The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D. M. Rabin says IDF efforts to control intifada have been unsuccessful, but that intifada accounts for "only 4 percent" of Israel's defense budget [NYT 12/5].

Arab World: Jordan's P.M. Zeid bin Shaker resigns and is replaced by Mudar Badran, who has held the office twice before. King Husayn asks Badran "to work with the PLO" and support the intifada [NYT, WP 12/5].

Arab Tripartite Committee on Lebanon concludes 2-day Riyadh meeting, issues communique calling on all parties involved to abide by Taif agreement [FBIS 12/5].

Other Countries: Arab nations at UN ask U.S. not to threaten UN with financial sanctions in future, and to allow PLO observer's seat to be placed near observer nations; in return Arabs will drop campaign to recognize Palestinian statehood [NYT, WP 12/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 2 Israeli army reserve units made up of W. Bank settlers are deployed in Jericho and Ma'radah in W. Bank [FBIS 12/5].

General strike is observed in O.T. [FBIS 12/7].

Arab World: SLA and Amal forces exchange artillery fire in S. Lebanon [NYT 12/5].

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

Arab World: Lebanese President Rene Moawad is assassinated when an explosion destroys his car; 23 others are also killed. Moawad was in office only 17 days [FBIS 11/22; NYT, WP, LAT 11/23].

Other Countries: President Bush has received personal message from Arafat, delivered through U.S. embassy in Tunis; contents are not divulged; Bush does not plan reply [NYT, WP 11/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Bodies of 2 Palestinians suspected of collaboration are found; number of suspected collaborators killed during intifada stands at 144 [MET 12/5].

Military orders 2 Bethlehem houses destroyed. Authorities deport 5 Palestinians to Jordan, saying they lacked family reunification permit [FJ 11/27].

General strike called by Hamas is observed in O.T. At least 13 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with IDF [FBIS 11/29]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in the O.T. [FBIS 11/16]. Unified National Command of the intifada issues leaflet number 48 [FBIS 11/14].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee meets in Tunis [FBIS 11/13].

Other Countries: U.S. Roman Catholic bishops unanimously approve policy statement declaring Palestinians have a right to an independent homeland that is balanced against Israel's right to secure borders [NYT, WP 11/10]. White House announces Pres. Bush will meet with P.M. Shamir on 11/15, during Shamir's visit to the U.S. [WP 11/10].

Military Action

Arab World: UNIFIL reports 27 Katyusha rockets are fired from Lebanon into Israel during the past 24 hours [FBIS 11/13]. 2 Israeli soldiers are wounded in the "security zone" in South Lebanon when a roadside charge explodes [FBIS 11/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in O.T. At least 16 Palestinians are wounded in clashes, 10 are hospitalized with bullet wounds. 2 Rafah schools are closed [FBIS 10/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Soviet official Gennady Tarasov meets with senior PLO officials in Tunis to discuss U.S. plans for Israeli-Palestinian talks [MET 11/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians in Nablus kill 54-year-old suspected collaborator [MET 11/7]. General strike in Tulkarm. 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded by IDF forces in clashes in O.T. [FBIS 10/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Moshe Arens cables James Baker that Israel will accept Baker's 5-point plan if U.S. agrees to "minor" changes [NYT, WP 10/25]. Israeli officials claim having letter that shows PLO is hiring local Palestinians for assassinations and "terrorist actions" [NYT 10/ 24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike in Nablus and Tulkarm; 1 Palestinian is shot, killed, another is wounded by IDF gunfire. 2 Israeli cars are torched in E. Jerusalem [FBIS 10/25]

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in O.T. 3 Palestinians are wounded, 8 arrested in Qibya. Qibya and Kafr Malik placed under curfew. 18- year-old masked Palestinian is shot, killed in Hebron by IDF troops. Arsonists bum 30 dunums in the Kennedy Forest in W. Bank. Israeli car is torched in E. Jerusalem. Unified National Command of intifada issues leaflet number 47 [FBIS 10/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO defers bid to become full member of UNESCO [NYT 10/12; JP 10/ 21]. Syrian pilot flies Soviet MiG-23 to Israel and asks for political asylum [WP 10/12; MET 10/24].

