The Palestine Chronology

Secy. of State Albright phones PM Netanyahu to condemn his 6/18 plan to Judaize Jerusalem, then holds conference call with Council of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CPMAJO) to explain U.S. position. State Dept. finds it "extremely hard to understand why Israel would even consider taking such a provocative step at this sensitive time." PA files complaint with UNSC. (NYT, WP 6/20; al-Ahram al-Masa'i, ITV 6/20, JTV, MENA 6/21, MENA 6/22 in WNC 6/23; MM, NYT, WT 6/22; MM 6/24; al-Ahram 6/24 in WNC 6/25; WJW 6/25; JP 6/27; MEI 7/3; JP 7/4; WT 7/13)

In Sana', 1,000s of Yemenis take to the streets to protest government's implementation of 25-55% increase in fuel prices to meet conditions to receive $80 m. in IMF loans. (WP 6/21; MM 6/22; WP 6/24; MM 6/29)

Pres. Clinton issues determination allowing U.S. air carriers to offer indirect flights to, fr. Lebanon. (NAAA Voice 6/98; VOL 6/23, RL 6/24 in WNC 6/25; MM 6/24)

The Jordanian Democratic Unionist Party (JDUP) votes to change its name to the Democratic Party of the Left to reflect changes in party membership since the JDUP was formed in 1995 by the merger of the Jordan Popular Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Jordanian Arab Democratic Party. Since 1995, most nationalists have resigned, leaving the party a completely leftist entity. (JT 6/27 in WNC 6/30) (see 8/4/95)

A roadside bomb explodes in Jazzin, killing an SLA mbr., his son (see 3/31). In a separate incident in Beirut, a car bomb kills 2 fmr. mbrs. of the Lebanese Forces Christian militia, one of whom was an explosives expert, leading to speculation that the men accidently triggered a bomb they were planting. (VOL 6/19 in WNC 6/22; WP 6/20; MM 6/23; RL, RMC 7/2 in WNC 7/6; VOL 7/7, al-Nahar 7/8 in WNC 7/13; MEI 7/17)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nationalist Palestinian organizations call for general strike to protest Shi'ite attacks on Beirut camps [JP 5/30]. Court releases convicted Jewish underground defendant Ze'ev Friedman after serving 13 mos. detention during trial; leniency shown because Friedman suffers from a"severe illness" [JTA 5/31]. Knesset defeats motions for inquiry into Lebanon war [NYT 5/30]. IDF releases 249 ex-Ansar prisoners held in Israel [WP 5/30].

Arab World: In Tunis, PLO Central Comm. approves joint Palestinian-Jordanian peace efforts aimed at creating independent Palestinian state in confederation with Jordan [WP, PI, WSJ 5/30].

Other Countries: In Washington, King Hussein states PLO, Jordan in agreement on holding negotiations with Israel in context of intl. conference; asserts PLO participation will be on basis of UN Sec. Council resolutions 242, 338 [NYT 5/30, LM 5/31].

Military Action

Arab World: Fighting continues in Beirut between Shi'ite, Palestinian forces [NYT 5/31]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Foreign Min. official David Kimche summons diplomats from UNIFIL, UN Sec. Council nations for explanation of recent anti-resistance campaign in S. Lebanon; accuses Pres. Gemayel of provoking violence [PI 3/6]. MK's Meir Cohen-Avidov, Yuval Ne'eman return from US with pledges of $70,000 for Keren Hebron fund, a taxdeductible US charity for families of Jewish underground defendants [JP 3/5]. Palestinian prisoners at Jnaid, Nafha prisons initiate hunger strike in solidarity with striking inmates at Ashkelon prison (begun 2/22) [FJ 3/8]. Clash between nationalists and Islamic fundamentalist factions injures 8 at Islamic U., Gaza; 20 arrested; studies suspended for one day [FJ 3/8]. Jewish underground defendant Dan Be'eri plea bargains with Jerusalem District Court to reduce number of charges against him in connection with plot to blow up al-Haram al-Sharif [JP 3/6]. Strike called by 52 Palestinian town councils ends after Interior Min. promises to cover their municipal debts totalling IS 1.4 billion [FJ 3/8].

