The Palestine Chronology

Israel unleashes over 1,000 shells and bombs on Hizballah target villages north of "security zone," S. Lebanon, killing at least 13 civilians and forcing evacuation of villages. Israeli gunboats shell Nahr al-Barid and al-Baddawi Palestinian refugee camps, 110 mi. north of Israeli border. Three SLA militiamen are wounded in Hizballah bomb attack in Jazzin, east of Sidon. Israeli farmer is wounded in firebomb attack in W. Bank and taken to hospital by local Palestinians. (MM 10/26; Qol Yisra'el, VOL 10/26, 10/27 in FBIS 10/27; NYT, WP 10/27, 10/28)

Palestinian delegation head Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi affirms UNSC 242 as basis for negotiations, noting linkage of transitional and final stages as an "inseparable single unit." (al-Quds 10/26 in FBIS 10/27)

Ten Palestinian rejectionist factions (see 9/18, 10/15) organize mass protest of peace talks in Damascus, issue statement calling for "day of rage" on 10/28, the anniversary of the convening of the Madrid conference, consisting of marches, demonstrations, and sitins throughout o.t. (QPAR 10/26 in FBIS 10/27; MM 10/28)

Multilateral talks on the environment open in the Hague, Holland. (Qol Yisra'el 10/26 in FBIS 10/27)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: CSM reports that by mid-August 91 alleged collaborators had been killed by fellow Palestinians since the intifada began [CSM 8/21].

Arab World: Palestine National Fund (PNF) offices in Amman are reopened [FBIS 8/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 3 Palestinians are killed, 6 wounded in clashes throughout O.T. General strike in W. Bank. IDF soldier in Tulkarm injured by a rock. Molotov cocktail hurled at a patrol in Jabaliyyah camp, no injuries. Police use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse stone-throwing youths in E. Jerusalem. Curfew imposed on al-Ram and Dahiyat al-Barid, north of Jerusalem, following clashes between youths and IDF [FBIS 8/22].

Arab World: UNIFIL places forces on alert because of heavy Israeli and SLA military activity in S. Lebanon [FBIS 8/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian youth from Beach camp wounded in 12/11 clash with Israeli troops dies in Gaza hospital [NYT 12/22; FJ 12/27]. Def. Min. Rabin returns from U.S. visit [NYT 12/23]. Al-Fajr Arabic daily resumes publication after 10-day closure [FJ 12/27]. Arab and Israeli Hebrew U. students demonstrate outside Knesset in solidarity with Palestinians in W. Bank and Gaza Strip [FJ 12/27]. Military extends closure of Gaza's Islamic U. and Palestine Religious Institute until 12/27 [FJ 12/27]. Israel releases 60 Gazans arrested during recent demonstrations [FJ 12/27].

Arab World: In Cairo, 'Ayn Shams U. students demonstrate in support of Palestinian uprising in the occupied territories [FBIS 12/29].

Other Countries: UN Security Council meeting on recent violence in the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip, W. Bank adjourns after PLO and some Arab governments push for more strongly worded resolution against Israel [NYT 12/22]. Midhat Hilali, Arab League official, is shot, wounded by unknown assailant in Athens [FJ 12/27]. Ibrahim Khalid, Palestinian gunman who survived December 1985 attack on Leonardo da Vinci airport, refuses to attend his trial [FJ 12/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Inside the green line, hundreds of thousands of Arabs join general strike in solidarity with Palestinians in occupied territories. Israeli police, border guards respond to large demonstrations with tear gas, water cannons. About 200 Palestinians are arrested; 17 Israeli police, border guards injured [WP 12/22; FJ 12/27]. Stone-throwing, tire-burning crowds of demonstrators are reported in Jaffa, Nazareth, Lydda, Ramlah, and Abu Ghawsh. IDF troops fire on West Bank Palestinian crowds throwing Molotov cocktails, killing at least 2 in Jenin-area town of Tubas and 1 in Jenin. At least 22 are wounded by gunfire [NYT, WP 12/22]. Official Israeli death toll of Palestinians killed since 12/9 is now at 19 [CSM 12/22].

Arab World: Israeli and SLA forces raid Hizballah-held villages in S. Lebanon [FJ 12/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres states in keynote speech opening Labor party convention that Israel recognizes the Palestinians "as a nation," states Israel is trying to "create interim conditions for an interim arrangement" in the occupied territories until their final status is resolved [DT 4/10]. Egyptian delegation headed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Butrus-Ghali attends the convention, as well as delegations from 20 other countries [JP 4/9].

