The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli cabinet decides to postpone vote on continuing Lavi project [NYT 8/17]. Palestinian prisoners in Nablus prison begin 2-day hunger strike to protest worsening conditions [FJ 8/23]. Dr. Zakaria al-Agha, chairman of Arab Medical Assoc., is dismissed from his position at Nasir Hospital in Khan Yunis for making political statements to the press without military permission [FJ 8/23]. Israeli court orders demolition of mosque in Beersheba-district village of Rahat on grounds that it was constructed without a license [FJ 8/23]. Police raid Jerusalem offices of Alternative Information Center, confiscate equipment and documents; center reopens after 6-month, police-ordered closure [FJ 9/20].

Arab World: Jericho Mayor Jamil Sabri Khalaf visits Amman for discussions of municipal projects with Jordanian officials [FJ 8/23].

Other Countries: Reports indicate Italian government is donating over $500,000 to UNRWA vocational school in Gaza [FJ 8/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldier and a civilian are shot, wounded in attack near Jabaliyyah refugee camp on Gaza Strip. Israeli troops seal off camp with barbed wire [FJ 8/23]. Soldiers in Nablus respond to stone-throwing Palestinian youths with tear gas and live ammunition; 3 Palestinians are wounded in the clash [CSM 8/17; FJ 8/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. State Dept. official Charles Hill meets with F. M. Peres in Israel [LAT 8/13]. In 4-hour speech at Tel Aviv University, Ariel Sharon, former defense minister, argues that then-P.M. Menahem Begin and the entire cabinet approved all decisions made during the 1982 invasion of Lebanon [JP, NYT 8/13]. Reports indicate 60 youths are participating in Kach movement military training camp [FJ 8/16]. Israeli military governor of Tulkarm area designates 500 dunams of Yasuf and Jama'in village land as closed military area [FJ 8/16]. Arab woman is kidnapped in Lydda [FJ 8/16]. Gaza fishermen are fined between IS 400-800 for fishing in restricted area [FJ 8/16].

Other Countries: U.S. government urges Israel to cancel production of Lavi warplane [WP 8/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military reopens checkpoints on Israel-Gaza Strip border [CSM 8/6; FJ 8/9]. Israeli border police shoot, injure Palestinian protester during demonstration in Nablus [CSM 8/7].

Other Countries: Jane's Defence Weekly reports Jordan and U.S.S.R. are close to finalizing sale of Soviet MiG-29 aircraft to Jordan UP 8/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F.M. Peres attacks statement by Deputy Defense Minister Michael Dekel suggesting transfer of W. Bank Palestinians to Jordan [NYT 7/31]. Israel gives U.S. congressional com. investigating Iran-contra affair 60-page chronology of Israel's role in the affair during 1985; a 2d chronology is being prepared detailing Israel's activities in 1986 [NYT 8/1]. Gaza military court orders 14 years imprisonment and 10 years suspended sentence in case of Mahmud Tawfiq Muslih charged with membership in Fateh and reporting oncollaborators [FJ 8/2]. In Khan Yunis, 2 boys are killed, 7 wounded when a grenade they find explodes [FJ 8/2]. Members of W. Bank village leagues apply to form Palestinian-Jordanian pro-confederation party [FJ 8/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli police arrest 2 Jaffa Palestinians on suspicion of involvement in stabbing of Israeli soldier and his girlfriend [FJ 7/19]. Gaza military court hands down IS 1,500 fine and 4- month suspended jail sentence in case of 3 fishermen accused of entering closed area [FJ 7/19]. Reports indicate 1,000 dunams of banana trees in Jericho-district village of al-'Awja may be lost due to lack of water; agricultural society is applying for permission to dig new well [FJ 7/19].

Military Action

Arab World: Palestinian fighters and Amal militiamen engage in heaviest fighting since signing cease-fire in April [FJ 7/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus military court sentences 2 Palestinians to 7 years imprisonment and 5-year suspended term for membership in an illegal organization, possession of weapons, and assaulting collaborators; Gaza court hands down sentences ranging from 3-7 years in cases of 6 Palestinians charged with membership in an illegal organization and involvement in bombing Israeli vehicles [FJ 7/19]. Jerusalem water department's request to drill 3d well at 'Ayn Samia is denied [FJ 7/19].