Other Countries: Roman Catholic archbishops John Cardinal O'Connor of New York, Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles, and William Keeler of Baltimore, draft policy statement for the church hierarchy calling for Palestinian "territorial and political sovereignty" [NYT, WP 10/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Dahayshah camp near Bethlehem, soldiers close school indefinitely, arrest 20 students, impose camp-wide curfew after petrol bomb is thrown at IDF vehicle. Gazans end 5-day general strike. 4 villagers from Bayt Sahur are arrested for not paying taxes. 5 Palestinians are wounded in Gaza during clashes [FBIS 10/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shimon Peres has asked the Bush administration to provide $400 million in loan guarantees to construct housing for the 100,000 Jewish immigrants Israel expects from the Soviet Union over the next three years [NYT, WP 10/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 5 Palestinians are shot, killed, 3 others are wounded in clashes with IDF troops in O.T. General strike in Nablus, 2 Palestinians wounded. 3 IDF soldiers wounded from stones. Palestinian suspected of collaboration is found dead [FBIS 10/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defending decisions not to negotiate with PLO, P.M. Shamir says "were we to sit together, it would not be for negotiations but surrender talks" [NYT, LAT 9/27]. Moshe Arens urges President Mubarak to meet with Shamir [WP 9/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus resident suspected of collaboration is killed [FBIS 9/26]. Soldier injured by rock in Gaza. General strike in Tulkarm [FBIS 9/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Lebanese Christian leader Aoun accepts the Arab League's 7-point peace plan, agreeing to, among other points, an immediate cease-fire [WP, LAT, NYT 9/23]. Lebanon's Hizballah movement threatens vengeance on Saudi Arabia for 9/21 beheading of 16 Shiite Kuwaitis [WP 10/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Palestinians accused of collaboration are killed, one in Gaza, the other inside Ketziot prison. General strike is observed throughout O.T. Israeli military says it has improved procedures for notifying families when relatives are detained; new detainees will be required to write postcards to their family [LAT 9/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli D. M. Rabin meets with Egyptian president Mubarak to discuss Egyptian 10-point-plan [LAT 9/18]. Both acknowledge disagreement on composition of Palestinian delegation. Rabin encourages Mubarak to mediate between Israelis and Palestinians [NYT, WP 9/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 W. Bank settlers are wounded by rocks. General strike in O.T. marks Sabra and Shatila massacre [FBIS 9/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: CSM reports that by mid-August 91 alleged collaborators had been killed by fellow Palestinians since the intifada began [CSM 8/21].

Arab World: Palestine National Fund (PNF) offices in Amman are reopened [FBIS 8/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 3 Palestinians are killed, 6 wounded in clashes throughout O.T. General strike in W. Bank. IDF soldier in Tulkarm injured by a rock. Molotov cocktail hurled at a patrol in Jabaliyyah camp, no injuries. Police use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse stone-throwing youths in E. Jerusalem. Curfew imposed on al-Ram and Dahiyat al-Barid, north of Jerusalem, following clashes between youths and IDF [FBIS 8/22].

Arab World: UNIFIL places forces on alert because of heavy Israeli and SLA military activity in S. Lebanon [FBIS 8/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians observe general strike throughout 0.T. [FBIS 8/11].

Arab World: In Jordan, UNRWA employees stage sit-in to demand wage increase to offset drop in dinar [MET 8/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli settler opens fire on Israeli soldiers thoughto be Palestinian; soldiers return fire killing 1- year-old Israeli, wounding settler and another child [WP 8/10, MET 8/22]. In Beach camp soldiershoot, kill 7-year-old and 23-year-old, wound 5. In Hebron settlers shoot, kill 18-year-old. In Rafah 45- year-old Palestinian accused of collaboration is killed. At least 23 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations [FBIS 8/10, FJ 8/14].

