The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A-Sha'b editor Salah Zuhaykah begins 2d consecutive town arrest order [FJ 9/20]. Prisoners at Tulkarm Prison launch hunger strike, refuse to see visitors to protest harsh treatment [FJ 9/27]. Curfew on Dahayshah refugee camp is lifted [FJ 9/27]. Unidentified arsonists attempt to burn 27 Israeli cars in French Hill section of Jerusalem. Residents extinguish fires [FJ 9/27]. Body of murdered Nadir al-Zu'bi is found in Nazareth [FJ 9/27]. U.S. company negotiating to drill new well near Bethlehem withdraws from project [FJ 9/27]. U.S. consul in Jerusalem visits home of Walid Zurba [FJ 9/27]. Israeli crews bulldoze 120 dunams of grapevines and fig trees on Arab-owned land in Gaza's al-Zaytun quarter [FJ 9/27]. Israeli court decides in favor of Mahmud Jarallah in 10-year-long dispute with Israeli company over ownership of 1,000 dunams of land in Yallo, near Ramallah [FJ 9/27]. Mustafa 'Abd al-Nabi Natshah, former mayor of Hebron, is prevented from traveling to Britain [FJ 9/27].

Arab World: Businesses throughout Lebanon close in 1-day strike to demand government take action to stabilize economy [CSM 9/23]. Dr. Nabil al-Ja'bari, chairman of board of trustees of Hebron U., and Mukhlis al-Hamuri, director of public relations, arrive in Amman [FJ 9/27].

Other Countries: Accused hijacker Fawwaz Yunis is denied bail in U.S. court [WP, NYT 9/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Several W. Bank and Jerusalem Palestinian political activists are arrested, charged with organizing demonstrations [WP 9/17; FJ 9/20]. Bethlehem U. students hold symbolic funeral to commemorate 5th anniversary of Sabra and Shatila massacres [FJ 9/20]. Inner cabinet adopts economic and cultural sanctions against S. Africa [NYT, WP 9/17]. Palestinian political prisoners at Nafha Prison begin 2-day hunger strike to protest conditions; strike at Ashkelon Prison enters 6th week [FJ 9/20]. Authorities arrest 12 Palestinians in occupied territories: 3 are placed under administrative detention for 6 months; 9 receive 9-day detentions for planning strikes, demonstrations [FJ 9/20]. Israeli High Court rules non-striking Palestinian lawyers have right to form union [FJ 9/20]. Al-Najah U. administration adopts new regulations concerning campus mosque, religious celebrations [FJ 9/20]. Israeli authorities confiscate copies of Arabic dailies in the occupied territories [FJ 9/20].

Other Countries: Hasan 'Abd al-Rahman, director of Palestine Information Office in U.S., says he will sue to prevent State Dept.-ordered closure of PIO [LAT 9/18].

Military Action

Arab World: Lebanese National Resistance Front, groups of Syrian-sponsored Palestinian and leftist Lebanese fighters, attack Israeli patrol just north of Israeli border, killing 3 Israelis. Israeli sources allege guerrillas were trying to infiltrate border and take hostages. In Rashayyah, Israeli infantry and helicopters follow group of fighters spotted approaching Israeli border; 3 guerrillas are killed [WP 9/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli cabinet decides to postpone vote on continuing Lavi project [NYT 8/17]. Palestinian prisoners in Nablus prison begin 2-day hunger strike to protest worsening conditions [FJ 8/23]. Dr. Zakaria al-Agha, chairman of Arab Medical Assoc., is dismissed from his position at Nasir Hospital in Khan Yunis for making political statements to the press without military permission [FJ 8/23]. Israeli court orders demolition of mosque in Beersheba-district village of Rahat on grounds that it was constructed without a license [FJ 8/23]. Police raid Jerusalem offices of Alternative Information Center, confiscate equipment and documents; center reopens after 6-month, police-ordered closure [FJ 9/20].

Arab World: Jericho Mayor Jamil Sabri Khalaf visits Amman for discussions of municipal projects with Jordanian officials [FJ 8/23].

