The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat & Exec. Com. submit resignations at PNC mtg.

Other Countries: During UN debate on Middle East, EEC countries call Israel, Palestinians & Arab states to mutual recognition, renunciation of force & for end to Israeli settlements. MK Abd al-Wahab Darousha tries to attend PNC by entry from Greece, but his (Labor) party persuades him to return home.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops shoot & wound Nablus youth during stone-throwing incident.

Arab World: Israeli F15s & F16s attack DFLP base in Qubb Elias, Beqaa Valley; 7 killed, 9 wounded; Syrian anti-aircraft tire repels planes.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: COS Eitan says IDF can do without Lavi fighter. Jerusalem police refrain from seeking extradition of Jewish terror suspect Ira Rappaport from New York, claiming extradition "extremely problematic." [Under extradition agreement with US, Israel extradited Palestinian immigrant Ziad Abu Ain (1982) on basis of hearsay evidence.] Jewish terror defendant testifies MK Rabbi Waldman helped plan 1980 bomb attack on Palestinian mayors.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat meets Pres. Bendjedid in Algiers; Bendjedid urges 2-mo. postponement of PNC pending further unification talks. PFLP & DFLP announce their boycott of next day's PNC session. Lebanon & Israel meet in 4th round of withdrawal talks with no apparent progress. Libyan news agency Jana reports Col. Qadhafi meets in Tripoli with Abu Nidal [reported deceased].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police kill Sharif Taibe, wound 6 in shooting attack on Bir Zeit students demonstrating support for Chrmn. Arafat; curfew imposed on Bir Zeit, police occupy university.

Arab World: Bomb explodes at IDF patrol in Sarafand, S. Lebanon; no casualties.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hosting 8 Palestinian mayors, Ezer Weizman promises reforms & increased financial aid. 1984 West Bank olive harvest reported 50% below last year. Educ. Min. bans use of book Central Issues in Recent History of the State of the Nation by Amnon Haver for its reference to "Palestinian nation."

Other Countries: George Habash (PFLP) & Nayef Hawatmeh (DFLP) meet with Soviet officials in Moscow to discuss PLO reunification. US Senate Foreign Relations Com. publishes pessimistic report on Israeli economy, stating without current US aid (12% of GNP), balance of payment problem "unmanageable," and increased US aid will not "significantly ameliorate" these problems posing serious security threat to Israel. At Israel Bonds dinner in Los Angeles, American-Jewish oilman Armand Hammer announces project to search for oil in Israel. In New York libel trial, Sharon claims COS Eitan ordered Phalangists into Sabra & Shatila camps (9/82).

Military Action

Arab World: Pentagon orders US carrier Eisenhower totake position within range of Lebanon for possible "retaliatory strikes" there.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: From Ramallah to Bethlehem, Palestinian shops, schools and public transport strike in non-violent protest at Israeli police occupying al-Haram al-Sharif. Israeli officials give amount of 1985 US-aid request as $5 billion.

Arab World: Fateh Central Com. announces PNC will convene in Amman 11/22; Syria criticizes move as divisive. In Damascus, Nayef Hawatmeh announces DFLP will attend 17th PNC session. Al-Saiqa spokesman denounces Arafat's call for PNC session as treasonous. Lebanese PM Karami suspends talks with Israel in response to Israel's detention of 4 Shi'ite leaders (since 11/8).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nuseirat camp (Gaza) man sentenced to 5 1/2 yrs. for selling weapons. 1st Palestinian judge appointed to "Judea & Samaria" Judicial Appointments Com. Histadrut Exec. Com. mtg. turns into brawl as MK Ran Cohen calls MK Sharon "criminal." PM Peres says he will decline US offer to defer for 90 days $500 million loan now due. US and Israeli officials discuss joint Central America & Third World development & other programs.

Arab World: In special session, Lebanese cabinet meets to discuss deteriorating economic situation. Lebanese Pres. Gemayel flies to Libya for mtg. with Col. Qadhafi.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Israelis found slain in valley between Bethlehem & Jerusalem; Dheisheh resident held suspect.

