The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Shamir dismisses Labor Party Cabinet member Ezer Weizman for holding talks with PLO officials [NYT, WP, LAT 1/1; FBIS 1/2].

Arab World: Arafat tells reporters that ''there have been no contacts" between the PLO and Ezer Weizman [FBIS 1/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 15,000 Jews and Palestinians form human chain for peace 2.5 miles long around walls of Jerusalem's Old City. At several points police try to break up crowds by firing water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets. At least 50 are arrested, 70 wounded [NYT, WP 12/31; FBIS 1/3; FJ 1/8].

Military Action

Arab World: At Arafat's instruction, PLO militiamen south of Sidon take up positions to prevent clashes between Hizballah and Amal from spreading to PLO-controlled areas [NYT 12/31; FBIS 1/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police break up peace march in Jerusalem by more than 3,000 Palestinian, Israeli, and European women, when at end of hour-long procession Palestinian flag is raised [NYT, WP 12/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian suspected of collaborating with Israeli authorities is found dead in Gaza's Khan Yunis camp [WP 12/30].

IDF declares Ramallah and al-Bireh closed military zones. 2 houses, 1 in Litwana village near Hebron and 1 in Gaza City, are destroyed [FBIS 12/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Television Service reports Knesset members Abd al-Wahab Darawshah and Muhammad Mi'ari about 2 weeks ago visited Tunis and met with Arafat and other PLO leaders. The meeting was kept secret [FBIS 12/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army accidentally shoots, wounds 2 1 2-year-old Palestinian youths during clash between masked Palestinians and soldiers [WP 12/ 30].

Israeli army demolishes 3 houses in Bayt Furik near Nablus, and 2 others in Hebron area; Far'oun village near Tulkarm, and Bayt Sahur are declared closed military zones [FJ 1/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset extends for 2 years emergency regulations that make Israeli law applicable to Israelis in O.T. but not to Palestinians, who are judged in military courts. [LAT, FBIS 12/ 28].

Arab World: Egypt and Syria agree to restore diplomatic ties after 12-year break [NYT, WP, LAT, FBIS 12/28; CSM 12/ 29].

Lebanese officials say they will lodge complaint with UN Sec. Council about Israel's 12/26 air and ground attacks [NYT, WP 12/28].

Egypt signs industrial contract with the USSR [FBIS 1/2].

Other Countries: The Washington Post cites unnamed Arab and Western diplomats as saying PLO has kept commitments made by Arafat last year in Geneva, but PLO has not convinced Israeli public that it is sincere [WP 12/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians in O.T. observe strike called by Hamas [CSM 12/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Erwin Frenkel, editor of the Jerusalem Post, resigns, accusing publisher Yehuda Levy, appointed last July by the paper's new Canadian owners, of seeking editorial control of the English-language daily [WP 12/27].

Arab World: Jordanian government agrees to PLO requests to ease restrictions on movement of people and goods from W. Bank to Jordan [NYT 12/27].

King Husayn's government limits jurisdiction of military courts, significantly easing Jordan's 22-year-old martial law [NYT, WP 12/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: State-owned Israeli bus carrying Arab workers is hijacked in Israel, driven to W. Bank village of Salafa where it is torched. No injuries are reported [NYT 12/27].

29-year-old Palestinian dies of gunshot wound received 12/25 [NYT 12/27].

30-year-old Ramallah man is shot, killed by IDF after troops opened fire on stone-throwers fleeing arrest [FBIS 12/ 28].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes bomb, destroy Lebanese Communist Party base in Rmaileh, 20 miles south of Beirut. At least 3 dead, 15 wounded. Israeli ground forces, backed by helicopters and artillery, attack another CP camp in Habih Safi, 20 miles north of Israeli-Lebanese border [FBIS 12/26; NYT, WP, CSM 12/ 27]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: UNLU issues Call number 50 [FBIS 12/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: American pathologist reports Palestinian arrested on 12/7 died on 12/19 from numerous blows to his abdomen during interrogation [NYT, LAT 12/26].

Israeli court sentences 22-year-old Israeli Arab Samir Sarsawi to life imprisonment for commanding PLO group that last year threw grenade in crowded Haifa street [NYT, FBIS 12/26].

Ramallah man dies from IDF gunfire, at least 26 Palestinians are wounded throughout O.T. [FBIS 12/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Speaking in Bayt Sahur, Archbishop Desmond Tutu draws parallels between plight of South African blacks and Palestinians in O.T. [NYT, LAT 12/25; FBIS 12/28].

