The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities ban distribution of al-Fajr Arabic daily on the W. Bank and Gaza for 2 weeks on charges that the newspaper violated censorship regulations [FJ 12/25]. Israeli police and border guards demolish 5 Arab houses in al-Khawalid in Galilee, leaving -more than 30 homeless. Several residents who were trying to block the demolitions are arrested [FJ 12/25]. Israeli soldiers shoot and wound Bayt Sahur youth suspected of firebombing an army bus [FJ 12/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F.M. Peres defends Israel's role in the U.S.-Iran arms sales [WP 11/25]. Authorities demolish mosque and private Arab house in Galilee village of Kammani. Government does not recognize Kammani and claims mosque was built illegally [FJ 11/28].

Other Countries: Representatives of Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, U.S., and Turkey meet to discuss U.S. policy on water resources in the Middle East at conference sponsored by Georgetown University's Center for Strategic and International Studies [WP 12/15].

Military Action

Arab World: Palestinians break through Amal lines near Sidon. At least 50 are killed, 85 wounded in the battle [WP, NYT 11/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Northern District Commissioner Yisrael Koenig resigns "because various ministers had blocked court orders to destroy illegal building by Arabs." (Koenig gained notoriety for document 10 years ago urging drastic measures to restrict Palestinians in Israel, to Judaize the Galilee) [FJ 2/7]. East Jerusalem shuts down in strike protesting Israeli moves againsthe Haram al-Sharif in past weeks; strike coincides with call by Morocco-based Jerusalem Committee for 30-minute work stoppage in all Muslim countries [FJ 2/7].

Other Countries: Morris Draper begins tour of duty as U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem, replacing Wat Cluverius, who has been appointed special advisor on the M.E. peace process to Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy [JTA 2/6].

Military Action

Arab World: Bomb explodes in East Beirut, killing 10, wounding 21 [NYT, WP 2/4].