The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M.Shamir says he is prepared to attack guerrilla bases inside Syria (WP 11/13).

Other Countries: Israel tells Britain Mordechai Vanunu left Britain voluntarily (contrary tospeculation Israeli agents abducted him) (WP 11/14). In nationally broadcast TV address, Pres. Reagan denies he paid "ransom" for U.S. hostages in Lebanon (WP 11/14).

Military Action

Arab World: In south Lebanon, two Shi'is are killed in clash with IDF (JP 11/14).

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Israeli P.M. Peres meets Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze for 90 minutes at UN. Peres calls meeting "beginning of dialogue" (WP 9/23); it is highest level meeting since 1967 rupture. Peres says they agree to consider normalizing relations (NYT 9/23). At request of France, Israel tells UN Security Council that it won't dismantle "security zone" inside Lebanon as Security Council demands (NYT 9/23).

Military Action

Arab World: IDF mass troops and equipment on both sides of the Lebanese border; military sources repeat warnings that Israel will use "all means necessary" including use of troops to defend SLA from new attacks by Muslim guerrillas and to maintain control of "security zone." Mobilization is largest concentration of troopsince June 1985 withdrawal (WP, NYT 9/23).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: As Israeli P.M. Peres sets off for Washington, F. M. Shamir says "big part" of Israeli government opposes international conference (NYT, WP 9/15). Young Arab woman is killed by IDF after stabbing soldier (FBIS 9/16).

Other Countries: In Paris, third bomb in a week explodes (eighth since December 1985), killing policeman and seriously wounding two. "Partisans of Right and Liberty" (Arab group) claims responsibility. Paris announces sweeping measures to fight bombing wave, including requirement that all foreign visitors obtain visas (NYT 9/15).

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Egyptian Pres. Mubarak and Israeli P.M. Peres meet in Alexandria (first time in five years Egyptian and Israeli leaders have met); Egypt returns ambassador to Israel, withdrawn after 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon; two states agree on arbitration over Taba; discuss Palestinian issue (NYT, WP 9/12). In Tunis, PLO Chairman Arafat meets EC representative Claude Cheysson (FBIS 9/14). Islamic Jihad denies it kidnapped American Frank Reed in West Beirut (CSM 9/12).

Other Countries: French government rejects demands for release of convicted terrorists in exchange for ending bomb campaign (WP 9/12). Washington Post reports Israeli Trade Minister Ariel Sharon visited Istanbul secretly for three days in July (WP 9/11).

Military Action

Arab World: IDF and SLA fight Shi'i guerrillas in south Lebanon; five UNIFIL soldiers wounded in crossfire; IDF use helicopter gunships and artillery against Shi'a who attacked SLA outpost.

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: In Genoa, Achille Lauro trial ends; 11 are convicted, 3 given life terms [WP 7/11].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli gunboat intercepts vessel carrying 4 armed Arab guerrillas off S. Lebanon; 2 Israeli soldiers and all 4 guerrillas are killed, 9 other Israeli soldiers wounded in ensuingun battle on land; PFLP and Syrian-backed National Syrian Social party claim responsibility [WP 7/14; NYT 7/15; FJ 7/18]. Hours later Israeli helicopter gunships attack 'Ain al-Hilwah refugee camp, near Sidon, killing 1 and wounding 8 [WP 7/14; NYT 7/15].

Social/Economic/Politica

l Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli and Westem military sources state that over the past few months, the Syrian army has been building trenches in S. Lebanon that are closer to the Israeli border [NYT 5/13].

Arab World: Thousands of Fateh fighters are returning to take up fighting positions in Lebanon; PLO officials confirm that a tacit alliance has been established between the PLO and Hizballah organization, in the wake of ongoing clashes between PLO guerrillas and the Amal militia [FT 5/12]. Syrian govt.-owned newspaper Tishrin states Syria has signs and proof of an imminent Israeli attack on Syria [LT 5/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Cabinet hears report from Hebrew U. Prof. Roberto Bacchi on falling birth rate among world's Jewish population, predictions that there will be more Palestinians than Israelis living in Israel and the occupied territories by early next century [LT 5/13; JTA 5/14; BG 5/15]. Deputy Agriculture Minister Avraham Katz-Oz stated over the weekend Israel has been overpumping from its water reserves for the past decade by over 1,000 cubic meters; he stated water quotas would be cut this year by 10% from a high of 2 billion cubic meters [JP 5/11].