Shimon Peres asks Israel's Cabinet to approve $27.2 billion 1990 budget, including $5.3 billion earmarked for defense. The army seeks an extra $200 million to combat intifada [LAT 12/25].

The first Egyptian trade delegation to visit Israel arrives in Jerusalem. Israeli exports to Egyptotalled $6.2 million last year, while imports from Egypt totalled $3.2 million [FBIS 12/28].

Ariel Sharon suggests to the cabinet that the level of violence in territories could be reduced if Israel arrested or deported Faisal Husayni, Sari Nusaybah, and Jamil al-Tarifi [FBIS 12/28].

Arab World: Arafat meets with Mubarak in Cairo to discuss plans for preliminary peace talks in Washington [NYT 12/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's Supreme Court overturns decision by army's Judge Advocate General and directs army to court-martial Col. Yehuda Meir (ret.). This is the first time the High Court has moved against IDF. Col. Meir is accused of instructing troops to break limbs of Palestinian prisoners arrested in January 1988 [NYT, LAT 12/25; FBIS 12/27].

At least 25 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with IDF forces throughout O.T. [FBIS 12/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa begins Christmas pilgrimage to Holy Land, offers support for creation of independent Palestinian state as well as for Israel's "independence and t rritorial integrity" [NYT 12/24].

Arab World: Syrian Vice President Khaddam arrives in Cairo for meetings with Mubarak [FBIS 12/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Rafah Palestinians are killed in clashes with IDF troops; at least 20 are wounded. Military orders closing of 11 Gaza schools, most of them operated by UNRWA, for stonethrowing incidents [FBIS 12/27].

Arab World: Fierce fighting between Amal and Hizballah forces breaks out in southern Lebanon; police report 17 killed, 40 injured [NYT 12/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Palestinian Nationa! Action Command announces completion of investigation in 12/14 alleged PLO attack on Syrian military post in Lebanon, says 18 people involved in the incident have been arrested [FBIS 12/88].

Other Countries: In Paris, the European Community and 22 members of the Arab League plus a PLO representative resume formal dialogue on political and economic issues [NYT 12/23; CSM 12/22; FBIS 12/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: During IDF operation in Jenin district village of Jaba' 2 Palestinians, a 15-year-old and a woman, are killed by troop gunfire. At least 7 others are wounded [FBIS 12/22].

At least 20 others are wounded in clashes throughout Gaza [FBIS 12/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: American Joseph Gruss, billionaire investment banker, has established private $20 million fund to provide housing for Soviet Jewish immigrants to Israel [NYT 12/22].

Yugoslavia agrees to Ibrahim Asad's appointment as ambassador of Palestine to Yugoslavia [FBIS 12/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army announces it will begin punishing parents of children who throw stones. Children under 12 cannot be jailed under Israeli law, so parents will have furniture confiscated and rooms of their houses sealed [FBIS 12/21; NYT, WP 12/22].

2 Palestinians from Bayt Furik near Nablus are killed, another is hospitalized in clash with IDF. Army places Bayt Furik under curfew [FBIS 12/22].

In Hebron, Israeli motorist is injured by thrown rocks hitting his car. In al-Bireh, 35-year-old Palestinian accused of collaboration is stabbed, wounded. In Gaza at least 23 Palestinians are wounded in clashed with IDF forces, 16 of them in Rafah [FBIS 12/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The treasurer of Jewish. Agency, Meir Shitrit, says organization will have to turn its immigrant-absorption services over to Israeli government unless Americans contribute more money [NYT 12/21].

Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University publishes annual report on military balance in Middle East. Study says Israeli military strong-arm tactics have not reduced protests in O.T. [WP 12/21; FBIS 12/28].

Arab World: Asad will visit USSR and is planning meeting with Mubarak in what political analysts in Damascus describe as reappraisal of Syrian policy in light of changing international and regional conditions [NYT 12/21].

Other Countries: Responding to NBC news report of 12/18, State Dep't says Israel informed U.S. about a month ago that it had purchased oil from Iran [NYT 12/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Israeli electric company cuts electricity to Tulkarm village of Azzun [FJ 12/25].

Lydda military court sentences Khalid al-Amuri to life in prison for affiliating with PLO and throwing Molotov cocktails [FJ 12/25].

IDF declares Ramallah and al-Bireh market areas closed military zone, orders merchants to close shops [FJ 12/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza military officials issue administrative order allowing authorities toconfiscate property of parents who fail to pay their children's fines or bail [FBIS 12/21].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee, which met 12/15-12/17 in Tunis, issues communique reaffirming itswillingness to initiate dialogue with Israel, and that only PLO may select detegates to negotiating team [FBIS 12/120].