Arab World: Booby-trapped car explodes in south Lebanon killing Arab driver, wounding 5 Israeli soldiers [FBIS 8/9, MET 8/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Supreme Court states that Palestinians have right to appeal house demolition orders before action is taken; ruling gives Palestinians 48 hours to appeal order to military commander and, if refused, another 48 hours to appeal to high court [WP 7/31]. Palestinians observe general strike in O. T. [FBIS 7/31].

Arab World: Arafat meets with Iraqi president Saddam Husayn [FJ 8/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops open fire, kill 17-year-old Palestinian in Ra's Karkar. Jewish settlers from Rafiah Yam shoot, kill 30-year-old Palestinian near Bayt Hanun. In Ramallah Palestinian from Bayt Lid dies from wounds received in May. In Nablus Palestinian dies from wounds received mid-July. Palestinian suspected of collaboration dies from injuries received 7/29. At least 7 Palestinians are wounded in O.T. [FBIS 7/31]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Elementary, 12th grade classes resume in W. Bank schools for first time since 1/19 [WP 7/23, FBIS 7/24]. Palestinians observe general strike throughout O.T. [FJ 7/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops shoot, wound 4 Palestinians in Gaza Strip. Army demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Bayt Furik on grounds they were built without permit [FJ 7/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians observe general strike to protest Israel's proposal for elections in O.T. [FJ 7/24].

Other Countries: U.S. Senate defeats attempt to prohibit U.S. contact with PLO officials responsible for acts of terrorism against Americans; passes watered-down version [NYT, LAT 7/21]. Senate also passes bill making it easier for Soviet Jewish refugees to enter U.S. [LAT 7/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Burin troops shoot, kill 17-year-old Palestinian. At least 18 Palestinians are injured in W. Bank. Israeli troops shoot, wound 59 Palestinians in Gaza Strip [FJ 7/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ariel Sharon, minister of industry, states that Israel must "eliminate the heads of the terrorist organizations, first of all Arafat" [WP 7/18]. Palestinians observe general strike throughout O.T. [FJ 7/24]. F. M. Arens states that it is impossible to hold free elections in O.T., while U.S. is holding talks with PLO [WP 7/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Gaza City. At least 35 Palestinians are reported injured in O.T. [FJ 7/24]. Al-Fajr cites army sources as saying it costs Israel $500,000 per day to fight intifadah [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: SLA shells Palestinian positions near Sidon [FJ 7/24]. Israeli tanks fire on Sunni villages near Tyre, killing 1, wounding 10 [MET 7/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in Ramallah district [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: Arafat sends letter to Pope John Paul II asking for a public appeal on behalf of the Palestinians [LAT 7/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 8 Palestinians are injured during clashes with Israeli troops in O.T. Soldiers arrest at least 28 Palestinians throughout O.T. [FJ 7/17]. Arab World: Israel deploys Hawk landto-air missiles in south Lebanon [FJ 7/17]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed throughout O.T. [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: Arafat states that PLO would no longer consider supporting Israel's plan for elections in O.T. [NYT 7/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Ramin Israeli troops open fire, kill 20-year-old Palestinian. In Madma 21-year-old Palestinian is killed during clash with army troops. At least 15 Palestinians are shot throughout O.T. [FBIS 7/10, FJ 7/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians in O.T. observe general strike to protest deportation of 8 Palestinians 6/29 [FBIS 7/3].

Other Countries: President Bush sends Shamir letter endorsing Baker's 5/22 speech to AIPAC [NYT 7/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At Meguiddo prison guards use tear gas to quell demonstration [FBIS 6/30]. In Gaza at least 9 Palestinians are wounded during demonstrations [FBIS 7/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in O.T. to protest U.S. policy [FJ 6/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Khan Yunis soldiershoot, kill 15-year-old Palestinian. Troops injure at least 19 Palestinians in O.T. [FBIS 6/19, FJ 6/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians in O.T. observe general strike [FBIS 6/9].