Arab World: Pres. Husni Mubarak has talks in Jordan with King Hussein [BG 5/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli army spokesperson states Israeli troops kill two guerrillas in S. Lebanon "security zone" [JTA 5/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Julio Maria Sanguinetti, president of Uruguay, arrives for 5-day visit to Israel, receives 21-gun salute in Jerusalem, marking the first time a visiting head of state agreed to be welcomed officially in the disputed capital rather than at Ben-Gurion Airport [LT, JP 5/2].

Military Action

Arab World: Shi'ite guerrillas from the Islamic Resistance Movement say they kill 7 members of the SLA; Israeli reports say 1 Shi'ite was killed and 5 SLA members were wounded; both reports say 3 SLA members were kidnaped by the Shi'ites [NYT, JTA 5/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli magistrate's court in Haifa remands 10 Palestinians from inside the Green Line who are alleged to have been organized in the Palestinian resistance movement and to have killed an Israeli soldier in August 1984; some of the detainees have travelled to Cyprus and are alleged to have continued on to Syria for military training, as well as being members of the PFLP [FJ 4/25]. Yesh Gvul (There Is a Limit) organization holds press conference in West Jerusalem announcing their refusal to serve in the occupied territories [FJ 5/2]. Moshe Mendelbaum, governor of the Bank of Israel, states he will resign within 30 days; Giora Gazit, chairman of Bank Hapoalim, announces his resignation [WSJ, MG 4/22]. The number of West Bankers working inside the Green Line declined slightly last year to 47,000 each week, down from 50,000 weekly during the previous year; the number of Gazans working inside the Green Line increased from 41,000 to 42,000 weekly; the work force in the occupied territories reached 251,000 weekly last year, a 2% rise from 1984 [JP 4/21].

Arab World: PFLP announces 13 guerrilla organizations held a secret conference in Damascus last week and decided to escalate attacks against U.S. targets to avenge air strikes on Libya; the groups included the 6 Palestinian factions making up the Palestine National Salvation Front, as well as 7 unidentified "liberation movements," according to the source [JP 4/22]. Druze leader Walid Jumblatt denies meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin in Geneva in February, as was reported by Agence France Presse [JP 4/22].

Other Countries: P.M. Peres meets in Paris with French Pres. Francois Mitterrand and P.M. Jacques Chirac for talks on terrorism and Peres' proposal for a M. E. Marshall Plan [JP 4/22]. U.S. Justice Dept. notifies Congress it does not plan to seek prosecution of Yasir Arafat for the murders of 2 U.S. diplomats on 5/2/73 [WP, BG 4/22]. U.S. State Dept. has appealed ruling by U.S. district judge allowing PLO Permanent Observer to the UN Zuhdi Tarzi to travel to Cambridge, Mass. for a debate despite State's travel ban on Tarzi, on grounds it would lend legitimacy to the PLO [BG 4/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli police announce they have arrested 6 members of a West Bank Palestinian family in connection with kidnap-slaying of Israeli soldier David Manos, whose remains were found in a West Bank cave 2 weeks ago [JTA 3/28].

Arab World: Shi'ite Amal militia announces it holds 3 Palestinian guerrillas who the PLO claimed were killed in cross-border raid into Israel in which 4 Israeli soldiers were also claimed to have been killed [JP 3/26]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli security authorities seal 1 house and 3 rooms belonging to 4 residents of Tulkarm accused of throwing fire bombs at Israeli vehicles [JP 3/7].

Arab World: Israeli journalist Uri Avneri is expelled from Jordan to Egypt after reportedly holding contacts with Jordanian and PLO officials in Amman; Avneri retums to Israel, states he met with senior Jordanian and Palestinian personalities, including at least 1 cabinet minister and PNC members, denies he was expelled. (Avneri's trip was approved by P.M. Peres, Foreign Minister Shamir, and Defense Minister Rabin) [JP 3/7; WP 3/8]. Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shar' concludes 2 days of apparently unproductive talks in England with senior British officials; he states in press conference that Israel is main obstacle to peace in the M.E., that Syria allows Abu Nidal group to maintain political press office in Damascus but it "has nothing to do with violence" [WP, MG, LT 3/6].

