The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's Rabbi Baruch Abu-Hatzera, Sephardim Jewish leader, tells tens of thousands of followers that Israel should negotiate with the PLO to bring about peace. Speech angers Shamir [NYT 1/30; JP 2/3].

IDF reports an increase in the number of suicides among soldiers; 25 in the last 6 months, compared with 11 over the same period in 1988-89 [FBIS 1/29].

Arab World: Georges Saadeh, president of Lebanon's Phalangist Party, resigns from the Syrian-backed cabinet of Hrawi [NYT, WP 1/30; MET 2/6].

PLO Executive Committee holds emergency meeting in Baghdad to discuss Soviet Jewish emigration to Israel [FBIS 1/31].

Other Countries: UN Sec.-General Javier Perez de Cuellar asks UN Sec. Council to renew Unifil mandate in S. Lebanon [MET 2/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Hebron-area village of al-Samoa [FJ 2/5].

B'Tselem reports that 38 Palestinian homes have been demolished or sealed for security reasons this month, more than in any previous month, except for June 1989 [FBIS 1/29].

8 Palestinians are wounded in clash with IDF forces in Ramallah; 9 are reported wounded in Gaza clashes; 2 Israelis autos are torched in Jerusalem [FBIS 1/31]

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee meets in Tunis [FBIS 1/29].

In a press interview, Yasir Arafat says that PLO cadres and Palestinian masses are increasingly pressuring PLO leaders to resort to the use of weapons in the O.T., but that orders remain not to use weapons [FBIS 1/26].

Other Countries: European Parliament recommends that the 12-nation EC suspend scientific cooperation with Israel until it opens Palestinian universities in the O.T; recommendation remains unbinding until accepted by EC's ministerial committee UP 1/27; FJ 1/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: General strike, called by Hamas, is observed in O.T. to protest the flow of Soviet Jews to Israel [NYT 1/28; FJ 2/5; MET 2/6].

IDF exchanges fire with unidentified person across Jordanian border near Kibbutz Neve Ur [FBIS 1/26; MET 2/6].

Arab World: Israeli fighter jets bomb Fateh Revolutionary Council base in Lebba, Lebanon. 5 people are wounded [FBIS 1/25; NYT 1/26; MET 2/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ha'Aretz poll finds 52 percent of Israelis "are prepared to consider the deportation of Palestinians if a way is not found to make peace," compared to 38 percent who supported transfer 6 months ago [FBIS 11/14].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee meeting in Tunis issues five additional points for Washington toclarify regarding Israeli-Palestinian negotiations [FBIS 11/ 13].

Other Countries: Japanese officials appeal to visiting F.M. Arens to open talks with the PLO; Arens rejects appeal [WP 11/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A settler from Tulkarm area is stabbed, wounded; 13 Palestinians in Gaza are wounded in clashes with soldiers; army imposes curfew on Nablus and surrounding villages [FBIS 11/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian lawyer Jamil Tarifi admits meeting with Shamir and informing PLO leadership in Tunis of details of meeting [NYT 7/26].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee member Mahmud Abbas tells Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, al-Bayan, that PLO accepts elections in O.T. as part of comprehensive settlement [FJ 7/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza 20- year-old Palestinian from Shabura camp dies from wounds received 7/23. In Ramallah troops shoot 2 Palestinians. In Gaza Strip 7 Palestinians are shot during demonstrations [FJ 7/31]. Israeli court imprisons 4 soldiers for stealing from Palestinians from Gaza while on duty [NYT 7/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Paestinians in W. Bank, Gaza, Israel mark Land Day by observing general strike [FJ 4/3]. Knesset approves $29 billion austerity budget, avoids vote on funding of settlements, religious institutions, kibbutzim [MET 4/ 11].

Arab World: PLO executive committee proclaims Arafat president of State of Palestine [NYT 3/3 1].

