The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Washington Post reports U.S., Israel had secret agreement authorizing joint anti-terrorist operations in 1985-86; the operations were supervised by Oliver North, Amiram Nir [WP 12/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In al-Yamun 75- year-old man dies after exposure to tear gas. Soldiers raid 3 schools in Jabalya camp; several people are injured. At least 4 Palestinians are wounded on W. Bank [FJ 12/12]. Arab World: Israel shells Lebanese village of Habush killing 2, injuring 3 [FJ 12/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Leaflet issued by Unified National Command of the Uprising offers to end the Palestinian protests if Israelis: 1) withdraw army from cities, villages, and camps; 2) release prisoners; 3) allow deported Palestinians to return; 4) cancel military orders and civil regulations issued since beginning of the uprising; 5) allow democratic and free elections in the towns and villages in the occupied territories; 6) remove restrictions placed on the national economy [NYT 5/31]. MK Dedi Zucker demands the IDF set up a commission to protect human rights of prisoners. 20 Israeli law professors sign petition expressing concern about existence of a dual legal system-one for Israelis and one for Arabs [FJ 6/5].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF reservist accuses members of the IDF of systematically abusing Palestinian prisoners [LAT 5/3 1]. Scattered clashes occur throughouthe occupied territories [LAT 5/31, FJ 6/5]. A strike closes shops and businesses in East Jerusalem and the W. Bank, but is less successful in Gaza [LAT 5/311. In Jit Jewish settlers set fire to 8 dunums of Arab crops [FJ 5/6]. In Hebron 70 people are arresteduring clashes; in Yamun at least 50 are injured; in Gaza 20 are hurt in clashes [FJ 5/6]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians set fire to 2 businesses whose owners defied Unified National Command call for commercial strike [NYT 4/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF patrol kills 3 Palestinian commandos who crossed Lebanese border north of Kafr Yuval [NYT 4/14]. In Gaza demonstrators protest expulsion of 8 Palestinians. In Jabalya, 2 are wounded by gunfire, and UN clinic reports elderly woman suffocated from tear gas. At least 51 are injured by rubber bullets, tear gas, and beatings. Curfews are imposed in Jabalya, Nusayrat, and Khan Yunis camps; curfews continue in Beach and Dayr alBalah camps [FJ 4/17]. In W. Bank's Asirah al-Shamaliyyah village, 9 demonstrators are shot, wounded in clash with troops. Protesters demonstrate in Nablus, Balatah camp, and Hebron-district villages of Bayt Awwa and Dhahriyyah. Israeli sources report 70 Palestinians are arrested in early morning raid of Salfit village, near Nablus. Curfews are lifted in Yamun, Silat al-Harthiyyah, and Maythalun villages [FJ 4/17].

Social/Economic/Political Occupied Palestine/Israel: Likud ministers David Levy and Ariel Sharon criticize IDF Chief of Staff Dan Shomron; Sharon demands demolition of all houses in Bayta, except those belonging to those who aided Israeli youths, and establishment of new settlement near village [WP 4/11]. Army spokesman announces it is investigating Palestinian charges that soldiers used bulldozers to damage more than 70 shops and houses in Bayt Ummar on 4/8. Army bulldozes 7 acres of olive trees near Bayta village [WP 4/11]. Israeli youths from group involved in Bayta clash meet with Trade Minister Sharon, criticize army's report of incident [NYT 4/11].

Other Countries: During meeting in Moscow, Gen. Sec. Mikhail Gorbachev urges PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat to recognize Israel's right to exist [WP 4/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops and Palestinians clash in several Jenin-district villages and camps. At least 86 are injured or affected by tear gas in Gaza Strip. At Jabalya refugee camp, protesters attack military post for 4th consecutive day. Demonstrations also erupt in Beach camp, Gaza City, and Rafah. Am'ari, Balatah, Jalazun, and 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma' camps as well as Bayta and Sa'ir villages are under curfew. Food shortages reported in Jalazun and Am'ari camps. Maythalun, Silat al-Harthiyyah, and Yamun are sealed off and report food shortages [FJ 4/17]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Yamun, near Jenin, 3 houses are demolished by Israeli authorities; owners are suspected of participating in demonstrations [FJ 4/10]. In Bethlehem, 10 stores are welded shut and owners' IDs confiscated because shops had opened during morning [FJ 4/10].

Arab World: Sec. of State George Shultz meets with King Hussein in Amman, flies to Damascus for talks with Pres. Hafiz al-Asad, and returns to Jerusalem [WP 4/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations are reported in several W. Bank and Gaza Strip villages and camps. In Zayat, in Tulkarm district, soldiers use live ammunition to disperse protesters, injuring 8. Curfews are in force in 6 W. Bank villages and cities as well as Qabatiyyah and Jenin camp. Balatah is under curfew for 14th consecutive day. Dayr Ghassana and Bayt Rima villages, near Ramallah, are among 6 sealed villages. Soldiers raid Sura village, near Nablus, and uproot olive trees. In Gaza Strip, curfew in Jalazun is lifted for 3 hours. In Dayr al-Balah camp, protesters stone car of settlers from Kiryat Arba; settlers flee and Palestinians burn car; camp is placed under curfew [FJ 4/10].