Military Action

Arab World: SLA soldier is killed by roadside bomb; Israelis kill 2 Arab guerrillas in S. Lebanon "security zone"; Lebanese security sources say Israeli troops kill 1 farmer, injure another in raid outside "security zone" [MG 3/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: An Israeli army intelligence report dated 6/30/48 has recently surfaced which states more than 70 percent of the Palestinian exodus from Palestine by June 1948 was caused by Jewish military attacks [JP 3/2]. In last 3 days, Israeli security forces have freed 32 Palestinians held under administrative detention orders because 6-month detention period had ended; freed detainees were asked to sign document sating they would not commit future offenses; some refused to sign [JP 3/3]. Israel has agreed to allow Golan Heights Druze to export apples to Syria, possibly through Jordan or directly; P.M. Peres also favors renewing family reunions between Golan and Syrian Druze, which were stopped by Syrians several years ago [JP 3/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli-appointed Palestinian mayor of Nablus, Zafir alMasri, is shot dead by a single, unidentified assailant. In Damascus, the PFLP claims responsibility; in Beirut, a telephone caller claims responsibility on behalf of Fateh Revolutionary Council (Abu Nidal group) [NYT, PI, CT 3/3]. Nablus city council appoints Deputy Mayor Hafiz Tuqan mayor [CSM 3/3].

Arab World: Israeli army patrol north of the S. Lebanon "security zone" intercepts guerrilla squad, kills 1 [JP, JTA 3/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Deputy head of the DFLP Yasir 'Abd Rabbu states PLO is considering abrogating 11 February Hussein-Arafat agreemento heal rifts in the PLO and head off what he called attempts by King Hussein to create a substitute Palestinian leadership [NYT 3/2].

Other Countries: Thirty-four members of Congress serving on committees that deal with foreign policy received nearly half the $853,520 in contributions made last year by 65 political action committees advocating strong support for Israel, according to a report by Common Cause [WP 3/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Two guerrillas from the DFLP wearing Israeli army uniforms and carrying Israeli army weapons are caught after crossing Lebanese border into Israel; both are killed [LT, NYT, JP 3/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel plans to increase aid to El Salvador, now that a Salvadoran ambassador has been named to the disputed Israeli capital of Jerusalem [CT 2/20].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat meets with top aides in Baghdad to discuss implications of King Hussein's 2/19 speech [JP 2/21].

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. issues statement blaming breakdown of talks between King Hussein and Yasir Arafat on the PLO, says it will continue efforts to encourage direct negotiations between Jordan and Israel, although process is entering "period of reflection" [LT, WP 2/21].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli army clashes with Lebanese guerrillas in S. Lebanon; 1 Israeli, 8 Lebanese killed [NYT, LAT 2/21]. Lebanese sources state Israeli army has rounded up 200 people during search [NYT 2/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Pres. Mubarak asks France to organize intl. conference on M.E. peace to contact "both parties" - Israel and the Palestinians - in preparation for real conference [NYT, JTA 1/30]. Mubarak holds talks with W. German officials [NYT 1/30].

Other Countries: British Foreign Office stops processing documents on behalf of Arab Boycott Office, following visit by P.M. Peres [JTA 1/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gunman carrying Jordanian army papers crosses Jordan River, kills 2 Israeli soldiers on patrol, wounds 2 others before he is shot to death [NYT, LAT 1/30].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes bomb Palestinian guerrilla bases in S. Lebanon, killing at least 5, wounding 6; Israeli army states targets were 3 houses used by opposition PLO factions, including Abu Musa's Fateh faction, which claimed responsibility for 1/26 bombing of Jerusalem restaurant [WP, LAT 1/30]. Vacuum bombs were reportedly used in the raid [FJ 1/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Washington Post reports Yasir Arafat accused Syrian and Libyan intelligence services of instigating wave of terrorism that swept Mediterranean in recent months [WP 1/5; MG 1/6]. Libya officially denies involvement in 12/27/85 Vienna, Rome airport attacks [PI 1/5].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli troops, SLA militia comb 3 S. Lebanese villages north of security zone, firing rocket-propelled grenades and searching for guerrillas [PI 1/5]. Israeli troops are reported to have moved 30 tanks into S. Lebanon security zone [BG 1/5]. Syria is reported to have withdrawn SAM-6, SAM-8 anti-aircraft missile batteries into Syrian territory from Lebanon's Biqa' Valley [NYT, WP 1/5].