The Palestine Chronology

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].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jewish Agency announces plan to spend $30 million on settlement projects in Galilee, Negev & Wadi al-Araba.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat in Kuwait for official talks.

Other Countries: Texas investor Leroy Brenna launches "Strategic Israeli Fund Inc.," mutual fund for investing in Israeli companies.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF shoot Shiite villager near Tyre for "acting in a suspicious manner." Light arms fire directed at IDF patrol in Jbaa village; no casualties reported.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense commission inquiry reports 2 commandos, Subhi and Majdi Abu Juma'a, captured (4/12/84) in bus hijacking were bludgeoned to death by Israeli security men, full report censored and classified; DM Arens says neither he nor CoS Moshe Levy directly responsible, and "legal action" will be taken against those found responsible. Bulldozers working at night uproot olive trees belonging to Salah Abu Rajab, destroy wall of nearby Hajariyeh school. WZO Settlement co-chrmn. Drobles proposes new plan to attract Jews from Palestine coast to settle around Jerusalem and restrict Arab development, which he calls a "cancer." Jenin area melon growers report export permit delays caused 30% crop loss. Gaza military gov. orders 2450 dunums citrus groves closed to Beit Lahiya owners.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Arab-owned cars in Halhoul & Habil Riyah, Hebron vandalized in night. Firebomb hurled at Kiryat Arba garbage truck, no injuries.

Arab World: Israeli troops sweep through several east Beqaa villages, arresting, cuffing and blindfolding scores of people, driving them off toward Galilee. Israeli patrol fired upon from speeding car in S. Lebanon, 1 Israeli wounded.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Over 200 Palestinian Druze and delegates of groups from Galilee, Triangle and Golan Heights hold 3rd general conference of Druze Initiative Committee in Shefa 'Amr.

Military Action:

Arab World: Israeli planes attack alleged Palestinian guerrilla positions in Bhamdoun.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Police discover huge cache of weapons, including 107 grenades, 80 loaded magazines, mines, anti-tank bazooka shells and several dozen kilos of explosives in evacuated Palestinian village of Lifta near Jerusalem; suspected to be linked with "TNT" cells. MK Tsaban's motion to establish a committee of inquiry into the invasion of Lebanon defeated in Knesset vote (42-33). PM Shamir accuses Egypt of "tretreating from the Camp David framework, " citing Egypt's failure to return its ambassador to Israel. MK Rabin says PLO operations against Israel were "child's play" compared to Shi'ite "terror" against IDF in S. Lebanon. Chief of Staff Levy tells Foreign Affairs & Defense Com. 2,000 [Palestinian] "terrorists" have returned to Beirut, and IDF withdrawal from S. Lebanon would not guarantee Israel secure borders. 4 American-Israeli youths arrested for last Sunday's attack on Arab bus near Ramallah. 5 Galilee Palestinians arrested on prima facie evidence of membership in religiousnationalist organization that may have set fire to 30 vehicles in recent months. Nablus mayor Shaka'a rejects military authorities' conditions placed on his travel permit to US.

Other Countries: US amb. to OAS Middendorf affirms US and Israel have mutual strategic interests in Central America where a battle is being waged by "atheistic Communism to destroy our 'Judeo-Christian civilization'." "Moral Majority" leader Jerry Falwell reaffirms support for Israel before group at Herzl Institute, NY, stating Israel's best friends in US are "Bible-believing Christians" and US should not have interrupted Israel's "liberation" of Lebanon from Syrian and PLO "slavery." Rev. Jesse Jackson's US presidential campaign staff compile evidence of "hounding" by some Jewish-American organizations.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 3 Israelis killed and 9 wounded in booby-trapped bomb explosion on bus near Ashdod; Abu Nidal's PDFLP-GC in Damascus claims responsibility; 150 Arab men rounded up as suspects.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Galilee youths released after arrest (2/29/84) for hoisting Palestinian flag on anniversary of Sabra & Shatila massacres; in court, defendents describe torture used on them; suit filed against interrogators. MK Sarid submits letter of protest over MK Sharon's violation of Knesset "code of ethics" by accepting money for US lecture tour. [Sharon appealed for dispensation on grounds he is suing Time magazine for reporting his connection with Sabra & Shatila massacres.] PM Shamir denies charges by Sharon that his gov't. is bowing to US pressure to impede settlement drive. MKs Zakin (Mapam) and Aloni (CRM) urge PM Shamir to declare "TNT" a terrorist organization. [1948 Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance would then allow security agencies to fight Jewish terrorism.] After 3 years, Bani Zad village resumes relation with "civil administration" upon promise of IS10 million grant for civic improvements. 8 Palestinians arraigned in military court for murder of Kiryat Arba squatter Aharon Gross (7/7/83); 5 plead not guilty, 1 claims self-defense. 7 West Bank squatters and 2 from Green Line, all of US origin and followers of Meir Kahane, arrested for bombing attempt on al-Aqsa Mosque and shooting attack on Arab bus (3/4/84); news blackout on investigations imposed.

