The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli cabinet votes to examine Shin Bet interrogation methods [CSM 6/1]. Jewish settlers rampage through Gaza City stoning houses; thousands of settlers hold demonstration i Tel Aviv in memory of boy killed on W. Bank [BS 6/1]. Estimated 50 Jewish settlers attack 2 Palestinian truck drivers near Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Strip [FJ 6/7]. Israeli troops declare Balatah refugee camp closed military area to conduct comprehensive search, interrogations; more than 60 residents are arrested, 10 served with administrative dtentions. Jihad Musaymi, a camp leader, is ordered deported to Jordan for inciting demonstrations [BS 6/1; FJ 6/7]. Khan Yunis refugee camp resident Ahmad Nasr is expelled to Jordan [FJ 6/7]. Reports indicate head of Arab Bank in Jordan has turned down Jordanian request to open branch of bank in W. Bank, said bank would only open office if it was located in Jerusalem [FJ 6/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Estimated 250 Islamic Resistance Front militiamen battle Israeli and SLA troops in S. Lebanon for more than 7 hours; reports indicate between 16 and 31 are killed [CSM 6/1; PI 6/2]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Residents of Druze village of Bayt Jann attempt to reclaim 15 dunams of confiscated village land; 3 Israeli soldiers are slightly injured attempting to cross makeshift barricade [FJ 6/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: For the second time in a week, board members of 2 Gaza unions are ordered to suspend their activities [FJ 5/31].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli military planes force Lebanese air force jet attempting to rescue small boat off Sidon coast to land in Israel; 2 crewmen are questioned and released [WP, BG 5/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli cabinet accepts recommendations of Rotenstreich-Tsur Commission, which held entire government, not specific individuals, responsible for Pollard spy affair [WP, CSM 5/28]. Israel will not give U.S. 45-page secret section of Rotenstreich-Tsur report UP 5/28]. Attorney General Joseph Harish orders police inquiry into Shin Bet's investigation of Nafsu case [BS 5/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Reports of Defense and Foreign Relations Subcom. and Rotenstreich-Tsur commission argue government decision-making processes were faulty in handling of Pollard spy case, criticize P.M. Shamir, F.M. Peres, Defense Minister Rabin, and former Defense Minister Moshe Arens; do not recommend any action [BG, NYT 5/27]. Israeli troops use live ammunition to disperse crowd gathered in Nablus streets to celebratend of Ramadan; 1 Palestinian is killed [FJ 5/31]. Newly elected board members of 2 Gaza trade unions are ordered to suspend activities and cancel results of recent elections [FJ 5/31]. Lydda municipal workers destroy 9 Arab houses, charging the homes were uninhabitable [FJ 5/31]. Burned body of Jibril Ibrahim Husayn al-Darawish, former employee of United Nations Truce Supervision Organization headquarters inJerusalem, is found in Hebron [FJ 5/31]. During press conference in Amman, recently deported student leader Marwan Barghuthi condemns Israeli policy of expulsion [FJ 5/31]. Fadwa al-Labadi, grade school teacher from Abu Dis, is fired on security charges [FJ 6/14].

Arab World: Egypt's Revolution, group opposed to Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, claims responsibility for attack on U.S. officials in Cairo [PI 5/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Pres. Herzog and other government officials call for investigation of Shin Bet interrogation methods in wake of High Court ruling that it used illegal means to obtain confession from 'Izzat Nafsu [LAT 5/26; WP 5/27]. Fateh's Force 17 claims responsibility for slaying Jalil Garusi, an Israeli shot in Gaza Strip while picking up Palestinian women workers; Force 17 alleges Garusi was Mossad agent. Members of Kach movement later attack Arab workers in nearby town; 2 are injured [FJ 5/31]. Ahmad Nasr, during hearing before Israeli Military Objections Com. at 'Asqalan Prison, withdraws his appeal against expulsion order [FJ 5/31]. In Haifa, more than 2,000 Arab and Jewish students protest Israeli government's decision to charge students who have not served in the Israeli army higher tuition [FJ 5/31]. Palestinian political prisoners in Junayd Prison protest failure to improve conditions [FJ 5/31].

