The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Anniversary of UN decision to partition Palestine; International Day in Solidarity with the Palestinian People. 2 petrol bombs hurled at Israeli bus near Qalandiya camp; no injuries. Police use tear gas against stonethrowing demonstrators at al-Amari camp on Jerusalem-Ramallah road. Police stations in Bethlehem & Dura (al-Khalil) pelted with stones, as was Israeli minibus in Nablus.

Arab World: 17th PNC adjourns in Amman. Lebanese & Israelis meet in 6th session in Naquora; Lebanese level further accusations; Israelis present more conditions for pull-out; no progress.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 67th anniversary of Balfour Declaration. Govt. & labor agree to 3-mo. wage, tax and price freeze, causing 20% drop in workers' real wages. Council of Jewish Settlements issue manifesto calling on govt. to ban Palestinian newspapers. Jerusalem magistrate charges 2 Moshav Susia (Jabal al-Khalil) settlers with abducting al-Khalil school teacher Khalil Younis (11/83).

Arab World: Algerian & PDR Yemeni officials meet representatives ofrival PLO groups in attempt to reach reconciliation before upcoming PNC mtg.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bethlehem Press Office destroyed by arson.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 4,000 armed settlers, incl. 6 MKs, hold parade through al-Khalil (Hebron) streets, celebrating Simhat Torah. 77 Palestinian lawyers meet in Jerusalem to discuss forming their own local union.

Arab World: Speaking to Palestinians in Qatar, Chrmn. Arafat says PLO will get closer to Egypt "as it moves away from the policies of Camp David." US embassy in Beirut begins evacuating "non-essential" personnel.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mounted police with riot sticks break up demonstration at US Consulate, E. Jerusalem by 20 Palestinians protesting Jnaid prison conditions. Davar reports vegetable exports to Lebanon (10/83-9/84) total $14 million.

Other Countries: Israeli FM Shamir discusses conditions for IDF withdrawal from Lebanon with US Sec. of State Shultz; Shultz tells Lebanese FM Karami all sides must be more flexible before US can mediate Israeli withdrawal. 2 US House subcommittees jointly approve resolution calling for US embassy move to Jerusalem.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: MK Kahane (using Knesset privilege) & 300 armed Gush Etzion & Kiryat Arba settlers enter & raid Dheisheh camp [pop. 6,000], setting up roadblocks on Bethlehem-Hebron road, firing shots at houses and water reservoirs; Israeli soldiers later ordered settlers out of camp confines, but not from camp surroundings; troops arrest journalists Ali Qa'dam (al-Awda) & Marsha Hamilton (AP) on visit to camp. Military authorities break into student council mtg. in Bir Zeit U. Board of Trustees office and abduct student Marwan Barghouti; no charges filed.

Arab World: Mine explodes as IDF patrol car passes in S. Lebanon; no injuries reported. Self-styled "People's Court" organization claims responsibility for killing Palestinian woman found guilty of collaboration with IDF at 'Ain al-Hilweh camp, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gush Emunim squatters establish settlements Nachliel and Givat Helevona (a.k.a. Eli) north of Ramallah. Jewish squatters add 4 caravans to settlement at Tel Rumaida in al-Khalil (Hebron). In exchange for Progressive List for Peace (PLP) votes to support Shlomo Hillel as Knesset speaker, Labor agrees on 3 issues: to legislate against apartheid practices toward Palestinians, to approve proposed change in Umm al-Fahm's status to full township, and to consider favorably establishment of an Arab university in Israel. Canadian and British delegates meet with Palestinian mayors and community leaders in Jerusalem on eve of Int'l. Liberals Congress in Tel Aviv (9/13-16).

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat returns to Tunis, meets Soviet delegation there. Nabih Berri & Walid Junblatt boycott weekly Lebanese cabinet meeting to press gov't. to discuss political reforms and conditions in S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: In US, representatives of 11 relief and community service organizations meet State Dept. officials to protest Israeli policy toward Palestinian universities.

Military Action

Arab World: Beirut Radio reports 4 IDF troops killed in 2 S. Lebanon bomb attacks; IDF soldier injured by land mine in S. Lebanon (9/10) dies of injuries.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset members sworn in; Meir Kahane refuses to take oath, then does so with biblical quote pledging to obey the law as long as he feels it does not disobey religious law. DM Arens defends act of Jewish squatters settling inside Hebron. Gov't. activities coordinator Goren tells press army will in coming weeks "uproot" development of national Palestinian bodies.

Other Countries: In Mexico City, UN Conference on Population adopts report condemning Israel's establishment of settlements in occupied territories; only US and Israel vote against.

Social/Economic/Political Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus prison inmates begin hunger strike to protest prison conditions. Kahane's incitement turns rite to bury Jewish religious articles in Hebron into rally for massive settlement of "greater Israel." Israel Treasury source says aid request from US for 1985 will be $5 billion.

Arab World: Addressing African-Arab Solidarity Conference in Tunis, Chrmn. Arafat calls for rigorous opposition to US policies in Middle East & Africa. IDF called mtg. of Tyre fishermen to ration out 400 fishing licenses.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 20 Gilo settlers evict nearby Salman family at gunpoint from their home, then bulldoze it. 62-yr.- old Palestinian woman dies of heart attack while pleading with IDF soldiers tying to trees and beating 3 of her relatives working in Heletez settlement.