Other Countries: Letter urging Secretary of State Baker to be "fully supportive" of Israel's election program is signed by 92 senators [NYT 6/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF patrol opens fire, kills 13-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 6/ 9]. In Nablus 55-year-old Palestinian suspected of collaboration is killed [FBIS 6/8]. Arab World: Israeli warplanes carry out mock raids over Sidon [FBIS 6/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's attorney general orders investigation into whether Ariel's order that Palestinian workers wear special identification badges incites racism [NYT 6/6]. President Herzog reduces sentences of 3 members of Jewish underground; originally sentenced to life in prison, they will most likely serve 7 years for murdering 3 Palestinians, wounding 30 [FBIS 6/6]. General strike observes 22nd anniversary of 1967 war [FBIS 6/5].

Other Countries: Labib al-Tarazi, PLO envoy to UN, meets with U. S. ambassador to UN Thomas Pickering. Pickering says that he met with PLO representative in role of president of Security Council for June, not as U.S. representative [FBIS 6/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel carries out "initiated operation" in Bayta, wounds 2 Palestinians [FBIS 6/5]. In O.T. at least 10 Palestinians are injured during clashes with troops [FBIS 6/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed throughout O.T. [FBIS 6/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops shoot, kill 20-year-old Palestinian from Gaza City. In Beach camp soldiers kill 17-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 6/5, NYT 6/6]. Palestinian from Silwad dies from wounds received 5/27. Israeli dies from wounds received 6/3 in confrontation with Egyptians. In 'Askar camp soldiers shoot, wound 3 Palestinians [FBIS 6/5]. Hadashot reports that West Germany will build 2 submarines for Israeli navy [FBIS 6/8].

Arab World: Clash at Israel's northern border leaves 3 Palestinian guerrillas, 1 Israeli soldier dead, 2 Israeli soldiers wounded [WP, FBIS 6/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prime Minister Shamir calls Baker's speech calling on Israel to forswear annexation of O.T. "useless" [NYT, WP 5/24]. General strike is observed throughout O.T. Curfew in Anabta enters 20th day [FJ 5/29].

Arab World: Egyptian president Husni Mubarak gives keynote address opening Arab summit in Casablanca [WP 5/24]. Southern Lebanese town of Jezzin observes strike protesting tactics of Israeli, SLA troops [NYT 5/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Rafah at least 10 Palestinians are shot, wounded during clash. At least 7 other Palestinians are shot, injured in Gaza [FJ 5/29]. Soldiers shoot, injure 2 Palestinians in Nablus [FBIS 5124].

Arab World: Joint IDF-SLA (South Lebanese Army) patrol enters 2 Druze villages north of "security zone" [FJ 5/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli prime minister Shamir threatens to resign if Likud does not supporthe proposed elections for O.T. [LAT 5/22]. Nur Shams enters 20th day under curfew [FBIS 5/22]. General strike is observed throughout O.T. [LAT 5/22]. Israel detains Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, spiritual leader of Hamas in Gaza [FBIS 5/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Abu Dis 16- year-old Palestinian is killed during clash with troops and at least 15 other Palestinians are wounded. In al-'Azariyah troops shoot, kill Palestinian youth [FBIS 5/22, FJ 5/29]. In Hebron troops open fire, wound 4 Palestinians. At least 25 Palestinians are shot throughout Gaza Strip [FBIS 5/22]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed throughout O.T. [FBIS 5/9].

Other Countries: PLO officially asks UNESCO to upgrade its status from observer status to full membership [FBIS 5/10]. U.S. Justice Department official states that U.S. representatives met with Israeli representatives concerning the Pollard case [WP 5/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Salfit troops shoot, kill Palestinian, wound 2 others [FBIS 5/9, FJ 5/15]. At least 6 Palestinians are injured throughout O.T. [FJ 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed throughout O.T. [FJ 5/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 14-year-old Palestinian, shot by settler 4/28, dies from wounds; settler is arrested by police [FBIS, NYT 5/1]. At least 10 Palestinians are shot, wounded in Gaza Strip [FJ 5/8]