Arab World: In Israel's S. Lebanon security zone, Israeli soldiers kill 2 Palestinian commandos attempting to cross border. Palestine Liberation Front claims responsibility [WP 4/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian general strike marking Day of the Land is nearly total inside the green line and in occupied territories [CSM 3/31]. Thousands of Palestinians inside the green line attend large rallies in northern Israel: estimated 40,000 Palestinians march in northern Israel town of Sakhnin. In Kafr Kanna, close to 6,000 chant slogans, march in streets. In Rahat, in Negev, several hundred rally. More than 5,000 carry signs, chant nationalist slogans in Taybah, in the Triangle [WP 3/31; FJ 4/3]. Israel closes Palestine Press Service for 6 months [WP 3/31]. Israeli High Court upholds army order banning media from occupied territories [CSM 3/31].

Other Countries: Benjamin Netanyahu resigns as Israeli ambassador to UN [WP 4/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Dayr Abu Mash'al, near Ramallah, villagers use rocks, bottles, iron bars, and axes to attack soldiers searching for alleged attackers; soldiers open fire, wounding 4, 1 of whom bleeds to death. In Hebron-area village of Shuyukh, troops open fire on Palestinian protesters blocking roads, throwing stones; at least 5 Palestinians are wounded by gunfire. Israel reports 2 other Palestinians killed in W. Bank, 1 in Yamun village and 1 in Burqa, village near Nablus; army also says 45 W. Bank Palestinians are injured (30 from live ammunition and 15 by tear gas or beatings) and 15 Gaza Strip refugees are injured by tear gas or beatings [WP 3/31]. Violent clashes are reported in Ramallah [CSM 3/31]. Palestinian sources report protester is killed by army gunfire in Dayr Ubzay', near Ramallah; 1 is shot, killed in Jenin clash [FJ 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian general strike in occupied territories marks 20th anniversary of Israeli raid on Karamah, Jordan. Unified National Command issues pamphlet calling on Palestinians in occupied territories to develop a home economy in preparation for extended struggle against Israel. IDF announces new administrative detention regulation eliminating judicial review of case within 96 hours and permitting local commanders to order arrests [WP 3/22; NYT 3/23]. Jabalya camp resident isfoundead in village of Bayt Hanun [NYT 3/22]. Jewish settlers bum cars, attack houses in town of Bayt Sahur [FJ 3/27].

Other Countries: PLO defies U.S. order to vacate UN observer mission. UN Gen. Assembly emergency session continues to discuss the matter [WP 3/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army seals off most of the Gaza Strip [NYT 3/22]. In Rafah, on the Egyptian border, Israeli troops drop tear gas from helicopters, fire live ammunition in effort todisperse rockthrowing protesters; 1 Palestinian is killed, 4 others wounded. Town is ordered under curfew [WP, NYT 3/22]. Palestinian sources report Bayt Hanun resident is also shot dead by Israeli troops. Stone- and bottle-throwing demonstrators clash with soldiers in Ramallah, Nablus, Far'ah camp, 'Askar camp, Bani Na'im village, 'Arrub camp, and Fawwar camp. Ya'bid, 'Arrab, Safur, Jaba, Jalamah, Qabatiyyah, and Yamun villages are still sealed [FJ 3/27].

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: 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: Israel places Gaza Strip under nightly curfew, restricting residents to homes and closing borders from 10 pm to 3 am until further notice; curfew does not apply to Jewish settlers. In response to call from Unified National Command of the Uprising, 200 Gaza policemen resign. In W. Bank, soldiers close Jericho produce market [WP 3/15]. Reports indicate 19 Israeli-appointed village league members from W. Bank have quit recently [CSM 3/14].

