The Palestine Chronology

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

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: 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: 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

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

Arab World: U.S. ambassador to Lebanon John McCarthy returns to that country, presents credentials to Pres. Moawad. U.S. embassy in Beirut was evacuated on 9/6 [NYT, WP 11/19].

Other Countries: President Bush telephones Egyptian President Mubarak to discuss peace process efforts. Mubarak later telephones Arafat to discuss conversation with Bush [FBIS 11/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: W. Bank Palestinian dies of wounds received 10/24 [NYT 11/19].

Gaza woman suspected of collaboration is killed [MET 11/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Lebanese parliament votes 58-4 approving new national charter; Christian leader Aoun rejects accord [NYT, WP 10/23]. Yasir Arafat arrives in Cairo to discuss with Pres. Mubarak the Baker plan [MET 10/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army detains 15 Palestinians; 16-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed in Tulkarm clash. 7 Palestinians in 'Askar camp wounded in clash. At least 5 other Palestinians wounded throughout O.T. IDF seals 2 Nablus schools and closes UNRWA school in Dahayshah camp [FBIS 10/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shamir's office reports the intifada has cost the Israeli govemment roughly $1 billion this year in additional military expenses, loss of trade with the West Bank, and loss of tourism [WP 10/2]. Call issued by uprising leadership tells Palestinians that on strike days, they should go out after 5pm to the streets and start a rebellion. Sources say this reflects growing frustration with the slowness of the peace process INYT, FBIS 10/4].

Other Countries: Egyptian president Mubarak meets with President Bush to discuss Mubarak's 10-point plan [NYT, WP 10/3] State Dept. says Israel's plan to build W. Bank housing for Soviet immigrants harms Israel's chances of securing $400 million requested from the U.S. [NYT 10/3]. Visiting Japan, Arafat criticizes Japanese trade with Israel, wams them not to forget Arab world [LAT 10/3; MET 10/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 17-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza's Nusseirat camp; 14 others are wounded. In Gaza's Bani Suheila village, 25-year-old Arab accused of collaboration is stabbed to death. On the West Bank, 3 Palestinians are reported shot, killed [LAT 10/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Government closes Gaza Strip through 10/2 during Rosh Hashana [WP 9/29]. Hadashot poll determines the most hated person in Israel is Shimon Peres [FBIS 10/2].

Arab World: President Hosni Mubarak telephones P.M. Shamir and gives conditional offer to meet; they agree to arrange a future meeting [NYT, WP 10/1].

Other Countries: Sec. of State Baker wams that Middle East peace process would go "back to the drawing board," unless the Israeli cabinet either endorses the Egyptian 10-point plan or finds another way to bring Palestinians to the bargaining table [NYT, LAT 9/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army reduces sentences of 3 soldiers convicted of beating a Palestinian to death in custody from nine months to six [NYT 9/30; MET 10/10]. 2 Palestinians, 19 and 13, are shot, killed in clashes with soldiers; at least 2 others are wounded throughout O.T. [FBIS 10/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defending decisions not to negotiate with PLO, P.M. Shamir says "were we to sit together, it would not be for negotiations but surrender talks" [NYT, LAT 9/27]. Moshe Arens urges President Mubarak to meet with Shamir [WP 9/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus resident suspected of collaboration is killed [FBIS 9/26]. Soldier injured by rock in Gaza. General strike in Tulkarm [FBIS 9/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: President Mubarak says he will be carrying the proxy of the PLO during upcoming trip to Washington, and that Arafat has enough support in the PLO to accept Egypt's 10-point plan [WP 9/24]. Lebanon's warring factions put formal cease-fire into effect; thousands of people return to Beirut [WP, NYT 9/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military demolishes at least 3 houses built without licenses in Ramallah area. At least 4 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with IDF forces in Gaza Strip [FJ 10/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Rejecting President Mubarak's call to trade land for peace, Israeli P.M. Shamir says, "I don't think he meant it seriously. He was only joking . . . There is no element in the Arab world willing to give us peace." Shamir aides call on Mubarak to "stop preaching" [LAT, NYT 9/22].

