The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Lebanese President Rene Moawad is assassinated when an explosion destroys his car; 23 others are also killed. Moawad was in office only 17 days [FBIS 11/22; NYT, WP, LAT 11/23].

Other Countries: President Bush has received personal message from Arafat, delivered through U.S. embassy in Tunis; contents are not divulged; Bush does not plan reply [NYT, WP 11/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Bodies of 2 Palestinians suspected of collaboration are found; number of suspected collaborators killed during intifada stands at 144 [MET 12/5].

Military orders 2 Bethlehem houses destroyed. Authorities deport 5 Palestinians to Jordan, saying they lacked family reunification permit [FJ 11/27].

General strike called by Hamas is observed in O.T. At least 13 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with IDF [FBIS 11/29]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli inner cabinet votes 9-3 to accept Baker's 5-point plan with conditions [NYT, WP 11/6; JP 11/11; MET 11/14].

Arab World: Members of Lebanon's parliament meet at northern airbase in Syrian-controlled territory toelect Rene Moawad as the country's new president [NYT, WP 11/6]. PLO Executive Committee ends meetings in Cairo; reaffirms right of PLO to a role in the peace process [FBIS 11/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military breaks up demonstration by some 2,000 Arabs, clergy, and American visitors supporting Bayt Sahur's tax revolt [MET 11/ 14]. 2 Palestinians accused of collaboration are killed. In Bethlehem, soldiers shoot, wound masked Palestinian. Palestinian wounded 11/3 dies. Security forces declare Bayt Sahur a closed military zone to prevent participation in a peace prayer service, prompting demonstrations there. Firebomb is thrown at Israeli vehicle patrolling E. Jerusalem. At least 5 Palestinians are wounded throughout the O.T. [FBIS 11/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 22-year-old Palestinian dies while fleeing IDF. Soldier is slightly injured in rock-throwing incident. Bethlehem resident is wounded by IDF gunfire [FBIS 10/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: NBC News reports Israel has helped South Africa build a medium range missile [WP 10/26; NYT 10/27]; Israel denies reports [MET 11/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian is shot dead in Bethlehem after hitting Israeli police officer with car. Nurse in Gaza accused of collaboration is stabbed, killed. Masked Palestinian is shot, killed by IDF in Gaza clash [FBIS 10/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: 36 members of the House of Reps. send letter to Sec. of State Baker saying they have "specific questions" about the sale of U.S. M- 1 tanks to Saudi Arabia [WP 10/22; Oct. MEPARC].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army declares Bethlehem and Bayt Sahur closed military zones; IDF distributes leaflet in Bayt Sahur waming residents they will "go hungry" when media interest wanes [FBIS 10/23]. Khan Yunis school is closed indefinitely; 12-year-old Palestinian shot by IDF gunfire [FBIS 10/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO defers bid to become full member of UNESCO [NYT 10/12; JP 10/ 21]. Syrian pilot flies Soviet MiG-23 to Israel and asks for political asylum [WP 10/12; MET 10/24].

Other Countries: Roman Catholic archbishops John Cardinal O'Connor of New York, Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles, and William Keeler of Baltimore, draft policy statement for the church hierarchy calling for Palestinian "territorial and political sovereignty" [NYT, WP 10/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Dahayshah camp near Bethlehem, soldiers close school indefinitely, arrest 20 students, impose camp-wide curfew after petrol bomb is thrown at IDF vehicle. Gazans end 5-day general strike. 4 villagers from Bayt Sahur are arrested for not paying taxes. 5 Palestinians are wounded in Gaza during clashes [FBIS 10/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army lifts blockade imposed on O.T. due to Yom Kippur; the blockade is imposed a day longer than announced [FBIS 10/11].

Other Countries: Sec. of State Baker orally submits to Israeli and Egyptian govemments 5 "suggested points" for beginning Palestinian-Israeli dialogue; the 5 points are not revealed [WP 10/11]. Baker is seeking to organize aWashington meeting between the foreign ministers of Egypt and Israel as a prelude to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations [NYT 10/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Phone service in Ramallah and Bethlehem is cut by army in response to leaflets calling for stepped-up protests. At least 13 Palestinians are wounded in clashes throughout O.T. Israeli court sentences Palestinian to 30 years in prison for killing suspected collaborator. 3 IDF soldiers are wounded by rocks [FBIS 10/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor members of Israel's inner cabinet propose to accept Egypt's offer to hold direct talks with Palestinians in Cairo. Likud defeats proposal [FBIS 10/6; NYT, WP 10/7; LAT 10/8].

