The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO is about ready to begin distribution of Palestinian ID cards, according to Jerusalem Domestic Service. Cards will initially be given to Palestinians living in U.A.E., followed by those in Kuwait and Qatar. Rather than replace existing passports, the cards will serve as additional identification [FBIS 12/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel:- 30-year-old Palestinian accused of collaboration is killed [MET 12/26].

Arab World: Lebanese Defense Ministry states it will cut Aoun's 15,000 troops off payroll. Sources expect Aoun to continue paying salaries from foreign aid or taxes levied in enclave [MET 12/26].

Police arrest 10 students in Irbid, Jordan after opening of display marking anniversary of intifada leads to brawl between Palestinians and Jordanians [MET 12/26].

Syrian military intelligence post in al-Rumaylah, S. Lebanon is attacked, reports of dead and wounded vary. Syrian commander accuses Fateh forces of carrying out attack. PLO condemns raid, says it will investigate Fateh involvement [NYT, WP, FBIS 12/15]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shin Bet head tells reporters that during the intifada's 2 years, more than 500 "terrorist squads" have been uncovered, and over 170 Fateh squads exposed since Arafat renounced terrorism [FBIS 12/5].

Arab World: PLO delivers to Cairo and U.S. Ambassador Pelletreau memorandum conditionally accepting Baker's 5- point formula [FBIS 12/4; WP 12/7].

Arab Countries: agree to postpone until 12/3 UN vote recognizing Palestinian state [NYT 12/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: IDF forces ambush members of Palestinian "Black Panther" group in Nablus, kill the group's leader and 3 others; 3 more are wounded. IDF imposes curfew on Nablus [FBIS 12/ 7; MET 12/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO officials in Tunis and Arab diplomats in Paris say Libya has placed Abu Nidal, leader of Fateh Revolutionary Council, under house arrest [NYT 11/28].

Other Countries: U.S. warns it will pull out of UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) if agency recognizes PLO [NYT 11/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military orders 2 Palestinian houses near Ramallah and 4 in Rafah destroyed [FBIS 11/30; FJ 12/4].

General strike called by Fateh is observed in Gaza Strip and parts of W. Bank. 4 firebomb and molotov cocktails are thrown in O.T.; no injuries [FBIS 11/ 29].

Arab World: Lebanese Pres. Hrawi orders dismissal of Gen. Aoun; Aoun refuses to vacate presidential palace [WP 11/29];

Syrian tanks, forces, take up positions near Aoun stronghold [WP, NYT 11/29]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Shamir announces willingness to withdraw troops from heavily populated areas in O.T. if Palestinians accepted autonomy plan [NYT, WP 2/2]. Military court sentences 5 Palestinians toup to 2 years in prison for throwing rocks at soldiers, settlers [LAT 2/2, FJ 2/6].

Arab World: PLO rejects Shamir proposal, calling it plan for continued occupation [NYT 2/2].

Other Countries: Israeli "doves" including Abba Eban, MK Ran Cohen and prominent members of PLO attend conference at The Hague to discuss Middle East peace [NYT, LAT 2/21.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel charges Fateh with forming, funding "popular army" inside O.T. [WP 2/2]. In Idna 4 Palestinians are shot by Israeli troops. In Khirbat al-Dayr 2 Palestinians are shot. In Abasan 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded. At least 8 more Palestinians are injured throughout the O.T. [FJ 2/6].