Other Countries: Norway accuses Israel of refusing to permit inspection by International Atomic Energy Agency of heavy water sold to Israel by Norway under 1959 agreement; Norway is concerned that Israel is using the heavy water to produce nuclear weapons [NYT 5/26]. Middle East sources report W. Germany is increasing efforts to reach deal that would free 2 W. German businessmen in exchange for not extraditing Muhammad and 'Abbas Hamadi [WP 5/26]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli High Court overturns conviction of 'Izzat Nafsu, jailed for 7 1/2 years on charges of spying; court determines case against Nafsu, a Circassian, was fabricated by Shin Bet [LAT 5/26; WP 5/27]. During 2d day of student protests at Gaza Islamic University, Israeli troops use tear gas and beat students fleeing to women's campus; 30 students, mostly women, sustain minor injuries; the university is ordered closed for 3 days [FJ 5/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli police teargas worshippers gathered at Damascus Gate to mark Laylat al-Qadr; police do not interfere with estimated 2,000 worshippers marching in courtyard ofal-Aqsa Mosque [FJ 5/31]. Palestinian boy is injured when Jewish man attempts to kidnap him in Jerusalem's Old City [FJ 5/31]. Nephew of Jenin's appointed mayor is shot and seriously wounded in Jenin [FJ 5/31]. Israeli troops use tear gas to disperse stone-throwing student demonstrators at Gaza Islamic University but do not break into campus; students were protesting iron fist policies [FJ 5/31].

Other Countries: Genoa, Italy appeals court upholds in absentia conviction of Palestine Liberation Front leader Muhammad 'Abbas (Abu al-'Abbas) and 3 other PLF leaders for their role in Achille Lauro hijacking; prison terms of others accused in connection with hijacking are also upheld [FJ 5/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers capture 1of 6 Palestinian political prisoners who escaped from Gaza Prison on 5/18 [FJ 5/24]. After bombing incident near Gaza Strip's Netzarim settlement, Israeli soldiers shoot, kill Palestinian youth running from scene [WP 5/23; FJ 5/31]. Army reveals discovery of 4 Palestinian military cells near Bethlehem [FJ 5/31].

Other Countries: U.S. federal court excuses former Israeli official David Kimche from testifying before grand jury but reserves righto order him to return to U.S. and testify infuture [NYT 5/23].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli troops attack S. Lebanon town of Arnun, half mile north of security zone, destroying houses allegedly occupied by Shi'i guerrillas; Pres. Jumayyil calls for UN intervention [BG 5/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Pickering attacks Israel's policies in the occupied territories UP 5/22]. Arab local councils in Israel launch 2-day strike protesting authorities' refusal to help relieve educational and financial crises [FJ 5/24]. Military administration imposes curfew on Nablus-area villages of Salim, Dayr al-Hatab, and 'Azmut after discovery of body of murdered 8-year-old Israeli boy [WP 5/22].

Arab World: Lebanon's parliament votes to annul 1969 Cairo Agreement and U.S.- sponsored 1983 mutual recognition agreement with Israel [WP 5/22].

Other Countries: Former U.S. Sec. of State Henry Kissinger says international peace conference is certain to end in deadlock. Israeli F.M. Peres and MK Simha Dinitz voice disagreement UP 5/22]. Israeli government complains that subpoena served on former Foreign Ministry official David Kimche violates agreement between Israeli and U.S. governments [BG 5/22]. Viennese court sentences 2 Palestinians to life imprisonment for December 1985 airport attack [PI 5/22]. U.S. District Court in Los Angeles rules that it lacks authority to decide constitutionality of McCarren-Walter Act, under which 7 Palestinians and 1 Kenyan are threatened with deportation [LAT 5/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Heads of Israeli universities set tuition rate at U.S. $1,600 for all students [FJ 5/24]. Bayt Jann residents demonstrate at Ministry of Education in Upper Nazareth to protest ministry's indifference to 3-week-old school strike [FJ 5/24]. Military court sentences 3 bedouin accused of Fateh membership to prison terms of 18 to 24 months [FJ 5/24]. W. Bank Israeli military commander states more than 350 Palestinians are being held in detention camps built for no more than 150 [FJ 5/24].

