The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F.M. Shamir denies involvement in cover-up of Shin Bet's activities in connection with killings of 2 Palestinians in April 1984 [BG 6/4]. Bank of Israel reports that 17,500 Israelis emigrated in 1985, against 12,500 new immigrants; second time since 1948 (1981 was other time) that net immigration negative [AFP 6/3]. Ten ultraorthodox Jews arrested in Jerusalem for damaging bus shelters carrying swimwear advertisements [JTA 6/4]. Israeli troops raid al-Najah University, beating 2 students, arresting 20, confiscating research material and nationalist literature [JP 6/5; FJ 6/6]. Israeli troops shoot into demonstrating crowd in Balata camp, wound 13-year-old Samir Shakir [FJ 6/6].

Arab World: King Hussein meets with Pres. Mitterrand in France.

Military Action

Arab World: Sunni February 6 militia continues to fight Amal in West Beirut, diverting Amal from battle for control of Palestinian refugee camps [WP 6/4]. Seventy are estimated dead, 750 wounded.

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: Maariv publishes poll indicating 65% of Israelis oppose any territorial concessions in W. Bank, 21.9% favor returning some W. Bank settlements [JTA 5/16]. Tzomet and Tehiya parties to merge [DFA 5/85].

Other Countries: US State Dept. admits it has known since early 1985 that Israel illegally obtained US-made krytron firing devices; has asked Israel to explain how devices have been used, return any unused devices [NYT, WP 5/16]. US State Dept. Director of Counter-terrorism Robert Oakley reveals PLO guarded US embassy in Beirut from mid-1970s to 1982 [TS 5/16].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli bus fired on with automatic weapon near Halhoul; 1 passenger injured; 1-day curfew imposed [JP 5/16].