Arab World: Thousands of Shi'ites march in Beirut protesting 3/4, IDF raid on Ma'rakah [WP 3/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade thrown at IDF patrol in Sa'ir; IDF detain over 150, destroy property; 24-hr. curfew imposed. [MG, FJ, JP 3/7].

Military Action:

Heavy mortar, artillery, machinegun fire exchanged between LAF and unidentified militiamen in southern Beirut suburbs; Marines reposition main entrance to base, strengthen security.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF closes Bethlehem University for two months after two days of confrontations with students; demonstrations, strikes, rock throwing and curfews mark anniversary of Balfour Declaration in West Bank, East Jerusalem.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Geneva conference particpants agree on statement defining Lebanon's national identity, discuss proposal to freeze May 17 troop withdrawal agreement; Nabih Berri calls for removal of US forces from southern Beirut suburbs.

US and Other Countries: House rejects by 274-153 measure to cut off funds for Beirut operation by March 1, passes by 328-97 largest ever defense appropriation bill, $247 b.

Military Action:

IDF jets, artillery attack Palestinian areas of West Beirut for second day (Fakhani and stadium areas, Burj al-Barajneh, Shatila, Ramlet el-Baida, Lailake, road into airport hit); Bekaa quiet (IDF rebuilding, resurfacing roads in area); two PLO attacks on IDF, one an ambush of soldiers near Bhamdoun, the other on military command center in Sidon (IDF, assisted by Phalangists, seals off city, sets curfew, searches vehicles and houses for guerrillas).

Casualties:

Salam says David Dodge (US educator kidnapped earlier in July) reportedly alive; WAFA says 56 killed, wounded in today's raids (estimates 182 casualties from IDF raids on West Beirut, Bekaa valley yesterday); civilians remain despite extensive damage in Fakhani (many buildings burn); IDF makes little effort at civil administration in the Bekaa, allowing Phalange to be in control; IDF continues blockade of West Beirut (despite some food getting through, doctors report rise in nutrition-related diseases).

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Shamir says PLO does not want to leave Beirut, warns US of "grave danger" in tampering with UN Resolution 242; General Eliezer, in London, claims only 31,000 refugees have resulted from the Lebanese war (excluding Beirut), puts Arab deaths at 1,300 (including 1,000 "terrorists"); Eitan says Israel will not tolerate "war of attrition"; Israel plans to sell some of captured PLO weapons to Third World countries to offset the cost of the war; Begin signs agreement with the ultranationalist Tehiya Party (which opposes the Camp David Accords); 40 Palestinian women's societies in the occupied territories issue a statement demanding an end to the invasion, reaffirming their support for the PLO.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO denounces IDF raid as political act; PLO security actively seeking Dodge's release; PLO-Lebanese negotiations at a standstill while Habib tours Arab capitals; PLO spokesman says negotiations could be helped if US spoke directly to the PLO; Salam meets Wazzan, proposes timetable to make interim PLO withdrawals to other parts of Lebanon more acceptable; Bashir Gemayel, seeking support for his presidential bid, meets with Druze leader Arslan as slayings raise tensions between Phalange and Druze; Shiite Deputy Al-Zani released by Haddad forces; PLO representative in Paris slain by bomb (Abu Nidal and Jewish Armed Resistance both claim responsibility); Arslan meets with Israeli Druze leader Tarif, accompanied by Likud MK.

Arab Governments: Habib meets with Assad and Khaddam in Damascus (Syria reasserts view that focus of negotiations should be on achieving IDF withdrawal).

US and Other Countries: Weinberger cancels trip to California in concern over possible IDF invasion of Beirut; US officials reportedly see possibility of direct dealing with PLO if US forces sent to Beirut; Interior Secretary Watt's letter to Israeli Ambassador Arens, urging American Jews to support Administration energy policies to ensure US support for Israel, causes furor and is disavowed by White House.