Arab World: Former chief of intelligence for the PLO, 'Atallah 'Atallah (Abu Za'im), is reported to have been touring Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan delivering speeches critical of policies of Yasir Arafat and blaming him for the collapse of dialogue with King Hussein; Abu Za'im's statements have been given front-page coverage in Amman [JP 4/8; NYT 4/9]. Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Abba Eban arrives in Cairo for a visit [JP 4/9].

Other Countries: U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy, originally scheduled to accompany Vice Pres. George Bush on his M.E. tour, stops instead in Cairo and then proceeds to Israel; Bush tells press conference Murphy is investigating a new peace initiative [LAT, BG 4/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Firebomb is thrown at bus on northern edge of Jerusalem, injuring 9 Israeli passengers; police detain 17 Palestinians for questioning [LAT, WP 4/9]. A bomb explodes in Afula, injuring a soldier; WAFA, the Palestine News Agency, states the PLO is responsible for placing the bomb [WP, LAT 4/9].

Arab World: Suicide bomber drives car into checkpoint near Hasbayya, at edge of Israeli-declared "security zone," killing himself and injuring 3 SLA militiamen and 3 civilians; the pro-Syrian Lebanese Ba'th party claims responsibility [WP, NYT 4/9]. Car bomb in Christian port city of Juniyah kills 10, injures over 100; no one claims responsibility [WP, NYT 4/9]. 

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: Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman denies Israel "has directly sold weapons to the Contras or has given any direct assistance" [FT 8/8, JTA 8/9]. British Foreign Office announces it "regrets" Israel's new security measures [JP 8/8]. Israeli authorities detain 3 West Bankers suspected of throwing petrol bombs at border police patrol 8/4. Army spokesman said the 3 confessed to that and other gasoline bomb attacks [JP 8/8]. Local councils of developmentowns decide to co-opt settlements' local councils by giving them full membership in the Union of Local Councils. Move is designed to increase lobbying power of the development towns [JP 8/8]. Israeli religious schools are instructed by religious education division of the Ministry of Educationot to conduct meetings between Israelis and Palestinians because they may lead to intermarriage [JTA 8/8].

Arab World: Arab summit conference in Casablanca dispenses with principle of unanimity. Libya withdraws itrepresentation from the conference [WP, LAT 8/8]. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein decides at the last minute not to attend [LAT 8/8]. Lebanese President Amin Jumayyil says he supports his Muslim opponents' demand for greater power; blames country's 10- year-old civil war on the Palestinians [FT 8/7].

Military Action

Arab World: A grenade thrown at a SLA post in security zone kills one SLA soldier [JTA 8/9]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israelis, al-Fara'a refugee camp residents protest outside al-Fara'a prison, demand release of Dheisheh residents detained there after 2/1 raid on camp [FJ 2/15]. Authorities ask 4 unnamed Palestinians to become mayors of cities whose mayors were previously expelled [BG 2/11]. IDF reopen al-Bireh high school [closed 2/7] [FJ 2/15]. Interior Ministry forbids hajj to Mecca for Palestinians inside "Green Line" who are under 35, or who made hajj in the past [FJ 2/22].

Other Countries: France agrees to US request not to sell 2 nuclear reactors to Israel [PM Peres indicated 12/9 Israel sought to buy such reactors] [LAT 2/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb thrown at Israeli bus near al-Azariya; no injuries [JP 2/11].

Arab World: IDF jets attack DFLP base in Ta'lbaya, Lebanon; 2 injured [NYT 2/11]. IDF soldier injured 2/4 by roadside bomb near Tyre dies. 2 IDF soldiers killed by roadside bomb north of Israel-Lebanon border near Metulla. IDF convoy attacked north of Litani River, S. Lebanon; 1 killed, 3 wounded [WP 2/11]. RPG fired at IDF patrol near Burj al-Shemali camp, S. Lebanon; 1 wounded [JP 2/11]. IDF indicate prisoners held in Ansar prison will be transferred tonew site either in Israel or portion of S. Lebanon held by the SLA when IDF withdraws [JP 2/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 4-day curfew lifted in Dheisheh camp. Dheisheh resident Isa Abed Rabu formally charged with murder of 2 Israelis (10/22); defendant claims act of vengence for Shin Bet killing of his brother 2 yrs. ago. UNRWA closes Tira Teachers Seminary (al-Bireh) after 1-mo.-closure threat from authorities if student disturbances continue. Halhoul Local Council elects Hasan Hijazi as mayor. S. African FM Botha arrives in Tel Aviv for 3-day visit.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat speaks before 15th Arab Lawyer's Federation in Tunis.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Petrol bomb hurled at Israeli vehicle near Ramallah market; no damage.

Arab World: IDF soldier wounded by light weapons fire on IDF outpost in S. Lebanon; 4 SLA wounded by light weapons fire near Nabatiya; grenade thrown at SLA patrol in Tyre, no injuries.