Other Countries: General Assembly votes on an Arab proposal condemning Israel for human rights violations in the O.T.; 140 in favor, 2 (U.S., Israel) against [NYT 10/7; LAT 10/8]. 39 members of the U.S. House of Reps. send letter to Baker urging him to reject visa for Arafat [Oct. MEPARC].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army prevents multi-national European investigative group from entering Bayt Sahur [FBIS 10/10]; places Bayt Sahur under curfew. Army closes 18 Nablus schools, imposes curfews on 7 W. Bank refugee camps, declares Nablus, Bethlehem, Ramallah closed military zones. IDF forceshoot, kill Palestinian in clash in Battir village [FBIS 10/11].

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]. 

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 24-year-old man shot by men dressed as tourists visiting Bethlehem [LAT, WP 8/21]. Military sources say shots had been fired by soldiers, but would not comment on troops' appearance [FBIS 8/2 1]. At least 11 Palestinians are killed, including 12-year-old and 15- year-old, and 3 are wounded in incidents throughout O.T. Israeli-imposed curfew on Khirbat Ikhza'a and the Shayhk al-Radwan neighborhood in Gaza is lifted [FBIS 8/21]; Palestinian who refused to give up his ID card is killed by other Palestinians [MET 8/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bethlehem mayor Elias Frayj resigns to protest Israel's closure of Manger Square, then withdraws resignation [FBIS 6/7]. Government reports that tourism is down 2% in first 5months of 1989 compared to 1988 [MET 6/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bayt Lahiyah troops shoot, kill Palestinian, wound 2. In W. Bank 10 Palestinians are injured during clashes with Israeli troops [FBIS 6/7].

Arab World: IDF-SLA force kills 2 guerrillas north of Israeli "security zone" in Lebanon [FBIS 6/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: According to survey 48% of Arabs in Israel live below the official poverty line, 33% of Arab academics are unemployed [FBIS 5/31].

Arab World: U.A.E. president Nuhayyan declares that the federation will give $10 million to support the intifadah [FBIS 5/25]. Saudi Arabia gives PLO $12 million for same purpose [FBIS 5/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bethlehem body of 37-year-old Palestinian is found shot to death [FBIS 5/25]. At least 14 Palestinians are shot, injured throughout Gaza Strip. In Hussan at least 30 Palestinians are arrested [FJ 5/29].

Arab World: Israeli forces shell Kafr Rumman in S. Lebanon [FBIS 5/26].

Other Countries: In Washington Israeli defense minister Rabin reveals that over last 5 years U.S. military has conducted over 30 troop exercises in Israel [LAT 5/25].

SociaL/Economic/Political

Other Countries: World Health Organization (WHO) postpones vote for 48 hours on PLO's application for full membership [WP 5/11]. Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Troops shoot, kill 18-year-old Palestinian in Qaddurah camp [FBIS 5/10, FJ 5/15]. Near Bethlehem 26-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed by troops. At least 12 Palestinians are shot, wounded throughout O.T. [FJ 5/16]

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Troops shoot, kill 2 Palestinians in Nusayrat camp, 1 Palestinian in Khan Yunis [NYT 5/7, FBIS 5/8]. In Rafah 22-year-old Palestinian with respiratory problems dies after exposure to tear gas [FJ 5/15]. Throughout Gaza at least 138 Palestinians are injured by gunfire [NYT 5/7]. In Bethlehem at least 15 Palestinians are injured during clashes with troops [FJ 5/15].

Arab World: In S. Lebanon 3 Israeli soldiers are injured in roadside explosion [NYT 5/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bethlehem troops open fire, kill 13-year-old Palestinian [LAT 5/6, FJ 5/15]. In Gaza soldiers injure at least 35 Palestinians [FJ 5/15].

Arab World: In S. Lebanon 3 Israeli soldiers are wounded in explosion [LAT 5/6, MET 5/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hungarian foreign minister Kovacs visits Israel, discusses bilateral relations [FBIS 4/18]. Jewish immigration to Israel increases 23% in the first 3 months of 1989 compared to same period last year [FBIS 4/19].

