The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Peres rejects call for UN peace conference, direct talks with PLO [CSM 12/6];. offers to meet Hussein "with no preconditions" [MG 12/4]. Al-Najah U. opens after 4-mo. closure by occupation authorities UP 12/3]. Atty. Gen. Zamir threatens Knesset members with prosecution if they meet with PLO or "enemy agents" [JTA 12/3].

Arab World: Jordan and Egypt jointly call for UN peace conference, with PLO participation, based on UN Res. 242 [NYT 12/4]. Chrmn. Arafat meets King Fahd in Riyadh [LAT 12/4].

Military Action

Arab World: Bomb wounds IDF soldier as convoy passes through Saraf and, S. Lebanon [JP 12/4]. IDF kills woman in Jibsheet, S. Lebanon [MG 12/5]. Jordanian diplomat 'Azmi al-Mufti assassinated in Bucharest [WP 12/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In radio interview, Educ. & Culture Min. Shmueli advises teachers to combat incitement against Arab citizens. Maariv quotes Ariel Sharon as saying Jordan rightfully belongs to Israel and will one day be settled by Jews.

Other Countries: Chrmn. Arafat arrives in Lusaka for visit with Zambian Pres. Kaunda. The Washington Times reports classified US defense document "Lessons Learned in Lebanon" concludes 20% IDF casualties in 1982 Lebanon invasion were self-inflicted, calls IDF "inept horde."

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/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bethlehem Mayor Elias Freij heads delegation to Jordan to observe Arafat-Hussein talks; says will urge Arafat to join peace process.

Arab World: Chairman Arafat arrives from Tunis for talks with King Hussein on future of PLO-Jordan coordination.

Other Countries: Richard Arens, international human rights lawyer and board member of Search for Justice and Equality in Palestine/Israel, dies of heart failure in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Marine contingent completes withdrawal to warships off coast of Beirut; Shi'ite militia and rebel Lebanese Army units take bunkers vacated near airport; within hour after last Marine retreat, USS Caron and New Jersey blast anti-government positions in hills over Beirut; Israeli jets bomb positions around Souq al-Gharb as Druze militia fights last LAF holdout there.