Arab World: After meeting with President Mubarak, PLO leader Arafat says he endorses "open talks" with Israel, and urges citizens to help him resisthe controversial I. D. cards required of O.T. residents. [LAT, NYT 9/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians stone bus carrying West German tourists through Bethlehem, injuring two [LAT 9/22; MET 10/3].

Arab World: 16 pro-Iranian Shiite Kuwaitis are publicly beheaded in Saudi Arabia in connection with bombing during the annual pilgrimage in July [NYT, WP, LAT 9/22]. Lebanese Muslim member of parliament, Nazem Kaderi, 73, is assassinated in West Beirut [LAT, NYT 9/22]. Israeli troops attack Hizballah positions north of the "security zone" in Lebanon [MET 10/ 3]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli D. M. Rabin meets with Egyptian president Mubarak to discuss Egyptian 10-point-plan [LAT 9/18]. Both acknowledge disagreement on composition of Palestinian delegation. Rabin encourages Mubarak to mediate between Israelis and Palestinians [NYT, WP 9/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 W. Bank settlers are wounded by rocks. General strike in O.T. marks Sabra and Shatila massacre [FBIS 9/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: A three-nation Arab League committee announces a peace plan to end the fighting in Lebanon [NYT, WP 9/17]. PLO chairman Arafat holds his third meeting in 8 days with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak [NYT 9/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Israeli border patrol soldiers are slightly wounded by gunfire from the Jordanian side [NYT, WP 9/17]; a Jordanian soldier is wounded in return fire [MET 9/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Egyptian president Mubarak rejects offer to meet with Israeli P.M. Shamir in New York on the sidelines of UN meeting [FBIS 9/1].

Military Action

Arab World: In second attack in 24 hours, several Katyusha rockets are fired from S. Lebanon into Galilee. No injuries reported. IDF and SLA cannons return fire directed north of the "security zone" [FBIS 9/1]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF spokesperson says army has drawn up long-term plan that assumes Israel will still occupy the W. Bank and Gaza in the year 2000 [WP 8/31; MET 9/12]. Israeli defense source says over the past 3 weeks IDF and Shin Bet have rounded up some 170 W. Bank Palestinians who "make up the backbone of the hard core leadership of the intifada in the W. Bank" [FBIS 9/1].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat arrives in Cairo for talks with President Hosni Mubarak and senior Egyptian officials [FBIS 8/30].

Other Countries: UN Security Council adopts resolution "deploring" Israel's deportation of Palestinians, and calls on Israel to respect the Geneva Convention in the O.T. [WP 8/31]. The resolution passes with 14 of 15 Security Council members voting for it; the U.S. abstains [FBIS 9/1; MET 9/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Two Israeli soldiers are wounded by stones in Khan Yunis. Classes for 10th and 11th grade students resume in the W. Bank. Curfew in Bayt Sahur is lifted, curfew is imposed on Dayr al-Balah. IDF Radio reports that the departure of workers for jobs in Israel is sporadic [FBIS 8/30]. Army reports 3 Katyusha rockets fired into the Galilee panhandle causing slight damage but no injuries, claims Hizballah is responsible [FBIS 8/311.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prime Minister Shamir calls Baker's speech calling on Israel to forswear annexation of O.T. "useless" [NYT, WP 5/24]. General strike is observed throughout O.T. Curfew in Anabta enters 20th day [FJ 5/29].

Arab World: Egyptian president Husni Mubarak gives keynote address opening Arab summit in Casablanca [WP 5/24]. Southern Lebanese town of Jezzin observes strike protesting tactics of Israeli, SLA troops [NYT 5/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Rafah at least 10 Palestinians are shot, wounded during clash. At least 7 other Palestinians are shot, injured in Gaza [FJ 5/29]. Soldiers shoot, injure 2 Palestinians in Nablus [FBIS 5124].

Arab World: Joint IDF-SLA (South Lebanese Army) patrol enters 2 Druze villages north of "security zone" [FJ 5/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in E. Jerusalem, Hebron [FJ 4/ 17].

Arab World: Egyptian president Mubarak travels to Amman to brief King Hussein on visit to United States [FBIS, NYT 4/13].

