The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Pickering meets with Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhaq Rabin, says U.S. will send diplomatic observers to military trials of Palestinians arrested during recent violence [WP 12/29]. More than 300 Palestinian women hold 3-hour sit-in at UNRWA's Gaza office. Similar protest is held at Red Cross headquarters in Jerusalem [FJ 1/3]. Israel orders 2 Ramallah UNRWA schools, al-Tirah College and Teachers' College, closed for 1 month effective 12/22 [FJ 1/3]. Family of youth killed in recent Gaza uprising is ordered to pay IS 5,000 in medical costs related to shooting [FJ 1/3].

Arab World: Fateh Revolutionary Council (Abu Nidal) announces execution of 5 charged with spying for Jordan and Israel [FJ 1/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF begins military maneuvers in Golan Heights and eastern Galilee [FBIS 12/29]. In Gaza Strip, military lifts curfew on Jabalya refugee camp; 2 entrances to Burayj camp are sealed [NYT 12/29].

Arab World: Amal militiamen capture, kill 4 members of Fateh near Beirut's Shatila refugee camp [FJ 1/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military courts in Gaza and W. Bank begin hearing cases of Palestinians arrested during recent violent disturbances. Additional courts have been set up in Hebron, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. Military confirms that officer has been suspended after opening fire without adequate cause during W. Bank demonstration [WP 12/28]. W. Bank schools reopen; Gaza Strip's 92 schools remain closed [NYT 12/29]. Raja' Ighbariyyah and Raslan Mahajnah, members of Abna' al-Balad Movement from Umm al-Fahm, are placed under administrative detention [FJ 1/3]. Week-long curfew on Jabalya refugee camp is lifted [FJ 1/3].

Arab World: Amal releases 10 Palestinians [FBIS 12/30].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli navy attacks cargo ship sailing from Sidon, S. Lebanon [FJ 1/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Most Gaza Strip shops remain closed, but many workers from Gaza and W. Bank report to jobs in Israel. Israel rejects U.S. criticism of its handling of disturbances [WP 12/24]. New prison camp is opened outside of Hebron to hold recently arrested Palestinian protesters [NYT 12/24]. Full commercial strike is observed in Jenin; soldiers break commercial strike in Bethlehem. Hundreds of Palestinians are arrested in connection with recent demonstrations [FJ 12/27]. Def. Min. Rabin announces tougher security plan for occupied territories [CSM 12/24].

Other Countries: U.S. again calls on Israeli leaders to cease using live ammunition to control riots in the occupied territories [NYT, WP 12/24]. Pentagon reports U.S. and Israel have agreed on joint funding for new anti-tactical ballistic missile system called the Arrow. U.S. will pay 80% of project's cost. Missile will be built in Israel [LAT 12/24]. Reagan administration officials state they plan to challenge legality of new law requiring closure of PLO's UN observer mission in New York [LAT 12/24]. Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh, head of PLO's information department, announces PLO Executive Com. will discuss establishment of Palestinian government-in-exile [FJ 12/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military rounds up hundreds of alleged rioters in Gaza Strip and W. Bank. Gaza's Jabalya refugee camp is sealed off and curfew imposed. Duhayshah camp, near Bethlehem, is also sealed. Reports indicate Israel has increased its military presence in the territories [WP 12/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Def. Min. Rabin tours Gaza, says more troops are being deployed in occupied territories. According to Palestine Press Service, 2 Palestinians wounded in jenin clash 12/21 die in hospital. Military bans distribution of al-Quds in W. Bank for 1 month [NYT, LAT 12/23]. Israel orders 4 Palestinian teachers colleges closed for 1 month: Abu Dis College of Science and Technology in Bethlehem, al-Tirah Teachers College, al-Shuyukhi College, and Ramallah's al- 'Asriyyah Community College; closure of W. Bank government schools is extended until 12/27 [FBIS 12/22; FJ 12/27]. Full commercial strike shuts down Nablus [FJ 12/27]. Hebron Polytechnic College is ordered closed for 1 month [FJ 12/27].

Other Countries: Reagan administration statement criticizes Israel's "harsh security measures and excessive use of live ammunition" in the occupied territories. U.S. abstains in UN Security Council vote, allowing passage of resolution strongly deploring Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip and W. Bank [LAT, NYT 12/23]. U.S. Jewish leaders express concern over violence in territories [WP 12/23]. U.S. Pres. Ronald Reagan signs State Dept. spending bill, which includes provision requiring closure of PLO observer mission to UN [NYT 12/24]. Jordan's King Hussein arrives in Moscow, meets with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev [CSM, LAT 12/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At Gaza's Jabalya refugee camp, Palestinian youth is shot dead, at least 3 are wounded by Israeli troops; camp is placed under curfew. At least 3 Palestinians are wounded by Israeli gunfire during clashes in Jenin and Hebron villages of Yatta and Idna [LAT 12/23; WP 12/23, 12/24]. Scattered demonstrations are reported in W. Bank [NYT 12/23]. Israeli troops arrest at least 150 people in night raid on Burayj refugee camp [FJ 12/27]. Curfew is imposed on Qalqiliyyah after demonstrators bum Israeli military govemor's car [FJ 12/27]. Military erects cement barrier at Duhayshah refugee camp's main entrance in effort to prevent rock attacks on Israeli cars [FJ 12/27