Other Countries: Former director general of Israeli Foreign Ministry David Kimche, on business visit to New York, is served with subpoena by independent counsel Lawrence Walsh [BG 5/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset rejects no confidence vote, approves cabinet decision to charge non-army veterans higher tuition than army veterans [FJ 5/24]. Ahmad Nasr appeals expulsion order to Israeli Military Objections Com. [FJ 5/24]. Israeli military orders confiscation of 300 dunams of land belonging to Palestinian farmers from Nablus-area village of Jinsafut [FJ 5/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 2,000 Arab and Jewish students participate in rally at Hebrew University to protest government decision to charge higher tuition for students who have not served in the army; officials of Haifa and Hebrew universities announce they will not carry out plan [NYT 5/19]. Six Palestinian political prisoners believed members of Islamic Jihad escape from Gaza Prison [FJ 5/24]. Military authorities in Gaza impose ban on fishing [FJ 7/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli war planes attack Mieh Mieh refugee camp in S. Lebanon; 1 Palestinian is killed, 3 wounded [LAT 5/19; FJ 5/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Communications Minister Amnon Rubinstein, head of Labor-aligned Shinui party, says his party is pulling out of national unity government in effort to force new elections [LAT, NYT 5/18]. Israeli cabinet votes to implement 2-tiered tuition scale charging army veterans lower tuition rate than non-veterans [FJ 5/24]. Israeli troops seal off rooms in Qalqiliyyah houses belonging to families of 3 men accused of throwing firebombs at military vehicles [FJ 5/24]. Ahmad Nasr, resident of Khan Yunis refugee camp, is arrested, served expulsion order on charges of leading Fateh youth movement in Gaza [FJ 5/24]. Town arrest orders are issued against 4 residents of W. Bank and Gaza Strip, bringing total number currently under town arrest in occupied territories to74 [FJ 5/24]. Three preparatory schools in Gaza Strip town of Rafah are ordered closed indefinitely [FJ 5/24].

Arab World: PLO Executive Com. statement indicates decision to pursue normalization of relations with Egypt. PLO delegation led by Faruq al-Qaddumi arrives in Tripoli, Libya [FJ 5/24].

Other Countries: Israeli F.M. Peres tells meeting of Am. Jewish Com. in New York that role of U.S.S.R. in proposed international peace conference needs clarification [NYT 5/18]; meets with Soviet Ambassador Yuri Dubinin in Washington [WP, CSM 5/19]; in speech at AIPAC conference, says talks with Jordan might deny PLO role in peace process [BG, LAT 5/18]. Also speaking before AIPAC, U.S. Sec. of State Shultz officially endorses negotiations in preparation for international peace conference on the Middle East [WP 5/18]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israeli: Israeli soldiers erect checkpoints at entrances to Gaza's Islamic University, detain 300 students; more than 30 are arrested, sent to Ansar II detention camp overnight [FJ 5/24].

Other Countries: U.S. Sec. of State Shultz meets with Israeli F.M. Peres in New York [WP 5/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Yediot Ahuronot poll shows 52% of Israelis favor international peace conference but 59% do not want government to fall [NYT 5/16].

Other Countries: F. M. Peres leaves for conference with U.S. Sec. of State Shultz in New York [WT 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Foreign Ministry blocks P. M. Shamir's message to Israeli embassies that international conference plan is dead, substitutes message that proposal is still alive [NYT 5/15]. Marwan Barghuthi, Birzeit U. student council pres., and Khalil 'Ashur, al-Najah U. student, are expelled to Jordan [FJ 5/17]. Arab local councils inside green line hold 1-day strike to protest budgetary and development inequality [FJ 5/17].

Arab World: Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine releases video of Alann Steen, previously reported near death, stating fate of American hostages held in Beirut is still tied to release of Arab prisoners from Israeli jails [WP 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli inner cabinet discusses F. M. Peres' plan for international peace conference; no vote is taken [JP 5/14]. Authorities renew for another 6 months town-arrest order of journalist Nabhan Khurayshah; this, his 10th consecutive town-arrest order, is the longest town arrest on the W. Bank [FJ 5/17]. Israeli military court sentences 3 Palestinians from Gaza to 40 years imprisonment for attempting to plant bomb near Asqalan Prison [FJ 5/17].

Arab World: Pres. Mubarak of Egypt urges PLO officials to participate in international peace conference [BG 5/14].

