The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gov't. orders Palestinian money-changers in Jerusalem stop trading in US dollars. Ramallah military court fines Fatmeh Ja'afari IS 20,000 for possessing "illegal literature" [purchased in Jerusalem]. DM Rabin meets with Mayor Freij, approves $700,000 Saudi grant for Bethlehem development projects. FM Shamir calls for creation of new UN including "only democratic countries." Nahal inaugurates 4 settlements: Rotem in Jordan Valley, Heahzut near Gush Etzion, Amitai & Ye'elon in Negev. Morechet Benyamin Co. dumps truckloads of rubble on jib village land, rendering it unusable for farming. FM Shamir expresses alarm to visiting US congressmen at apparent Jordanian-PLO rapprochement.

Arab World: PNC Chrmn. Khalid Fahoum declines to issue invitations to PNC mtg. called by Chrmn. Arafat pending further unity talks. Christians & Muslim unite in general strike through S. Lebanon to protest Israeli kidnapping of Amal Shi'ite leaders; Phalangist Joseph Ghanem sends letter of solidarity with demonstrators in Sidon.

Other Countries: 9th anniversary of UN resolution equating Zionism with racism. Special UN panel publicizes findings on Israeli activity in occupied territories; reports Israel continues to disregard Geneva Convention on civilian rights under occupation. In New York Federal Court, hearings begin for Ariel Sharon's libel suit against Time magazine.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew imposed on Dheisheh camp after Border Policeman hit with thrown rock; boys' school raided by Border Police; area declared closed military zone.

Arab World: 2 Israeli soldiers wounded by light arms fire in Jibsheet; 2 wounded by RPG fire in Ghaziya village, S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: Bomb explodes in El AL office, Vienna; no injuries.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nuseirat camp (Gaza) man sentenced to 5 1/2 yrs. for selling weapons. 1st Palestinian judge appointed to "Judea & Samaria" Judicial Appointments Com. Histadrut Exec. Com. mtg. turns into brawl as MK Ran Cohen calls MK Sharon "criminal." PM Peres says he will decline US offer to defer for 90 days $500 million loan now due. US and Israeli officials discuss joint Central America & Third World development & other programs.

Arab World: In special session, Lebanese cabinet meets to discuss deteriorating economic situation. Lebanese Pres. Gemayel flies to Libya for mtg. with Col. Qadhafi.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Israelis found slain in valley between Bethlehem & Jerusalem; Dheisheh resident held suspect.

Arab World: Lebanese Army 6th Brigade surrounds Bourj al-Barajneh camp, Beirut in response to reported PFLP-DFLP shoot-out there.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Peres' aides deny he will ask US for "handout" while on visit to Washington.

Other Countries: In UN General Assembly, Israeli FM Shamir announces IDF will leave Lebanon on single condition that no Palestinian fighters reenter S. Lebanon. US House of Representatives votes (416-6) authorizing Pres. Reagan to negotiate Free Trade Area agreement with Israel.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops seal 8 of 9 Dheisheh camp entrances; journalist Hamdi Farraj (under Dheisheh town arrest) detained & subsequently released.

Arab World: 3 Israeli soldiers wounded by gunfire while patroling above Awali River [area from which IDF had supposedly withdrawn]. IDF engineering corps officer wounded in grenade attack near Jnaya village, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mounted police with riot sticks break up demonstration at US Consulate, E. Jerusalem by 20 Palestinians protesting Jnaid prison conditions. Davar reports vegetable exports to Lebanon (10/83-9/84) total $14 million.

Other Countries: Israeli FM Shamir discusses conditions for IDF withdrawal from Lebanon with US Sec. of State Shultz; Shultz tells Lebanese FM Karami all sides must be more flexible before US can mediate Israeli withdrawal. 2 US House subcommittees jointly approve resolution calling for US embassy move to Jerusalem.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: MK Kahane (using Knesset privilege) & 300 armed Gush Etzion & Kiryat Arba settlers enter & raid Dheisheh camp [pop. 6,000], setting up roadblocks on Bethlehem-Hebron road, firing shots at houses and water reservoirs; Israeli soldiers later ordered settlers out of camp confines, but not from camp surroundings; troops arrest journalists Ali Qa'dam (al-Awda) & Marsha Hamilton (AP) on visit to camp. Military authorities break into student council mtg. in Bir Zeit U. Board of Trustees office and abduct student Marwan Barghouti; no charges filed.

Arab World: Mine explodes as IDF patrol car passes in S. Lebanon; no injuries reported. Self-styled "People's Court" organization claims responsibility for killing Palestinian woman found guilty of collaboration with IDF at 'Ain al-Hilweh camp, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military governate orders confiscation of 1,300 dunums of land belonging to 30 Mazra al-Qibliyeh village families. IDF lift al-Khidr curfew, detain several suspected in bus ambush (9/17). Hundreds of 'Arara village students demonstrate, commemorating Sabra & Shatila massacres, police arrest 15 for interrogation.

Arab World: Palestinian Workers Federation begins 3-day conf. in Damascus.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops raid Dheisheh camp, searching for suspects in bus ambush.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jerusalem press conference, staff and student representatives of West Bank universities condemn closure of Najah Nat'l. U. (since 7/30/84). Military orders ban Gaza table tennis tournament (scheduled for 9/21).

Arab World: Portuguese & Eritrean labor delegations visit Chrmn. Arafat at Tunis HQ. PDR Yemen leader Ali Nasser Mohammed arrives in Damascus for talks with officials on PLO-Syria reconciliation.

Other Countries: Israel announces appointment of Benjamin Netanyahu as its amb. to UN.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2nd anniversay of massacres at Sabra and Shatila camps; Israeli troops respond with tear gas to demonstrations in Jalazoun and Dheisheh camps. Israeli bus ambushed near Bethlehem, 5 Israelis, 2 Palestinians in nearby car injured; police search, impose curfew on Dheisheh camp & al-Khidr village. Arab World: IDF position near Jezzine shelled by Katyushas fired from south of Awali River.

SociallEconomic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Death sentences of Maher & Karim Yunis [conferred 12/271/84] for killing Jewish hitch-hiker (1980) commuted to life in prison by Lydd court. El Al airline announces $14.3 million loss in fiscal 1984.

Arab World: Christian Lawyer Joseph Hashem announced to replace deceased Pierre Gemayel as Lebanese Health and Communications Minister.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities demolish power station and grid belonging to Jerusalem Electric Co. at Ain al-Sultan camp claiming that construction was not licensed. About 50 armed Israeli squatters storm and take possession of Palestinian home near Herod's Gate, Old Jerusalem. 3 Dheisheh camp nationalists injured in stabbing by anti-nationalist group members after week of confrontations; nationalist supporters respond by demolishing Young Men's Muslim Assoc. headquarters.

Arab World: IDF engineer corps commander Cohen says IDF spending $17 million to fortify eastern front in Lebanon for winter. IDF release 45 detainees from Ansar concentration camp in S. Lebanon, where about 800 remain.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Chrmn. of Knesset Econ. Com. says Lebanon war cost Israel economy $4.5 billion; MK Gur says war costs $800,000 daily.

Other Countries: (Pro-Palestinian) Israeli journalist Livia Rokach found dead at home in Rome.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF shoots 14- yr.-old boy in Dheisheh refugee camp Land Day demonstration.