The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Eight villages in the Hebron area are placed under curfew following the stabbing death of an Israeli [FJ 6/26]. The Burayj refugee camp is suffering from a water shortage; UNRWA distributes water in buckets to residents [FJ 6/26].

Arab World: The Washington Times reports PLO has told U.S. State Dept. officials that an article by Bassam Abu Sharif constitutes PLO policy [WT 6/21].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli settlers block roads in the Hebron area following the murder of an Israeli [FJ 6/26]. A firebomb in Gaza City injures 2 soldiers [FJ 6/26]. Clashes are reported in Beach, Jabalya, and Khan Yunis refugee camps [FJ 6/26].

Other Countries: American and Israeli officials announce that Syria and China are discussing the sale of short-range missiles to Damascus [NYT 6/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Report of investigation into death of Israeli girl killed in Bayta is submitted to Chief of Staff Gen. Dan Shomron [NYT 4/15]. Shop owners in occupied territories strike [NYT 4/15]. UNRWA expresses concern about increasing number of injuries and deaths attributed to tear gas [NYT 4/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus, 2 Palestinians are shot dead by army gunfire during violent clashes [NYT 4/15]. Several demonstrations are reported in Tulkarm region villages. Soldiers and protesters clash in Am'ari camp, near Ramallah, and several areas near Hebron. Military-imposed curfews are in effect in village of Bayta and Nur Shams, Balatah, and Jalazun camps. Several Palestinians are injured during clash in Gaza Strip. Dayr al-Balah camp is still under curfew [FJ 4/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy arrives in Israel for meetings with P. M. Shamir. Director of UNRWA in Gaza accuses IDF of intensifying beatings in recent days. Gazan youth beaten 2/8 dies in Beersheba hospital; 3 Palestinians have died from military-inflicted beatings [NYT 2/10]. Closure of Birzeit U. is extended for another month [FJ 2/14]. Settlers from Ma'aleh Adomim, between Jerusalem and Jericho, raid neighboring village of al-'Azzariyyah (Bethany), attacking houses, breaking doors and windows [FJ 2/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian is shot, killed in 'Attil, village near Tulkarm [NYT 2/10]. Demonstrators and troops clash in Gaza City; reports indicate at least 50 are injured by soldiers. Settlers and soldiers battle demonstrators in W. Bank town of Halhul; town is placed under curfew. Demonstrations are reported in Hebron, Sa'ir, Jenin-district village of Qabatiyyah, Bethlehem, Silwan, and jerusalem. Curfews remain in force for Nablus region, Qalqiliyyah, Tulkarm, Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta, Bayt Ummar, Bani Na'im, 'Anabta, refugee camps of Balatah, 'Askar, 'A'idah, Shu'fat, and Gaza Strip's Burayj camp. Al-'Azzah camp, Hibla village, and Jabal al-Mukabir ae under siege [FJ 2/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel announces 100 Palestinians will be released from Gazan detention centers and several soldiers will be disciplined for excessive use of force. Commercial strike continues in many E. Jerusalem communities [NYT 1/30]. Nearly 200 demonstrators march in protest at al-Haram al-Sharif; 6 are arrested for incitement and carrying Palestinian flags [WP 1/30].

Other Countries: U.S. Sec. of State Shultz calls for "new blend of approaches" to Middle East peace process. Nimrod Novik and Simha Dinitz, Israeli Foreign Ministry envoys, arrive in Washington [WP 1/30]. U.S. officials state Attorney Gen. Edwin Meese was told of plan to give money to Israeli Labor party in return for assurances Israel would not attack proposed Iraqi oil pipeline [NYT 1/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli officials continue to insist that calm is prevailing in occupied territories. UNRWA workers in E. Jerusalem charge at least 50 Palestinians were injured in military raid of Shu'fat [NYT 1/30]. Worshipers leaving mosques in Am'ari and Tulkarm refugee camps clash with soldiers, who use tear gas to disperse crowds; camps are briefly placed under curfew [FBIS 1/29; WP 1/301. In Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians are arrested on charges of raising Palestinian flags, chanting nationalist slogans after prayers on al-Haram al-Sharif [FBIS 1/29]. Troops use tear gas to disperse demonstrators leaving mosques in Ramallah and al-Birah [FBIS 1/29; FJ 1/31]. Military lifts curfews on Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta and Tulkarm and Am'ari camps [FJ 1/31]. Curfew on Sa'ir is lifted [FBIS 1/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Labor Minister Moshe Katsav says workers from S. Lebanon and Europe will join Israeli high school students to replace Palestinian laborers. Education Minister Yitzhaq Navon orders mobilization of high school students to help harvest citrus crops [NYT 1/18]. Police Minister Chaim Bar-Lev denies Israeli police fired tear gas into mosques in 1/15 clash. UNRWA sends 8 trucks of food to wait at gates of refugee camps until army allows them to enter. UN Undersec. Gen. Marrack Goulding ends week-long visit [LAT 1/18]. Israeli High Court delays deportation of 4 Palestinians until after their appeals are heard [LAT 1/18; CSM 1/19]. Peace Now stages demonstration outside P. M. Shamir's office to begin week of activities protesting situation in occupied territories [FBIS 1/21]. Demonstration at UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City condemns occupation, demands UNRWA be allowed access to camps [FJ 1/24]. Military court orders Gaza attorney Raji al-Surani to pay IS 1,500 fine or spend 15 days in prison for refusing to defend a client [FJ 1/24].

Arab World: Amal leader Nabih Birri announces end of 3-year siege of W. Beirut's Burj al-Barajinah and Shatila refugee camps and S. Lebanon's Rashidiyyah camp [LAT 1/18].

Other Countries: In interview, PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat denies local leaders in occupied territories challenge his position, calls for UN peacekeeping force in W. Bank and Gaza Strip. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Benjamin Netanyahu said violence must be ended before talks begin, denies Israel is preventing food from reaching W. Bank and Gaza Strip [LAT 1/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel maintains round-the-clock curfews on all 8 Gaza Strip refugee camps, lifts all W. Bank curfews except in town of Salfit [LAT, NYT 1/18]. Soldiers teargas demonstrators outside Ramallah church. Youths stone soldiers breaking locks on Ramallah stores to force owners to open; at least 1 soldier is injured. Residents of al-Mazra'ah al-Sharqiyyah are prevented from leaving village for 10th straight day. Several are injured in Balatah when Israeli troops open fire on protesters. Demonstrators in Jalazun blockade roads, stone soldiers, attack Israeli central region commander [FJ 1/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: UNRWA officials announce food trucks will be stationed outside of all Gaza Strip refugee camps until army lifts curfews. Officials also say Nusayrat camp has been without water since water main break 1/11; army will not allow UNRWA to enter camp and repair main [WP 1/17]. Commercial strike continues in most W. Bank cities [FJ 1/17].

Other Countries: Estimated 5,000 demonstrators march in Rome to protest Israeli policies in the occupied territories. Police prevent group of marchers from entering Jewish neighborhood [FJ 1/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: UN Undersec. Gen. Goulding is caught in midst of tear gas, rubber bullets at Balatah refugee camp; 14 camps in W. Bank and Gaza Strip remain under curfew [NYT 1/17].