The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Minister of Agriculture Arik Nehemkin gives Bayt Jann villagers permission to farm their land [FJ 8/2]. Military officials serve 3 unionists from Abu Dis with 6-month town arrest orders [FJ 8/2].

Arab World: After emergency meeting in Damascus, PFLP politburo announces dismissal of spokesman Bassam Abu Sharif, who participated in 7/27 meeting between PLO Chairman Arafat and Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, saying the meeting violated the resolutions passed at the 18th PNC [FJ 8/2].

Other Countries: U.S. officials confirm U.S. and Jordan conducted their largest joint military exercises last week [CSM 7/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bayt Jann village in the Galilee, hundreds of Palestinian Druze clash with Israeli soldiers and nature reserve officers when authorities try to evict Druze from village land annexed by Israel for a nature reserve; at least 16 Israelis and 6 Druze are injured [BG 7/7; FJ 7/12]. Office of Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek announces mayor will boycott French Consulate's Bastille Day celebration to protest practice of holding separate receptions for Arabs in E. Jerusalem and for Jews in W. Jerusalem [WP 7/7].

Arab World: U.S. envoy Vernon Walters meets in Damascus with Syrian Pres. al-Asad for 2d day of discussions aimed at improving U.S. -Syrian relations [WP, NYT 7/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Combined Israeli ground and air forces fight Hizballah guerrillas in daylong battle near Yatir in S. Lebanon [BG 7/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 'Abd al-Halim Julani, expelled in 1971, returns to W. Bank [FJ 7/12]. Israeli troops close an entrance to Balatah refugee camp [FJ 7/12].

Arab World: U.S. Ambassador to the UN Vernon Walters meets for talks with Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad in Damascus [FJ 7/12].