The Palestine Chronology

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli gov't. press office tries to rescind statement by PM office Dir.-Gen. Mattityahu Shmuelevitz that arms sales to Saudi Arabia might force Israel to launch "preemptive strike."

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jewish extremists, reportedly suspected "TNT" members, flee Jerusalem police after plot to blow up Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque with IDF explosives; four men apprehended and later released. 17 year-old Palestinian boy, Nasser al-Sarisi, killed by Israeli soldiers in Nablus when youths attack border patrol with stones; violent protests follow, resulting in 2 shot in legs when troops open fire on crowd.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Other Countries: Smithsonian Institution (Washington) cancels planned Israeli archaeological exhibit as Israel unable to verify ownership of artifacts. In letter to UN Sec. Gen. Perez de Cuellar, Israeli UN amb. Blum claims UN is largely responsible for worldwide resurgence of anti-Semitism.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli firm J.O.E.L. strikes oil in commercial quantities at Gurim in Negev.

Other Countries: Reagan administration informs Israeli gov't. of plans to renew efforts to supply Jordan with $220 million in military equipment for 8,000-man strike force for Gulf.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Israeli-backed militia leader in S. Lebanon, Mohammed Farhat, shot and killed by assailant in speeding car in Ramun village.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Former chief of staff Yigael Yadin submits affidavit stating IDF seizure of Hebron central bus station is not justifiable for reasons of security. PM Shamir survives 3 no confidence motions in Knesset. Al-Fajr journalist, Awad Abdel Fattah, denied access to West Bank and Gaza for 1 year by Israeli occupation authorities. Yaqoub Hijazi, owner of Akka publishing house, summoned by Israeli police for questioning about new book of short stories; police confiscate copies of the book, claiming it is "inciting."

Arab World: Lebanese Shi'ite leader, Raghib Harb, makes last public appearance in Hallusiyeh rally after fellow Shi'ite leader arrested by IDF.

Other Countries: Israeli Pres. Herzog ends African visit, returning from Liberia with wide-ranging commercial cooperation agreement. Washington Post alleges presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson privately made anti-Jewish remark; Zionist anti-Jackson campaign accuses candidate of "racism" and "anti-Semitism."

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: W. German Chancellor Kohl arrives for official 6-day visit amid tight security and demonstrations by Israeli WW II holocaust survivors.

Other Countries: Mu'in Bseisso, Palestinian poet, found dead in London hotel room. Argentine Jewish community voices apprehension over Knesset delegation involvement in investigations into fate of Jewish desapericidos.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Representatives of 31 Palestinian institutions in West Bank meet at BZU to issue statement strongly rejecting moves by Jordan to recall National Assembly with Palestinian participation as conspiracy undermining PLO achievements. Israeli Cabinet approves 1984 budget of $20.1 billion providing for $169 million cut in military spending. Leader of "Sons of the Cedars" militia, Etienne Saqr (a.k.a. Abu Arz), meets with PM Shamir in Jerusalem.

Other Countries: US and Israeli officials meet for 2 days of talks in Washington on expanded military and political cooperation. Joseph Churba, Dir. of Center for International Security, NY, asserts Israel's military involvement with pro-Western Central American forces is part of Israeli state policy to prevent US becoming bogged down defending the western hemisphere.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 200 settlers from Kibbutz Ein Hashofet demonstrate near PM's office, demand immediate IDF withdrawal from Lebanon. 4 Palestinian Druze members of Israeli border police suspended for refusal to serve in Lebanon.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: IDF forces besiege Hallusiyeh, al-Homeira and Tarafelsiyeh villages in S. Lebanon, conducting mass arrests.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yesh Gvul holds teach-in on war in Lebanon at Tel Aviv cinema.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Lebanese Shi'ite spiritual leader, Sheikh Abbas Harb, arrested in his Hallusiyeh home by IDF and whisked off by helicopter to unknown location; his home demolished in 30 mins. by IDF bulldozer. UNRWA Commissioner General Olof Rydbeck denounces increase in arrests, kidnappings, assassinations, injuries and disappearances of Palestinian refugees from S. Lebanon camps over past 2 months. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: As students escalate protests against Jordan's imposition of comprehensive exams, UNRWA-operated Ramallah Teachers Training Centers for men and women close for 8 days. Israeli police arrest Yonah Aburushmim in connection with last year's murder of Peace Now activist Emil Gruinzweig. Palestinian home in Ibtin village destroyed by Israeli police bulldozer on pretext that structure was unlicensed.