Other Countries: Five U.S. senators introduce bill that would close PLO offices in U.S. [WP, NYT 5/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Large student demonstrations inKafr Qasim village continue [FJ 5/17]. International Labor Organization (ILO) issues report on Arab workers in occupied territories [FJ 5/17]. Trial of 3 Palestinians charged with stabbing death of 3 Israelis and membership in Islamic Jihad opens under strict security [FJ 5/17]. Two members of Nablus municipal council resign [FJ 5/17].

Arab World: Egypt's Pres. Mubarak and Jordan's King Hussein meet in Cairo, discuss PNC reconciliation and international peace conference proposal [BG 5/14].

Other Countries: Reports indicate secret agreement between Jordan and Israel includes provision to restrict role of U.S.S.R. in Middle East peace conference [NYT 5/12]. U.S. government refiles charges against 7 Palestinians and 1 Kenyan; 2 are accused of subversion, 6 of visa violations [LAT 5/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli cabinet ministers follow party lines during 4 1/2- hour debate on international peace conference proposal presented by F. M. Peres; cabinet adjourns without voting on plan [LAT 5/12]. Belgian F. M. Leo Tindemans, visiting Israel and the occupied territories as representative of European Community, reiterates EC support for international peace conference [FJ 5/17]. In Kafr Qasim village, inside green line, 3,100 elementary and secondary school students protest arrest of 16-year-old student on charges of throwing stones at settlers [FJ 5/17].

Other Countries: U.S. immigration judge dismisses case against 8 immigrants charged with PFLP membership [LAT 5/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Estimated 1,500 Peace Now demonstrators march on Jerusalem residence of P. M. Shamir amid heckling and minor clashes with opponents to international peace conference. Yosef Ben-Aharon, director general of Shamir's office, leaves for Washington [NYT, LAT 5/11]. Israeli military authorities file charges against 17 Jewish settlers who broke into Joseph's tomb in Nablus [FJ 5/17]. Israeli soldiers raid al-Rawdah Community College in Nablus, ban student elections scheduled for 5/11 [FJ 5/17].

Arab World: U.S. and Egyptian diplomats meeting in Cairo report significant progress in talks on international Middle East peace conference [NYT 5/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: In interview with The Jerusalem Post Robert Rhodes-James, aide to former UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim from 1972-76, charges Waldheim acted on behalf of Arabs and Soviet Union during October 1973 war [JPI 5/9]. Group of about 200 Arabs and Jews protesting 4-month closure of Birzeit U. and expulsion of student council head is stopped on road to university by military roadblock [JP 5/16; FJ 5/17]. Body of missing Palestinian youth is discovered on reef near Tel Aviv [FJ 5/17].

Arab World: Abu Nidal's Fateh Revolutionary Council threatens toattack American targets if U.S. extradites Mahmud 'Ata, accused of W. Bank bombing of bus in 1986, to Israel [WP 5/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Bomb explosion in North Lebanon town of Zgharta during a visit by Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil kls 1, wounds 34 [BG 5/10]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Administrative detention order for Faysal al-Husayni, head of Arab Studies Society and spokesman for Com. Confronting the Iron Fist, is reduced from 6 months to 3 months [FJ 5/10]. Israeli car is burned in Gaza City's Palestine Square [FJ 5/10]. Army blockade prevents students from attending classes at Bethlehem U. [FJ 5/10]. Nablus border police arrest 6 armed settlers blockading the main road; soldiershoot and wound a Balatah refugee camp youth refusing to take down a Palestinian flag [JPI 5/16].

Military Action

Arab World: PLO statement describing 5/7 clash in S. Lebanon says PLO fighters were attempting to attack military targets in Israel; within hour of announcement, Israel launches air raid, the 15th this year, against 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp and alleged PLO training sites; at least 11 Palestinians are killed, 40 wounded; most of the injured and killed were residents of the camp [WP 5/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: F. M. Peres says he has no secret agreements with Jordan and has not discussed "any territorial questions" during recent talks; P. M. Shamir calls for direct negotiations with King Hussein without the involvement of "distant lands" [JP 5/8]. Qalqiliyyah is again placed under curfew after 3 firebombs were thrown at Israeli car. Settlers rampage through town, vandalizing cars and shooting at houses [FJ 5/10]. Explosion in Kiryat Gat settlement injures 4 Israelis, 1 seriously [FJ 5/10]. Military authorities impose curfew on al-Qassabah quarter of Nablus after firebomb is thrown at army patrol [FJ 5/10].