Yasir Arafat arrives in Amman for 2- day meeting with King Husayn [FBIS 12/ 21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military closes indefinitely al-Zahra Girls Secondary School and al-Ramleh Girls Elementary School in Gaza for stone-throwing incidents [FJ 12/25].

27-year-old Palestinian dies during Shin Bet interrogation in Gaza Prison [FBIS 12/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D.M. Rabin says his ministry authorized and paid for meetings between relatives of Israeli soldiers captured during invasion of Lebanon and representatives of PLO. Meeting supposedly took place a year ago [NYT, LAT 12/19].

French P.M. Michel Rocard meets with 13 Palestinians from O.T. and E. Jerusalem to discuss the peace process [FBIS 12/15].

Other Countries: NBC Nightly News reports Israel has purchased $36 million of Iranian oil to encourage Iran to help free 3 Israeli hostages in Lebanon. Israeli Ministry of Energy disavows knowledge of transaction [WP 12/19, NYT 12/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus woman accused of collaboration and prostitution is beaten to death [MET 12/26].

In three separate trials, Israeli military courts in Gaza, Nablus, and Lydda, sentence 4 Palestinians to life in prison for killing accused collaborators [FJ 12/25].

Israeli authorities demolish 2 houses in Jerusalem-area villages of Hizma and al-Ram [FJ 12/25].

Arab World: 3 people die in clash between SLA and Lebanese commandos in Israel's "security zone" [FBIS 12/19; MET 12/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The Washington Post reports Hamas made considerable gains in O.T. at expense of Fateh [WP 12/17].

Israeli government says missing air force navigator Ron Arad, shot down over Lebanon in 1986, is still alive and being held captive by Iran [MET 12/26].

French P.M. Michel Rocard arrives in Israel for meetings with Shamir and Peres [FBIS 12/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 7 Palestinians, including 10-year-old girl, are wounded when bomb is thrown into E. Jerusalem store [FJ 12/25].

Military closes indefinitely al-Tufah School in Gaza for stone-throwing incident [FBIS 12/19; FJ 12/25]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: U.S. Congressman Douglas W. Owens (D-UT) of House Foreign Affairs Committee arrives in Damascus and meets with Vice Pres. 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam [FBIS 12/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military closes indefinitely Khalid Ibn al-Walid School in Nusayrat camp [FJ 12/15].

3 Palestinians from W. Bank village of Bayt Immar wounded by plastic bullets during clash with IDF [FBIS 12/19].

Arab World: 2 Fateh commandos are killed in clash with Lebanese militiamen in S. Lebanon [NYT 12/17].

Syrian soldiers in Alman, S. Lebanon fire on Palestinian patrol, sparking halfhour battle [MET 12/26].

Egyptian Interior Minister Zaki Badr survives assassination attempt in Cairo [MET 12/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: More than 200 Jews and Arabs demonstrate outside Shamir's office demanding reopening of Palestinian universities [FJ 12/25].

The 3 leading religious patriarchs in Jerusalem cancel Christmas celebrations in O.T., except for those religious ceremonies that call for justice and peace [FJ 12/ 18].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee opens 2-day meeting in Tunis [FBIS 12/ 20].

Other Countries: Soviet Union says it will not support U.S. effort to have UN Gen. Assembly repeal "Zionism equals racism" resolution [NYT 12/16].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: "Black Panther" group takes responsibility for killing of accused collaborator on 12/14. The killing comes less than 2 weeks after Israeli army said they eliminated the group [JP 12/23; MET 12/26].

Israeli military bulldozes Palestinian home in village of Battir [FJ 12/25].

Shots are fired at IDF patrol from Egypt; no injuries [FBIS 12/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO is about ready to begin distribution of Palestinian ID cards, according to Jerusalem Domestic Service. Cards will initially be given to Palestinians living in U.A.E., followed by those in Kuwait and Qatar. Rather than replace existing passports, the cards will serve as additional identification [FBIS 12/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel:- 30-year-old Palestinian accused of collaboration is killed [MET 12/26].

Arab World: Lebanese Defense Ministry states it will cut Aoun's 15,000 troops off payroll. Sources expect Aoun to continue paying salaries from foreign aid or taxes levied in enclave [MET 12/26].

Police arrest 10 students in Irbid, Jordan after opening of display marking anniversary of intifada leads to brawl between Palestinians and Jordanians [MET 12/26].