Other Countries: Jordan's King Hussein and British P.M. Thatcher discuss proposed international peace conference during meetings in London [BS 7/14]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military authorities ban fishing off Gaza Strip indefinitely [FJ 8/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli fighter jets attack Biqa' Valley villa owned by Lebanese Information Minister Joseph Skaf; 13 are wounded; villa houses families of Syrian Social Nationalist party fighters [LAT 7/4]. SLA troops kill 2 frogmen allegedly trying to infiltrate Israel; 3d member of team is picked up by Amal militiamen near Tyre coast; Hebrew-language pamphlets carried by the frogmen identified them as members of al-Sa'iqah [BG 7/5; FJ 7/12]. Amal militias detain more than 100 Palestinians in raid near Tyre [FJ 7/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The Jerusalem Post reports Palestinian doctor has confirmed allegation by Na'ilah 'Ayish that she was pregnant athe time of her arrest in February 1987 and miscarried after being tortured by Shin Bet interrogators; Israeli police will submit results of internal investigation of the case to attorney general's office [FJ 7/5]. In Tel Aviv, group of Israelis attacks 4 Palestinian workers and their Jewish employer twice in 24 hours [FJ 7/5]. Israeli military authorities order 30 bedouin families in Rafah to vacate the area within 6 days [FJ 7/5]. MK Meir Kahane's voting privileges are restored after he takes oath of allegiance to Israel [WP, NYT 7/2]. Israelis seal off 40 Gaza Strip stores alleging they were not keeping proper accounts [FJ 7/5].

Arab World: PLO Executive Com. member Muhammad 'Abbas and Tal'at Ya'qub announce reunification of Palestine Liberation Front [FJ 7/12].

Other Countries: U.S. Sec. of Defense Weinberger meets with Israeli Defense Minister Rabin to discuss future of Lavi jet fighter and U.S. aid [NYT 7/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli cabinet votes to implement uniform university tuition rate, abandoning controversial 2-tier plan [LAT 6/29]. Alati Mahmud Khalifah, resident of Bethlehem-district's 'Ubaydiyyah village, is killed and 6 other villagers wounded when 2 landbrokers, escorted by bodyguards and Israeli soldiers, open fire on landowners disputing landbrokers' claims to own 6,000 dunams of village land [NYT 6/29; FJ 7/5]. Israeli Prof. Ehud Kidar announces new peace plan supported by Israeli and Palestinian scholars proposing 1 state with 2 governments and a counseling body [FJ 7/5]. In trial of alNajah University's Dr. Sa'ib 'Iriqat for incitement, Israeli prosecutor agues that W. Bank and Gaza residents do not have right of freedom of expression [FJ 7/5]. Sulayman Da'ud Hulaysi, brother of 2 Palestinians involved in October 1986 attack on Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem, is sentenced by Lydda military court to 6 years imprisonment ad4 years suspended on weapons charges [FJ 7/5]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Shamir makes unannounced visit to Gaza [JP 6/26]. Reports indicate armed Palestinian cell in Balatah camp has been discovered and its members arrested [FJ 6/28]. Israeli authorities seal homes of 3 Jericho families, leaving 46 homeless [FJ 7/5]. Israel sends accounts of financial transactions connected with the Iranian arms sales to U.S. congressional com. investigating the affair [NYT 8/1].

Other Countries: U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, chairman of Senate com. investigating Iran-contra affair, reveals Israel has agreed to provide chronologies of its role in the arms sales to Congress [CSM 6/26]. U.S.S.R. invites PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat to Moscow [BG 6/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli cabinet votes to examine Shin Bet interrogation methods [CSM 6/1]. Jewish settlers rampage through Gaza City stoning houses; thousands of settlers hold demonstration i Tel Aviv in memory of boy killed on W. Bank [BS 6/1]. Estimated 50 Jewish settlers attack 2 Palestinian truck drivers near Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Strip [FJ 6/7]. Israeli troops declare Balatah refugee camp closed military area to conduct comprehensive search, interrogations; more than 60 residents are arrested, 10 served with administrative dtentions. Jihad Musaymi, a camp leader, is ordered deported to Jordan for inciting demonstrations [BS 6/1; FJ 6/7]. Khan Yunis refugee camp resident Ahmad Nasr is expelled to Jordan [FJ 6/7]. Reports indicate head of Arab Bank in Jordan has turned down Jordanian request to open branch of bank in W. Bank, said bank would only open office if it was located in Jerusalem [FJ 6/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Estimated 250 Islamic Resistance Front militiamen battle Israeli and SLA troops in S. Lebanon for more than 7 hours; reports indicate between 16 and 31 are killed [CSM 6/1; PI 6/2]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Pres. Herzog and other government officials call for investigation of Shin Bet interrogation methods in wake of High Court ruling that it used illegal means to obtain confession from 'Izzat Nafsu [LAT 5/26; WP 5/27]. Fateh's Force 17 claims responsibility for slaying Jalil Garusi, an Israeli shot in Gaza Strip while picking up Palestinian women workers; Force 17 alleges Garusi was Mossad agent. Members of Kach movement later attack Arab workers in nearby town; 2 are injured [FJ 5/31]. Ahmad Nasr, during hearing before Israeli Military Objections Com. at 'Asqalan Prison, withdraws his appeal against expulsion order [FJ 5/31]. In Haifa, more than 2,000 Arab and Jewish students protest Israeli government's decision to charge students who have not served in the Israeli army higher tuition [FJ 5/31]. Palestinian political prisoners in Junayd Prison protest failure to improve conditions [FJ 5/31].