Other Countries: Canadian diplomats for first time meet with PLO representatives at UN [NYT 3/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tulkarm soldiers shoot, kill 17-year-old Palestinian. In al-Jib 22-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed by Israeli troops. In Jabalya camp soldiers open fire, kill 24-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 4/3]. In Salfit 20-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed by Israeli troops. In Hebron at least 6 Palestinians are shot by Israeli troops. In Bayt Ummar 7 Palestinians are shot. At least 30 other Palestinians are wounded in O.T. [FJ 4/3]. IDF destroys the homes of 4 Palestinians in Gaza and demolishes part of a 5th house [FBIS 4/3]. In the Galilee, Israeli authorities arrest 17 Palestinians for possessing "inciting material" [FJ 4/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli poll shows that 56% of Jewish Israelis who do not live on kibbutzim oppose talks with PLO [FBIS 3/27].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee begins 2-day meeting in Tunis [FBIS 3/29]. In Tunis Pres. Ben 'Ali meets with Arafat [FBIS 3/27]. In an interview in CSM [3/24], Salah Khalaf states readiness of PLO to enter talks without preconditions.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 19-year-old Palestinian from Tulkarm camp dies from wounds received 3/22. In O.T. 8 Palestinians are wounded during clashes [FBIS 3/27]. Israel's police chief agrees to stop officers from posing as reporters [WP 3/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: PLO Executive Committee member Salah Khalaf (Abu lyad) addresses (via videotape) Jerusalem-based International Center for Peace in the Middle East, urges direct PLO-Israeli talks [FBIS WP 2/23].

Arab World: In Cairo Israeli F.M. Arens meets with Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze [NYT 2/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli soldiers, disguised as Arabs, shoot, kill 57-year-old Palestinian shopkeeper. In Gaza suspected collaborator is shot, killed [MET 3/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Following all-night session, Israeli Inner Cabinet approves package compromise dal to send Taba dispute to binding international arbitration if conciliation fails; agreement conditional on Egypt's return of ambassador to Tel Aviv, full normalization of relations. P.M. Peres threatened tobring down govt. if cabinet disagreed [WP, NYT 1/14]. Thirteen Palestinians are detained in connection with land fraud case, bringing total to 30 [JP 1/15]. Haifa U. sociologist Sami Smooha publicizes recent poll results showing 58% of Israelis believe it is "impossible to trust most Arabs," 47% want Palestinians to be encouraged to leave the country [JP 1/14]

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee begins meetings in Baghdad; 4 seats belonging to opposition factions remain empty, Muhammad 'Abbas does not attend. PLO spokesman tells Toronto Star the Soviet Union offered to help reunite PLO factions in return for a guaranteed part in M.E. peace negotiations [TS 1/15]. Egyptian chief coroner confirms Sulayman Khatir committed suicide [LT 1/14].

Other Countries: Reagan administration urges Syria to expel Abu Nidal group from Syrian-controlled Biqa' Valley [JTA 1/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mayor Iliyas Furayj of Bethlehem and Hanna Siniora, editor of al-Fajr newspaper, leave separately for 'Amman for talks with "very high up people"; Furayj says he will discuss "municipal matters," Siniora says he will discuss "how we can repair the damage between the Jordanians and the Palestinians" [LT 10/25]. Finance Min. Yitzhak Moda'i states plans for 6 new settlements in the W. Bank will not be implemented despite his earlier statements to that effect [JP 10/25]. Negev Bedouin refuse to elect delegation to represent them on Supreme Committee on Bedouin Affairs, chaired by advisor on Arab affairs Yosef Ganat [JP 10/25]. Ariel Sharon states in TV interview Jordan must remove PLO bases from its territory as condition for negotiating with Israel [MG 10/25].

Arab World: King Hussein meets with Pres. Mubarak in 'Amman to discuss Peres' proposals for direct talks. Hussein states at press conference that U.S. Congress will not force him to negotiate directly with Israel by delaying arms sales to Jordan [NYT, CSM 10/25]. Al-Quds newspaper in Jerusalem reports Jordan has ordered several PLO offices in 'Amman closed, ordered staff reductions at others, and has refused permission to enter to several PLO commanders, including the head of Fateh's Force 17, Abu Tayyib, and Muhammad Milham, PLO Executive Committee member who refused to sign statement prepared by Brit. For. Min. denouncing use of violence and recognizing Israel's right to exist. (Move follows Arafat's recent cancellation of trip to 'Amman, reported failure of Arafat's deputy Khaled al-Hasan to reach understanding during recent talks with King Hussein on breakdown in talks with British For. Min.). Jordanian army units are reportedly strengthened near PLO camps [JP, FJ 10/25; LT 10/271]. Reports indicate Bishop Iliyas Khuri, PLO Executive Committee member, has signaled his wish to resign over embarrassment due to recent cancellation of talks with British Foreign Ministry [JP 10/25].

