The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Report issued by 6 Israeli doctors concludes IDF should stop using high velocity bullets that have left 15 people fully or partially paralyzed. Report also accuses the army of misusing tear gas. Faysal al-Husayni is released after 9 months without charge or trial [WP 6/10, LAT 6/12]. Ya'akov Orr, military commander of the Gaza Strip, states that 25% of the 200 Palestinian police that resigned during the uprising have returned to work [WP 6/9].

Arab World: At Arab summit, Arab states pledge to support Palestinian uprising with "all possible means," refuse to state dollar amount of support. Arab leaders also refuse to dismiss George Shultz' peace plan, while reaffirming the PLO's position as sole representative of the Palestinian people [WP 6/10, LAT 6/10].

Other Countries: Israeli P.M. Shamir and Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze meet for 2 hours at the UN, announce that planned visit of Israeli consular team to Moscow will take place in July. Shevardnadze also states diplomatic relations between the 2 will not be restored until Israel agrees to international peace conference [NYT 6/10]. At meeting of the Socialist International in Madrid the Palestinian intifadah is called a response to "the unbearable social conditions existing in the territories occupied by Israel" [FJ 6/12].

Military Occupied

Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations in honor of the 6-month anniversary of the uprising erupt on the W. Bank leaving 2 Palestinians dead, at least 4 more injured. In Sebastiya a 16-year-old isshot dead while trying to hurl a rock at soldiers [WP 6/10, FJ 6/12]. 18-year-old male and 12-year-old girl are shot during demonstrations in Tulkarm. Shopowners observe a strike in the territories, including East Jerusalem [LAT 6/12]. Afternoon demonstrations erupt in Gaza City. One of the injured claims soldiers tied him up and dragged him behind a jeep [WP 6/9]. Two IDF officers are slightly injured when their jeep is attacked with Molotov cocktails [WP 6/10]. In Gaza, soldiers order a man out of his house and then demolished with a bulldozer; army says the man had tried to burn down a local government building [NYT 6/10]. Demonstrations in Bayt Furik leave 27 Palestinians injured [FJ 6/12]. In Balatah 100 Palestinians are arrested [FJ 6/121

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Court sentences to 2 and a half months imprisonment 2 Israeli soldiers who plead guilty to shameful conduct for their part in burying 4 Palestinians alive [WP 3/18; NYT 3/19]. Charges were reduced from aggravated assault [FJ 3/20]. Trial opens in Jaffa of 2 soldiers and their superior officer in connection with 2/24 beating of 2 Palestinians that was filmed by CBS camera crew. Soldiers plead not guilty to assault charges; 2 others have already been convicted in connection with incident [WP, NYT 3/18]. Israeli is shot, wounded in legs near Gaza Strip's Jabalya camp. Curfew is imposed after attack [NYT 3/18]. In Ramallah, Israeli officials destroy olive grove along road where Jewish settlers' bus was bumed in firebomb attack [NYT 3/18; FJ 3/20]. Israeli authorities close shops and markets in Jericho; shops remain closed in Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm [FJ 3/20].

Other Countries: P.M. Shamir meets with Sec. of State Shultz and members of House of Representatives before leaving Washington for Los Angeles [WP 3/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In effort to break strike in occupied territories, soldiers order shops closed until noon and opened in afternoon [WP, NYT 3/18]. In Am'ari camp, demonstration erupts during funeral of Palestinian who died 3/16 from tear gas; 6 are injured in subsequent clash with Israeli troops. Qalqiliyyah, 'Azzun, and Jalazun camps are under curfew [FJ 3/20].

Arab World: IDF fighter planes raid DFLP base near Beirut; Palestinian fighter is killed [WP 3/18].

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].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israel says it has begun jamming Radio al-Quds broadcasts [WP 2/14]. Other Countries: Ibrahim Khalid, Palestinian involved in 1985 attack on Rome airport, receives 30-year prison sentence. Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal) and Rashid Hamida are sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment [NYT 2/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus, soldiers fire tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition in battle with violent crowd throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails; 2 Palestinians are killed. At least 5 are wounded by gunfire, another 12 by beatings [NYT, WP 2/13]. Soldiers break into Nablus' Ittihad Hospital, beat and detain 4 Palestinians giving blood [WP 2/13]. Military-imposed curfews continue in Tulkarm, Tulkarm camp, Qalqiliyyah, 'Anabta, Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta, and Bayt Ummar. Am'ari, Jalazun, Beach, and Dayr al-Balah camps are placed under curfew following demonstrations [FJ2/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Commercial strike continues in E. Jerusalem. Stores open in Gaza City [WP 1/27]. Shopowners heed call of Unified National Command for the Uprising in the Occupied Territories, strike in many W. Bank cities and towns [LAT 1/27]. Trials of Gazans arrested during uprising slow to "standstill" as scores of defendants demand full hearings [FBIS 1/27]. Moshe 'Amirav leaves Herut Movement after being removed from its central com. [FBIS 1/27]. Israeli authorities order al-Fajr's Gaza office closed for 1 year [FJ 1/3 1]. Hebron U. reopens after 1-month military-ordered closure [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: In Beirut, Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine says fate of 4 Beirut University College professors it is holding hostage is linked to Israeli arrests of Palestinians inoccupied territories [WP 1/27].

