The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The director of the U.S. SDI program announces that Israel has been awarded over $165 million in SDI contracts, more than any foreign country [WP 10/25].

Arab World: The PLO reiterates statements by Chairman Arafat that Israeli Arabs and Jews should vote for "forces that represent the real peace choice" [NYT 10/ 25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Reuters reports the existence of Israeli undercover "death squads" on W. Bank and Gaza Strip; military spokesman denies that Israel assassinates wanted men [WT 10/24]. In Far'ah refugee camp soldiers shoot, kill 17-yearold Palestinian [NYT 10/25, FJ 10/30]. In Nablus 3 Palestinians are shot, injured by Israeli soldiers. In Nusayrat camp 4 Palestinians are injured during clashes with troops. At Beach camp soldiers shoot, injure 2 Palestinians [FJ 10/30].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes strike Syrian Social Nationalist Party base in south Lebanon. One person is wounded [NYT, WP 10/25]. In south Lebanon Israeli troops capture 7 Palestinian guerrillas trying to cross the Lebanese-Israeli border [WP 10/ 25]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO chairman Yasir Arafat calls on Israeli Arabs to "push forward the peace process" by voting in Israel's upcoming elections [LAT 10/24]. Pres. Mubarak of Egypt and Arafat fly to Baghdad, meet with Saddam Husayn [LAT 10/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Troops wound 9 Palestinians during protests in the occupied territories [NYT 10/24]. Clashes occur in Nablus, Jenin, Ramallah, Jabalya, Rafah, Beach, Sa'ir [FJ 10/30].

Arab World: Between 4 and 6 PFLP guerrillas are killed by Israeli troops in south Lebanon [NYT 10/24]. Israeli troops arrest "several" others in south Lebanon in connection with 10/19 car bombing [NYT 10/ 24, WP 10/25]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed marking the 35th anniversary of Israel's raid on Qibya [LAT 10/15]. A poll of 1,200 Israelis reveals that 60% are willing to trade some land for peace; 46% favor trading all of the occupied territories for peace; 57% oppose talks with the PLO even if the PLO recognizes Israel and pledges to end terrorism; 71% believe that the PLO does not want peace [LAT 10/ 15]. The military lifts aweek-long curfew on Nablus [LAT 10/15].

Arab World: Hani al-Hasan, senior Fateh official, states the PLO is willing to join Jordan in political confederation in order to satisfy American and Israeli demands [WP 10/16]. Al-Hasan says he is going to Mecca to ask Islamic authorities to issue a fatwa (religious edict) telling Arabs in Israel to vote for the candidate most likely to make peace with the Palestinians [WP 10/16, CSM 10/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Kafr Malik troops kill Palestinian, wound another. In Ramallah 19-year-old Palestinian dies from wounds received 10/8. In Bidiya the army demolishes 5 houses and seals another. Throughout the occupied territories 9 other Palestinians are shot, wounded [LAT 10/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Sixty Israeli Arabs meet to discuss the formation of an Arab political party to compete in Israeli elections [CSM 6/23]. The telephone lines in Tulkarm are cut by the authorities [FJ 6/26].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian stonethrowers injure 13 Israeli bus passengers [FJ 6/26]. Clashes are reported in Duhayshah, Balatah camps, Hebron, Nablus, Yatta, Salim, Sebastiya, 'Iraq Burin, Bidya, Bayt 'Awwa [FJ 6/26].

Arab World: In S. Lebanon Israeli soldiers capture 4 Palestinian guerrillas trying to cross into northern Israel.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Following inner cabinet meeting, 3 Likud ministers call for barring media from W. Bank and Gaza Strip [LAT 2/29]. In Tel Aviv, Sec. of State Shultz meets separately with P.M. Shamir and F.M. Peres [WP 2/29]. Group of 300-400 Israeli Arabs and Jews begins march from Lebanese border to Jerusalem in call for end to occupation of W. Bank, Gaza Strip; march is organized by group called "Red Line" [NYT 3/1].

Arab World: Sec. Shultz holds 3 hours of talks with Egypt's Pres. Husni Mubarak in Cairo [CSM 2/29]. Mubarak voices support for Shultz plan [WP 2/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jewish settlers from Neve Zuf join IDF forces against stonethrowing Palestinian protesters in 'Abbud village, near Ramallah; 2 Palestinians are shot dead; settler is arrested in connection with the shootings [WP 2/29; FJ 3/6]. Army intervenes after settlers from Tekon and el-David settlements open fire in Bethlehem-area village of Faradis [FJ 3/6].

Arab World: Off coast of Tyre, Israeli gunboat attacks small boat, killing 2; 3 others escape. Reports from Lebanon indicate the 5 were Fateh fighters en route to attack Nahariya military base [WP 2/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jerusalem, thousands join in Peace Now demonstrations. Protest in Haifa draws close to 5,000 Israeli Arabs and Jews [WP 2/14]. Merchants strike throughout occupied territories [FJ 2/14]. Israel orders all government schools in E. Jerusalem closed [FJ 2/21].

Other Countries:

Military Action: In Rome 50,000 marchers protest Israel's policy in the occupied territories [NYT 2/16]. 

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfews continue in Qalqiliyyah, 'Anabta, Bayt 'Ur alTahta, Bayt Ummar, as well as in Am'ari, Jalazun, Tulkarm, and Dayr al-Balah camps. Military lifts 9-day-old curfew in Tulkarm [FJ 2/21]. In Nablus area, Israeli troops use tear gas and rubber bullets in clash with demonstrators, wounding Balatah camp youth. Clashes are also reported in al-Birah, Ramallah, Abu Dis village, Jerusalem-area village of Jabal al-Mukabir, Shu'fat camp, and Gaza [FJ 2/21].