The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: World Zionist Organization Settlement Committee Chrmn. Zvili states W. Bank settlements have debts of $75 million, that 350 dwellings within settlements are empty and more than 40 settlements are inhabited by less than 30 families each [JP 1/1]. Beersheba Deputy Mayor Avivi states city will not return local mosque [turned into a museum in 1948] to Muslim population [JP 1/1].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Cmdr., IDF N. Command Orr states [contrary to statement made by former PM Begin in June 1982] "no one can guarantee that no Katyushas will fall on Galilee" [JP 12/31]. Military Action Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: witnesses state IDF kill 11-year old George Attallah in Sidon after fired upon by RPG; 2 other boys reported injured [TS 12/31]. Israel Radio reports SLA kills youth, injures 2nd, when they allegedly failed to stop at SLA checkpoint near Sidon [JP 12/31]. 2 IDF troops wounded as convoy fired upon near Saksakiya [JTA 12/31]. IDF report position attacked by Katyusha near Kafr Mashki; SLA force near Nabatiya fired upon; no injuries [JP 12/30].

Military Action

Arab World: PLO Exec. Comm. member Fahd Qawasmeh assassinated in Amman [NYT 12/30]; Black September claims responsibility, Chrmn. Arafat blames Syria [CSM 12/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yuri Heller, leader of radical settler group, declares intent to build Jewish settlement in S. Lebanon; states S. Lebanon part of "Land of Israel" [TS 12/29]. W. Bank & Gaza teachers employed by UNRWA issue statement protesting planned UNRWA budget cuts including halt in salary increases [FJ 1/4].

Arab World: 2 youths reported arrested in Quneitra, Golan Hts., for displaying Palestinian, Syrian flags over public bldgs. on politically significant dates [JP 12/28]. Jordan sentences 15 W. Bank landowners to death in abstentia for land sales to Israelis [NYT 12/29]. Kuwait-based Independent Palestinian Committee for Comprehensive Natl. Talks, comprised of representatives of major PLO groups and independents, issues statement urging unity, rejecting creation of alternative PLO; calls on signatories to July 1984 Aden-Algiers agreement to abide by its articles [FJ 1/4].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli road workers fired upon near 'Aboud; one injured [JP 12/30].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat arrives in Aden for talks on PLO unity with S. Yemen pres. Ali Nasir Muhammad [FJ 1/4].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shots fired, gasoline bomb thrown at Israeli vehicle near Hebron [JP 12/28].

Arab World: 3 IDF troops wounded by mine near Ansar village, S. Lebanon. IDF patrol fired upon near Adousiya, S. Lebanon; no injuries [JTA 12/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In accordance with unity govt. policy to establish 5 or 6 new settlements by Sept. 1985, DM Rabin and Likud representatives agree on site in NW part of W. Bank but disagree on other sites [JP 12/27].

Military Action

Arab World: IDF kill 2 members of resistance during battle near Adousiya, S. Lebanon [JP 12/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ignoring request from DM Rabin, 5 Tehiya MPs light Hanukka candles in Nablus, IDF bars settlers from participating [JP 12/26]. PM Peres states US Sec. of State Shultz sent him letter seeking greater Israeli spending cuts [NYT 12/26].

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat cancels meetings with Jordanian officials due to illness [NYT 12/25].

Military Action

Arab World: IDF enters 'Ain al-Hilweh, arrest 12 after explosion outside building used by pro-Israel National Guards militia [JP 12/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Supreme Court upholds military authorities' 12/4 decision not to allow local elections in occupied territories [JTA 12/26]. PM Peres visits Bethlehem, attends Christmas reception hosted by Mayor Freij [1st visit to Bethlehem by an Israeli PM] [LAT 12/25]. Trial of Shimon Barda, member of plot to bomb al-Aqsa and other holy sites, begins in Jerusalem [JP 12/25].

Other Countries: Diplomatic sources indicate US and Israel close to agreement on establishment of Voice of America radio transmitter in Israel for broadcasts to USSR [WP 12/25].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: bombs explode near IDF convoy south of Sidon; no injuries. Fire fight between resistance forces and SLA unit at Akiya Bridge, Litani River; RPGs fired at SLA roadblock near Nabatiya [JP 12/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Head of IDF team negotiating with Lebanese on Israeli withdrawal predicts chaos if talks fail and IDF unilaterally pulls out [JTA 12/24].

Other Countries: US State Dept. asserts US will not grant Israel $800 million in emergency aid until Israel adopts tougher economic austerity program [NYT 12/22].