Arab World: Lebanese Army 6th Brigade surrounds Bourj al-Barajneh camp, Beirut in response to reported PFLP-DFLP shoot-out there.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In campaign to repress leadership in occupied territories, Israeli authorities place Communist Party leader George Hazboun under 6-mo. town arrest in Bethlehem. Labor Party ratifies agreemento form national unity gov't. with Likud. Finance Minister Cohen-Orgad says Israel will ask for extra $750 million to $1 billion in emergency aid from US next year [for total $3.5 billion].

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat visits Baghdad, continues to Kuwait.

Other Countries: Israeli Laser Industries Ltd. buys remaining 50% of Metalworking Lasers International Ltd. through its US branch, Locke Technology Corp. US and Israeli agents bust $100 million counterfeiting ring, arresting 3 in NY and 7 in Israel, in plot to distribute "high quality" forged $10, $20 and $100 notes.

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli warplanes attack positions in Bhamdoun, S. Lebanon; DFLP Maj. Abu Kassim reported killed, 2 wounded. IDF soldier injured by roadside bomb near Ansariya, another injured by landmine near Medouha, S. Lebanon. Israeli troops raid Jbaa village, S. Lebanon, arrest several residents after grenade and machine-gun attack on IDF position there, killing 1, wounding 2.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus prisoners' families stage sit-in at Nablus ICRC office in solidarity with prisoners protesting maltreatment in new Nablus prison. Israel discloses hopes to exchange 120 Palestinian soldiers for 3 Israelis captured by PFLP-General Command. After IDF accuses PFLP of responsibility, Druze Initiative Com. issues counter-statement that Israel is to blame for death of Druze IDF soldier Samir As'ad killed in S. Lebanon, calls for Israel to exchange corpse for Palestinian prisoners held. About 35 prominent national figures from West Bank/Gaza issue statement of support for Democratic Front for Peace and Equality in July elections.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat meets briefly with King Hussein in Amman to discuss PLO reconciliation.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: About 15 Israeli settler families pitch tents near Bethlehem, declaring new settlement named Naot Adumim.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Residents of 'Ain Yabroud and Silwad villages regain land from Ofra settlers upon presenting deeds to Ramallah district military authorities. Bank of Israel devalues shekel (by 1%) for second consecutive day.

Arab World: PLO reconciliation talks in Aden produce tentative political agreement between Fateh and the Democratic Alliance (DFLP, PFLP, PLF and the Palestinian CP). 3 UNRWA officials flee Lebanon after receiving death threats.

Other Countries: US Senate approves FY 1985 aid package for Israel: $1.2 billion economic, and $1.4 billion military aid.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Justice Minister Nissim asks cabinet to reconsider approval (5/11/84) of 2 new settlements (Neriya & Yaarit) as legal expropriation papers in dispute. Rakah councilor Karkaby protests Haifa housing discrimination, denying Arab newlyweds access to apartments reserved for young couples. Central Bureau of Statistics announces April inflation rate of 20.6, auguring 406%o inflation rate for 1984. Candidate Rabin pledges Alignment gov't. could withdraw IDF from Lebanon within 6 mos., thus saving $200-250 million yearly.

Arab World: PFLP, DFLP, Palestine Communist Party & Fateh representatives meet in Algiers to form unified stand before next PNC meeting. Egyptian Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee holds conference on "Solidarity with the Palestinian People" in Cairo. In interview with Akher Sa'a, Egypt's Dep. FM Ghali calls for new Arab League that will recognize and cooperate with Israel. Residents of Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp demonstrate against Israeli occupation.

Other Countries: US gov't. turns over files to Israel on completed and pending cases of Nazis and pro-Nazis living in US.

Social/Economic/Political:

Arab World: Representatives of Fateh, PFLP & DFLP issue communique after 3-day Aden mtg., calling for renewed drive for Palestinian state by all means, including armed struggle.

