The Palestine Chronology

Israel claims that during his international tour, Arafat has been urging nations to support UN Res. 181 as the basis of a peace agreement; says that the 1947 res., calling for partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, was nullified by the Arab side and cannot be invoked now by Palestinians. (WT 4/1; MENA 4/2, 4/4 in WNC 4/5; al-Quds 4/2, al-Ahram 4/4, MENA 4/6 in WNC 4/7; JP, PR 4/9)

Israel celebrates passover, leaving borders with occupied territories open rather than sealing them as it usually does on Jewish holidays. (WT 4/1)

PA releases 11 political detainees, all mbrs. of Hamas or Islamic Jihad, to mark Id al-Adha. (PR 4/9)

The IDF places a blockade on the West Bank village of Dayr Abu Mishal, nr. Ramallah, after a Jewish settler claims that Palestinians threw stones at him fr. the direction of the village. Israeli soldiers arrest 21 teenagers. (LAW 4/5)

2 mbrs. of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine are wounded in a clash with mbrs. of Fatah Uprising in al-Baddawi refugee camp in s. Lebanon. (VOL 4/1 in WNC 4/2; SA 4/2 in WNC 4/5)

Faruq al-Qaddumi, top official of both Fateh and PLO, arrives at head of Fateh delegation to Syria in aftermath of Chmn. Arafat's recent meetings with Pres. al-Asad. (NYT 11/10; AFP 11/13 in FBIS 11/14)

Israeli aircraft attack alleged DFLP positions in Rashidiyya refugee camp near Tyre, Fateh-Force 17 positions in 'Ayn al-Hilwa camp near Sidon in S. Lebanon, while Israeli-South Lebanon Army bombardment of S. Lebanese villages continues. (MEM 11/8)

Israeli DM Arens returns from China. (Qol Yisra'el 11/22 in FBIS 11/22)

In Damascus, Arab foreign ministers agree to coordinate stands during peace conference, not to strike separate deals with Israel. Syria failed to garner support for proposal that none of the delegations would attend the third-stage talks on regional issues until Israel returned occupied Arab territories. (MEM 10/24; NYT 10/25)

In another move toward Saudi-PLO reconciliation, PLO Pol. Dept. Head Faruq al-Qaddumi meets with Saudi FM Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal while both attend Damascus foreign ministers meeting. The meeting, brokered by Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak, was their first since the Gulf war, and reportedly led to Sa'ud pledging to restore Saudi ties with PLO. (MEM 10/25)

Palestinian delegate Sa'ib 'Urayqat creates an uproar in Israel by declaring to the press that "we are the PLO delegation." Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini later states that 'Urayqat was speaking for himself. (NYT 10/2)

Faisal Husseini announces seven Palestinians will form an advisory committee to work with the steering committee attached to the Palestinian delegation to the peace conference. They are: Radwan Abu 'Ayyash, Ziyad Abu Zayyad, Ahmad al-Yazji, Jamil Tarifi, Radi Jara'i, Salih Abu Laban, 'Abd al-Hadi Abu Khawsh. (MEM 10/25; Voice of Palestine 10/26 in FBIS 10/28)

Some 300 Palestinian fighters opposed participation in the peace talks occupy the offices of Fateh in the 'Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp near Sidon, S. Lebanon, and overrun much of the rest of the camp. Action was reportedly led by Maj. Munir Makda, commander of Force 17, Fateh's security force. (NYT 10/25)

Ten Palestinian groups which had been attending Tehran-based conference on Palestine sign 13-point statement denouncing Madrid peace conference, calling for escalation of intifada. Among signatories were PFLP, DFLP [Hawatma faction], Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, al-Sa'iqa. (Radio Monte Carlo 10/24 in FBIS 10/25)

Israel re-opens its embassy in Moscow, closed since the USSR broke diplomatic relations with Israel in 1967. (NYT 10/25)

Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi states Ta'if accord calls for "redeployment-not a withdrawal-of Syrian forces," but suggests that if Israel withdrew from S. Lebanon, Syria would withdraw its forces from Lebanon. (MEM 10/24)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike marking 70th anniversary of Balfour Declaration is observed in E. Jerusalem, W. Bank, and Gaza Strip. Soldiers force shopkeepers in Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Nazareth to open their stores. Demonstrations continue on Gaza Strip. Curfews are imposed on 'Askar and Balatah refugee camps after demonstrators burn tires and stone Israeli vehicles [FJ 11/8]. Al-Fajr resumes distribution in occupied territories after 4-day ban [FJ 11/8].

Arab World: Sec. Gen. for Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine Nayif Hawatimah and Amal leader Nabih Birri hold talks in Algiers, reach cease-fire agreement [NYT 11/5].