Other Countries: State Dept. announces Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy made unpublicized trip to Jordan this week to give King Hussein private assurances from P.M. Peres about sincere desire for negotiations. Murphy then flies to New York for talks with Shultz, and later joins Shultz in talks with Peres [NYT 10/25]. U.S. Senate votes 97 to 1 to postpone Pres. Reagan's proposed $1.9 billion arms sale to Jordan until 1 March unless Jordan begins direct peace negotiations with Israel before then [WP, PI 10/25]. Hussein charges U.S. with "reneging" and "blackmail" [WP 10/25]. European Parliament votes to back "with all its available means" P.M. Shimon Peres' peace plan; resolution calls for recognition of the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people, calls for PLO participation in peace process. Resolution proposed by Socialist group, backed by Italian Communists [JTA 10/25]. French For. Min. Roland Dumas temporarily postpones upcoming visit to Israel to express "displeasure" over 10/1 Israeli air strike on PLO base in Tunis [JTA 10/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shots are fired at Israeli motorist on Jerusalem-Jericho road as he changes a flat. Area is curfewed; no arrests made [JP 10/25]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Five Palestinians are sentenced to life imprisonment for alleged kidnap, torture, and murder of Dani Katz, 15, in December 1983 [LT 10/15]. Israeli military asks SLA to stop harassing UNIFIL troops in Lebanon following reports of serious incidents involving the SLA [JP 10/15].

Arab World: The Times quotes senior PLO official as saying the organization is near bankruptcy because Arab countries have not met their financial commitments [LT, MG 10/14]. U.S. State Dept. spokesman says body of man washed up near Syrian port of Tartus may be that of Leon Klinghoffer [NYT 10/15]. Tunis branch of the Palestine Liberation Front issues statement acknowledging the real target of the hijackers of the Achille Lauro was the Israeli port of Ashdod [WP 10/15]. Pres. Mubarak demands public apology from the U.S. to "all Egyptians" for interception of Egyptian plane carrying 4 hijackers [WP, LAT 10/15].

Other Countries: Britain calls off talks with joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation on M.E. peace process, saying the Palestinian members of the delegation refused to sign a previously agreed upon statement renouncing "terrorism" and explicitly recognizing Israel's right to exist. The Palestinians state they had not seen the statement before and could not sign it unless it had already been approved by the entire PLO Executive Committee. British For. Sec. Geoffrey Howe states he is "very disappointed and surprised" by the PLO delegates' refusal to do so [NYT, WP, DT 10/15]. The EEC announces its decision to cancel scheduled talks with the joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation following Britain's decision [DT 10/15]. UN General Assembly averts U.S. boycott by dropping invitation to Yasir Arafat to attend 40th anniversary commemoration [NYT, WP 10/15]. The Times reports China and North Korea have denied entry to Kozo Okamoto, only survivor of the Japanese Red Army attack on Lod airport in 1972, who was released in the 5/20 prisoner exchange [LT 10/14]. The Guardian reports Spanish police are nearly positive the corpses of 2 Israelis found in Barcelona were members of Mossad [MG 10/14]. President of Ivory Coast announces his country is prepared to renew ties with Israel [JP 10/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb thrown at Israeli bus near Ramallah slightly injures 1 passenger [JP 10/15].

Arab World: Israeli fighter bombers fly deep into Jordanian territory at dawn; no attacks reported [NYT 10/15]. Syria states a shoulder-held missile was recently fired at an Israeli jet near the Golan Heights but missed its target. Syria sent a formal apology to Israel for the attack, saying it was ordered by a junior-level commander and did not reflect a change in Syria's adherence to the cease-fire. Israel reportedly accepted the explanation [NYT, WP 10/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor party wins Histadrut elections with 67.3% of vote [NYT, WP 5/15]. State comptroller Yitzhak Tunik releases report indicating police regularly make unjustified arrests, harass suspects [LAT 5/14].

Arab World: In Tunis, PLO officials confirm Chmn. Arafat gave King Hussein list of Palestinians suitable for Palestinian-Jordanian delegation, reportedly without approval of PLO Executive or Fateh Central Committees. List given to US Sec. of State Shultz who rejected it; list contained names of PNC Pres. Shaykh 'Abd al-Hamid Sayeh, PLO Executive Committee mbrs. Muhammad Milhelm, Archbishop Elia Khoury. Fateh Second-in-Command Salah Khalaf (Abu lyad) states King Hussein ready to declare Palestinian-Jordanian confederation to negotiate with Israel; states it would be wrong for PLO to accept such a move [CSM, MG 5/14].

Military Action:

IDF ambushed in Tyre.

