The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A general strike is observed in the occupied territories. Several demonstrations areheld on 40-day anniversary of the death of Abu Jihad. Several refugee camps are placed under curfews [NYT 5/26, FJ 5/29].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers injure 58 Palestinians during clashes in jabalya. The military uproots 150 trees in the village of Bayt Iba [FJ 5/29].

Arab World: Israeli air power and artillery aid the South Lebanon Army's attack on a Hizballah stronghold in S. Lebanon. Israeli helicopter gunships attack Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon. Amal announces it will join Hizballah in the fight against the Israelis. Amal also claims to have shot down an Israeli helicopter over Lebanon [NYT 5/26]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israelis reopen elementary schools in W. Bank; nearly 200,000 children return to class. Some schools that have been used by Israeli soldiers have been vandalized [WP 5/14]. Two Israeli women are charged with belonging to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The 2 have been held for over a month without charge [WP 5/14]. Palestinian American Mubarak 'Awad announces that if he is expelled from Israel he will convert to Judaism and return to Israel under the Law of Return [NYT 5/24].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Settlers raid Balatah camp shooting live ammunition and injuring several Palestinians [FJ 5/29]. In Bayt Kahil 3 Arab homes are destroyed by authorities claiming they were built without permits [FJ 5/29]. In jabalya UNWRA official is shot in the leg [FJ 5/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli pres. Chaim Herzog reduces to 15 years the sentences of 3 members of the Jewish Underground serving life sentences for the assault on Hebron University in 1983 in which 3 Palestinians were killed [WP 5/21].

Arab World: U.S. ambassador to UN Vemon Walters arrives in Damascus for talks with Pres. Asad. Walters tries to win release of the 18 foreign hostages held in Lebanon. [NYT 5/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 21 Palestinians are injured during clashes at Beach and jabalya camps. Curfew is imposed on Beach refugee camp. Army seals off roads to Jerusalem to stop Palestinians from going to Jerusalem for Friday prayers [FJ 5/22].

Arab World: Palestinian factions clash in Shatila and Burj al-Barajinah camps. Arafat loyalists are flushing out Palestinian dissidents. Fighting isaimed at securing better positions before impending entry of Syrian forces. [WP 5/20, NYT 5/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel lifts curfew on Nablus [WP 5/18, NYT 5/18]. Curfew is lifted on Beach camp in Gaza, but area is later declared closed military zone. Israeli officials announce W. Bank schools will reopen in 3 phases, with first phase starting 5/23. Merchants observe near total strike marking second day of three-day feast at the end of Ramadan [WP 5/18].

Other Countries: Iraeli F.M. Shimon Peres visits Washington for talks with Pres. Reagan and Soviet ambassador to U.S. Yuri Dubinin. [NYT 5/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops wound, capture an Arab gunmanear the Jordanian border [5/18]. IDF troops wound man in Qalandiya refugee camp after man tried to seize gun from a soldier [WP 5/18, NYT 5/18, FJ 5/22]. Israeli police enter Maqassad hospital in East Jerusalem, arrest 3 visitors [FJ 5/22]. Israel reprimands 2 soldiers for firing on a village where a Palestinian was killed on 5/26. One soldier is "severely scolded"; the other is given a suspended 35-day jail sentence [NYT 5/18]. Soldiers sweep through jabalya and Bayt Hanun making arrests [FJ 5/22]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian merchants observe general strike in W. Bank, Gaza Strip, and E. Jerusalem [FJ 5/22]. In Jerusalem, 3,300 police patrol streets in effort to prevent demonstrations [MET 5/26]. Elderly Palestinian dies of wounds sustained when he was beaten by settlers in Hebron 5/8 [FJ 5/22]. Israel announces cost of living rose 2.7% in April [MET 5/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Beach camp is placed under curfew after stone-throwing incidents. Soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets to disperse crowds of protesters in Jabalya camp. Zayta village, near Tulkarm, is ordered under curfew after demonstrations. Curfew continues in 'Anabta, east of Tulkarm [FJ 5/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shopowners end 2-day strike; army forceshops to close. Palestinian dies from injuries received in 3/30 clash [FJ 5/15].