Other Countries: British PM Thatcher and US envoy Donald Rumsfeld meet in London to discuss alternatives to MNF in Lebanon.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Military court sentences 6 young Aida refugee camp residents to 5-9-year jail terms for throwing petrol bombs at military vehicles.

Arab World: Egypt readmitted to Islamic Conference Organization by majority vote; Syrian, Libyan and PDRY delegations walk out in protest.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Light arms fire directed at IDF troops at Sidon port; no injuries reported. Bomb explodes at home of Abed Kabub, chairman of Islamic Waqf, Jaffa; local leaders suspect "TNT."

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: Adjournment of Islamic Summit delayed over issue of Egypt's readmission to membership.

Other Countries: Israeli Pres. Chaim Herzog arrives in Kinshasa for 1st visit to a black African nation since Yom Kippur war.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Dr. Malcolm Kerr, President of American University of Beirut, gunned down near his office by unknown assailant. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli military court in Nablus sentences Nayef Sweitat to 9 mos. prison on charges of contact with PLO. Israeli National Insurance Institute releases figures indicating 10% of Israel's population lives below poverty level. Brigadier Shlomo Ilya, head of Israeli "civil administration" in West Bank, resigns in connection with military police investigation of corruption. Israel government workers stage warning strike in support of wage increases; public services, including radio and television broadcasts disrupted. High Court order nisi challenges Gaza military court decision to demolish 24 Palestinian homes in Jabaliya refugee camp.

Arab World: Several leaders of Palestine Liberation Front in Damascus reportedly kidnapped by rival members of PLF.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Villages from Iqlim al- Kharrub to Souq al-Gharb resist LAF mass arrests and imposition of "mourning curfew" by IDF forces after Saad Haddad's death. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Special Cabinet session to discuss implementation of planned take-over of Hebron market postponed for members to attend Saad Haddad funeral.

Arab World: Fourth Islamic summit Conference convenes in Casablanca with 24 heads of state attending; Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Syria presidents not attending. Maj. Saad Haddad buried in Marjayoun, Lebanon; Israelis attending funderal include PM Shamir, DM Moshe Arens, Ariel Sharon, Shimon Peres, FM David Kimche.

Other Countries: Officials of the National Assoc. of Arab Americans (NAAA) meet with US Pres. Reagan in Washington; urge Marines withdraw from Lebanon. Presidents of major American Jewish organizations send cable to W. German chancellor Kohl calling for cancellation of arms sale to Saudi Arabia. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 500 settlers from southern kibbutzim demonstrate before PM's office in Jerusalem for immediate IDF withdrawal from Lebanon. Occupation authorities ban Al-Fajr journalist from entering West Bank for 1 year and Gaza for 6 months; no explanation given. [The journalist recently served 4 mos. in jail for possession of "banned printed material."]

