The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Central Bureau of Statistics reports 37% of occupied territories' work force employed in Israel during 1984: 50,000 from W. Bank, 40,000 from Gaza; 44,000 worked in construction, 13,000 in agriculture [JTA 3/7]. Housing Min. begins building permanent structures in 3 settlements formerly containing temporary housing: Atzmona in Gaza, Cadim in N. portion of W. Bank, and Na'ama in Jordan Valley [JP 3/6]. Haifa U. suspends Palestinian student leader Amir Makhoul, imposes sentences on 3 other Arabs, 1 Jewish student, for activities stemming from 1/17 disturbance at university during speech by MK Eitan [JP 3/7].

Arab World: After meeting with Pres. Mubarak in Hurghada, Egypt, King Hussein expresses support for 2/24 Mubarak proposal for talks between US, joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation [NYT, WSJ 3/7].

Other Countries: Reagan administration defersending Israel's $2.6 billion aid request to Congress for approval; states Israel has not made sufficient progress toward solving economic problems [NYT 3/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Authorities bulldoze 2 homes "illegally" built in Shuyuh [JP 3/7]. Roadside bomb explodes as settler's car passes in Hebron area; nearby note claims DFLP responsibility [JTA 3/8].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: RPGs, shots fired at IDF, SLA posts in Shukin, Ansar; no casualties [JP 3/7]. IDF kill 2, wound 1 resistance fighter in Kafr Sir. SLA soldier wounded in Yatar. IDF raid Bidias; arrest 20 [DT, CSM, NYT 3/7]. IDF, Shin Bet agents arrest dozens in Tyre. Taxi driver killed by IDF near Tyre. IDF raid Burj Eliya; 12-yr. -old boy killed. Civilians in Teir Dibba forced to sit outside village during IDF raid [LT 3/7]. 7 Beirut-based journalists arrested by IDF near Tyre; later released [on 2/26 Israel issued ban on Beirut-based journalists in areas under IDF control] [NYT MG 3/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Foreign Min. official David Kimche summons diplomats from UNIFIL, UN Sec. Council nations for explanation of recent anti-resistance campaign in S. Lebanon; accuses Pres. Gemayel of provoking violence [PI 3/6]. MK's Meir Cohen-Avidov, Yuval Ne'eman return from US with pledges of $70,000 for Keren Hebron fund, a taxdeductible US charity for families of Jewish underground defendants [JP 3/5]. Palestinian prisoners at Jnaid, Nafha prisons initiate hunger strike in solidarity with striking inmates at Ashkelon prison (begun 2/22) [FJ 3/8]. Clash between nationalists and Islamic fundamentalist factions injures 8 at Islamic U., Gaza; 20 arrested; studies suspended for one day [FJ 3/8]. Jewish underground defendant Dan Be'eri plea bargains with Jerusalem District Court to reduce number of charges against him in connection with plot to blow up al-Haram al-Sharif [JP 3/6]. Strike called by 52 Palestinian town councils ends after Interior Min. promises to cover their municipal debts totalling IS 1.4 billion [FJ 3/8].

Arab World: Thousands of Shi'ites march in Beirut protesting 3/4, IDF raid on Ma'rakah [WP 3/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade thrown at IDF patrol in Sa'ir; IDF detain over 150, destroy property; 24-hr. curfew imposed. [MG, FJ, JP 3/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: In Tunis, Chmn. Arafat objects to portions of Pres. Mubarak's 2/24 peace proposals; states talks must take place under UN supervision, PLO appointments to joint delegation cannot be subject to conditions or limitations; denounces US "hypocrisy" towards PLO [NYT 3/3].

Military Action Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF move 800 troops, 3 tanks, over 30 other vehicles into Ma'rakah; 1 killed, 17 arrested, 2 homes destroyed; winter food stocks ransacked, mosques desecrated; IDF fire upon Reuters photographer Patrick Baz, 2nd joumalist, as they carried white flag in village. IDF destroy house in Teir Dibba. In Beirut, Nabih Berri threatens attacks on Israeli towns if S. Lebanese villages are attacked by IDF [NYT, WP 3/3, JP 3/4]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Convicted Jewish underground defendant Avinoam Katrieli released from prison after serving 10 mos. of 15-mo. sentence [JP 3/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF raid Bir Zeit U., allegedly find banned literature; 40 detained; university provisionally closed for one week [JP 3/3].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: 2 roadside bombs injure 3 IDF troops near 'Abassiya. Bomb injures IDF soldier near Burj al-Shamali [PI 3/2]. Katyusha fired at IDF outpost, Qasmiya Bridge; no injuries. 2 RPGs launched at IDF position near Bidias; no injuries [JP 3/3]. In Beirut newspaper appeal, Amal orders resistance fighters to avoid firing upon IDF troops from area recently evacuated by Israel to forestall an Israeli return [PI 3/2].