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. announces Sec. of State Shultz will meet with al-Fajr editor Hanna Siniora and Gaza attorney Fayiz Abu Rahmah. Egypt's Pres. Husni Mubarak arrives in Washington for 3-day official visit. Elyakim Rubinstein, Israeli cabinet sec., holds talks with Charles Hill, aide to Sec. of State Shultz [NYT 1/27].

Military Action Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops open fire on demonstrators in Gaza Strip's Jenin refugee camp, wounding 1. Curfew on Jabalya is lifted but reimposed after crowds throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli patrol [WP 1/27; FJ 1/31]. In the West Bank, military imposes curfews on village of Qabatiyyah and Jenin camp following violent demonstrations. Curfews imposed on Tulkarm and Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta are lifted; military lifts curfew on Balata, declares camp closed military zone. Sa'ir village remains under siege and nearby village of al-Shuyukh is also blockaded. Israeli troops use rubber bullets to disperse stone-throwing crowd in Jalazun refugee camp, injuring 1; another Jalazun resident is severely beaten. Curfew is imposed on camp. Demonstrations are also reported in al-Birah and Ramallah [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes stage mock raids over Sidon, drawing anti-aircraft fire [FBIS 1/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew is imposed on Ramallah after student protesters throw stones, molotov cocktail at troops. Curfew also ordered for Balatah and Tulkarm camps [FJ 4/12].

Arab World: Reports charge Jordanian Minister of Occupied Territories Affairs Marwan Dudin was involved in disappearance of funds [FJ 4/12].

Other Countries: Christian Science Monitor reports American Civil Liberties Union has filed lawsuit challenging use of McCarran-Walter Act in case of 7 Palestinians arrested by INS 1/26 [CSM 4/9]. Israeli F. M. Peres concludes 3 days of talks with Soviet representatives in Rome [NYT 4/10]. King Hussein and members of Jordanian government meet with British P. M. Thatcher to discuss possibility of Middle East peace conference [IN 4/10]. Israeli Pres. Herzog on state visit to W. Germany asks Bonn not to sell submarines to Saudi Arabia [LAT 4/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military authorities impose curfews on 2 towns and 2 refugee camps on W. Bank after demonstrations in support of prison hunger strike [CSM 4/10].

Arab World: Four Israeli helicopters attack PLO positions in 'Ayn al-Hilwah in S. Lebanon, killing 2 and wounding 6 [NYT 4/10]. Syrian troops reinforce their posts around Beirut's Shatila and Burj al-Barajinah refugee camps; 47 wounded Palestinians are evacuated from Burj al-Barajinah [NYT, IN 4/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prison Authority director reports there are 4,000 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails, 82% of whom are serving life sentences; also discusses problem of over-crowded prisons [FJ 3/13]. In Halhul near Hebron, Jewish settlers vandalize 20 cars in retaliation for stones thrown at Israeli bus [FJ 3/13]. Authorities seal off 6 Tulkarm and Dhannabah homes because residents of the houses have been convicted of involvement in molotov cocktail attacks against military patrols and stations [FJ 3/13]. Former Gaza Mayor Rashad Shawwa returns from 3-week stay in Amman where he discussed Jordanian development plan with government officials [FJ 3/13].

Other Countries: Canadian government announces it has refused to accept Maj. Gen. Amos Yaron, implicated in the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacres, as Israel's defense attache in Ottawa [NYT 3/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Acknowledging pleas from families, Lebanese groups, and the Indian government and "positive" indications from Israeli government, Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine lets midnight deadline for release of 400 Arabs imprisoned in Israel pass "until further notice" [WP 2/10; MG 2/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers break up rally at Balatta refugee camp with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, wounding 4; impose curfew on camp. In response, demonstrators gather at alNajah University; Israeli troops injure 7 in attempt to disperse demonstration. University is ordered closed for one month [FJ 2/13]. Israeli army arrests members of 2 Palestinian cells in Tulkarm and Janin on suspicion of involvement in series of recent firebomb attacks [FJ 2/13].