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: 2 grenades thrown at IDF patrols in central Sidon; 1 in Nabitiya; roadside bomb explodes by remote control as IDF passes near Ansar. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: Maj. Saad Haddad dies of cancer at his home in Marjayoun, Lebanon. US envoy Rumsfeld meets with Hafez al-Assad in Damascus.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Other Countries: British Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe rejects Israeli argument that PLO has no role in Middle East settlement and Israeli amb. Yehuda Avner's censure of Howe's statement from Riyadh, urging Israel's recognition of Palestinian rights to self-determination, criticizing West Bank settlement policy and calling for PLO involvement in peace talks. Italian gov't. rejects Gemayel's demand that its MNF contingent withdraw from Palestinian refugee camps and concentrate on protection of Beirut commercial establishments and government buildings. US amb. to UN Kirkpatrick rejects Sec. Gen. Perez de Cuellar's Middle East peace conference proposal as "ill-considered and harmful." 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: IDF Brigadier-General Amos Yaron, criticized in March 1983 report for role in Sabra and Shatila massacres, promoted to full general in spite of recommendation that "no command be given to him for three years." Karam Saleh Karam of Bethlehem fined IS50,000 and given suspended sentence of 3 years prison for demonstrating and throwing stones at Israeli border guards last year. 30 Dheisheh camp residents summoned to Bethlehem military governor's office and told to create council of camp residents to coordinate with "civil administration;" proposal rejected by refugees citing "lack of faith" in military gov't. Political prisoner, Nabil shawkeh, sentenced (November 1982) to 7 years prison for membership in "hostile organization," deported to Jordan following drastic deterioration of health and subsequent repeated request by his lawyer for release.

Arab World: US envoy Rumsfeld arrives in Damascus for talks with Syrian officials.

Other Countries: 9 children wounded in Israeli invasion of Lebanon arrive in NY for medical treatment sponsored by "Save Lebanon" project of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; 40 have already been treated under this project.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: IDF convoy ambushed near Zahrani River, 3 soldiers wounded.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 3 Palestinian homes bulldozed by Israeli occupation forces in Samu' and Tarqumiya villages on pretext that they were built without license. Ariel Sharon rejected as candidate for chairmanship of Jewish Agency's immigration department. PM Shamir announces budget for West Bank settlements to be cut. Ramallah teacher and member of teachers' committee, Fadel Rimawi, and Ismail Othman, principal of Hashemiya secondary school, raided by occupation troops, confiscating books. More than 70 members of "Green Patrols," para-military wing of Israeli nature conservation assoc., in convoy of 14 vehicles, force Bedouin shepherd women to return to their homes, abandoning sheep; sheep returned next day minus 25 head, Bedouins charged IS150,000 for their transportation plus IS157,000 fines.

Other Countries: Portuguese court acquits Muhammed Hussein Rashid of Issam Sartawi murder; sentences him to 3 years in prison for using forged passport.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 homes in Marj al-Dudeh near Yatta demolished without warning by Israeli military bulldozers, claiming buildings were not licensed; residents expelled. Nablus military court issues prison sentences of 2.5 to 4.4 years to 5 youths from Bidya villages believed to have thrown Molotov cocktails at Israeli and collaborators' cars. MK Shulamit Aloni discloses secret military document recommending Israeli withdrawal of IDF from Lebanon. Settlers from Ofra go on window-smashing rampage, damaging 10 cars belonging to Palestinians. 2 IDF grenade bombs discovered in Hebron synagogue by Arab workers doing repairs there; investigation directed to Israeli vigilante group, "TNT."

Other Countries: Int'l. Commission of Jurists (Geneva) accuses Israeli authorities of arresting Palestinian students without charge to prevent them from taking important exams. 

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: Israeli reservist convicted of stealing money from West Bank residents returning from Jordan. Chrmn. of US Joint Chiefs of Staff arrives from mtg. with Pres. Gemayel for 3-day visit with IDF officials. Zionist General Council convenes in Jerusalem to discuss settlement, immigration, Jewish education, as well as crisis in the Zionist movement. Muhammed Amireh, journalist with al-Quds, placed under town arrest for 6 mos. Palestinian journalist, Raymonda Tawil prevented from leaving West Bank to participate in political debate for West German television. Meir Kahane, after stating to press he would turn himself in only if later released on bail, reports to Jerusalem police station; released on IS25,000 bail and ordered to turn over US passport to authorities.