Other Countries: Norway accuses Israel of refusing to permit inspection by International Atomic Energy Agency of heavy water sold to Israel by Norway under 1959 agreement; Norway is concerned that Israel is using the heavy water to produce nuclear weapons [NYT 5/26]. Middle East sources report W. Germany is increasing efforts to reach deal that would free 2 W. German businessmen in exchange for not extraditing Muhammad and 'Abbas Hamadi [WP 5/26]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli police teargas worshippers gathered at Damascus Gate to mark Laylat al-Qadr; police do not interfere with estimated 2,000 worshippers marching in courtyard ofal-Aqsa Mosque [FJ 5/31]. Palestinian boy is injured when Jewish man attempts to kidnap him in Jerusalem's Old City [FJ 5/31]. Nephew of Jenin's appointed mayor is shot and seriously wounded in Jenin [FJ 5/31]. Israeli troops use tear gas to disperse stone-throwing student demonstrators at Gaza Islamic University but do not break into campus; students were protesting iron fist policies [FJ 5/31].

Other Countries: Genoa, Italy appeals court upholds in absentia conviction of Palestine Liberation Front leader Muhammad 'Abbas (Abu al-'Abbas) and 3 other PLF leaders for their role in Achille Lauro hijacking; prison terms of others accused in connection with hijacking are also upheld [FJ 5/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers capture 1of 6 Palestinian political prisoners who escaped from Gaza Prison on 5/18 [FJ 5/24]. After bombing incident near Gaza Strip's Netzarim settlement, Israeli soldiers shoot, kill Palestinian youth running from scene [WP 5/23; FJ 5/31]. Army reveals discovery of 4 Palestinian military cells near Bethlehem [FJ 5/31].

Other Countries: U.S. federal court excuses former Israeli official David Kimche from testifying before grand jury but reserves righto order him to return to U.S. and testify infuture [NYT 5/23].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli troops attack S. Lebanon town of Arnun, half mile north of security zone, destroying houses allegedly occupied by Shi'i guerrillas; Pres. Jumayyil calls for UN intervention [BG 5/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 2,000 Arab and Jewish students participate in rally at Hebrew University to protest government decision to charge higher tuition for students who have not served in the army; officials of Haifa and Hebrew universities announce they will not carry out plan [NYT 5/19]. Six Palestinian political prisoners believed members of Islamic Jihad escape from Gaza Prison [FJ 5/24]. Military authorities in Gaza impose ban on fishing [FJ 7/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli war planes attack Mieh Mieh refugee camp in S. Lebanon; 1 Palestinian is killed, 3 wounded [LAT 5/19; FJ 5/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Communications Minister Amnon Rubinstein, head of Labor-aligned Shinui party, says his party is pulling out of national unity government in effort to force new elections [LAT, NYT 5/18]. Israeli cabinet votes to implement 2-tiered tuition scale charging army veterans lower tuition rate than non-veterans [FJ 5/24]. Israeli troops seal off rooms in Qalqiliyyah houses belonging to families of 3 men accused of throwing firebombs at military vehicles [FJ 5/24]. Ahmad Nasr, resident of Khan Yunis refugee camp, is arrested, served expulsion order on charges of leading Fateh youth movement in Gaza [FJ 5/24]. Town arrest orders are issued against 4 residents of W. Bank and Gaza Strip, bringing total number currently under town arrest in occupied territories to74 [FJ 5/24]. Three preparatory schools in Gaza Strip town of Rafah are ordered closed indefinitely [FJ 5/24].

