The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D. M. Rabin offers to trade Shayk 'Ubayd, other Shia prisoners for Western hostages and Israeli soldiers captured in Lebanon [WP 8/1].

Other Countries: Bush administration deplores killing of Col. Higgins, states that Israel is not responsible [NYT 8/1]. Senate Republican leader Robert Dole accuses Israel of endangering U.S. lives [WP 8/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Burayj camp soldiers shoot, kill 15-year-old Palestinian. Troops shoot, kill 12-year-old Palestinian in Balatah camp. At least 16 Palestinians are shot in Gaza Strip [FJ 8/7].

Arab World: Organization of the Oppressed of the World states that it has hanged U. S. Lt. Colonel William Higgins because Israel has refused to release Shaykh 'Ubayd; Another Lebanese group threatens to kill second American hostage [NYT 8/1, MET 8/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Supreme Court states that Palestinians have right to appeal house demolition orders before action is taken; ruling gives Palestinians 48 hours to appeal order to military commander and, if refused, another 48 hours to appeal to high court [WP 7/31]. Palestinians observe general strike in O. T. [FBIS 7/31].

Arab World: Arafat meets with Iraqi president Saddam Husayn [FJ 8/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops open fire, kill 17-year-old Palestinian in Ra's Karkar. Jewish settlers from Rafiah Yam shoot, kill 30-year-old Palestinian near Bayt Hanun. In Ramallah Palestinian from Bayt Lid dies from wounds received in May. In Nablus Palestinian dies from wounds received mid-July. Palestinian suspected of collaboration dies from injuries received 7/29. At least 7 Palestinians are wounded in O.T. [FBIS 7/31]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: In response to Israel's abduction of Shaykh 'Ubayd, President Bush states, "I don't think kidnapping and violence help the cause of peace" [LAT 7/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus 4 Palestinians are hospitalized due to beatings from soldiers, settlers. In Gaza at least 8 Palestinians are shot, wounded by soldiers [FJ 8/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza Strip at least 8 Palestinians are shot, injured by Israeli troops. In Duhayshah troops shoot, wound 2 Palestinians. Nur Shams remains under curfew for 10th consecutive day. Israeli soldiers demolish or seal 3 Palestinian houses in Gaza [FJ 7/31].

Arab World: Israeli commandos kidnap Shaykh 'Abd al-Karim 'Ubayd, a leader of Hizballah, and 2 others from Jibsheet, 16 km north of Israeli border; soldiers kill 1 Lebanese villager in raid [LAT 7/29, MET 8/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Arafat meets with King Hasan II of Morocco [MET 8/8]. Arafat states that Jamil Tarifi's meetings with Shamir have approval of Palestinian leadership [FBIS 7/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tulkarm Israeli soldiers shoot, kill 21-year-old Palestinian [NYT 7/28, FJ 7/31]. In Gaza 79-year-old Palestinian is hit and killed by Israeli vehicle [FJ 7/31]. In Khan Yunis Palestinian accused of collaboration is killed [NYT 7/28]. At least 15 Palestinians are injured in the Gaza Strip [FJ 7/31].

Arab World: SLA ambushes, kills 5 Palestinian guerrillas east of Sidon [FBIS 7/31, MET 8/8]. SLA expells 23 Lebanese policemen from south Lebanon's Israeliimposed "security zone" for refusing to cooperate with SLA, IDF [MET 8/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO lists conditions under which it would approve elections in O.T.: residents of E. Jerusalem must participate, freedom of speech and immunity from prosecution must be ensured, army must withdraw from population centers on election day, Egyptians and Americans would serve as election monitors, Israel must agree to principle of land-for-peace [WP 7/27]. Jordanian branch of PFLP dissolves, forms New Jordanian People's Democratic Party to participate in Jordanian politics [MET 8/8].

Other Countries: Soviet Union starts issuing tourist visas to Israelis for 1st time since 1967 War [NYT 7/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: In Gaza Strip 16 Palestinians are wounded during clashes with Israeli troops. At least 4 Palestinians are shot in W. Bank [FJ 7/31]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian lawyer Jamil Tarifi admits meeting with Shamir and informing PLO leadership in Tunis of details of meeting [NYT 7/26].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee member Mahmud Abbas tells Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, al-Bayan, that PLO accepts elections in O.T. as part of comprehensive settlement [FJ 7/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza 20- year-old Palestinian from Shabura camp dies from wounds received 7/23. In Ramallah troops shoot 2 Palestinians. In Gaza Strip 7 Palestinians are shot during demonstrations [FJ 7/31]. Israeli court imprisons 4 soldiers for stealing from Palestinians from Gaza while on duty [NYT 7/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: New York producer Joseph Papp cancels appearance of Palestinian theater troup Hakawati so as not to offend Jewish sensibilities [FJ 7/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Arrabeh troops shoot, kill 20-year-old Palestinian; 2 other Palestinians are also shot. At least 5 other Palestinians are shot throughout W. Bank. In Gaza at least 13 Palestinians are injured during confrontations with troops. In Bayt Furik troops arrest 100 Palestinians [FJ 7/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's cabinet reaffirms proposal for election in O.T. with no mention of Likud conditions; move averts collapse of government [LAT, FBIS 7/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza Strip Israeli troops shoot, wound 6 Palestinians; 3 Palestinians are treated for exposure to tear gas. Soldiers shoot, injure at least 4 Palestinians throughout W. Bank [FJ 7/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Elementary, 12th grade classes resume in W. Bank schools for first time since 1/19 [WP 7/23, FBIS 7/24]. Palestinians observe general strike throughout O.T. [FJ 7/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops shoot, wound 4 Palestinians in Gaza Strip. Army demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Bayt Furik on grounds they were built without permit [FJ 7/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops shoot, wound 6 Palestinians in Gaza Strip [FJ 7/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians observe general strike to protest Israel's proposal for elections in O.T. [FJ 7/24].

