The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Political prisoners in Hebron prison end 11-mo. hunger strike after officials promise improved conditions. Justice Ministry reveals names of 22 Jewish terror suspects; most linked with Gush Emunim. Com. For Prisoners spokesman Meir Indor claims Israeli gov't. approved terror undergound. Shekel devalued by 1.5% against US dollar.

Arab World: Syrian VP meets with Lebanese leaders in Beirut. Other Countries: American Jewish Com., American Jewish Congress & ADL of B'nai B'rith issue joint statement urging US to maintain oil reserves.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Bomb found and defused in Kiryat Gat, Negev, bus station. Arab World: In S. Lebanon IDF kill 3 suspected of planting roadside bomb.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Arab nurses fired from Tel Aviv hospital on charge of "using terrorist tactics" on Jewish patients. Police order 13 al-Shayah/Ras 'Amoud families to vacate in 21 days homes built on land claimed sold to Israel in 1928. Arab World: In Beirut mtg. with UN Sec. Gen. De Cuellar, Lebanese Pres. Gemayel and PM Karami urge Israel's speedy withdrawal from Lebanon; De Cuellar offers UN as mediating body in negotiations, but rejects Sharon's suggestion that UN troops act as buffer between Syria and IDF in Beqaa.

Other Countries: Demonstrators in Colombo protest presence of Mossad counterinsurgency advisors in Sri Ianka at Pres. Jayewardene's request.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF command post in Tyre comes under light arms fire; RPGs fired on IDF in N. Sidon. 

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Police discover huge cache of weapons, including 107 grenades, 80 loaded magazines, mines, anti-tank bazooka shells and several dozen kilos of explosives in evacuated Palestinian village of Lifta near Jerusalem; suspected to be linked with "TNT" cells. MK Tsaban's motion to establish a committee of inquiry into the invasion of Lebanon defeated in Knesset vote (42-33). PM Shamir accuses Egypt of "tretreating from the Camp David framework, " citing Egypt's failure to return its ambassador to Israel. MK Rabin says PLO operations against Israel were "child's play" compared to Shi'ite "terror" against IDF in S. Lebanon. Chief of Staff Levy tells Foreign Affairs & Defense Com. 2,000 [Palestinian] "terrorists" have returned to Beirut, and IDF withdrawal from S. Lebanon would not guarantee Israel secure borders. 4 American-Israeli youths arrested for last Sunday's attack on Arab bus near Ramallah. 5 Galilee Palestinians arrested on prima facie evidence of membership in religiousnationalist organization that may have set fire to 30 vehicles in recent months. Nablus mayor Shaka'a rejects military authorities' conditions placed on his travel permit to US.

Other Countries: US amb. to OAS Middendorf affirms US and Israel have mutual strategic interests in Central America where a battle is being waged by "atheistic Communism to destroy our 'Judeo-Christian civilization'." "Moral Majority" leader Jerry Falwell reaffirms support for Israel before group at Herzl Institute, NY, stating Israel's best friends in US are "Bible-believing Christians" and US should not have interrupted Israel's "liberation" of Lebanon from Syrian and PLO "slavery." Rev. Jesse Jackson's US presidential campaign staff compile evidence of "hounding" by some Jewish-American organizations.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 3 Israelis killed and 9 wounded in booby-trapped bomb explosion on bus near Ashdod; Abu Nidal's PDFLP-GC in Damascus claims responsibility; 150 Arab men rounded up as suspects.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Former chief of staff, Eitan heckled during visit to Beer Sheba U. on tour of Negev; declares Arab students have no business there, tells them: "This is our country, not yours."

Arab World: Syria presents Gemayel 4-point plan for Lebanon: abrogate May 17 accord, deal with Syrian military presence through Arab League, set up national unity with parity for all factions, convene national unity talks in Geneva. Christian Phalangist militia leader Fadi Frem cautions Gemayel his forces will not accept abrogation of May 17 agreement.

Other Countries: Sec. of State Shultz says Marine pull-out from Beirut will be complete in 2 weeks. Israeli firm, Elbit, announces $6 million deal to supply naval communications systems to undisclosed European government.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: US Marines begin formal withdrawal to 6th Fleet vessels off Beirut. Israel bombs alleged Palestinian targets in central mountain villages of Bhamdoun, Ain al-Jadida, Bikh Shtay and Mansuriya; sends armored column north within 12 miles of Beirut. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: Italian MNF contingent complete withdrawal from Beirut, leaving Sabra and Shatila refugee camp positions to Shi'ite militia; turn over 70-bed military hospital to Shi'ite welfare organization.

Other Countries: UN Human Rights Commission approves 2 resolutions: condemning Israel's West Bank policies of confiscation and demolition of Arab property, mass arrests and torture; calling on Israel to release Ziad Abu Ain; both resolutions passed with 11 (mostly Western) members abstaining; only US opposed. International Federation for Human Rights presents evidence to UN commission of Lebanese security forces and Phalangist militia abductions of more than 1,500 civilians in S. Lebanon in conjunction with IDF. Gen. Manager of Yuval Guitars, Katzrin settlement (Golan), reports sell-out of Israeli 'ouds marketed at World Music Festival in Frankfurt to Saudi, Lebanese, Syrian and Tunisian buyers.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: Lebanese Shi'ite and Druze leaders call for Pres. Gemayel's resignation.

Other Countries: US Senate Finance Committee begins hearings on issue of establishing free trade relations with Israel. US Sec. of State Shultz, in Brazilia, accuses Syria of "trying to dominate Lebanon by force." Pres. Reagan orders use of air and naval forces against anti-gov't. positions around Beirut. Late American journalist Fred Sparks' $25,000 bequest to PLO diverted to Red Cross for work with Palestinians; decision results from protest suit taken up by 3 American Zionist organizations. Speaking in Melbourne, former Pres. Carter calls for US withdrawal from Lebanon. European Parliament Pres. Dankert criticizes Israeli policy in Middle East before Knesset and in mtg. with PM Shamir.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nisreen Ahmed Shrouf, 5 years old, killed, 2 brothers and 2 sisters wounded in Bethlehem when grenade explodes in hand; grenade suspected planted by "TNT."

Arab World: Shi'ite and Druze forces take over most of West Beirut from LAF/Phalange; demand Gemayel's resignation. 2 Israelis wounded when grenades hit IDF patrols south of Zahrani River; grenade attacks on IDF patrols in Sidon and Nabatiya market. US gunships Garcia and JF Kennedy and A-6 Intruder bombers pound mountain positions near Beirut.