of Palestinian refugees to Israel merely psychological, saying that Arabs will constitute 55 percent of the population by 2020. 18.8.99 The Israeli Peace Now movement calls on the Israeli government to recognize "in principle" the right of return for Palestinian refugees. The movement explained that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict would never be solved unless a solution is found for the refugee problem.