Military Action

Arab World: Katyusha fired at IDF position near Zahrani River, S. Lebanon; no injuries. SLA patrol attacked near Sidon, S. Lebanon; no injuries reported [JP 12/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Fire destroys 2 rooms in Nablus District court containing thousands of files, court documents dating from 1936; loss will make land ownership more difficult to prove; criminal files left intact; arson suspected [FJ 1/4].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Post reports 349 military actions, killing 5 Jews and wounding 108, occurred within Israel since 1/1/84 [JP 12/20].

Arab World: IDF outpost near Jezzine, S. Lebanon fired upon [JP 12/21]; Jerusalem Post reports 892 attacks against IDF in Lebanon since 1/1/84; 28 killed, 275 wounded [JP 12/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: W. Bank lawyers group announces intention to challenge extensive Israeli "Road Plan 50" before World Court; plan would expropriate 46,000 dunums, freeze development of further 78,000 [JP 12/20].

Other Countries: Israeli delegation in Washington seeks record $4.85 billion in US aid [PI 12/20]; US indicates Irael will not receive full amount [JTA 12/20]. US Defense Sec. Weinberger, State Dept. official Dam defend Reagan Plan as basis for future initiatives [JP 12/20]. US Commerce Dept. states 59 US firms fined $1.6 million for complying with Arab boycott of Israel [JP 12/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Press reports indicate Israeli security forces seize 6 Gaza residents with grenade, target list including US embassy [LAT 12/19].

Arab World: Toura, S. Lebanon villagers claim IDF killed woman, girl in raid previous week [MG 12/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset votes to deny MK Kahane parliamentary immunity and freedom of movement [LAT 12/26]. Kahane later stopped by police from entering Arab town of Taibe [LAT 12/27]. After Police Min. Bar Lev refuses to ban march, several dozen Herut "Young Guards" converge on Iskal, village of MK Abd al-Wahab Darousha, to demand punishment for his attempt to attend PNC; villagers, Israeli activists form counter demonstration [JP 12/19]. WZO official says no new settlements will be built without "clear decision," funding by govt. [JP 12/19].

Arab World: Al-Qabas (Kuwait) reports US State Dept. official Murphy met with Palestinian "close to the PLO" during recent trip to Amman; urged "mutual recognition" between PLO, Israel as precondition for US recognitionf PLO [JP 12/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb defused opposite Israeli police HQ, E. Jerusalem [FJ 12/21].

Arab World: IDF arrests 21 villagers from Sarafand, 'Ain al-Hilweh, S. Lebanon. SLA position in Killa, S. Lebanon fired upon [JP 12/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: US State Dept. official Murphy arrives from Amman, meets with DM Rabin [JP 12/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade thrown at bus injures 3 in Tel Aviv [NYT 12/18].

Military Action

Arab World: IDF soldier killed on patrol near Nabatiya, S. Lebanon [JTA 12/18]. RPG fired at SLA checkpoint in Nabatiya [JP 12/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Muslims and Christians in S. Lebanon observe strike called by Nabih Berri to protest Israeli 12/3 raid on Shi'ite villages [PI 12/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin rejects W. Bank elections [JTA 12/17].

Other Countries: UN Gen. Assembly declares Israel violates Geneva Convention in administration ofoccupied Arab lands (99 to 18, 25 abst.) [TS 12/15].

Military Action

Other Countries: Fateh captain Ismail Darwish assassinated in Rome; PLO blames Mossad [FJ 12/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Occupation officials indicate 71% real tax increase (over prior period) from Arab residents in W. Bank [JP 12/13].

Military Action

Arab World: 2 injured in attack on IDF convoy near Tyre, S. Lebanon; IDF stages raid in 8 Shi'ite villages east of Tyre; 50 detained, 3 killed [WP 12/14, JTA 12/14].

Military Action

Arab World: RPG fired at IDF convoy, shots fired at SLA vehicle near Tyre, S. Lebanon; mine explodes near convoy in Jibsheet, S. Lebanon; no injuries [JP 12/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Pentagon confirms joint US-Israeli anti-submarine exercises underway [CT 12/12]. Authorities notify villages of Rantis, Luban, 'Aboud of intention to confiscate 1380 dunams as "state property" [FJ 12/14].

Other Countries: UN General Assembly calls for Palestine state (127 to 2, 20 abst.), reaffirms 1947 UN partition plan (131 to 3, 15 abst.), calls for intl. peace conference (121 to 3, 23 abst.) [FJ 12/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Zionist organizations host seminar at US State Dept., condemn 1975 UN Zionism-racism resolution [JTA 12/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Lebanon Radio reports IDF fires on Ansar camp detainees; several wounded [FJ 12/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Returning from France, PM Peres confirms Irael negotiating purchase of 2 French nuclear reactors [FT 12/10]. Labor Min. Katzav orders Jews be hired over Arabs when filling state job openings in occupied territories [TS 12/10]. 26 Palestinian lawyers meeting in Umm al-Fahm form Arab Lawyers League to fight discrimination against Arabs, Arab lawyers [FJ 12/14].