Other Countries: According to Bush administration official, U.S. is attempting to block PLO campaign for full membership in World Health Organization (WHO), other UN bodies. 38 Senators led by Patrick Leahy, Robert Kasten send letter to Sec. of State Baker threatening to cut off U.S. aid to U.N. agencies that recognize State of Palestine [WP 1/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli border police kill 5 Palestinians during pre-dawn raid on Nahalin; at least 30 Palestinians are wounded in raid. In Bethlehem troops open fire, injuring 4 Palestinians. At least 10 Palestinians are injured during clashes in Gaza [FJ 4/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Finance minister, leader of Labor party Shimon Peres states, "Now, the United States is, in fact, mediating between us and the PLO." Israeli settlers move into new settlement of Zofim [FBIS 4/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Hebron, troops shoot, kill 22-year-old Palestinian. In Bethlehem troops shoot, injure 3 Palestinians. In Duhayshah 5 Palestinians are injured. In Gaza at least 23 Palestinians are injured during protests [FJ 4/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: In U.S. Israeli P.M. Shamir proposes elections in West Bank, Gaza to choose leaders to negotiate self-government with Israel [WP 4/7]. Washington Post [4/6] reports that Israel is setting aside $5,000 a month to serve as "nest egg" for convicted spy Jonathan Pollard; Pollard is currently serving life sentence in American prison for selling secrets to Israel.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: In E. Jerusalem 25-year-old Bethlehem man dies from gunshot wounds received 3/30; this brings to 4 number of people killed as a result of Land Day demonstrations [FBIS 4/6, FJ 4/10]. At least 21 Palestinians are shot, injured throughout O.T.; 8 of injured are from Bethlehem [FBIS 4/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Paestinians in Galilee send trucks of food, medicine to Palestinians in O.T. [FBIS 3/14]. Border police units will be gradually replacing IDF units orf W. Bank. Attorneys working in O.T. end 2/2 month strike [FBIS 3/13].

Arab World: Nabil Shaath, chairman of PLO political committee, calls Bush proposal "way too little, too late," but said PLO leadership would study proposal [WP 3/13]. PLO chairman Arafat states willingness to go to Jerusalem to convince Israelis of need for international conference; visit is predicated on approval of Arab states [FBIS 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian from 'Ayda camp dies from wounds received 3/11 [FBIS 3/14, FJ 3/20]. Israeli troops shoot, wound Palestinian who stabbed a soldier in Bethlehem [NYT 3/13, FJ 3/20]. At least 5 Palestinians are injured in W. Bank; 8 Palestinians in Gaza [FJ 3/20].

Arab World: Israeli troopshoot, kill 2 PFLP-GC guerrillas in the Israeli-imposed security zone in S. Lebanon [NYT 3/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel stops jamming broadcasts of PFLP-GC radio station al-Quds [FBIS 2/14]. In Golan Heights Druze commemorate 7th anniversary of Israeli annexation with general strike. In Bethlehem 3-day strike begins protesting tax raids [FBIS 2/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus area troops shoot, wound 3 Palestinians. In Gaza at least 2 Palestinians are wounded during clashes with soldiers [FBIS 2/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew isi mposed in Tulkarm camp [FJ 1/30].

Arab World: In Shibaa in S. Lebanon villagers protest Israeli "civil administration" and "recruitment" techniques of SLA [CSM 2/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Hablah Israeli troops dressed as civilians ambush Palestinians killing 1, wounding another [NYT 1/ 25]. In Bethlehem 43-year-old Palestinian dies after exposure to tear gas. In Jabalya 2 Palestinians are shot during demonstrations. In Khan Yunis troops shoot 4 Palestinians [FJ 1/30].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in Gaza, Bethlehem district. Curfew in Dayr al-Balah enters 11th consecutive day [FJ 1/23].

Arab World: British min. of state for foreign affairs William Waldegrave meets with PLO officials in Tunis [FJ 1/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 13-year-old Palestinian girl from Nablus, 12-year-old Palestinian girl from Beach camp die from wounds received earlier in uprising [NYT 1/15, Fl 1/23]. In Jerusalem 45-year-old Palestinian dies from injuries received 1/5 [FJ 1/23]. At least 8 Palestinians are shot in Gaza [NYT 1/15]. In Bethlehem soldiers open fire on demonstrators, at least 10 Palestinians are injured. In Duhayshah Palestinian is shot, injured [Fl 1/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Near Bethlehem 15-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed during clash with Israeli troops. 15-year-old Palestinian from Nusayrat camp dies from wounds received 1/12. At least 17 other Palestinians are injured in demonstrations throughout O.T. [NYT 1/14, FJ 1/16]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Jordan, Qatar announce that PLO offices in their countries will be upgraded to embassies [NYT 1/8, WSJ 1/9].

Other Countries: Chinese officials state that PLO office in Beijing will now be considered embassy [NYT 1/8, WSJ 1/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bani Na'im soldiers injure 3 Palestinians. Soldiers in Tulkarm shoot, wound 3 Palestinians. Troops fire on demonstrators, wound 2 in Bethlehem. InRafah troops shoot, injure 7 Palestinians. At least 7 other Palestinians are injured in clashes throughout O.T. [FJ 1/16].

Arab World: IDF patrol in S. Lebanon "security zone" shoot, kill 8 Lebanese [NYT 1/11].