Other Countries: In Nicosia, Cyprus, a car bomb kills 3 people, wounds 15 others near Israeli embassy. Anonymous caller claims responsibility for Abu Nidal organization [WP 5/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Beach camp, Balatah camp, Duhayshah camp, and Irtas village remain under curfew. Curfew is lifted in Jabalya catnp [FJ 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli High Court denies government request to deport Mubarak 'Awad before hearing his appeal, but says he must remain in jail until hearing [WP, CSM 5/10]. Govemment drops charges that 'Awad had organized or participated in violence and that Palestinian Center for the Study of Non-Violence was financed by PLO [WP 5/10]. Chaim Herzog is sworn in for 2d 5-year term as president [MET 5/19]. Israeli authorities seize 40 taxis operating between Jerusalem and Ramallah on charges that owners owe taxes [FJ 5/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Duhayshah refugee camp, Palestinian bystander is killed when Israeli troops open fire on demonstrators; during funeral, mourners clash again with soldiers. Camp is ordered under curfew. At least 3 Palestinians are wounded during other W. Bank clashes. In Gaza Strip, 2 Palestinians are severely beaten by soldiers. Curfew is imposed in Jabalya refugee camp [WP 5/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli High Court delays deportation of Palestinian activist Mubarak 'Awad pending his appeal hearing. Reports indicate 'Awad has been on hunger strike since his arrest 5/5 [WP 5/9]. Authorities begin cutting off electricity to Palestinian villages which have not paid their bills; water is cut off in Attil village near Tulkarm and Nablus-area villages of Bidiya and Yutma [FJ 5/15].

Arab World: Mahmud 'Abbas (Abu Mazin) leaves Amman after 2 days of talks with Jordanian officials [FJ 5/15].

Other Countries: F.M. Peres meets with senior Hungarian officials in Budapest [WP 5/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army imposes curfews in Jabalya camp and 'Abasan village in Gaza Strip following protests. Demonstrators throw stones in Ramallah and Jenin [FJ 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ma'ariv survey of 1,152 Israelis reveals support for Likud party has risen from 33% in January to 39% in April, while support for Labor party has fallen from 46% in January to 38% in April [NYT 5/8]. Military renews order closing W. Bank schools [FJ 5/8].

Other Countries: U.S. protests Mubarak 'Awad's deportationrder [WP 5/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In W. Bank and Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities prevent shops from opening in morning. Large demonstration breaks out at al-Aqsa Mosque following prayers. At least 3 Palestinians are wounded by army gunfire in Gaza Strip. Curfews are in force in Qalqiliyyah, Jabalya camp, Beach camp, and parts of Rafah camp [FJ 5/8].

Arab World: In Shatila refugee camp, south of Beirut, fighting continues between Fateh and dissident commandos; PLO spokesman reports at least 5 are killed and 25 wounded [WP 5/7; MET 5/19]. Fateh fighters defeat dissidents in 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp [WP 5/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians in occupied territories strike in response to call for "day of confrontation" [WP 5/5]. Israel appoints 'Ali Jarrar acting mayor of Qabatiyyah, near Jenin [FJ 5/8].

Arab World: Baghdad sources report PLO Executive Com. has elected Mahmud 'Abbas (Abu Mazin) to replace Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) as chairman of Palestinian delegation to joint Palestinian-Jordanian com. on occupied territories affairs [FJ 5/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza Strip, 2 Palestinians are shot dead, another dies from tear gas during fierce clashes in Beach and Jabalya camps. Demonstrations erupt during funerals in spite of curfews; many are injured by tear gas, iron bars. In Salim village, 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded. Balatah camp is put under curfew. Demonstrations are reported in Ramallah district village of Silwad, Am'ari camp, Jenin, Bani Na'im, Bethlehem, and Tulkarm [FJ 5/8]. Army blocks 5 entrances to 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma' refugee camp with concrete-filled barrels [FJ 5/8].

Arab World: Israeli troops attack Lebanese village of Maydun and nearby villages, killing more than 40 Hizballah fighters, before pulling back to S. Lebanon security zone to end "Operation Law and Order"; 3 Israeli soldiers are killed and 17 wounded in fighting [WP 5/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Elderly Palestinian wounded in earlier clash dies [FJ 5/8]. Israeli authorities uproot olive trees in villages of Ras Karkar and al-Janiyyah, west of Ramallah [FJ 5/8]. Physicians at Shifa Hospital in Gaza protest the arrest of Dr. Zakariya al-Agha [FJ 5/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bani Na'im village, near Hebron, 2 Palestinians are shot dead after protesters allegedly attacked army patrol. Palestinian is killed by army gunfire in Balatah refugee camp [WP 5/4]. Soldiers raid houses in Duhayshah refugee camp, clash with residents. In Beach camp, protesters block roads, bum tires. Protests erupt in Jabalya, Maghazi, and Dayr al-Balah camps [FJ 5/8].

Arab World: Syrian forces in Lebanon's Biqa' Valley are put on alert as Israeli troops continue house-to-house search for Palestinian commandos in S. Lebanon; UN officials estimate between 1,500 and 2,000 Israeli soldiers are in S. Lebanon [WP 5/4].