Other Countries: Senior administration official states U.S. will no longer defend Israeli settlement policy before UN [WP 4/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gush Emunim leader Rabbi Moshe Levinger is charged in killing of Palestinian shoe salesman in Hebron [FBIS 4/12, LAT 4/13]. At least 26 Palestinians are injured during clashes in O.T. In E. Jerusalem at least 10 Palestinians are arrested [FJ 4/17'].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: New York Times poll shows that only 18% of Israeli Jews favor talks with PLO under current circumstances; 62% see Israeli-PLO talks in next 5 years [NYT 4/2].

Arab World: Mubarak rejects Shamir's offer to meet in Washington [NYT 4/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian from Hebron dies from wounds received on Land Day. Israeli troops shoot, kill 17- year-old Palestinian from al-'Ayzariyyah [NYT 4/2, FJ 4/10]. Throughout O.T. 23 Palestinians are reported wounded [FBIS 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Cabinet Minister Ariel Sharon calls for more Jewish settlement in E. Jerusalem [FBIS 3/29]. According to figures released by Ministry of Industry and Trade sales of Israeli agricultural products in the O.T. fell 60% from 1987 to 1988 [FBIS 4/4].

Arab World: Mubarak rejects Shamir proposal for meeting in Washington [FBIS 3/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Hebron 70- year-old Palestinian dies after exposure to tear gas. In Salfit soldiers shoot, kill 20- year-old Palestinian. In Salim 6 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations at funeral of Palestinian who died day before [FJ 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D.M. Yitzhaq Rabin announces Fateh has refrained from attacking Israeli positions [WP 3/29].

Arab World: Saudi Arabia's King Fahd and Egypt's Pres. Mubarak meet in Egypt, discuss Middle East peace, bilateral relations [FBIS 3/29]. Chedli Klibi is reelected chairman of Arab League for 3rd 5-year term [FBIS 3/29]. PLO Executive Committee nominates Arafat to be president of State of Palestine [FBIS 3/29]. In Cairo, Arafat meets with leaders of Muslim Brotherhood [FBIS 4/5].

Other Countries: French Pres. Mitterand announces he will meet with PLO chairman Arafat [FBIS 3/29, FJ 4/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 19-year-old Palestinian from Salim dies from wounds received 3/13 [FJ 4/3]. At least 10 Palestinians are injured during clashes in O.T. In Balata 3 women are treated after receiving cut wounds on the head during clashes with troops [FBIS 3/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Over 6,000 Israeli Arabs will make pilgrimage to Mecca this year according to Israeli officials. 40 Israeli Arabs were denied permission to make Hajj for security reasons [FBIS 3/27].

Arab World: Arafat, Jordan's King Hussein, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak meet in Egypt, discuss Middle East peace, Lebanon. Hussein declares that members of newly formed Arab Cooperation Council will not attend Arab Summit unless Egypt is invited [FBIS 3/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Khan Yunis troops open fire, kill 20-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 3/27, FJ 4/3]. In Gaza City troops kill Palestinian demonstrator. In Gaza City, Rafah Palestinian collaborators are found dead [FBIS 3/27]. At least 35 Palestinians are injured in O.T. [WP 3/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel closes 4 schools in Gaza following demonstrations [FBIS 2/24].

Arab World: In Cairo, Arafat holds press conference with Israeli journalists, reaffirms willingness to accept three-part state consisting of Israel, Palestine, Jordan. Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze arrives in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi pres. Saddam Husayn [FBIS 2/24].

Other Countries: Egyptian pres. Mubarak, Jordan's King Hussein meet with Pres. Bush at Japanese emperor Hirohito's funeral, ask him to back Middle East peace conference; Israeli pres. Chaim Herzog urges Bush to wait [WP, LAT 2/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In al-'Ayzariyyah Israeli civilians shoot, wound 4 Palestinians after their car was stoned. At least 6 other Palestinians are wounded throughout O.T. [FBIS 2/24].

Arab World: South Lebanese Army (SLA) forces shoot, kill 3 DFLP guerrillas attempting to cross Israel's northern border [FBIS 2/24, NYT 2/24].