Arab World: Reports indicate Jordan has informed U.S. that Syria will participate in peace talks with Israel under auspices of UN-sponsored international conference [WP 5/8].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli army patrol in S. Lebanon kills 2 Palestinian fighters, captures 3 others [WP 5/9; FJ 5/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: The Jerusalem Post reports Israel helped ship Polish rifles to the Nicaraguan contras; Israeli government denies the allegation [BG 5/7]. Curfew on town of Qalqiliyyah is lifted [FJ 5/10]. Birzeit U. Student Council Pres. Marwan Barghuthi withdraws appeal against his expulsion order [FJ 5/10]. Israeli High Court denies appeal of Ramallah amily trying to prevent sealing of more than half their house; military sealed the rooms because son living there was convicted of role in 1983 bomb attack on Israeli bus [FJ 5/10]. Estimated 2,000 elementary and secondary school students from Bayt Jann village in the Galilee demonstrate to protest conditions in the schools [FJ 5/10]. Palestinians held at Ansar II detention center charge brutal treatment by new Israeli commander [FJ 5/10]. Authorities extend closure orders for 4 secondary schools in Gaza Strip's Jabaliyyah refugee camp until 5/10 [FJ 5/10].

Other Countries: Mahmud Mahmud 'Ata, a U.S. citizen accused of firebombing an Israeli bus on the W. Bank in 1986, is arrested in New York by FBI agents after deportation from Venezuela [WP 5/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli fighter jets bomb 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp and 3 training bases near Sidon, killing 10, wounding 28 [WP 5/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Qalqiliyyah is placed under curfew after firebombs are thrown at 2 Israeli vehicles. Armed settlers from nearby Alfei Menashe raid Qalqiliyyah, breaking windows and emptying garbage cans in streets; settlers also strike village of Hablah [FJ 5/10]. Arab local councils from 46 towns inside the green line hold one-day strike to protest government inaction on councils' financial difficulties [FJ 5/10].

Arab World: Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) holds talks with Libyan leader Mu'ammar Qadhdhafi [FJ 5/10].

Military Action

Arab World: PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat vows to launch more attacks against Israel from Lebanon [PI 5/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Gush Emunim march in Qalqiliyyah marks Israelindependence day [FJ 5/10]. Jericho's mayor charges provocation after similar march by settlers in that city [FJ 5/10]. Israeli soldier is slightly injured in stone-throwing incident near Balatah refugee camp; camp is placed under curfew [FJ 5/10]. Military releases 12 secondary school students held in detention for 18 days [FJ 5/10].

Arab World: King Hussein of Jordan says he will only negotiate with Israel in an international conference that includes the PLO [BG 5/5]. Lebanon's P. M. Rashid Karami resigns [LAT 5/5; CSM 5/6]. Libya permits reopening of PLO office in Tripoli after 4-year closure [NYT 5/6]. George Habash arrives in Damascus, meets with Pres. al-Asad for 3 hours [FJ 5/10].

Other Countries: Three survivors of the Sabra and Shatila massacre file suit in U. S. court against Major-General Amos Yaron, now serving as military attache to U.S. [FJ 5/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Jordan's P. M. Zayd Rifa'i announces Jordan has agreed to attend international peace conference [WP 5/4].

Military Action

Arab World: Bomb attack on SLA patrol outside Jazin in Israel's "security zone" kills 1 SLA soldier; PFLP claims responsibility for the attack [PI 5/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: P. M. Shamir meets with U. S. Ambassador Thomas Pickering [LAT 5/2]. Ethiopian (Falasha) settler is stabbed in Hebron market [FJ 5/10]. Al-Fajr reports European Community has allocated 30% of funds originally scheduled for the occupied territories to the Jordanian Industrial Development Fund [FJ 5/10].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli warplanes strike Mieh Mieh refugee camp near Sidon; 19 are killed, 37 wounded in bloodiest attack since 1982 war [PI 5/7].