The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike continues in occupied territories. Def. Min. Rabin threatens to introduce additional sanctions in W. Bank and Gaza Strip. Israeli authorities close Hebron National Bus Co. for 1 week for honoring strike. Palestinian American political activist Mubarak 'Awad is arrested in Jerusalem on charges of organizing an illegal demonstration [WP 3/17]. Israel cuts phone lines to W. Bank, Gaza Strip [NYT 3/17]. Jews from Teqoa settlement attack Bethlehem-area village of Za'tara after demonstration; settlers bulldoze walls, damage water pipes, and smash windows of houses and cars before troops intervene [FJ 3/20].

Other Countries: Pres. Reagan stresses that U.S. will not change or abandon peace proposals in talks with Israeli p.m. Shamir [CSM, WP 3/17]. Shamir suggests ceremonial opening for Arab-Israeli peace talks at U.S. -Soviet summit in Moscow [LAT 3/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrators in Tulkarm bum tires, block roads, and throw rocks at soldiers; troops respond with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, killing 3 and wounding at least 12. Palestinian is shot dead in West Bank village of Ya'bad [WP 3/171. Violent clashes are also reported in Gaza Strip's Khan Yunis and Nusayrat camps, Bethlehem's Duhayshah camp, Jalazun camp, and Jib village, near Ramallah [NYT 3/17]. Military curfews are in force in Qalqiliyyah, Jalazun camp, Tulkarm, Tulkarm camp, 'Azzun, and Nur Shams camp; Qabatiyyah and Yamun are sealed off [FJ 3/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Shamir blocks inner cabinet vote on U.S. peace plan, suggests willingness to hold early elections [WP, NYT 3/10]. Speaking before members of Likud Bloc, Shamir vows to fight U.S. peace proposals [LAT 3/10]. General strike called by Unified National Command of the Uprising is observed in occupied territories [LAT 3/10]. Elderly Palestinian wounded 1/29 dies in hospital [FI 3/13].

Other Countries: Sec. of State Shultz calls on Congress not to pressure Israel publicly regarding new U.S. peace proposal [WP 3/10]. EEC defeats 3 trade protocols reducing tariffs on Israeli imports to EEC countries [FJ 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Hebron, Jewish settlers fire guns and vandalize Palestinian cars after Palestinian demonstration: Israeli troops intervene; 3 Palestinians are wounded by gunfire [WP, NYT 3/11]. In at least 2 clashes with Palestinian demonstrators on W. Bank, Israeli troops use "graveler" to disperse crowds; graveler fires pebbles at high velocity [LAT 3/10]. In Ramallah-area village of Silwad, soldiers use live ammunition to disperse stone-throwing crowds, killing 1 demonstrator. Another Palestinian is shot, wounded during clash between Palestinians and settlers in village of Turmus Ayah; youth later dies in Ramallah Hospital. At least 9 others are wounded by army gunfire. Several Palestinians are reported detained after attempto stab soldier [NYT 3/10]. Palestinian is killed by army gunfire in Samu', south of Hebron [WP 3/10]. At least 9 are wounded in fierce clashes with Israeli troops in Balatah refugee camp. Several Palestinians are injured by soldiers dispersing demonstrators in Far'ah camp and Jab'a village, near Jenin and Nablus. Curfews continue in 'Arrub camp, Gaza's Beach, Burayj, and Khan Yunis camps, and W. Bank villages of Bani Na'im and Biddu; Qabatiyyah village remains under curfew after 25 days [FJ 3/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: During weekly inner cabinet meeting, P.M. Shamir refuses to hold vote on U.S. peace proposal and rejects Sec. of State Shultz's 3/16 deadline for responding to plan [NYT, WP 3/7]. At military court in Jaffa, captain and 2 soldiers involved in beating detained Palestinians are charged with brutality and assault [NYT, WP 3/7]. Gazan dies from gunshot wounds suffered 3/4 [NYT 3/7]. General strike continues in occupied territories [Fl 3/13]. Al-Quds daily resumes distribution in Gaza Strip and W. Bank following 45-day Israeli-ordered ban [FJ 3/13]. Israel announces all print shops must obtain special permits from Office of the Interior in Beit El [FJ 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus' 'Askar refugee camp, soldiers shoot dead Palestinian youth; army says Palestinians may have opened fire. In Mazra'ah al-Sharqiyyah, near Ramallah, soldiers use live ammunition in effort to quell violent demonstrations, killing 1 and wounding another [WP, NYT 3/7]. Police use tear gas to disperse youths blockading streets in E. Jerusalem. Demonstrations break out in Ramallah, Bayt Sahur, and Bayt Jala following Sunday services [FJ 3/13]. Curfews continue in villages of Khadir, Bidiyyah, and Bani Na'im and 'Arrub camp [FJ 3/13]. In Gaza Strip, Beach camp residents defy curfew, clash with Israeli troops; soldiers respond with tear gas. Demonstrators in Burayj moum death of camp resident wounded by Israeli soldiers 3/4. Violent clashes are also reported in W. Bank's Am'ari, Qadduri, and 'Azzah refugee camps [FJ 3/13].