Other Countries: U.S. Senate defeats attempt to prohibit U.S. contact with PLO officials responsible for acts of terrorism against Americans; passes watered-down version [NYT, LAT 7/21]. Senate also passes bill making it easier for Soviet Jewish refugees to enter U.S. [LAT 7/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Burin troops shoot, kill 17-year-old Palestinian. At least 18 Palestinians are injured in W. Bank. Israeli troops shoot, wound 59 Palestinians in Gaza Strip [FJ 7/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Bush calls Senate proposal to limit U.S. contacts with PLO "a big step backwards" [NYT 7/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bayt Lid 17- year-old Palestinian is shot, killed by Israeli troops. In Jenin 22-year-old Palestinian dies after being shot by Israeli soldiers. In Tel Aviv 12-year-old Palestinian from Rafah dies from wounds received 7/8. At least 17 Palestinians are shot, wounded in Gaza Strip [FJ 7/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli workers stage 2-hour strike to oppose high unemployment rate [MET 7/25].

Other Countries: At President Bush's request Senate postpones vote on proposal to limit U.S. contact with PLO [NYT 7/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Khan Yunis 16-year-old Palestinian is killed during clash with Israeli troops. At least 27 Palestinians are shot, wounded in Gaza Strip. In W. Bank at least 10 Palestinians are injured confronting Israeli troops [FJ 7/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ariel Sharon, minister of industry, states that Israel must "eliminate the heads of the terrorist organizations, first of all Arafat" [WP 7/18]. Palestinians observe general strike throughout O.T. [FJ 7/24]. F. M. Arens states that it is impossible to hold free elections in O.T., while U.S. is holding talks with PLO [WP 7/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Gaza City. At least 35 Palestinians are reported injured in O.T. [FJ 7/24]. Al-Fajr cites army sources as saying it costs Israel $500,000 per day to fight intifadah [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: SLA shells Palestinian positions near Sidon [FJ 7/24]. Israeli tanks fire on Sunni villages near Tyre, killing 1, wounding 10 [MET 7/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli unemployment rate rises to over 9% [MET 7/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza Strip troops shoot, wound 5 Palestinians. At least 4 Palestinians are injured during clashes in Tulkarm [FJ 7/24]

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Rafah at least 4 Palestinians are shot, wounded by troops during clashes. In Qalqilya 6 Palestinians are beaten by border guards [FJ 7/24]

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Bush administration drops plans to send special envoy to Israel to assess Shamir's commitment to peace plan [NYT 7/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jabalya Israeli troops open fire, kill 15-year-old Palestinian, wound 13. In Khan Yunis troops shoot, kill 18-year-old Palestinian, and injure 9. In Gaza City at least 4 Palestinians are injured during clashes [FJ 7/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics states that 600 more people left Israel than arrived in 1988; overall population increasing at 1.6% per year; Jewish population at 1.3%; Muslim population at 3.7%; total population is 4,476,800; 82% of population is Jewish; 14% Muslim [FBIS 7/13]. Yossi Beilin, aide to Labor leader Peres, states that Israel holds indirectalks with PLO [FBIS 7/13, LAT 7/14].

Arab World: PLO officials state that PLO and Israel have held indirect talks [LAT 7/14].

Other Countries: British F. M. Geoffrey Howe meets with Bassam Abu Sharif, aide to Arafat [FJ 7/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Stone throwing Palestinian from Hebron is shot, killed. In Khan Yunis soldiershoot, kill 18-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 7/13, FJ 7/17].

Other Countries: Land mine kills SLA soldier in Israeli-imposed "security zone" in south Lebanon [MET 7/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel announces that it will open W. Bank schools; no opening date given [LAT, WP 7/13]. Israel announces that Israeli-owned businesses in W. Bank will be taxed at Israeli rate, as opposed to Jordanian rate, starting in 1990 [MET 7/25].

