July 2, 1994

Representative John D. Dingell had to admit this week that he could not muster the votes to have his panel pass a health care bill. Page 7.

The Senate Finance Committee, struggling to complete work on health care legislation, agreed tonight on a large package of compromises. But the committee adjourned without finishing and planned to return on Saturday to wrap up its bill, which would raise less money to finance the plan than its earlier version would but would still promise to subsidize insurance for the poor.

Yasir Arafat, the fiery, flawed and indomitable symbol of the Palestinian struggle for a homeland, entered the Gaza Strip today, completing his odyssey to territories that he hopes to turn one day into a state. With tears in his eyes, Mr. Arafat knelt after crossing the border from Egypt and kissed the ground -- land he has not seen in decades and that for the first time has come under Palestinian authority and, for now, his personal stewardship.

Yasir Arafat was heralded today as "the miracle-maker, the teacher, the leader, the fighter" when he was introduced to the crowds awaiting his first speech upon his triumphant arrival in Gaza. But the exhortations failed to arouse an echo from the tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered to hear the words of the man coming from the outside to lead them. Indeed, one thing became clear the first day the P.L.O, chairman set foot in what he called "the first free Palestinian land:" It will take more than a speech to impress these Palestinians.

Just four days after the United States Supreme Court ruled that a public school district created specially for ultra-Orthodox Jews was unconstitutional, Gov. Mario M. Cuomo and legislative leaders reached agreement today on a bill that would allow the district to continue operating. The legislation is intended to address constitutional issues raised by the high court when it struck down the Kiryas Joel Village School District in Orange County, which was created by the Governor and Legislature in 1989 to serve about 200 Satmar Hasidic children with disabilities.