Arab World: IDF bulldozers seal off Adloun village surrounding it with earthen wall.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hadashot photographer claims DM Arens on site as 2 commandos led away for interrogation and bludgeoning death by Israeli security men (4/12/84); PM Shamir calls incident "mishap." Tax collectors raid Bethlehem shops, issuing JD200 fines. Israeli authorities destroy stone wall near Ibrahimi Mosque, Hebron where firebombs are allegedly thrown.

Other Countries: US commends Israeli gov't. for its "thorough investigation" of murder of 2 Palestinian commandos (4/12/84).

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Shamir wins Likud nomination for premiership challenge by MK Sharon. 60 Muslim Labor Party members meet to nominate Knesset candidate.

Other Countries: In al-Anba' interview, former US Pres. Carter says under current Israeli policies Jerusalem has become city of "killing and hatred."

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers open fire on car failing to stop at roadblock near Hebron, 2 killed. Israeli military command claims 2 Palestinian men suspected as guerrillas shot dead near Idna, West Bank.

Arab World: IDF shoots and kills Lebanese civilian as he approaches checkpoint in southern Sidon

Social/Economic/Political:

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat visits Jordan for talks with King Hussein on joint position on Israeli-occupied territories. Syria reports 3 Israelis captured (5/1/84) admit to spying.

Other Countries: Guatemalan Jewish leader Sabbaj tells American Jewish Com. " Soviet intervention" in his region threatens future of Jewish community there by inevitable nationalization of businesses.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Some of the 15 Israeli settlers detained on suspicion of West Bank bombing attempts admit to murdering at least 4 Palestinians in Hebron, and bombing that injured 2 West Bank mayors (6/1980).

Other Countries: Palestinian journalist and secretary of Arab Journalists' and Writers' Union Hanna Moqbil killed by gunman in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli-run Hebron municipality serves orders to Palestinian shopowners in building near Sultan's Pool to vacate as city is "repossessing" it. Israeli bulldozers begin work on access road to Elon Moreh site through Palestinian-owned land. Poll by Jewish-Arab center of Haifa U. shows 55% of Israeli Jews support preventing Arabs becoming majority in Palestine again; 49% urge gov't. to encourage Arabs to leave; 64% urge tightened control over Arabs; 65% believe Arabs can't be trusted. In response to reports of Iraq's use of chemical weapons, Min. of Science Neeman asserts "Arabs have always been known to have no scruples about using unconventional weapons."

Arab World: Syria expells UNRWA director in Damascus without explanation.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Unknown assailant reportedly throws bomb at demonstrators in Gaza; 3 IDF soldiers, 7 Palestinians injured; local residents claim Arab victims shot by soldiers.

Arab World: Israeli troops open fire on car at road block near Saksakiyah, S. Lebanon, killing driver.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-Najah National U. resumes classes after 21-day closure; al-Najah admin. agrees to postpone decision to withold credit from students attending "unlicensed meetings." Israeli feminist members of Women Against Occupation demonstrate against mistreatment of imprisoned Palestinian women at public appearance of administrator for prison affairs in Tel Aviv. In apparent response to adverse publicity, military authorities lift town arrest of Amal Wahdan. Naturei Karta spokesman Rabbi Hirsch calls for annexation of their Mea Shearim quarter to future Palestinian state. 3 Hebron residents convicted of attacks on IDF positions sentenced to 5- 12 years in prison. Israeli Cabinet fails to agree on possible IDF redeployment in Lebanon after 7-hour session.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gov't. school-teachers in West Bank repeat demand for 100% wage increase.

Arab World: Lebanese PM Shafiq Wazzan and 9-member cabinet resign under pressure from Muslim groups opposed to Gemayel gov't.; Gemayel accepts resignations; offers Saudi-backed 8-point plan for national reconciliation, including promise that "everything is negotiable."

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Homes of Palestinians suspected in killing of Israeli settler in Hebron sealed in pre-trial punishment.

Arab World: Booby-trapped car in Nabatiya explodes, injuring 1 Israeli and 4 Lebanese civilians; automatic fire opens up on IDF convoy 4 miles south of Jezzine and south of Ansariya. Israeli Air Force jet crashes in Sinai, pilot killed; Egypt returns body to IAF. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 suspects in attempt to blow up Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque, Meir Liebowitz of Brooklyn and Bart Silverman of New Jersey, arrested by Jerusalem police while attending JDL rally. Over 300 leading Palestinian personalities attend arba'in memorial for Dr. Khalil Dudeiri at Women's Union HQ in Jerusalem.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 homes in Marj al-Dudeh near Yatta demolished without warning by Israeli military bulldozers, claiming buildings were not licensed; residents expelled. Nablus military court issues prison sentences of 2.5 to 4.4 years to 5 youths from Bidya villages believed to have thrown Molotov cocktails at Israeli and collaborators' cars. MK Shulamit Aloni discloses secret military document recommending Israeli withdrawal of IDF from Lebanon. Settlers from Ofra go on window-smashing rampage, damaging 10 cars belonging to Palestinians. 2 IDF grenade bombs discovered in Hebron synagogue by Arab workers doing repairs there; investigation directed to Israeli vigilante group, "TNT."

Other Countries: Int'l. Commission of Jurists (Geneva) accuses Israeli authorities of arresting Palestinian students without charge to prevent them from taking important exams.