Arab World: PLO Executive Com. statement indicates decision to pursue normalization of relations with Egypt. PLO delegation led by Faruq al-Qaddumi arrives in Tripoli, Libya [FJ 5/24].

Other Countries: Israeli F.M. Peres tells meeting of Am. Jewish Com. in New York that role of U.S.S.R. in proposed international peace conference needs clarification [NYT 5/18]; meets with Soviet Ambassador Yuri Dubinin in Washington [WP, CSM 5/19]; in speech at AIPAC conference, says talks with Jordan might deny PLO role in peace process [BG, LAT 5/18]. Also speaking before AIPAC, U.S. Sec. of State Shultz officially endorses negotiations in preparation for international peace conference on the Middle East [WP 5/18]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israeli: Israeli soldiers erect checkpoints at entrances to Gaza's Islamic University, detain 300 students; more than 30 are arrested, sent to Ansar II detention camp overnight [FJ 5/24].

Other Countries: U.S. Sec. of State Shultz meets with Israeli F.M. Peres in New York [WP 5/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli inner cabinet discusses F. M. Peres' plan for international peace conference; no vote is taken [JP 5/14]. Authorities renew for another 6 months town-arrest order of journalist Nabhan Khurayshah; this, his 10th consecutive town-arrest order, is the longest town arrest on the W. Bank [FJ 5/17]. Israeli military court sentences 3 Palestinians from Gaza to 40 years imprisonment for attempting to plant bomb near Asqalan Prison [FJ 5/17].

Arab World: Pres. Mubarak of Egypt urges PLO officials to participate in international peace conference [BG 5/14].

Other Countries: Five U.S. senators introduce bill that would close PLO offices in U.S. [WP, NYT 5/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: The Jerusalem Post reports Israel helped ship Polish rifles to the Nicaraguan contras; Israeli government denies the allegation [BG 5/7]. Curfew on town of Qalqiliyyah is lifted [FJ 5/10]. Birzeit U. Student Council Pres. Marwan Barghuthi withdraws appeal against his expulsion order [FJ 5/10]. Israeli High Court denies appeal of Ramallah amily trying to prevent sealing of more than half their house; military sealed the rooms because son living there was convicted of role in 1983 bomb attack on Israeli bus [FJ 5/10]. Estimated 2,000 elementary and secondary school students from Bayt Jann village in the Galilee demonstrate to protest conditions in the schools [FJ 5/10]. Palestinians held at Ansar II detention center charge brutal treatment by new Israeli commander [FJ 5/10]. Authorities extend closure orders for 4 secondary schools in Gaza Strip's Jabaliyyah refugee camp until 5/10 [FJ 5/10].

Other Countries: Mahmud Mahmud 'Ata, a U.S. citizen accused of firebombing an Israeli bus on the W. Bank in 1986, is arrested in New York by FBI agents after deportation from Venezuela [WP 5/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli fighter jets bomb 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp and 3 training bases near Sidon, killing 10, wounding 28 [WP 5/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli authorities confiscate 550 dunams of land in Hebronarea town of Dura [FJ 5/3]. Gaza Strip official orders 27 Palestinian homes demolished [FJ 5/3]. During speech at Hebrew U., F. M. Peres states former Gaza Mayor Rashad Shawwa, Bethlehem Mayor Ilyas Furayj and Hikmat al-Masri of Nablus have "tired" of PLO and want independent negotiations with Israel [FJ 5/3].

Other Countries: U.S. Sen. Inouye, chairman of panel investigating Iran-contra affair, says agreement has been reached with Israel over report on its role in the arms sales [BG 4/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops surround Gaza's Islamic University, provoking student protest; soldiers raid campus to halt demonstrations, injuring 56 students, and order university closed for a week [FJ 4/26].

Arab World: PLO officials announce agreement on compromise that avoids breaking relations with Egypt but formally cancels pact for joint Jordanian-Palestinian negotiations while vowing to find "a new basis to work with Jordan" [WP 4/20]. Other Countries: In Kuwait, Soviet Deputy F. M. Vladimir Petrovsky announces cancellation of consular mission visit to Israel [BG 4/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Three Palestinian fighters who cut a Lebanon border fence to enter northern Israel kill 2 Israeli soldiers before being killed by second Israeli patrol. Documents carried by the Palestinians indicate they were members of Fateh [NYT, LAT 4/20].