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: UNRWA Commissioner General Giorgio Giacomelli expresses concern to Israeli defense and foreign ministry officials over Israel's "rather heavy-handed reaction" to protesting Palestinians. Palestinian wounded by gunfire 12/16 after stabbing Israeli soldier in Rafah dies. Gen. Yitzhaq Mordechai, commander of southern military district, orders arrest of Shin Bet officer who fired on protesters 12/16 [LAT 12/18]. Shops in Arab E. Jerusalem remain closed to protest Ariel Sharon's move into a Muslim quarter apartment [NYT 12/18]. Curfew on Jabalya refugee camp is lifted [FJ 12/20]. Israeli settler who shot, killed Gaza student 11/10 is released on bail [FJ 12/20]. Soldiers seal 4 Ramallah stores participating in general strike [FJ 12/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Scattered demonstrations are reported in W. Bank and E. Jerusalem [NYT 12/18; FJ 12/20]. Israeli troops use tear gas to disperse large demonstration related to 12/11 clash at Balatah. Balatah and Rafah are ordered under curfew [LAT 12/18].

Arab World: Israeli and SLA troops kill 6 Lebanese National Resistance Front fighters in battle near S. Lebanon security zone [NYT 12/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Commercial strike continues in E. Jerusalem, Nablus, and Ramallah [FJ 12/20]. Police use tear gas to break up demonstration by Arab and Jewish Hebrew U. students outside P. M. Shamir's residence [FBIS 12/17; FJ 12/20]. Group of 12 Balatah refugee camp residents file complaint against defense minister and military commander of occupied territories in Israeli High Court charging border guards used excessive force in controlling demonstrations [FJ 12/20].

Other Countries: U.S. Senate passes measure temporarily prohibiting denial of visas to and expulsion of foreigners because of their political beliefs; bill also includes provision to close PLO observer mission to UN and PIO in Washington, D.C. [NYT 12/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army sends reinforcements into Gaza Strip. In Jabalya refugee camp, at least 3 Palestinians are shot, wounded when troops open fire on crowd demonstrating atfuneral of youth killed 12/15; about 20 others are arrested. Israeli soldier is stabbed in Rafah; members of patrol open fire, wounding at least 3. Army fails to break general strike [NYT 12/17]. Israel begins using water canons to control demonstrating crowds in occupied territories. Widespread arrests are reported [WP 12/17]. Tire-burning, bottle-throwing demonstrators clash with soldiers in Jerusalem [FJ 12/20].

Arab World: Israeli troops enter eastern Lebanon, battle Lebanese militias, killing 1 [FJ 12/20]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jerusalem, 31st World Zionist Congress ends 5-day meeting after fight between American Jews and Likud supporters over control of Jewish Agency [WP 12/13]. Israel imposes 10-day distribution ban on al-Fajr in Gaza Strip and W. Bank, charging newspaper violated censorship rules. Newspaper's editorial board votes to cease publication until ban is lifted [FJ 12/13].

Arab World: Hizballah claims responsibility for attack on Israeli patrol boat 12/10, says Israeli boat was sunk, 35 sailors killed [NYT 12/12].