Other Countries: Reports indicate Italian government is donating over $500,000 to UNRWA vocational school in Gaza [FJ 8/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldier and a civilian are shot, wounded in attack near Jabaliyyah refugee camp on Gaza Strip. Israeli troops seal off camp with barbed wire [FJ 8/23]. Soldiers in Nablus respond to stone-throwing Palestinian youths with tear gas and live ammunition; 3 Palestinians are wounded in the clash [CSM 8/17; FJ 8/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prisoners at Junayd Prison conduct 1-day hunger strike to protest mistreatment at he facility [FJ 7/5]. Authorities seal houses of 2 Jenin families, leaving 18 homeless [FJ 7/5]. Defense Minister Rabin approves plan to drill new well near Bethlehem and transport water to Jerusalem and Israeli settlements [FJ 7/5]. Gaza's Israeli military governor evicts 6 families from their 450 dunams of agricultural lnd in southwest Gaza [FJ 7/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Trial of John Demjanjuk, accused of being a guard at W.W. II Nazi death camp, reconvenes after month-long adjournment; defendant is injured on way to court and misses morning session [LAT 6/23]. 'Abd al-Sattar Qasim, al-Najah University professor arrested 6/17, begins hunger strike in Far'ah detention center [FJ 6/28].

Other Countries: Soviet F. M. Shevardnadze begins 2 days of talks with Faruq al-Qaddumi, head of PLO Political Department, in Moscow [BG 6/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew on Balatah refugee camp is lifted [FJ 6/7]. House of Ramallah family, one of whose members is accused of participating in 1983 bus bombing, is partly destroyed by Israeli soldiers [FJ 6/7]. Ramallah military court agrees to investigate charges made by Rasmi Muhammad 'Asi of torture during police interrogation [FJ 6/7]. Deputy P.M. David Levy attends inauguration celebration for new Israeli settlement at al-Radar Hill [FJ 6/7]. It is revealed before Knesset Financial Com. that civil administration collected U.S. $235 million in direct and indirect taxes from occupied territories, a sum which exceeds annual allocated budget of the civil administration [FJ 6/7]. Israeli authorities attempt to confiscate 4,000 dunams of land from Nablus-area village of Salim and 5,000 dunams from Bayt Dajan village; owners of land are appealing the confiscation order [FJ 6/7]. At least 5 prisoners are injured in clash between prisoners and guards at Hebron Prison; prisoners declare hunger strike in response to incident [FJ 6/7].

Arab World: Lebanon's Prime Minister Rashid Karami is assassinated in helicopter explosion en route from Tripoli to Beirut; 3 others are wounded in blast; Pres. Jumayyil declares national week of mourning [CSM, NYT 6/2].

Other Countries: Assignment of Meir Rosenne, Israeli ambassador to U.S., expires. No new ambassador has been named [NYT 6/3].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli tanks reach Jazin, 12 miles north of Israeli border [CSM 6/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: More than 400 students protesting arrest of Palestinians and supporting prison hunger strike clash with Israeli soldiers outside Birzeit University; 1 student shot dead, at least 3 others wounded, 40 arrested. BZU is ordered closed for 4 months [NYT, CSM 4/14]. Bethlehem U. ordered closed for a week [LAT 4/14]. Body of student killed in clash at BZU is smuggled to his family's home in Rafah refugee camp for burial [FJ 4/19]. Al-Najah U. closes until 4/18 in solidarity with BZU [FJ 4/19]. Arab bakers in Jewish quarter of Jerusalem remove bread from windows in response to threats from Orthodox Jews who object to displaying bread during Passover [BS 4/14]. Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails end hunger strike after Prison Authority Director David Mainmon promises humane treatment [FJ 4/19].

Arab World: Leaders of various PLO factions meet in Algiers [NYT, LAT 4/14]. Syrian troops smuggle British physician Pauline Cutting and her nursing staff out of Burj al-Barajinah because of threats from Amal [FJ 4/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew is imposed on Ramallah after student protesters throw stones, molotov cocktail at troops. Curfew also ordered for Balatah and Tulkarm camps [FJ 4/12].

Arab World: Reports charge Jordanian Minister of Occupied Territories Affairs Marwan Dudin was involved in disappearance of funds [FJ 4/12].

Other Countries: Christian Science Monitor reports American Civil Liberties Union has filed lawsuit challenging use of McCarran-Walter Act in case of 7 Palestinians arrested by INS 1/26 [CSM 4/9]. Israeli F. M. Peres concludes 3 days of talks with Soviet representatives in Rome [NYT 4/10]. King Hussein and members of Jordanian government meet with British P. M. Thatcher to discuss possibility of Middle East peace conference [IN 4/10]. Israeli Pres. Herzog on state visit to W. Germany asks Bonn not to sell submarines to Saudi Arabia [LAT 4/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military authorities impose curfews on 2 towns and 2 refugee camps on W. Bank after demonstrations in support of prison hunger strike [CSM 4/10].

