The Palestine Chronology

State Dept. indicates all parties to peace negotiations have agreed to resume talks 4/27 in Washington and have given the U.S. lists of proposed sites for the sixth round of talks. (WP 4/3)

State Dept. also announces 17-member U.S. inspection team that traveled to Israel found no evidence that Israel improperly transferred technology relating to U.S.-built Patriot missiles to China. Dept. indicates inspectors found all missiles supplied to Israel intact, but had no way of determining if photos or other information had been supplied to China. (WP 4/3)

Israel denies 4/1 State Dept. report suggesting it improperly transferred U.S. military technology to third countries. (MM 4/2)

Hundreds of Palestinians clash with security forces in Jabaliya, Burayj refugee camps in Gaza as protests over 4/1 killings in Gaza break out. At least 35 Palestinians are injured by security forces' gunfire. Rafah and nearby camps are curfewed. PLO announces it has requested the UN Sec. Council meet to discuss ways of protecting o.t. residents and that it has called on UN Secy. Gen. Ghali to dispatch observers to the o.t. (AFP, MM 4/2; MM 4/3)

Unified National Command of the Intifada issues proclamation no. 81 urging unity of Palestinian ranks and calling for a "revival" of the Old City of E. Jerusalem. (Voice of Palestine 4/2 in FBIS 4/3, 4/7)

16 IDF troops from a special unit established to combat the intifada desert their post in Rafah, Gaza, to protest conditions. (NYT 4/2; MM 4/3)

U.S. inspection team arrives in Israel to investigate charges that Israel improperly delivered Patriot missile technology to China. (MM 3/20)

IDF closes Gaza, forbids Palestinians from traveling to Israel in wake of 3/17 attack on civilians in Jaffa by a Gaza resident. (NYT 3/21)

U.S. appeals court in Washington upholds life sentence of Jonathan Pollard, the American convicted for spying on behalf of Israel, following an appeal lodged by Pollard. (WP 3/21)

IDF kills Palestinian in Silwad, near Ramallah. A Palestinian youth shot 3/19 in Janin refugee camp dies of his wounds. (MM 3/20)

DM Arens meets with U.S. Secy. of Defense Richard Cheney in Washington. Cheney shows Arens intelligence findings indicating Israel illegally exported Patriot missile technology to China. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Arens again denies charge and states Israel will cooperate with U.S. experts who will travel to Israel to investigate the reports. (NYT 3/17)

Palestinian peace delegation head Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi states no consensus currently exists among Palestinians regarding Jordanian-Palestinian cofederation. (Voice of Palestine 3/17 in FBIS 3/18)

Unified National Command of the Intifada issues addendum to proclamation no. 80 [see 3/3] urging Palestinians in o.t. to resist Israeli attemptso foster internecine divisions. (Voice of Palestine 3/16 in FBIS 3/17)

Israeli govt. spokesman Benjamin Netanyahu calls recent reports that Israel transferred Patriot missile technology to China a "deliberate campaign" to "slander Israel" by certain American quarters. (WP 3/16)

Responding to recent press reports that Jordan and the PLO have been discussing a plan forJordanian-Palestinian confederation [see 3/12], Nabil Sha'th, political advisor to Chmn. Arafat, states that the Palestine National Council already agreed to confederation at the Algiers meeting in November 1988. He also states that such plans presuppose existence of an independent Palestinian state. (Tunisian Republic Radio 3/15 in FBIS 3/16)

Mayor of Petah Tikva informs police he will soon put a fence around the Geha Junction in Petah Tikva to prevent Palestinian workers from congregating each morning looking for work. The mayor claims the action is to forestall possible terrorist attack against city residents. (MM 3/16)

IDF kills 3 Palestinians during gunbattle in 'Askar refugee camp near Nablus. (NYT 3/16)

U.S. administration confirms it has begun investigating intelligence reports suggesting that Israel supplied China with technical data from Patriot missile system. On a visit to U.S., DM Arens strongly denies charge. The controversy comes at a time when the State Dept.'s inspector general has formulated draft report [reported 3/13 in U.S. press] criticizing the department's bureau of politico-military affairs for failing to act on reports that Israel has been improperly transferring U.S.-made weapons to third countries. (WT 3/13; WP 3/14)

King Hussein meets with Pres. Bush in Washington, discusses possibility of announcing formation of a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation to help Palestinian delegates in their negotiations with Israel. Hussein also agrees that Jordan will "do its part" to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq. (NYT, WP 3/13; WP 3/17)

Pres. Asad accuses Israel of asking the U.S. to intercept N. Korean ship reportedly carrying Scud-C missiles to Syria [see 3/9]. Asad denied the vessel was transporting missiles. (WP 3/13)

IDF kills Palestinian in Janin, arrests dozens others. Army states all were members of the Black Panthers organization. (MM 3/12; WP 3/13; NYT 4/12)

State Dept. spokesman declines comment on report that Israel may have given China access to U.S. Patriot missile technology or perhaps even one of the Patriot missiles themselves [U.S. provided Israel with two Patriot batteries during the 1991 Gulf war on condition that Israel not share system's technology with other countries]. (WT 3/12)