Other Countries: UN General Assembly's Com. on International Legal Matters votes 100 to 1 on resolution affirming PLO's right to maintain observer mission [NYT 12/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: During demonstrations after noon prayers at Balatah refugee camp, at least 3 Palestinians are shot dead by Israeli troops; at least 7 others shot, wounded. Palestine Press Service reports 4 dead, at least 11 injured. Israel reports 3 police injured in day's fighting. Balatah sources charge Druze border guards have been harrassing, beating camp residents and today shot at Palestinians leaving mosque. Demonstrations are also reported in 'Askar and 'Ayn Bitilma refugee camps, Nablus, and Bayt Furik village. Balatah and 'Askar refugee camps are placed under curfew [WP 12/12; FJ 12/13]. In Gaza Strip's Jabalya refugee camp, 3 Palestinians are wounded by army gunfire [LAT 12/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestine Press Service Senior Editor Radwan Abu 'Ayyash is arrested, placed under administrative detention [WP 12/10]. In Negev town of Rahat, 200 Israeli border guards and "green patrol" members remove tent used as mosque, confiscate Qur'ans and other religious books [Fl 12/13]. MK 'Abd al-Wahab Darawshah presents defense minister with petition signed by 22 MKs protesting planned deportation of Palestinian activist Mubarak 'Awad [FJ 12/13]. Israeli police and border guards force E. Jerusalem merchants, striking insupport of JEC, to open shops [Fl 12/13]. Israeli authorities demolish Bidya store on charges it was built without permit [Fl 12/13]. Military officials announce arrest of armed Palestinian cell in Qalqiliyyah [Fl 12/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza Strip's Jabalya refugee camp, IDF soldiers shoot at crowd of students throwing stones and Molotov cocktails, killing 1 and wounding at least 10 [WP, NYT 12/10]. Israeli troops clash with protesters near Gaza's Shifa Hospital, wounding 2 [NYT 12/10]; 12 others are reported shot, wounded in Gaza Strip [LAT 12/12]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli F. M. Peres calls for dismantling existing settlements, demilitarizing Gaza Strip [CSM 12/8]. Jabalya preparatory school reopens after military-ordered closure [FJ 12/13]. Administration of Tulkarm's Khadduri College closes school indefinitely pending resolution of dispute between students and administration [FJ 12/13]. Palestinian American activist Mubarak 'Awad requests meeting with P. M. Shamir [CSM 12/8].

Other Countries: UN Sec. Gen. Javier Perez de Cuellar and Arab representatives protest U.S. congressional attempt to close PLO observer mission to UN [NYT 12/8]. PLO envoy Khalil al-Wazir arrives in Warsaw for 3-day visit [FJ 12/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinian vehicle approaching check point near Dhahriyyah; 1 Palestinian is injured [FJ 12/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mubarak 'Awad is given refuge at Kol Haneshama Synagogue in Jerusalem [WP 11/22]. Military orders 3 jabalya schools closed [FJ 11/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Political activist Mubarak 'Awad announces he will not comply with Israeli order to leave the country by 11/20 [FJ 11/22]. Israeli High Court urges formation of committee to investigate conditions at al-Far'ah Prison [FJ 11/22]. High Court hears Arab Studies Society head Faysal Husayni's appeal against his administrative detention order [FJ 11/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops surround Gaza Islamic U., where students suspend classes in protest against 'Abd al-'Aziz 'Awdah's arrest and expulsion order. At other schools in Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, soldiers use tear gas and live ammunition to disperse stone-throwing demonstrators. Demonstrations are also reported at Bayt Lahya and Jabalya refugee camps [FJ 11/22]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Attorney Ibrahim Irshayd, sec. of Prisoners' Friends Assoc., calls for closure of Kafr Una Prison [FJ 11/8].

Arab World: Senior Jordanian official states King Hussein has rejected U.S. proposal for peace conference sponsored jointly by U.S. and U.S.S.R. and is insisting on international conference [NYT 11/71.

Other Countries: Washington Post reports Israel has denied allegations of new arms sales to Iran [WP 11/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops raid Zahra School for Girls in Gaza, arrest 6 students. Soldiers and youths clash at Jabaliya refugee camp [FJ 11/8]. Palestinian farmers in Jericho begin exporting produce to EEC through Israeli Agrexco Co. [Fl 11/8]. Residents of Laqqiyyah replant olive trees uprooted by Israeli troops; Israel uproots trees again [FJ 11/8]. Al-Quds reports Israeli Ministry of Justice has ruled all Jerusalem property owned by W. Bank Palestinians will be considered absentee property [FJ 11/8].

Arab World: Israeli patrol boat searches boat off Lebanon coast, detains passenger suspected of transporting arms to guerrilla forces [WP 11/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: French P. M. Jacques Chirac calls for Palestinian self-determination and international peace conference during official visit to Israel [LAT 11/2]. Numerous demonstrations in Gaza Strip are reported [FJ 11/8]. Israeli cabinet postpones discussion of Landau commission report on Shin Bet methods [NYT 11/2]. Shahir Sa'd, leader of W. Bank Federation of Labor Unions, is banned from crossing into Jordan [Fl 11/8]. Al-Fajr reports Palestinians have been denied work permits by the Saudi embassy in Amman because they are Palestinian graduates of Birzeit University [FJ 11/8]. Israeli military objections com. in Jenin approves Nasir Abu 'Aziz's expulsion order [FJ 11/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At Gaza Strip's jabaliya refugee camp, 1 woman is injured when soldiers fire on student demonstrators [FJ 11/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Residents of Gaza's Jabalya refugee camp meet with UNRWA officials to request help in obtaining drinking water for the camp [FJ 7/26]. Defense Minister Rabin meets with several W. Bank mayors [FJ 7/26].

Arab World: Fateh Central Com. ends 2-day meeting in Tunis [FJ 7/26].