Casualties:

Some IDF wounded in Tyre; Ansar review committee recommends release of 150, 1,100 cases heard out of 5,400 detainees, review committee established under the Fourth Geneva Convention on civilians as Israel does not recognize detainees as POWs covered under Third Geneva Convention.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon, Shamir and chief negotiator David Kimche meet for 2 hours with Habib and Draper, discussion focuses on 3 main differences between US and Israel (surveillance stations, UNIFIL, role of Saad Haddad); Commission of Inquiry completes 3?/2 months of investigation covering 49 witnesses, 152 eyewitnesses, 65 hours of testimony, 17,703 pages of transcript, closing with oral arguments of lawyers for 9 senior officials (Sharon, Eitan, Drori, Yaron, Dudai and Mossad head); Begin meets with head of Association for Prevention of Emigration, agrees to consider setting up ministerial committee to combat emigration (now 200,000 Israelis in the US alone); Israeli Foreign Ministry paying $5,000 per month rent on Saudi-owned villa along Beirut-Damascus high-way as Lebanon headquarters; Education Ministry setting up a committee to review curriculum in Arab schools and examine educational, psychological and social causes for growing extremism among Palestinian Israeli youth; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Rakah) candidates win election of Arab student committees in Tel Aviv and Haifa universities; army uses tear gas and warning shots to disperse demonstrators in Hebron protesting arrest on Jan. 13 of 50 students, including entire student council, from Islamic University; Cabinet settlement committee votes to set up 2 new settlements in West Bank near Hebron, and 2 across green line in same area, approves referral center for prospective settlers.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Executive Committee, chaired by Arafat, meets in Damascus to plan for PNC; Walid Jumblatt criticizes compromise agenda in talks as concession to Israeli and US terms; Lebanese Forces Commander Fadi Frem urges Government to sign peace treaty with Israel to liberate Lebanon from psychological and political domination of Syria.

Arab Governments: Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmad Taleb Ibrahimi says Alteria purchased $20 million worth of arms direct from USSR for PLO in June, and later sent another 2 planeloads from Algiers; Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries reportedly removing British firms from list of eligible contractors due to dispute over PLO representative in Arab League delegation; Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah in Damascus for talks with Assad.

Military Action:

IDF begins broadcasts urging Syrians and Palestinians in W. Beirut to flee or surrender; Sharon, in E. Beirut, says IDF may resume battle, urges Phalangists to join IDF in war against PLO; cease-fire holds despite IDF overflights of Beirut in morning and evening; PLO fortifies positions around camps and along coasts.

Casualties:

PLO, in press conference, charges wide-spread IDF use of cluster bombs; observers report no IDF effort to restore services to Palestinian refugee camps, only to nearby Lebanese towns, villages; Begin promises Israeli Druze leaders to protect Lebanese Druzes from Phalange harassment.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon, during tour of troops in Beirut, says Camp David process will be helped by elimination of PLO; Uri Avnery (former Sheli MK) meets Arafat and Israeli pilot POW in W. Beirut; General Eitan says invasion planned in its "final ver-sion" 1 year ago; Sharon reiterates opposition to any remaining PLO presence in Lebanon; Shamir tells French diplomats invasion will help autonomy talks, asks French to stay out of Lebanese negotiations; opinion poll says 93 percent of Israelis think invasion justified (98.5 percent of Likud, 90.7 percent of Labor), that Likud and Begin popularity surging up; government says US ammunition sold to Saudi Arabia turned up in Lebanon.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Negotiations stalled on issues of PLO retention of arms and future political role in Lebanon (Arafat, in meeting with Wazzan, reportedly proposes 2 units under Lebanese Army command that would leave only after all Syrian and Israeli troops leave Lebanon; Saudi plan reportedly has no provision for eventual removal); reports that PLO Executive Committee agrees to military pullout over 8-week period (other reports say meeting rejected all Israeli government demands); Salam, after meeting Arafat, says PLO seeks diplomatic role as it has in other Arab countries; Gemayel returns to Lebanon, indicates no compromise reached (Phalange issues statement saying IDF invasion "defensive" move to wipe out PLO, endorses Sharon statement on Jordan as place for a Palestinian state); Habash rejects Israeli terms.

Arab Governments: Egyptian foreign ministry officials say PLO, if it came to Egypt, would have to proclaim "temporary government in exile" and restrict itself to political activity; Arab League ends meetings in Saudi Arabia, failing to resolve differences (PLO proposals reportedly accepted by all but Gemayel); Egypt says strong political PLO essential.

US and Other Countries: In Paris, 3 leading Jewish figures (Nahum Goldmann, Philip Klutznick, Pierre Mendes-France) issue joint declaration asking for mutual recognition by Israel and the PLO (hailed by PLO as pro-gram to lead out of the Lebanese crisis; strongly criticized by mainstream US Jewish groups, Israel).

UN: France and Egypt call on UN Security Council to intervene without formally asking body to meet; seek resolution to preserve PLO political role in the Mideast (part of draft resolution resembles one vetoed June 27; part assures Palestinians of their right to self-determination).