Syrian military intelligence post in al-Rumaylah, S. Lebanon is attacked, reports of dead and wounded vary. Syrian commander accuses Fateh forces of carrying out attack. PLO condemns raid, says it will investigate Fateh involvement [NYT, WP, FBIS 12/15]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Reuters reports that Labor Knesset member Lova Eliav met PLO official Nabil Sha'ath in Cairo. Eliav says meeting did not violate Israeli law, as it was conducted in lieu of a conference hosted by Egypt [FJ 12/18].

Arab World: Mubarak meets with Libyan leader Qaddafi in Libyan town of Sirt to discuss strengthening Arab ties [FJ 12/18].

In Amman, demonstrations in support of intifada continue for third consecutive day [FBIS 12/12].

Egypt Air commercial flight from Cairo to Damascus ends 12-year hiatus of air links them [FBIS 12/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Foreign ministers of the Arab Tripartite Committee on Lebanon meet in Paris with French Pres. Francois Mitterrand [FBIS 12/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police and border guards close al-Sawahreh School in Jabal al-Mukaber, near Jerusalem, due to rock-throwing incident [JF 12/18].

Israeli military orders Bethlehem merchants to close their shops; declares area closed military zone [FJ 12/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel extends closure of 14 Palestinian schools until 2/ 28 [FJ 12/18].

Arab World: Arab Cooperation Council news agencies open 3 days of talks in Cairo; among items on agenda is development of news pool to ensure speedy transmission of news between nations [FBIS 12/14].

Other Countries: Vice Pres. Quayle says U.S. will campaign for new UN Gen. Assembly resolution nullifying 14-year-old assembly text equating Zionism with racism [NYT, WP 12/12; FJ 12/18].

Military Action Occupied

Palestine/Israel: IDF troops shoot, injure 27-year-old Gazan cameraman for ABC News [FJ 12/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: In Amman, Husayn and Mubarak meet to discuss Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. In Cairo, PLO statement says PLO "is not obliged to accept any results of any meetings" if it is "not present or represented" [NYT 12/10].

New round of talks between PLO and U.S. begins in Tunis [FBIS 12/11].

Jordanian police clash with Palestinian protestors for the second day. Police use tear gas to quell disturbances. PLO reports it is not involved with demonstrations in Jordan [FBIS 12/11].

Other Countries: On behalf of Carter-Meniu Human Rights Foundation, ex. Pres. Jimmy Carter awards annual human rights prize to Al-Haq of Ramallah and newly-formed Israeli organization B'Tselem. 

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew is imposed on O.T. to stop celebration of intifada anniversary. 2 Palestinians are shot, killed in W. Bank village of Bani Naim [NYT 12/10].

26-year-old Nablus Palestinian is sentenced to life in prison for killing an alleged collaborator [FJ 12/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yedi'ot Aharonot publishes interview with Shamir in which Shamir says a Palestinian state already exists, and that is Jordan [FBIS 12/11].

Arab World: U.S. State Dep't confirms Iraq has successfully tested satellitelaunching rocket; it is first Arab nation to do so [WP 12/9].

In Jordan, more than 1,000 Palestinians block Amman-Damascus highway, demonstrate against new P.M. Mudar Badran. The demonstration is dispersed by police firing tear gas [FBIS 12/11].

Military Action

Arab World: Hizballah and Amal agree to cease-fire; it does not hold and at least 10 persons are killed [FBIS 12/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israel cautiously welcomes Egypt's acceptance of Baker's 5- point formula, reiterates opposition to PLO participation [NYT, WP 12/8].

Israeli Absorption Ministry spokesperson reports that 20,405 immigrants have arrived in Israel since the beginning of 1989; 9,295 from USSR [FBIS 12/13].

Other Countries: El Al has signed flight agreement with Aeroflot, and first Tel Aviv-Moscow flights will begin next month, according to Jerusalem Domestic Services [FBIS 12/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF demolishes 3 houses in Khan Yunis [FJ 12/18].

2 Syrian members of PFLP are sentenced to 25 years in prison each for their part in an October 1989 raid into Israel [FJ 12/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities bar Palestinian leader Faisal Husayni from O.T. for 6 months, calling him threat to Israeli security [NYT, WP 12/7].

Five Palestinians living on Egyptian side of Canada district, divided in half by Israeli border, crossed into Gaza Strip as first of 5,000 Arabs to be reunited with their families over next 5 years [NYT 12/ 8; JP 12/16].

The return of Palestinians prompts angry demonstrations by Israeli settlers [JP 12/16; FJ 12/25].

Israel and Egypt sign a new agreement on agricultural cooperation [FBIS 12/13].