Arab World: PLO Chairman Arafat says he regrets killing of 14 Israelis by Palestinian in bus incident; declares that "we have to stop this bloodshed" [WP 7/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza Strip Israeli troops shoot, wound 10 Palestinians [FJ 7/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in Ramallah district [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: Arafat sends letter to Pope John Paul II asking for a public appeal on behalf of the Palestinians [LAT 7/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 8 Palestinians are injured during clashes with Israeli troops in O.T. Soldiers arrest at least 28 Palestinians throughout O.T. [FJ 7/17]. Arab World: Israel deploys Hawk landto-air missiles in south Lebanon [FJ 7/17]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor threatens to withdraw from national unity government in response to Shamir's endorsement of strict conditions on proposed elections in O.T. [WP 7/11]. Israeli unemployment rises 4% in June [FBIS 7/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Ramallah troops kill Palestinians 17 and 20 years old. In Khirbet Abu Falah soldiers kill 18- year-old Palestinian. In Burayj 15-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed. Palestinian from Gaza dies from wounds received 7/9 [NYT 7/11, FJ 7/1 7]. At least 17 Palestinians are injured in clashes throughout O.T. [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: In south Lebanon IDF, SLA troops raid guerrilla base, kill 3 Arabs [NYT 7/1 1]; 2 Israeli soldiers are injured [FBIS 7/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed throughout O.T. [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: Arafat states that PLO would no longer consider supporting Israel's plan for elections in O.T. [NYT 7/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Ramin Israeli troops open fire, kill 20-year-old Palestinian. In Madma 21-year-old Palestinian is killed during clash with army troops. At least 15 Palestinians are shot throughout O.T. [FBIS 7/10, FJ 7/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew in Balatah camp enters 8th day; Khan Yunis, Nusayrat camps remain under curfew for 5th consecutive day [FJ 7/17].

Other Countries: Secretary of State James Baker states that U.S. may back international peace conference if Israel makes election plan for O.T. impossible for Palestinians to accept [NYT 7/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Rafah camp Israeli soldiers open fire, kill 20-year-old Palestinian, wound 4 more. In Burayj camp at least 3 Palestinians are injured during clashes with Israeli troops. At least 4 Palestinians are injured throughout W. Bank [FJ 7/17]. Palestinian known for collaboration, drug dealing is shot, killed in O.T. [FBIS 7/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian lawyers announce boycott of military courts from 7/20 until 9/10 to protest difficulties in defending political prisoners, deterioration of judicial process [FJ 7/10].

Other Countries: U.K. calls Likud's changes of election plan backward step [FBIS 7/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 4 Palestinians are shot, wounded in Tulkarm district [FJ 7/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: U.S. criticizes conditions Shamir has placed on elections in O.T. [LAT 7/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Arab seizes steering wheel of Israeli bus, steers it into ravine killing 14 Israelis, injuring 27; attack is apparently in revenge for Israeli mistreatment offamily member [NYT 7/7]. Troops open fire, kill 12-year-old Palestinian from Askar camp. In Nablus 31- year-old Palestinian dies from wounds received 3 weeks earlier. Khan Yunis resident, 18, dies from wounds received 7/5 [FJ 7/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shamir bowing to right-wing pressure pledges that Likud will never return O.T. to "foreign sovereignty"; Palestinians in E. Jerusalem will not be eligible to vote in O.T. elections; elections in O.T. will not be held until intifadah is over, and the Jewish settlements are expanded. Peres says that conditions place "heavy handcuffs on the peace process" [NYT, WP 7/6].

Arab World: Jordan announces that parliamentary elections, the first in 23 years, will take place 11/16 [FBIS 7/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus 20- year-old Palestinian from Bayt Lid dies from wounds sustained 10 days earlier. In Gaza 103 Palestinians are shot, injured by troops; 20 are overcome by tear gas [FJ 7/10]. Army arrests 100 Palestinians in O.T. [LAT 7/6]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Survey of Israeli Jews (except those living in O.T., kibbutzim) shows that 60% favor elections in O.T. Second survey shows that 46% of Israeli Jews believe that Israel is "too democratic": 74% think that tougher policy is needed to put down intifadah [FBIS 7/7].

Arab World: Fateh announces it will hold conference near end of July. Saudi Arabia gives $6 million to PLO's Intifadah Support Fund [FBIS 7/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers shoot, kill 18-year-old Palestinian in Nusayrat camp [FBIS 7/7, FJ 7/10]. At least 58 Palestinians are injured in clashes throughout O.T. [FJ 7/10]. Israeli troops arrest 200 Palestinians; over 13,000 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli prisons [WP, FBIS 7/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Rafah camp clashes with Israeli troops leave 5 Palestinians injured. At least 9 other Palestinians are injured in Gaza Strip. At least 4 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations throughout W. Bank [FJ 7/10].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes overfly Palestinian camps near Sidon. [FBIS 7/3]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities lift curfew in Tulkarm after 18 days [FJ 7/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: InIdna troops shoot, kill 12-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 7/7, FJ 7/10]. At least 7 Palestinians are shot in Gaza Strip [FJ 7/10].