The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Baytunya Mayor Ahmad Lutfi 'Uthman is sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and fined over U.S. $800,000 on charges of misusing his office. He was originally charged with embezzlement. Two other officials are convicted in the case [FJ 4/26]. Al-Azhar Institute in Gaza City is ordered closed for 1 week [FJ 4/26]. Body of Salim Salamah Abu Rabi'ah from Hebron-area village of Sa'ir is discovered in Tel Aviv basement; family, who reported him missing in November 1986, are demanding investigation citing evidence of torture [FJ 5/3].

Arab World: Abu al-'Abbas announces his resignation from the PLO Executive Committee [FJ 4/26].

Other Countries: U.S. lodges formal protest with Algeria for allowing Abu al-'Abbas to attend PNC session [LAT 4/22]. Soviet Foreign Ministry states delegation of Soviet officials still intends to visit Israel [WT 4/22].