Arab World: Egypt, speaking for PLO, formally accepts in principle the 5-point formula of Sec. Baker, adds 3 conditions [NYT, WP, FBIS 12/7; FBIS 12/14].

New Jordanian P.M. Mudar Badran announces formation of 23-member Cabinet that excludes Muslim Brotherhood, largest bloc in new Parliament [NYT, FBIS 12/7].

Other Countries: Under U.S. and international pressure, Arab nations at UN withdraw resolution that recognizes Palestinian state [NYT, WP 12/7].

U.S. State Dep't. releases official version of Baker's 5-point framework for an Israeli-Palestinian dialogue [NYT, WP 12/ 7].

Undersec. Kelly arrives in Amman, briefs Husayn on Malta summit [FBIS 12/ 7]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Arab nations decide to defer action on UN resolution recognizing Palestinian state, yielding to U.S. warnings it would withhold funds if resolution was passed [NYT 12/6].

U.S. undersecretary for Near Eastern and South Asian affairs John Kelly meets with Shamir, Arens, and Peres to brief them on Malta summit. Later Kelly flies to Cairo to brief Mubarak [FBIS 12/5, 12/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army shoots, kills 5 Arabs crossing into southern Israel from Egypt through the Sinai [NYT, WP, FBIS 12/6; JP 12/16].

Ha'aretz reports IDF plans to build prison in Gush 'Ezyon area. The jail would hold 4,000 inmates [FBIS 12/5].

Arab World: 5 Palestinians are killed in Ayn al-Hulwah camp near Sidon when masked man opens fire in street [FBIS 12/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D. M. Rabin says IDF efforts to control intifada have been unsuccessful, but that intifada accounts for "only 4 percent" of Israel's defense budget [NYT 12/5].

Arab World: Jordan's P.M. Zeid bin Shaker resigns and is replaced by Mudar Badran, who has held the office twice before. King Husayn asks Badran "to work with the PLO" and support the intifada [NYT, WP 12/5].

Arab Tripartite Committee on Lebanon concludes 2-day Riyadh meeting, issues communique calling on all parties involved to abide by Taif agreement [FBIS 12/5].

Other Countries: Arab nations at UN ask U.S. not to threaten UN with financial sanctions in future, and to allow PLO observer's seat to be placed near observer nations; in return Arabs will drop campaign to recognize Palestinian statehood [NYT, WP 12/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 2 Israeli army reserve units made up of W. Bank settlers are deployed in Jericho and Ma'radah in W. Bank [FBIS 12/5].

General strike is observed in O.T. [FBIS 12/7].

Arab World: SLA and Amal forces exchange artillery fire in S. Lebanon [NYT 12/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: UNLU issues leaflet number 49. [FBIS 12/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 W. Bank Palestinian children are killed when suspicious object explodes. IDF forces shoot, kill 10- year-old girl, wound at least 27 others, including 4-year-old, in Gaza clash [NYT, WP 12/4; FBIS 12/7].

Major Gen. Yitzhak Mordekhay, head of Central Command, says security forces in W. Bank have arrested over 1,600 suspects in past 4 months [FBIS 12/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Beginning at 4 am, hundreds of Israeli soldiers and Shin Bet agents raid Palestinian homes in Nablus, arrest "scores" of youths. In Gaza, IDF troops shoot, wound at least 36 Palestinians. In both incidents, Israeli soldiers are reportedly dressed as Arabs, driving vehicles with O.T. license plates [NYT, WP 12/3; FBIS 12/7; JP 12/9; MET 12/12].

Members of Israeli group Yesh Gval demonstrate to show solidarity with Palestinian residents of Bayt Sahur, attempto distribute leaflets, but are restrained by IDF troops [FJ 12/18].

Arab World: 3 killed and 9 wounded in artillery exchange between SLA and Amal forces in S. Lebanon [WP 12/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shin Bet head tells reporters that during the intifada's 2 years, more than 500 "terrorist squads" have been uncovered, and over 170 Fateh squads exposed since Arafat renounced terrorism [FBIS 12/5].

Arab World: PLO delivers to Cairo and U.S. Ambassador Pelletreau memorandum conditionally accepting Baker's 5- point formula [FBIS 12/4; WP 12/7].

Arab Countries: agree to postpone until 12/3 UN vote recognizing Palestinian state [NYT 12/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: IDF forces ambush members of Palestinian "Black Panther" group in Nablus, kill the group's leader and 3 others; 3 more are wounded. IDF imposes curfew on Nablus [FBIS 12/ 7; MET 12/12].