IDF releases 180 Gazans detained in Ketziot-Ansar 3 detention camp following 3/10 announcement that some 300 Palestinians would be released to mark the Islamic holy month of Ramadan [see 3/101. (ITN 3/11 in FBIS 3/12)

Secy. of State Baker tells Congress that U.S. will not comply with Israeli requests for aid if it feels the aid would be used to further policies the U.S. opposes. (NYT, WP 2/7)

19 Knesset members send letter to PM Shamir demanding inquiry into 2/4 death of Palestinian detainee Mustafa 'Akkawi. Demand notes that as a carrier of Israeli identity card, 'Akkawi should have been detained inside Israel and not in the o.t. (MM 2/6)

Concerned over possibility that peace talks could lead to Palestinian autonomy in o.t., Council of Jewish Settlements in o.t. passes resolution urging permanent IDF presence and continuation of settlement activity in o.t. (Ha'Aretz 2/7 in FBIS 2/11)

Following several corrections of the information it originally issued, IDF admits to Israeli press that bus fired on by IDF soldier 2/3 in Gaza was actually several kilometers from the checkpoint it supposedly failed to observe and that it could not explain why the soldier had shot at it, killing a Palestinian passenger. IDF also suspends the officer commanding the soldier's unit after it determined the soldier "did not observe regulations". (MM 2/6)

Dir. gen. of International Atomic Energy Agency arrives in Syria to secure Syrian ratification of IAEA safeguards treaty, which provides for IAEA inspection of nuclear facilities. IAEA decided to discuss the treaty with Syria following disclosures that China has agreed to sell a 24-megawatt reactor to Syria. Syria has not signed the safeguards treaty because it did not possess any nuclear facilities and because of Israeli refusal to allow IAEA inspection of its own nuclear facilities. (Radio Monte Carlo 2/6 in FBIS 2/10; WP 2/11)

Secy. of State Baker and Russian FM Andrei Kozyrev open third stage, multilateral peace talks at the FM level in Moscow. Attendees include representatives from Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, UAE, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania, Turkey, China, Japan, Canada, EC, European Free Trade Association. Saudi Arabia has provided funding for the meeting given dire economic situation facing Russia. Syria, Lebanon boycott conference, citing lack of progress in bilateral talks with Israel. Palestinians also stay away after U.S., Russia refuse to allow delegates from Jerusalem, exile to participate. Algeria, Yemen decide not to participate in wake of Palestinian decision. Secy. of State Baker expresses "disappointment" at Palestinian decision, but expresses support for including Palestinians from outside o.t. at a later date in talks on issues such as refugees that affect them. (MM 1/28; NYT 1/29, 1/30)

IDF signs order establishing Jewish "civil guard" in W. Bank [see 12/25, 1/1]. (HaAretz 1/29 in FBIS 1/29)

Israeli supreme court orders IDF to lift nighttime curfew imposed 12/15 on Ramallah area by 2/11/92 in response to plea made by residents. (NYT 1/29)

IDF sends reinforcements into "security zone" in wake of attacks by Islamic Resistance Movement. (NYT 1/29)

Israel, China establish diplomatic relations. (NYT 1/25)

IDF court cancels deportation of one of 12 Palestinians scheduled to be expelled from o.t., first time IDF has done so since 1979. Court upholds deportation of the other 11. (NYT 1/24)

FM Levy arrives in Beijing as prelude to previously-announced decision that Israel, China will soon establish diplomatic relations. China announces it will attend multilateral talks scheduled to be held shortly in Moscow; China had been previously barred from attending because it did not recognize Israel. (NYT 1/23, 1/24)

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy outlines to Senate his proposal for U.S. response to loan guarantees to Israel whereby new settlement halted and amount requested is reduced by the amount spent by Israel to complete settlements under construction. (NYT 1/23)

IDF, Border Guards, police, and Shin Bet (internal security service), raid Ramallah, al-Bira, Nablus, and surrounding refugee camps in early morning hours, arrest 130 alleged PFLP activists. (MM 1/22)

Peace Now issues report on settlement activity in o.t. (NYT 1/23, MM 1/22)

Chinese FM Qian Qichen indicates China and Israel will eventually establish diplomatic ties, also noting that speed with which ties are established will depend upon progress of peace talks. (NYT 11/29)

Villagers in Tayr Diba, S. Lebanon, demonstrate against plans to remove Lebanese army troops from village [see 11/27]. (MM 11/29)

U.S. agrees to pay Iran $278 million in compensation for undelivered military equipment bought by Iran before 1979 hostage crisis. Both Iran and U.S. deny connection between agreement and current efforts to reach comprehensive prisoner-hostage exchange in Middle East. (WP, MM 11/29)

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)

Secy. of State Baker criticizes 11/4 opening of Israeli settlement in Golan, calling it "provocative." (NYT 11/6)

Chmn. Arafat arrives in Amman for discussions with King Hussein in advance of return of Palestinian, Jordanian delegates from Madrid. The two cochair a committee overseeing activities of the joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to the peace talks. (MEM 11/6)