Arab World: Israeli troops impose curfew on Lebanese village of Mays al-Jabal, search houses for Palestinian fighters. Israeli helicopters strike Rashidiyyah refugee camp in S. Lebanon [NYT 4/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strikes in support of striking prisonershut down most of E. Jerusalem, Jenin, and Ramallah. Stone-throwing protesters clash with police and soldiers in several W. Bank towns [PI 4/9; FJ 4/12]. Military Objections Com. denies Khalil Ibrahim 'Ashur's appeal against his expulsion order [FJ 4/12]. Military court sentences more than 20 Islamic University students to 45 days in prison for participating in Gaza demonstration [FJ 4/12].

Other Countries: During Washington press conference, Jordanian P. M. Zayd Rifa'i says talks with U.S. officials helped close gap on issues surrounding international peace conference, states King Hussein has decided not to purchase arms from U.S. [LAT 4/9]. Israeli Pres. Herzog visits Worms, W. Germany; W. Germany states intention to cooperate more closely with Israel UP 4/9].

Military Action

Arab World: Syrian troops allow women to leave Shatila refugee camp and buy food; Amal forces confiscate medicines; International Red Cross removes 23 of most seriously wounded Palestinians [PI 4/9]. More than 300 Syrian soldiers take control of Burj al-Barajinah camp [BS 4/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military court finds Al-Najah U. Prof. Sa'eb Erakat guilty of incitement in connection with an editorial calling for Palestinians to "learn how to endure and reject and resist" all forms of occupation; 'Iraqat's lawyer is appealing the decision to the High Court, asking court to decide the limits of free speech in the occupied territories [NYT 4/7]. Estimated 200 women, many relatives of prisoners, join in peaceful march from Jerusalem's Red Cross offices to Damascus Gate where it is broken up by police; 11 women are arrested [FJ 4/12]. Military authority imposes curfew on Ramallah town center after student demonstration. The Friends Boys School is ordered closed for 1 week [FJ 4/12]. Israeli, after thrown stone breaks his windshield, opens fire on East Jerusalem's Salah al-Din Street, wounds 2 Palestinians [FJ 4/12]. Military court orders 'Abd al-Fattah Ziyarah expelled from Gaza to Egypt [FJ 4/12].

Other Countries: Israeli Pres. Herzog arrives in W. Germany for official state visit [WT 4/6; FT 4/7]. Herzog and W. German Pres. von Weizsacker visit Bergen-Belsen concentration camp [LT 4/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Cease-fire allows 5 truck-loads of food donated by Kuwait to enter Beirut's Shatila refugee camp, the second supply operation since November [GU 4/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza Strip's Union of Workers in Commerce and Public Service defy Israeli ban and hold union elections in Red Cross offices [FJ 4/12].

Other Countries: American Civil Liberties Union files lawsuit charging that McCarran-Walter Act, under which 7 Palestinians and 1 Kenyan were arrested 1/26, is unconstitutional and that Immigration and Naturalization Service plans "sweeping arrests and deportation" of Arabs living in U.S. [BS 4/4].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Herut party ends convention after electing P. M. Shamir party chairman, Ariel Sharon chairman of the party central committee, Moshe Arens party secretary, and David Levy deputy party chairman [NYT 3/31]. Inside the green line, marches and rallies in 'Arrabah, Umm al-Fahm, and Rahat mark Land Day [FJ 4/3]. Israeli forces are unsuccessful in attempt to break almost total commercial strikes in cities throughout the W. Bank and Gaza Strip [FJ 4/3]. Lydda military court sentences to life imprisonment 2 Palestinians convicted of being members of Fateh and carrying out a series of bombings [FJ 4/3]. Israeli Ministry of Defense coordinator of activities for W. Bank and Gaza, Shmuel Goren, threatens imposition of strict restrictions on exports to Jordan if weapon smuggling continues [FJ 4/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 1 Palestinian is wounded by army gunfire during Land Day demonstration at Jabaliyyah; in Janin another is shot in the leg by Israeli civilian who shot at crowd that was stoning his car [BG 3/31; FJ 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Herut party meeting, P. M. Shamir is elected chairman, vows W. Bank and Gaza will remain under Israeli control "forever" [PI, NYT 3/30]. Col. Sella, indicted by U.S. for his role in Pollard case, resigns as commander of Tel Nof Air Base [WP 3/30]. Delegation of British Labor party members meets with Shihadah al-Minawi, leader of Palestinian Labor Federation, in Nablus [FJ 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Economics Minister Ya'cobi calls for subpoena power for Rotenstreich-Tsur commission investigating Pollard spy case or new panel with sufficient powers to complete investigation. Lawyer representing 3 witnesses who refused to testify before commission meets with Attorney General Harish in effort to resolve issue [BG 3/23]. Protestors disrupt Jerusalem meeting of pro-Jordanian Abu al-Za'im suppprters [FJ 3/27]. Gaza man is sentenced to 15 years for membership in Fateh and bombing Israeli road [FJ 3/27]. Military authorities close elementary school in Jalazun refugee camp after students stoned Israeli cars [FJ 3/27]. Explosion at Ashdod shopping center leaves 1 Israeli seriously injured [FJ 3/27].