Arab World: Amal officials accuse PLO of responsibility for Beirut car bomb which killed 15, wounded 80. Nearby battles between Palestinian forces and Amal for control of BurJ al-Barajinah and Shatila camps kill 4, wound 12. PLO blames Amal for food, medicine, and water shortages in camps [WP 2/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Lawyers Felicia Langer and Lea Tsemel win High Court injunctions staying deportation of 12 former Palestinian prisoners released in the 5/20 prisoner exchange [FJ 8/9]. The Jerusalem Post reports Gush Emunim has decided not to build new settlements but to expand existing ones, starting with Eli, on the Nablus-Ramallah road [JP 8/8]. Peres wams Jordan against continuing to harbor Palestinian fighters [JP 8/9]. P. M. Peres tells U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Whitehead Israel would like to start direct peace negotiations with Jordan and the Palestinians immediately. Foreign Min. Yitzhak Shamir stresses Irael's objections to any meeting between Murphy and the Palestinian delegates now proposed [JP 8/8]. Israeli authorities arrest Khalil Abu Ziad, bookstore owner from Azzariya, and announce they have issued a deportation order against him [MG 8/9]. Abu Ziad is charged with involvement in "subversive activities" and representing Fateh. Abu Ziad is appealing the order in Israeli court [NYT 8/9]. Israeli army reports arrest of several Palestinians suspected in the gasoline bomb attack on border guard patrol near Nablus [JTA 8/9]. Education Minister directs ministry's religious education division to ignore instruction of 8/7 forbidding social meetings between Israelis and Palestinians [JTA 8/9].

Other Countries: President Reagan signs $25.4 billion foreign aid bill, which provides $3 billion for the next two years to Israel, plus a one-time infusion of $1.5 billion in emergency economic aid. Egypt gets $2.1 billion for the next 2 years, plus $500 million in emergency economic aid [JP 8/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb is thrown at army truck on the outskirts of Tulkarm; no injuries or arrests are made [JP 8/9].

Arab World: Israeli jets bomb PFLP-GC base in the Biqa'; no casualty reports given [NYT, JP 8/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Peres issues statement indicating Israeli willingness to meet with Palestinian-Jordanian delegation, without PLO participation, "at any place and at any time" but opposes prior meeting between such delegation and US officials [BG 3/25]. Kach movement demonstrates at Haifa U., Technion; calls for expulsion of Palestinian students identifying with PLO from institutions of higher learning UP 3/25]. Govt. agrees to allow US Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty broadcasts [12/24] from Israel [NYT 3/25]. Interior Ministry approves application by Umm al-Fahm town council for municipal status [FJ 3/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 17-yr.-old Mir'i Salah Farhan shot by IDF during stone-throwing incident at Qalandiya camp [JTA 3/25, FJ 3/29]. Gasoline bomb thrown at IDF patrol in Tulkarm camp; no reported injuries [FJ 3/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Cabinet mbr. Arens states recent PLO-Jordan rapprochement to blame for increase in commando attacks launched from Jordan; cites no evidence UP 2/3].

Other Countries: In Washington, DM Rabin states Syria gained "upper hand" in Lebanon war, Shi'ite "terrorism" carries greater threat than former PLO presence [JP 2/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Citing recent attacks upon settlers, Police, IDF raid Dheisheh camp, nearby villages; arrest 14 residents, beat relatives of other absent individuals whom they sought [NYT 2/3, MG 2/6, FJ 2/8]. Gasoline bomb thrown at Israeli bus near Tulkarm; no injuries [JP 2/3].

Military Action:

Fighting continues southeast of Beirut between LAF and PSP, and in southern Beirut suburbs between LAF and militiamen; car bomb explodes near Reuter news agency in Beirut; PLO rebels advance within half mile of Arafat's HQ in central Tripoli, cut off loyalist forces still holding ground at Baddawi; Islamic Unification Movement fighters deploy alongside PLO loyalists in Tripoli; 12-hour unilateral cease-fire declared in Tripoli by PLO rebels is broken by exchanges of rocket fire in evening; 3 ships carrying supplies to loyalist PLO forces reportedly captured by Israeli navy off Tripoli.

