The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Deputy P.M. Yitzhak Navon criticizes government's delay in announcing arrest of Mordechai Vanunu, who disappeared in London after telling an English newspaper about Israeli nuclear bomb factory (WP 11/11). Newsweek reports Peres approved Israel's role as middleman in U.S. -Iran arms deal (JP 11/10).

Other Countries: Britain wins support of European Community allies for ban on arms sales to Syriand other limited measures (WP, NYT 11/11). Washington Times publishes interview with French P.M. Chirac in which he says Israel might have set up 4/17 El Al bomb plot to embarrass Syria (NYT 11/10). Pres. Reagan rejects congressional demands that he disclose details of dealings with Iran, citing need for secrecy in obtaining release of American hostages in Lebanon (NYT 11/11).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Blind 28-year-old Palestinian is sentenced to life imprisonment for leading a guerrilla band, killing British tourist and Israeli businessman in East Jerusalem (NYT 10/28).

Other Countries: Led by Greece and France, 12-member European Economic Community rebuffs British pressure to adopt punitive sanctions against Syria at foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg (NYT, WP 10/28). U.S. considers sanctions against Syria (NYT 10/28).

Military Action

Arab World: Truce in Lebanon is broken, Amal and Palestinians resume clashes near Sidon (30 killed, 80 wounded) (NYT 10/28).

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: European Economic Community agrees to grant West Bank and Gaza equal status with other Mideast countries in import of products to EEC countries (FJ 9/19). 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M.: Thatcher, ending trip to Israel with news conference, says if PLO refuses to renounce terrorism and recognize Israel other negotiating representatives of Palestinian people must be found; says "ultimate solution" to Palestinian problem is federation of Jordan, West Bank, and Gaza [WP 5/28]. In Knesset, P.M. Peres survives four votes of no-confidence over Shalom crisis [LT 5/29]. Six hundred Palestinian prisoners in Junayd prison near Nablus go on hunger strike to protest conditions [FJ 5/30].

Arab World: Syrian V.P. 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam arrives in Moscow to discuss possible attack against Syria and PLO bases by Israel and U.S. Syrian Pres. al-Asad ends Greek visit; joint communique with P.M. Papandreou states Greece will initiate actions within EEC to start dialogue on M.E. solution.

Other Countries: Italian judicial officials issue warrants for arrest of 14 alleged Arab terrorists, including Abu Nidal, in connection with terror incidents in Italy last year [WP 5/28].

Military Action

Arab World: Eight killed and 60 wounded in Amal-Palestinian gunfight at Burj al-Burajinah [LT 5/28].

Other Countries: In London, PLO representative Faisal 'Awayda condemns Thatcher's visit and wams of terror attacks if PLO is left out of peace process [MG 5/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Defense Minister Rabin rejects P.M. Thatcher's call for free elections in occupied territories, says EEC should contributeo material improvement of territories [BG, MG 5/27]. P.M. Thatcher later meets 8 Palestinian leaders at British consulate in Jerusalem [CT 5/27], including Bethlehem Mayor Ilyas Furayj, Rashad al-Shawwa, and Hanna Siniora [CT, LT 5/27], who give her memo. Israeli Attomey General Zamir asks police to examine evidence in case involving Shin Bet head [NYT 5/27]. Zamir will proceed with prosecution of Shin Bet head Avraham Shalom [MG 5/27].

Arab World: King Hussein travels to Baghdad to meet Iraqi President Sadam Husayn [LAT 5/27]. Al-Ahram reports Syrian plot to assassinate PLO Chairman Arafat [MG 5/27] and replace him with Syrian-backed Khalid al-Fahum, former chairman of PNC. PLO Chairman Arafat meets in Tunis with Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van den Broek, president of EEC Council of Ministers, despite Israeli protests. Hafiz al-Asad, on official visit to Greece, condemns terrorism.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Representatives of EEC countries are summoned to Israeli Foreign Ministry and told they will be supporting terrorism if imminent meeting in Tunis between Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van den Broek and PLO Chairman Arafat takes place [LT 5/21]. Muhammad Ahmad Tus of Jaba, leader of group that killed 5 Israelis and wounded 16, is given life sentence by military court UP 5/23]. P.M. Peres proposes in the Knesset tripartite summit with Hussein and Mubarak, opposes dismantling of Jewish settlements in the territories apart of a future peace plan. Forty Jewish families abandon settlement near Jericho due to bankruptcy [JP 5/22].

Other Countries: In Washington, Israeli envoy Ezer Weizman asks U.S. Secretary of State Shultz to return to active role in peace process, particularly to help improve Israeli-Egyptian relations [NYT 5/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak calls for intl. conference, stresses PLO is sole legitimate representative of Palestinians [JTA 1/29]. Fighting breaks out in Sabra and Shatila refugee camps between Palestinians and Shi'ite Amal militia; at least 3 are killed [CT 1/29].

Other Countries: Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy testifies before House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and the M.E. that Israel and Jordan have narrowed gap on M. E. peace talks, King Hussein still won't move without PLO; Murphy urges approval of $1.9 billion arms sale to Jordan [JTA 1/29]. W. German Chancellor Helmut Kohl tells P.M. Peres only a compromise solution supported by the PLO can bring peace to the M.E., that Germany would not deny other peoples a right it claimed for itself [MG 1/29]. European Common Market agrees to ban arms sales to countries "clearly implicated in supporting terrorism" [NYT, WP 1/28]. New York State Legislature passes resolution condemning UN Zionism Equals Racism resolution [JTA 1/29].