Arab World: 3 PLO Executive Committee members, Abdul Mohsen Abu Maizar (Ind.), Ahmed al-Yamani (PFLP) and Yasser Abed Rabbo (PDFLP), leave talks in Tunis, return to Damascus. Syrian and Lebanese FMs meet in Riyadh with Saudi counterparts for talks on Lebanon security plan; talks focus on Syrian call for repudiation of May 17 agreement. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: Sheikh Jalaleddin, Mufti of Sidon, issues statement accusing Israel of arbitrary and repressive measures designed to terrorize Sidon population. With MNF withdrawn, LAF conduct new round of mass arrests in Sabra refugee camp. 

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Water mains connecting Esh'ar Israeli Army post blown up with make-shift bomb.

Arab World: Israeli Merkava tanks and armored vehicles spray Sidon streets with machine-gun fire three times; 3 wounded, cars and shops damaged.

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/lsrael: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics reports Israeli population grew by 1.7%; Arabs by 2.8% in 1983. Meir Kahane detained for illegal demonstration supporting Jewish terror against Arabs; Kahane allowed by interrogators to escape.

Arab World: King Hussein orders reconvening of Jordan's parliament; 12 deputies now live under Israeli occupation. International Red Cross confirms that casualties of Israeli bombing raids near Baalbek (1/4/84) were mostly civilians; Baalbek closed in general strike.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Bomb in Qazizin market in Hebron; defused shortly before set to explode. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: In response to report of arrest of 160 former Ansar detainees, DM Arens says only 16.

Arab World: Fateh Central Committee ends 3 days of talks in Tunis; 5 rebel officers expelled from PLO military ranks: Mohammed Tarki al-Khadra, Mohammed Zahran, Lt. Col. Mahmoud Hamdan (Abu Adwi), Maj. Yusef al-Ajjouri and Said Musa (Abu Musa).

Other Countries: Jury selection begins in Albufeira, Portugal for trial of Muhammed Hussein Rashid (a.k.a. Yousef al-Awad), for murder of Issam Sartawi (4/10/83); defendent denies guilt.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: 16 Israeli bombers inflict heavy casualties in Baalbek area; 40-100 killed, 360-400 wounded. Lebanese state court reinstates ailing Saad Haddad into Lebanese Army, reversing 7-year-old decision; Haddad being treated in Rambam Hospital, Haifa. 7 West Bank deputies cross to Jordan to attend session of reconvened Jordanian parliament.

Other Countries: Reagan says willing to meet Syrian Pres. Assad if it would help peace in the Middle East.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel civil servants stop work over new austerity measures, including 15% increases in staple food prices as subsidies cut. Knesset Finance Committee approves 14% increase in electricty costs, retroactive to 12/1/83. Social Workers Union members demonstrate before Labor and Social Affairs Ministry to protest recent sanctions.

Arab World: Syria releases US airman to Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Other Countries: Before American Jewish Committee in NY, Israel's former advisor on Arab affairs Menahem Milson says Palestinians should be granted right organize politically (provided they recognize Israel and reject PLO). Britain declassifies 1953 secret memorandum outlining early plans to arm Israel.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Israeli Kfir bombers launch 2 attacks on suspected Palestinian positions in Bhamdoun, Lebanon. Some non-essential IDF personnel withdrawn from Sidon. 

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.

SOCIAL POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Dep. Cabinet Min. warns 50-100,000 Israelis may emigrate in 1984. Israeli police report material evidence links shooting of Nablus girls (12/8/83) to Yosef Harnoi (of Tel Aviv & Elon Moreh); Pinhas Mahrabi and Ephraim Segal as accomplices. 19th anniversary of establishment of PLO. Hanna Nakkara distinguished Palestinian advocate, well-known for his work in defense of Bedouin rights and against land confiscation, dies in Haifa.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Rida Hashem Zeid Keelani of Jenin shot dead by Israeli patrol at Jalazoun refugee camp for failing to stop for identity check; occupation authorities force family to bury body at night to avoid attention; IDF later announces victim listed as suspected terrorist. Central Nablus placed under curfew after petrol bomb attack on IDF foot patrol; later, petrol bomb hurled at patrol in Balata refugee camp; petrol bomb attack reported in Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza Strip.