Military Action

Arab World: Katyusha fired at IDF unit near Hasbaya, S. Lebanon [JP 12/9]. SLA position attacked near 'Arab Salim, S. Lebanon [FJ 12/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: US State Dept. official Murphy arrives to discuss Lebanon, other issues [JP 12/9].

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat meets with Italian PM Craxi in Tunis [JP 12/10]; later travels to Algeria for meeting with Pres. Bendjedid [AMJ 12/28].

Military Action

Arab World: IDF vehicle attacked near Qasmiya, S. Lebanon; all occupants reported injured [FJ 12/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: No. 2 Kach official Yehuda Richter given 8-yr. sentence for firing on Arab bus in March [JWP 12/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF reports $3 million in stolen army property returned by citizens during November "month of grace" [JTA 12/7]. 5 members of Gaza "Islamic military group" sentenced from 9 to 13 yrs. for membership, arms and currency violations [JP 12/7]. Defense Ministry announces plan to double police force in occupied territories [JP 12/7]. Umm al-Fahm attorney Hussein Abu Hussein arrested on political charges based on "secret testimony"; supporters cite his activity in Abna' al-Balad movement and defense of W. Bank prisoners as true reason [FJ 12/14]. IDF officer in charge of W. Bank judiciary sends letter to W. Bank prosecutor general stating W. Bank civil courts cannot try Israeli identity card holders in criminal or traffic cases [FJ 1/11].

Military Action

Arab World: Black September claims responsibility for 12/4 assassination of Jordanian diplomat 'Azmi al-Mufti in Bucharest [JP 12/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Peace Now movement considers forming political party along with Mapam and Citizens Rights Movement [JTA 12/5].

Other Countries: PM Peres arrives in France seeking improved relations [first PM since Ben Gurion to visit] [NYT 12/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: US State Dept. calls for direct peace talks, not intl. conference proposed (12/3) by King Hussein, Pres. Mubarak [JTA 12/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police defuse bomb in Netanya [LAT 12/4].

Arab World: IDF sends armored patrol north of Awali River after Druze-Christian fighting, despite pledge of non-interference there [LAT 12/5]. 3 IDF soldiers wounded by mine near Madosha, S. Lebanon. Grenade thrown at 2 SLA vehicles in Nabatiya, S. Lebanon; no injuries [JP 12/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Peres rejects call for UN peace conference, direct talks with PLO [CSM 12/6];. offers to meet Hussein "with no preconditions" [MG 12/4]. Al-Najah U. opens after 4-mo. closure by occupation authorities UP 12/3]. Atty. Gen. Zamir threatens Knesset members with prosecution if they meet with PLO or "enemy agents" [JTA 12/3].

Arab World: Jordan and Egypt jointly call for UN peace conference, with PLO participation, based on UN Res. 242 [NYT 12/4]. Chrmn. Arafat meets King Fahd in Riyadh [LAT 12/4].

Military Action

Arab World: Bomb wounds IDF soldier as convoy passes through Saraf and, S. Lebanon [JP 12/4]. IDF kills woman in Jibsheet, S. Lebanon [MG 12/5]. Jordanian diplomat 'Azmi al-Mufti assassinated in Bucharest [WP 12/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: King Hussein denounces Camp David before Egyptian parliament; refuses to negotiate in place of PLO; calls for PLO role in peace talks [PI 12/3, NYT 12/3]. PLO announces move of formal PNC seat to Amman, PLO secretariat to Tunis, both from Damascus [JP 12/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Explosion at Qalandiya camp; no injuries [JP 12/3].

Arab World: IDF soldier wounded in ambush near Sidon, S. Lebanon. In Nabatiya, S. Lebanon, grenade injures 14 in market; bomb explodes near IDF convoy, no casualties [JP 12/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: IDF arrests 22 Israelis demonstrating against settler leader Moshe Levinger's presence at Dheisheh camp [F) 12/7].

Arab World: On 1st visit in 7 yrs., King Hussein arrives in Egypt for talks with Pres. Mubarak on joint peace strategy [NYT 12/2].

Other Countries: Georgetown U.'s Center for Strategic & Intl. Studies in Washington reports Israel may possess up to 100 nuclear weapons [JP 12/2].