The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army prevents attempt by Palestinian parents and teachers to reopen 6 schools in Ramallah [WP 3/25]. Mordechai Vanunu is found guilty of 1 count of treason and 2 counts of espionage for selling information about Israel's nuclear facility in Negev desert to Sunday Times (London) [CSM 3/25].

Arab World: Pres. Husni Mubarak sends message to Pres. Reagan protesting Israeli threat to attack Saudi Arabian missile sites [WP 3/25].

Other Countries: U.S. def. sec. Frank Carlucci and Egyptian def. min. 'Abd al-Halim Abu Ghazalah sign agreement allowing Egypt to bid on U.S. weapons contracts [WP 3/25]. U.S. officials report Israel has been conducting unusually intensive low-level bombing practice runs [WP 3/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At Balatah refugee camp in Nablus, Israeli soldiers open fire after demonstrators attack military vehicles with stones and iron bars; 2 Palestinians are killed and 3 soldiers are injured. Curfew is imposed. At least 100 Palestinians have been killed by soldiers since uprising began [NYT 3/25; FJ 3/27]. Protesters set fire to Israeli bus in Hebron-area village of Shuyukh [FJ 3/27].

Arab World: IDF planes attack Palestinian targets near Sidon, S. Lebanon; 5 are killed or wounded [NYT 3/25]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Dozens of Palestinian activitists are reported arrested [WP 3/21]. In interview with Radio Israel, Yossi Ben Aharon, aide to P.M. Shamir, says "possibility always exists" that Israel might strike Saudi Arabian missile sites [WP 3/23]. Two Palestinians die of wounds sustained in earlier clashes: Silwad village resident injured 3/14 and Nazlat 'Isa resident injured 3/16 [FJ 3/27]. Neteuri Karta movement donates $6,000 to 2 Palestinian hospitals in W. Bank [FJ 3/27].

Arab World: U.S. envoy Philip Habib meets with Egypt's Pres. Mubarak in Cairo before flying to Amman for talks with Jordanian officials [LAT 3/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bethlehem, Israeli soldier guarding govemment office building is gunned down. Assailant escapes [WP 3/21]. Troops close several framers markets in occupied territories [WP 3/21]. In 'Ubaydiyyah, near Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers demolish 2 houses whose owners are suspected of attacking collaborator. Authorities also demolish 3 houses in Silat al-Harthiyyah village whose owners firebombed an Israeli patrol. At least 2 demonstrators are injured during fierce demonstrations in Rafah's Shabura neighborhood. Several protesters are injured in clashes on W. Bank. Bethlehem and 'Azzah camp are under curfew. Yamun and Bani Na'im villages are sealed [FJ 3/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: On the W. Bank, hundreds of Palestinian policemen resign [WP 3/12]. In Tel Aviv 70 Knesset members deliver petition to U.S. ambassador Thomas Pickering, asking Pres. Reagan to pardon convicted spy Jonathan Pollard [LAT, WP 3/12]. Israeli bus is firebombed near Tulkarm [FJ 3/13]. In Bidiya village, Israeli authorities demolish 3 houses whose owners are accused of attempting to kill collaborator. House in Hebron is demolished; owner is charged with killing Israeli in Jerusalem in October 1987 [FJ 3/13]. Israel bans exports to Jordan from Qabatiyyah [FJ 3/13]. Police arrest 40 Palestinians from inside green line in connection with demonstrations during which stones and bottles were thrown and Palestinian flags raised [FJ 3/13].

Arab World: Egypt's Pres. Husni Mubarak and Jordan's King Hussein hold talks in Cairo, voice optimism on Shultz plan [WP 3/14].

Other Countries: U.S. Justice Dept. orders PLO to close its observer mission to UN [WP 3/12]. U.S. State Dept. asks PLO support for new U.S. peace proposals [WP 3/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF announces demolition of 4 houses of alleged Palestinian activists: 3 houses in village of Bidiya, north of Jerusalem, and 1 in Hebron [WP 3/12]. At least 6 Palestinians are wounded by army gunfire in violent clash in Bayt Ummar, near Hebron [FJ 3/13]. Army restricts press access to W. Bank for several hours [NYT, WP 3/12]. In Ramallah, several are wounded when soldiers fire on demonstrations that erupt after Friday prayers. Palestinian is arrested in Jenin for allegedly trying to stab soldier. Violent demonstrations are reported throughout Gaza Strip; Bayt Lahiyah quarter and Jabalya refugee camp are placed under curfew [FJ 3/13]