Casualties:

Unspecified civilian casualties in southern Beirut suburbs; contrary to initial claims, French air raid near Baalbek last Thursday did little or no damage to military targets, casualties reported at 2 dead, 7 wounded; Red Cross estimates 60% of Tripoli's 500,000 to 600,000 residents have fled; 8 killed, 97 wounded today in Tripoli, 392 killed, 1869 wounded in fighting since November 3; IDF allows limited flow of commercial traffic across Awali bridge after weekend ban, private vehicles cross only with IDF issued permits.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 4 petrol bombs thrown at IDF position in Tulkarem, curfew on nearby refugee camp; Council of Jewish Settlements in West Bank and Gaza holds emergency meeting at Kiryat Arba, demands severe action by IDF against Palestinians, settlers threaten to take law into their own hands; 17-year-old boy from Balata sentenced to 6 months in prisoni, IS 30,000 fine for participating in demonstration at Askar camp on November 8; committee representing Dheisheh camp residents releases statement rejecting government plan, announced yesterday, to resettle Palestinian refugees outside camps, details raids, road and school closures, fines, curfews and other measures used against camp residents in recent period.

Palestinian/ Lebanese: Arafat's conditions for leaving Tripoli include security for his supporters, both Palestinian and Lebanese, his right to return to Tripoli, and withdrawal of rebel forces; PFLP and DFLP call for democratic dialogue between fighting PLO forces.

Military Action:

Widespread shelling of Tripoli as battle for Baddawi continues, loyalists and rebels rain artillery fire onto camp, Syrian and Libyan tanks and artillery reportedly in action.

Casualties:

Estimates in Tripoli fighting are 15 killed, 75 wounded, damage to property extensive; rocket hits main fire station, destroys last 3 working fire engines, wounds 7 firefighters.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Tulkarem under curfew after Friday's petrol bomb attacks on Israeli targets; demonstration in Ya'abad, near Jenin, supports Arafat, IDF uses teargas, curfew imposed.

Arab Governments: Syrian Defense Minister TIlas says Syrian army ready to mount suicide attacks against US warships, Syria has missiles with range of 180 miles that can hit targets anywhere in Israel.

Military Action:

Heaviest shelling in past two weeks engulfs Baddawi and Tripoli as PLO loyalists launch counterattack, artillery battles begin at 0300 hours and continue throughout day.

Casualties:

18 killed, 96 wounded in Tripoli; deaths from fighting throughout Lebanon in past week put at 1000; Red Cross estimates 350 killed in Tripoli since November 3; estimated 6000 refugees flee Tripoli; 3 more oil storage tanks hit; Red Cross says 25 killed, 75 wounded when PLO rebel forces occupying Nahr al Bared camp open fire on pro-Arafat demonstration.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Petrol bomb thrown at IDF observation post near Tulkarem refugee camp, 2 petrol bombs thrown at Israeli buses driving through Tulkarem, soldiers on bus open fire; intensified IDF roadblocks on Jerusalem-Ramallah, Jerusalem-Bethlehem roads.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Leader of Islamic Amal movement promises new methods of retaliation against aggressors

Military Action:

IDF artillery fired at Syrian positions in Bekaa after Syrian tractor fortifying positions reportedly crosses cease-fire line. 

Casualties:

IDF releases Jibsheet's Sheikh Rageb Harb, whose arrest on March 18 prompted strikes and demonstrations; ICRC tells IDF that Lebanese in Sidon are threatening Palestinian refugees in camps and villages; Austrian special envoy leaves Damascus to report to Chancellor Kreisky on status of negotiations for PLO-Israel prisoner exchange.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 7 arrested in Sakhnin for offenses during Land Day; doctors from US Center for Disease Control begin study of mass illness; chairman of West Bank Medical Association says ICRC investigator denied making statement attributed to him yesterday by Israeli authorities; schools in Jenin and Hebron districts closed for 1 week; Tulkarm and Nablus under curfew; molotov cocktail thrown at IDF patrol in Jalazon camp; 17 year-old Palestinian dies of head injuries sustained in Jenin on March 27, family says soldier struck him with bottle, IDF says he was injured by stones; IDF arrests two carloads of Palestinians said to be driving through Nablus shouting through megaphones that the water had been poisoned; IDF confiscates film, arrests 2 Israeli employees of CBS news on charges of urging hospitalized girls to act ill, charges later dropped; 2 Israelis assaulted and injured near Damascus Gate; 9 Jews arrested during demonstration outside police station where Kahane's nephew is held; 7 persons arrested in Taiba after two days of demonstrations, stoning of police jeep, in support of West Bank Palestinians.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat, in Amman, meets with PLO Executive Committee and Hussein; in letter to UN Secretary General, Arafat accuses Israel of poisoning thousands of schoolgirls.

Arab Governments: In Damascus, President Assad meets with George Habash.

UN: Iraq calls for Security Council meeting, accuses Israel of mass poisoning of Palestinian schoolgirls, Israeli delegate rejects charges as irresponsible and unfounded; Security Council requests Secretary General to conduct independent inquiry into reported cases of poisoning.