Arab World: Four Israeli helicopters attack PLO positions in 'Ayn al-Hilwah in S. Lebanon, killing 2 and wounding 6 [NYT 4/10]. Syrian troops reinforce their posts around Beirut's Shatila and Burj al-Barajinah refugee camps; 47 wounded Palestinians are evacuated from Burj al-Barajinah [NYT, IN 4/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops use force, tear gas to disperse women's demonstration in Ramallah, impose curfew on town and al-Birah. There are reports of protests in Jalazun, Am'ari, Balatah, and Dahayshah refugee camps [FJ 4/12]. Students hold hunger strike at Bethlehem U. in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners [FJ 4/12]. Hebron's Polytechnic Institute is closed for 8 days after army finds "inciting material" at the school [FJ 4/12]. Student demonstration forces U.S. Consul General Morris Draper to suspend his visit to Birzeit University [FJ 4/12].

Other Countries: In Washington, Jordan's P. M. Zayd Rifa'i urges U.S. Sec. of State Shultz to support King Hussein's plan for international Middle East peace conference. King Hussein also promotes proposal with EEC members during meetings in Brussels [NYT 4/8]. Israeli F. M. Peres joins Palestinian and Soviet representatives at Rome meeting of Socialist International's Middle East Study Group discussion of possibilities for an international Middle East peace conference [WT 4/8]. W. German Chancellor Kohl meets with Israeli Pres. Herzog, expresses W. Germany's commitmento insuring Israel's security [LAT 4/8].

Military Action

Arab World: Syrian forces enter Shatila refugee camp in S. Beirut, ending 5-month Amal militia siege of camp; Ahmad Yamani (Abu Mahir), sec. of Palestine National Salvation Front, meets with other PLO leaders in Sidon to discuss PLO pullout from positions in the area [WP, NYT 4/8]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Poice arrest 7 women during Jerusalem rally supporting prison hunger strike [FJ 4/12]. More than 10,000 Syrians and Palestinians join in unveiling of monument to Syrian nationalist leader Sultan Basha al-Atrash in Majdal Shams on the Golan Heights [FJ 4/12]. Attorney for families of 2 students killed in confrontation with Israeli troops last year demands Defense Ministry conduct thorough probe of 12/4 incident at Birzeit U. [FJ 4/12]. Estimated 100 members of Palestinian Family Reunification Com. demonstrate outside P. M. Shamir's office [FJ 4/12].

Arab World: In presence of Syrian military observers, six trucks of food and other supplies donated by Kuwait enter Burj al-Barajinah camp. Equal amounts were given to Amal for distribution to Shi'i residents of the area [GU 4/6]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-Fajr reports 4,000 Palestinian prisoners have joined hunger strike in Israeli jails; the newspaper also reports OPEC Fund has pledged $250,000 to UNRWA [FJ 4/3]. Police in Nablus use tear gas to disperse over 500 women marching inprotest of prison conditions [FJ 4/12].

Arab World: Abu Nidal organization anounces execution of 2 men charged with spying for Jordan [FJ 4/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Truck attempting to bring food donated by Saudi Arabia to refugees in Shatila camp is destroyed by rocket; 2 children are killed, 7 injured [GU 4/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza military court upholds administrative detention of 9 students, aged 16 to 18, accused of participating in demonstrations [FJ 4/3]. More than 50 Palestinian women hold peaceful sit-in at Bethlehem office of International Committee of the Red Cross in support of striking prisoners [FJ 4/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Two Palestinians are wounded when Israeli soldiers fire into Balatah refugee camp crowd demonstrating in support of political prisoners participating in hunger strike [FJ 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: MK Abba Eban and other representatives of Labor party meet with 4 Palestinians; joint statement released after the meeting calls for international peace conference including representatives of Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinians [FJ 3/27]. Israeli authorities serve Khalil Ibrahim 'Ashur expulsion order [FJ 3/27]. Trial of Roger Heacock, American professor teaching at Birzeit University, opens [FJ 3/27]. Police and border guards use live ammunition and tear gas to break up demonstration at Jerusalem's al-lbrahimiyyah College [FJ 3/27]. Members of Peace Now, Citizens Rights Movement, and Mapam protest at inauguration ceremony for Betar, W. Bank settlement near Bethlehem [FJ 3/27]. Prisoners in at least 3 Israeli prisons begin hunger strike, demanding impartial inspection, improved conditions in all Israeli prisons within green line and occupied territories [FJ 3/27]. Israeli government promises 3 key witnesses in Pollard spy case that their testimony before Rotenstreich-Tsur board of inquiry will not be made available to U.S. [BS 3/26].