Other Countries: Rabbi Alexander Schindler, leader of American Reform Jews, urges Israeli participation in international peace conference [NYT 11/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus, 1 student is injured when Israeli soldiers use live ammunition to disperse demonstrators. In Jerusalem, soldiers raid Ummah Secondary School, attack student demonstrators [Fl 11/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A 1-day general strike in support of Jerusalem Electric Company closes most shops in E. Jerusalem [FJ 8/23]. Israeli police announce arrest of 4 Palestinians in connection with 4 murders, including assassination of Nablus Mayor Zafir al-Masri in 1986, and 3 attempted murders in Nablus and Jenin [FJ 8/23]. In Rahat village, 1,500 demonstrators inside mosque prevent court-ordered demolition of mosque by Israeli soldiers and police [FJ 8/23]. Jerusalem planning com. approves project to build 10,000 housing units for Palestinians innorthern Jerusalem [FJ 8/23]. Lina Tubaylah, member of Women's Work Com. in Nablus, receives 6-month town arrest order [FJ 8/23]. Israeli authorities ban 22 books from use in Palestinian schools on W. Bank [FJ 8/23]. Israeli authorities approve building of 4 new settlements in Jordan Valley, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem [FJ 8/23]. Israeli authorities inform landowners in Hebron-area villages of Dura and Dhahriyyah of plan to expropriate 2,000 dunams of village land [FJ 8/23]. Members of Village League open fire on Bayt 'Ula residents, injuring 2 [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: Maronite leader Camille Chamoun dies in Lebanon [MEI 8/28]. Arab committee studying terrorism ends session in Damascus; meeting was attended by an official delegation of the PLO [FJ 8/23]. Khalid Yasin, member of DFLP, is released from Israeli prison after 14 years, arrives in al-Baddawi refugee camp in N. Lebanon [FJ 8/23].

Other Countries: Scotland Yard reveals arrest of Isma'il Hasan Suwan, Palestinian researcher, in connection with attempted assassinationf Naji al-'Ali and seizure of large arms and explosive cache believed to be for use by PLO guerrillas in Europe [NYT 8/19; FJ 8/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: More than 50 Israeli soldiers raid al-Najah University in Nablus, confiscate books and files from administrative and student council offices [FJ 8/23]. In Gaza, 2 Israelis are injured in gunfire attack [FJ 8/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres states he is considering ways to promote self-rule among Palestinians in the occupied territories, outlines plans to nominate mayors in 3 major West Bank towns, would consider easing restrictions on travel to Jordan [NYT 2/27]. Israeli Army Chief of Staff Moshe Levy states 170 people were arrested during 6-day sweep in S. Lebanon, some have been transferred toprisons in Israel [NYT, TS 2/27].

Arab World: Radio Monte Carlo broadcasts statements by Nayif Hawatmah, general secretary of the DFLP, and a representative of the Palestine Communist party outlining conditions for rapprochement with Yasir Arafat's Fateh faction: (1) cancellation of the 11 February Amman agreement; (2) convening of the PNC; (3) creation of a collective leadership in the PLO [FJ 2/28].

Military Action

Arab World: Car bomb explodes outside entrance to 'Ain al-Hilwah refugee camp, near Sidon, killing driver and wounding 10; explosion occurred a half-hour before Palestinian students were to join a march to commemorate a slain Sidon leader [NYT, WP, CT 2/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jewish underground defendant Menachem Neuberger pleads guilty to charges of plotting to blow up al-Haram al-Sharif [WP, PI 5/24]. PM Peres asks Attorney Gen. Yitzhak Zamir for legal opinion concerning release of Jewish underground defendants; opposes executive branch interference in legal process [JTA 5/24].

Arab World: Officials from Amal, Palestine National Salvation Front meet in Mukhtara, Lebanon to seek resolution of Shi'ite-Palestinian fighting in Beirut [NYT 5/24]. PFLP, DFLP, Chmn. Arafat accuse Shi'ite fighters of massacres against Palestinian civilians in Beirut camps; Arafat also accuses Nabih Berri of making secret agreement with Israel to hinder anti-Israeli resistance in S. Lebanon [WP 5/24, LM 5/25]. Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara accuses Chmn. Arafat of provoking recent Amal-Palestinian fighting in Beirut [MG 5/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Settlers attack homes of Talib Gheith in Hebron, Muhammad Abu Kishik in Askar camp (both former prisoners releasd 5/20) [NYT 5/25].

Arab World: Action in Lebanon: fighting continues between Amal, Lebanese Army's 6th Brigade and Palestinian fighters in Beirut camps; Palestinians launch Katyushas against Shi'ite areas of city; 33 killed, 193 wounded [NYT, MG 5/24]. Amal stages searches for Palestinians throughout Beirut; at least 200 arrested [PI 5/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israelis, al-Fara'a refugee camp residents protest outside al-Fara'a prison, demand release of Dheisheh residents detained there after 2/1 raid on camp [FJ 2/15]. Authorities ask 4 unnamed Palestinians to become mayors of cities whose mayors were previously expelled [BG 2/11]. IDF reopen al-Bireh high school [closed 2/7] [FJ 2/15]. Interior Ministry forbids hajj to Mecca for Palestinians inside "Green Line" who are under 35, or who made hajj in the past [FJ 2/22].

Other Countries: France agrees to US request not to sell 2 nuclear reactors to Israel [PM Peres indicated 12/9 Israel sought to buy such reactors] [LAT 2/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb thrown at Israeli bus near al-Azariya; no injuries [JP 2/11].

Arab World: IDF jets attack DFLP base in Ta'lbaya, Lebanon; 2 injured [NYT 2/11]. IDF soldier injured 2/4 by roadside bomb near Tyre dies. 2 IDF soldiers killed by roadside bomb north of Israel-Lebanon border near Metulla. IDF convoy attacked north of Litani River, S. Lebanon; 1 killed, 3 wounded [WP 2/11]. RPG fired at IDF patrol near Burj al-Shemali camp, S. Lebanon; 1 wounded [JP 2/11]. IDF indicate prisoners held in Ansar prison will be transferred tonew site either in Israel or portion of S. Lebanon held by the SLA when IDF withdraws [JP 2/11].

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.