Arab World: Gemayel abrogates US-sponsored May 17 agreement with Israel. Israel protests Egypt's permitting Palestinian conference in Cairo later this month; complains conference will provide opportunity for "anti-Israeli propaganda."

Other Countries: European Community Commission Pres. Thorn says Egypt urging Europeans to press US to deal with PLO.

Military Action:

Arab World: Israelis bomb alleged PLO positions in 2 raids on Aley, Lebanon.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Arab local councils in the Triangle and Galilee strike for 2 hours to demonstrate their severe fiscal problems. Ramallah lawyer Shukri Aboudi fined IS50,000 and given 6-month jail term on charges of membership in illegal organization.

Arab World: Gemayel informs opponents he will annul May 17 agreement in exchange for their participation in reconciliation talks.

Other Countries: King Hussein flies to London for talks with PM Thatcher and FM Howe. Chairman Arafat nominated for post of rector of Glasgow University by students, election March 5.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jewish settlers break into home of 84-year-old Tulkarm man; chop off his finger when he refuses to sign over property to Israeli buyers.

Arab World: Advancing Druze militia discover 117 Druze corpses in Kfar Matta, S. Lebanon, massacred by Christian Phalange militia in 1983. Israeli tanks patrol north-coast highway to Damour demonstrating support for Phalangist takeover there. Israel-backed death-squad kills Shi'ite leader, Raghib Harb, while walking home in Jabsheet near Nabatiya.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 500 industrial, service & gov't. workers protest at Finance Ministry against yesterday's work sanctions. 2 Likud MKs present urgent agenda for freeze on new settlements in occupied territories. 15 Bedouin sheikhs present PM Shamir with complaints of deteriorating conditions as Israeli military continue to expropriate grazing and watering lands in Negev and Galilee; Shamir says the issue will be turned over to Agriculture Ministry. Mapam MK Elazar Granot proposes Alignment table bill abolishing state of emergency in effect in Israel since 1948.

Arab World: Jordanian Parliament meets for first time since 1976; amends constitution to permit Palestinians from Israeli-occupied West Bank to be appointed as members. Former Lebanese PM Saeb Salam protests to LAF commander Gen. Ibrahim Tannous recent LAF mass arrests of civilians carried out in Sabra and Shatila camps.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Grenade thrown under IDF patrol vehicle explodes without injury in Jericho.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Galilee settle- ments chrmn., M. Ariav, says 31 settlements in north are near economic collapse. PM Shamir meets with US envoy Rumsfeld and US Sen. Tower of Sen. Armed Services Com. Musa Jaradat, Al-Fajr correspondent placed under town arrest.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 3 Galilee youths held since 9/27/83 sentenced to 6-15 mos. prison for participation in 1983 Land Day demonstration; lawyer says youths subjected to physical and psychological torture while in Jalameh and Akka prisons. Israeli Ministerial Economic Committee sets Friday deadline for gov't. dep'ts. to present budget proposals with 9% overall spending cut; DM Arens rejects notion of cutting budget for development of Lavi bomber. Jerusalem Post poll reports 72% favor cut in spending for West Bank settlements. Settlers from Yakir and Kedumim, bitter over arrest of 3 Israelis suspected of Nablus killings (12/8/83), return IDF-issued weapons to Israeli authorities.

Arab World: Rev. Jesse Jackson meets Pres. Assad in Damascus, appeals release of US airman downed 12/4/83.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Incendiary bomb thrown at Israeli military patrol at Balata refugee camp; no casualties.

Arab World: Israelis reopen Awali River crossings after 3 days.