The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres criticizes U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy's plan for preliminary meeting with joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation and vetoes another suggested Palestinian delegate Nabil Sha'th. Peres expresses confidence in King Hussein's desire for peace, says Israel wants to open negotiations with joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation immediately [JP 9/6]. Negev Bedouin given o.k. to elect 15-member delegation to the soon-to-be-established regional committee on Bedouin affairs [JP 9/6].

Other Countries: Washington Post reports U.S. administration is considering sending Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy to meet with Jordanian-Palestinian delegation that would include Nabil Sha'th, a close personal advisor to Arafat. Israel vehemently protestshe proposal [WP 9/3, 9/7]. Jerusalem Post reports Reagan administration iformed Congress in July in classified 17-page report that Israel's "qualitative" military edge over the Arabs is "secure and likely to grow stronger, under present policy, at least through the rest of this decade" [JP 9/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli truck driver Moshe Fitusi, 28, is critically stabbed in Gaza City; Israeli settlers torch Palestinian home in the West Bank in retaliation. Gaza City sealed off and 500 residents reportedly detained by army for questioning. Home of Palestinian exprisoner freed in 5/20 prisoner exchange set afire in Dura village by Israeli settlers, home of another painted with threatening slogans and its windows smashed in Balata refugee camp near Nablus. Groups of armed settlers reported roaming streets of Ramallah and Nablus. Israeli authorities briefly detain 9 Tehiya members who squat at Tel Rumeida in Hebron [CSM, PI, NYT, JP 9/6; JTA 9/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: For. Ministry official Kimche calls together foreign ambassadors, warns them of danger of massacres in wake of IDF withdrawal from Lebanon [PI 1/31]. Ha'aretz publishes findings of Haifa U. study among Israeli schoolchildren indicating "kidnapper, murder, terrorist, criminal" 4 words most immediately associated with Arabs [LT 1/31]. IDF remove fence errected by settlers on Tal Rumeida [JP 1/31].

Other Countries: Geneva-based Intl. Commission of jurists charges IDF with mistreatment of prisoners at al-Fara'a prison near Nablus; DM Rabin, in Washington, dismisses charges as "total nonsense" [WP 1/31]. White House announces Pres. Reagan will recommend $1.8 billion next year in military grants for Israel, increase of $400 million [WSJ 1/31]; also announces freeze on new arms sales to Middle East pending review of relationship between US arms sales and regional stability [NYT 1/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Israelis wounded as bus fired upon near Bethlehem [WP 1/31, 2/3].