Other Countries: P.M. Shamir arrives in Washington, D. C. In speech before United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Conference, P.M. Shamir says he will introduce "new ideas" to change Sec. of State Shultz's peace plan. U.S. declares plan will not be altered. Shamir holds talks with 3 U.S. senators and meets briefly with Sec. of State Shultz and Sec. of Def. Frank Carlucci [WP, NYT 3/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In al-Birah, Israeli soldiers intervene after confrontation between Jewish settlers and two residents; Palestinian child is badly wounded by rubber bullet. In Jenin and nearby village of Yamun, 11 residents are shot, wounded by army gunfire; 9 of wounded are shot while attacking home of collaborator [WP 3/15]. Yamun is ordered under curfew. Authorities erect 50m-long fence in front of Tulkarm camp. Demonstrations continue in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp. In Dhahriyyah village in Hebron district, at least 4 villagers are injured during army raid. Solders said 'Isawiyyah village in Jerusalem district during the night. Several clashes are reported in Ramallah and area villages, including large demonstration in Am'ari camp and 400 Birzeit U. students and faculty members [FJ 3/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Sec. of State Shultz holds separate meetings with P.M. Shamir, F.M. Peres, and Def. Min. Rabin. Palestinian leaders boycott talks with Shultz [WP 2/27]. Shamir rejects proposed international conference and exchange of land for peace [NYT 2/27]. Members of Likud and Tehiya parties demonstrate outside meeting between Shamir and Shultz [NYT 2/27]. IDF bans media from several W. Bank, Gaza Strip cities [WP 2/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Protests are reported throughout the W. Bank and Gaza Strip. In Gaza's Jabalya cmp, youth is killed accidentally by piece of concrete thrown by protesters; some sources claim youth was shot and killed at mosque in Bayt Lahiyah [FJ, LAT 2/28]. At least 20 are hospitalized after soldiers break into homes in Jabalya [H 2/28]. Officials at Gaza's Shifa Hospital reportreating 11 wounded by gunshot, about 20 injured by tear gas, beatings. In Tubas near Nablus, soldiers open fire on worshipers leaving mosque after Palestinian throws knife at officer; bystander is shot, killed. Army is investigating whether Hebron resident was killed by tear gas inhalation or gunfire. Army is also investigating death of resident of 'Arrub refugee camp near Bethlehem; hospital sources report he was shot in chest by soldiers. Army announces arrest of 4 soldiers filmed beating, breaking arms of 2 Palestinians and suspension of unit's deputy commander; the Palestinians are released [WP 2/27; LAT 2/28]. In Jenin 3,000 marching Palestinians clash with IDF troops; soldiers respond to crowd throwing stones and bottles with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, wounding 3 [LAT 2/28]. Soldiers shoot, kill 2, wound 6 during clash in Halhul [Fl 3/6]. At least 6 are wounded by gunfire in violent clash in Dahriyyah, near Hebron. Troops in military vehicles accompanied by bulldozer and helicopter clash with villagers in Mazra'ah al-Sharqiyyah, Dayr al-Sudan, Ibwayn, and Mazra'ah al-Nubani [Fl 3/6]. Ya'bad village, near Jenin, is ordered under curfew after Palestinian is run over, killed by military vehicle [Fl 3/6]. Curfews are imposed in Maghazi camp, Rafah's Shabura quarter, and Dayr al-Balah camp; curfews continue in Yamun village and Beach, Jalazun, and Am'ari camps [FJ 2/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Sec. of State Shultz arrives in Israel [WP 2/26]. Stores and businesses remain closed in general strike to protest Shultz visit [NYT 2/26]. Near Nablus, camera crew working for U.S. network films 4 Israeli soldiers systematically beating, breaking arms of 2 bound Palestinians [WP 2/27].

Other Countries: Congressional committee investigating Iran-contra affair releases testimony revealing Lt. Col. Oliver North had budgeted $2.5 million to finance secret U.S.-Israel operations [WP 2/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military raids Qabatiyyah, arrests at least 100 villagers, destroys 2 houses [NYT 2/26]; village remains under curfew [FJ 2/28]. Israeli soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to disperse stone-throwing demonstrators in Jenin; 1 Palestinian is killed, at least 4 wounded [WP 2/26; FJ 2/28]. In Nablus, Palestinian youth is shot dead by army gunfire; 4 others are wounded. Soldiers raid al-Ittihad Hospital in Nablus, beating patients and staff and breaking fumiture [WP 2/26]. Soldiers clash with Palestinian protesters in E. Jerusalem neighborhoods. At least 5 are wounded during clashes in Tulkarm, Balatah refugee camp, and Yatta village near Hebron [NYT 2/26]. Demonstrations are also reported in 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma', Ramallah, Mazra'ah al-Nubani village, 'Anata, Ram village, and Jabalya camp [FJ 2/28]. Yamun village and Nusayrat, Burayj, Beach, Jalazun, and Am'ari camps are under curfew [FJ 2/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Shamir threatens to force early elections unless Israeli govemment unifies stand on peace process before arrival of U.S. sec. of state Shultz [NYT 2/23]. In Kafr Ni'mah, hundreds march, carry Palestinian flags to protest shooting death of village resident 2/20 [FJ 2/28]. Ramallah water department decides not to collect money for water from residents of Ramallah's refugee camps [FJ 2/28].

Other Countries: Atty. Gen. Meese's lawyers release memo in which E. Robert Wallach detailed arrangement with then P.M. Peres to send Israel's Labor party a share of profits from proposed Iraqi pipeline project [WP 2/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In W. Bank village of Silat al-Khartihiyyah, protester is wounded by army gunfire. In Ramallah Israeli soldier is injured in attempted stabbing; Palestinian attacked is also wounded [NYT 2/23]. In village of Baqa al-Sharqiyyah on W. Bank, Palestinian youth is shot, killed during demonstration, apparently by Israeli settler. In village of Yamun, IDF patrol opens fire on crowd throwing stones and Molotov cocktails, killing 1. Death toll since uprising began 12/9 is now at least 61 [LAT 2/24]. Violent clashes are also reported in Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Rafah, and Nusayrat and Jabalya camps [FJ 2/28]. Army imposes curfew in Nahalin village after fire bomb is thrown at Israeli military vehicle; curfews continue in Qalqiliyyah town, Tulkarm camp, Zanabah village, and Am'ari and Jalazun camps [FJ 2/28]. Soldiers close entrance to Qalandiya camp [FJ 2/28].