Other Countries: US State Dep't. rejects view of Benvenisti's West Bank Data Project report that Israeli occupation of the West Bank is nearly irreversible. Morocco announces break in diplomatic relations with Costa Rica and El Salvador.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yesh Gvul movement requests investigation of bank information leak when MK Ronni Milo charges $5,000 donated by the "leftist and anti-Israel" Presbyterian Church. IDF reserve corporal Marcello Weksler gets 2 weeks in jail for refusing service in Lebanon. (Weksler is 124th refusenik jailed.) A decision based on BritishMandate Defense (Emergency) Regulations (1945) to ban without explanation Arabic bi-weekly al-Masira upheld by Israeli High Court.

Arab World: Syrian and Israeli forces begin build-up in western sector of Beqaa Valley. IDF closes 4 Awali River crossings. 7 Israelis wounded in grenade attack near Nabatiya; 3 wounded by explosive charges at Litani River bridge. DFLP demands return of men responsible for Jerusalem shoot-out (4/3/84) in exchange for release of IDF PoW held for 1 year.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military authorities order 1-mo. closure of Bir Zeit U. after Land Day demonstrations there. Elon Moreh settler, convicted of destroying evidence in murder of Aisha Bahash (12/8/83), sentenced to 3 mos. jail and 33 mos. suspended. Deputy sheriff of Albuquerque, NM Mike Mansour arrested without charge during family visit to Deir Dibwan, West Bank.

Arab World: At Beirut news conference, Ali Kamil Bishri captured by Amal militia says IDF paid him and 3 others in Israeli-sponsored death squad to murder Imam Raghib Harb in Jibsheet, S. Lebanon (2/16/84). Pres. Mubarak says he hopes to restore full diplomatic relations with USSR soon. Egypt and Cyprus agree to restore diplomatic relations.

Other Countries: Norwegian Palestine Solidarity Committee hosts 3-day conference in Oslo on "The State of Israel and the Palestine Question." Mayors of 10 US cities attend Jerusalem Conference of Mayors sponsored in part by American Jewish Congress.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 3 Arab men throw grenades and open fire on shoppers in occupied Jerusalem, wounding 48; 1 gunman killed by armed shopkeepers, 2 arrested; DFLP and Abu Nidal group claim responsibility.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 former Ansar prisoners Ghassan Zeidan & Mohammed Yunis held in Atlit prison submit habeus corpus petitions to High Court that Israel violated Nov. exchange agreement for their release. 3 Black Americans (2 bishops and 1 journalist) detained at Lydd airport because of skin color; no official apology offered; Tourism Ministry spokesman Shoshani explains Blacks singled out as part of "security check."

Arab World: PFLP-DFLP Joint Command, Palestine Liberation Front and Palestine Communist Party meet in Aden to discuss unification and revitalization of PLO.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mutilated and decapitated body of Bilal Jamal Najjar, Najah U. student who disappeared (3/11/84), and was last seen in Israeli prison, found near Majdal Fadel village.

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/lsrael: Israeli reservist convicted of stealing money from West Bank residents returning from Jordan. Chrmn. of US Joint Chiefs of Staff arrives from mtg. with Pres. Gemayel for 3-day visit with IDF officials. Zionist General Council convenes in Jerusalem to discuss settlement, immigration, Jewish education, as well as crisis in the Zionist movement. Muhammed Amireh, journalist with al-Quds, placed under town arrest for 6 mos. Palestinian journalist, Raymonda Tawil prevented from leaving West Bank to participate in political debate for West German television. Meir Kahane, after stating to press he would turn himself in only if later released on bail, reports to Jerusalem police station; released on IS25,000 bail and ordered to turn over US passport to authorities.

Arab World: 3 PLO Executive Committee members, Abdul Mohsen Abu Maizar (Ind.), Ahmed al-Yamani (PFLP) and Yasser Abed Rabbo (PDFLP), leave talks in Tunis, return to Damascus. Syrian and Lebanese FMs meet in Riyadh with Saudi counterparts for talks on Lebanon security plan; talks focus on Syrian call for repudiation of May 17 agreement.