Arab World: Former U.S. Pres. Carter meets twice with Syrian Pres. al-Asad during 3-day visit to Damascus [BS 3/23].

Other Countries: U.S. Defense Sec. Weinberger denies charges that U.S. recruited Israeli officer to spy on Israel [WP 3/23].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli forces kill two PLO fighters near Hasbayyah in S. Lebanon [LAT 3/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers demolish Arab house in Gaza Strip's Nusayrat refugee camp in restricted "green zone" security area [FJ 3/13]. In Jalazun refugee camp north of Ramallah, authorities seal off 4 rooms in houses belonging to Palestinians charged with planting a mine in October [FJ 3/13].

Other Countries: U.S. court hands down life sentence for admitted spy Jonathan Pollard and 2 concurrent 5-year prison terms for his wife Anne Henderson-Pollard [WP 3/5]. U.S. State Dept. statement criticizes Israeli government's appointment of Col. Aviem Sella, indicted by U.S. for role in Pollard spy ring, as commander of major air base near Tel Aviv [WP 3/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian farmers rally in Jericho to protest falling vegetable prices [FJ 3/6]. Planned Jerusalem memorial service for slain Nablus mayor Zafir al-Masris banned by Israeli authorities [FJ 3/6]. Officials of Gaza's Union of Carpenters and Construction Workers hold press conference, complain of Israeli harassment since 2/21 elections [FJ 3/6]. Gaza military court sentences 3 teenagers charged with throwing stones and molotov cocktails to between 10 and 14 years in prison [FJ 3/13].

Arab World: Nabih Birri renews offer to swap captured Israeli for 400 Arabs held in Israeli prisons, urges Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine to free 4 professors [LAT 3/4].

Other Countries: U.S. grand jury indicts Israeli Air Force officer Aviem Sella on charges of espionage. Since espionage is not covered by extradition treaties, Sella cannot be extradited to stand trial [NYT 3/4]. Reports indicate Israeli objections have convinced U.S. officials to abandon plan to take $30 million of U.S. grants to Israel and give funds to Jordanian 5-year W. Bank development plan [LAT 3/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Troops use tear gas to break up protest at Balatah camp, impose curfew. Demonstration is believed related to 3/2 killing of Nablus youth. Students at Ramallah's Teacher Training College burn tires, clash with Israeli soldiers [FJ 3/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Members of Gaza Trade Union of Carpenters and Construction Workers defy Israeli ban, vote in first union election in Gaza in 20 years [NYT 2/22; FJ 2/27]. Jerusalem Post cites reports Israel has doubled size of forces in Lebanon to almost 3,000 UPI 2/21]. Meir Ya'ari, one of the founders of Hashomer Hatzair Zionist youth movement and a long-time leader of Mapam party, dies at age 90 UPI 2/28].

Other Countries: Head of PLO Political Dept. Faruq al-Qaddumi ends 3-day official visit to Rome [FJ 2/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 200 students participate in protest in Ramallah, throw stones at Israeli soldiers [FJ 2/27].

Arab World: Advance party of Syrian troops and tanks arrives in S. Beirut; 4,500 Syrian and Lebanese soldiers are expected to enter W. Beirut 2/22. Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil, returning from 10-day trip to European capitals, terms Syrian plan "illegal and unconstitutional" [WP 2/22].