Five Palestinians are injured when violent confrontations break out between Palestinians, Israeli security forces in Jenin following assassination of Fateh activist Mahdi Abu al-Hasan by Israeli undercover agents. Abu al-Hasan, whom security forces had been seeking for some time, was reportedly ambushed in his car without warning. (MEM 11/6)

First direct Moscow-Tel Aviv flight transporting Jewish immigrants carried out by Aeroflot arrives with 125 Soviet Jews. Flight was operated by Transair, an Aeroflot subsidiary. (Qol Yisra'el 11/5 in FBIS 11/6)

Israel, South Lebanon Army shell targets outside of Israel's "security zone" in S. Lebanon for tenth consecutive day. Gen. Antoine Lahad, commander of the South Lebanon Army, states Israeli-Lebanese peace talks will not lead to dismantling of SLA or of the "security zone." (MEM 11/6)

Israeli DM Arens makes secret trip to China. (ITV 11/8 in FBIS 11/17)

Palestinian negotiators Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, Zakariya al-Agha, Sari Nusseibeh meet Secy. of State Baker in Washington to discuss Palestinian participation in proposed peace conference. (MEM, NYT 10/11)

For the first time, China admits that Israeli-Chinese meetings took place in Beijing between Chinese officials and representatives of Israel's foreign ministry. Latter had been invited to China by Israel's semi-official representative office, and spoke with their Chinese counterparts while in the country. Israel also confirms that the meetings were held. (MEM 10/10; Qol Yisra'el 10/10 in FBIS 10/11)

UN Secy. Gen. de Cuellar informs Lebanon that Lebanese army cannot deploy in areas in S. Lebanon controlled by UNIFIL forces. Lebanese officials claim de Cuellar had indicated the army would be allowed to operate in UNIFIL areas during talks between Lebanese, UN officials in September in New York. (Radio Lebanon 10/10, 10/11; Voice of Lebanon 10/11 in FBIS 10/11)

Lebanese army units continue search for PLO weapons caches in Sidon, order civilians to turn in weapons. More than 500 militia members arrested. (NYT 7/10)

U.S., Britain, France, USSR, China agree to control flow of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons to Middle East, exercise "restraint" insales of conventional weapons to region. (WP 7/10; NYT 7/16)

Pres. Bush unveils proposal for arms control in Middle East, his first concrete policy initiative dealing with region since end of Gulf war (see JPS 80, doc. D3). Proposal includes call for: U.S., USSR, China, France, Britain to halt certain arms transfers; freeze on acquisition of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons-grade uranium & plutonium; regional acquiescence to global ban on poison gas weapons; commitments to abide by 1972 treaty on biological weapons and 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Proposals do not call for specific treaties but rather encourage self-restraint. Administration confirms that Israel, which has not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has objected to provisions on nuclear weapons. Israel reportedly possesses some 100 nuclear warheads. (NYT, WP, LAT 5/30)

Israeli government admits paying $35 million to government of former Pres. Mengistu Haile Mariam's government in Ethiopia for release of Ethiopian Jews flown to Israel 5/24 and 5/25, confirms that two senior officials of deposed government were given temporary asylum in Israel as part of deal. (NYT 5/30)

Following talks with Jordanian For. Min. Tahir al-Masri, PLO Pol. Dept. Head Faruq al-Qaddumi states that Jordan and Syria have responded positively to PLO proposal for coordinated stand among Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and PLO toward U.S. peace efforts in region. (MEM 5/29)

U.S. Def. Secy. Richard Cheney arrives in Israel for talks on arms sales. Israel has complained recently that U.S. is delaying delivery of $700 million in arms promised to Israel. Cheney states Washington remains committed to assuring Israel's military advantage over Arab states. (LAT 5/30) 

Under intense pressure to help Kurdish refugees fleeing Iraqi anny, Pres. Bush orders Air Force transports to begin, on 4/7, dropping food, blankets, and clothing to refugee stations along northern border. Bush says he expects Iraq to "permit this effort to be carried out without interference." Other aid is promised by Bush to Turkey and Iran (cf. 4/7) [NYT, WP, LAT 4/6].

Iraq offers 1 week of amnesty for Kurds and army deserters (cf. 4/11) [MEM 4/5; NYT, WP 4/6; MET 4/16].

Taking up issue of rebels in Iraq, UN Sec. Council votes 10-3, with 2 abstentions to condemn Saddam Hussein's oppression of Kurds and other civilians, and to ask Sec.- Gen. to investigate their plight. Cuba, Zimbabwe, and Yemen vote against resolution, while China and India abstain [NYT, WP, LAT 4/6].

GCC nations, laying groundwork for aid program for Egypt and Syria that will tie the countries economically, allocates $5 billion as initial installment; GCC officials say as much as $15 billion could be spent [WP 4/6].

IDF shoots dead Nablus youth during stone throwing clash; 3 Gazans are wounded in separate clash [LAT 4/6; MEM, FJ 4/8].

Pres. Bush, saying he is making "one last attempt" to avoid war in Gulf, proposes Sec. Baker meet with Iraqi F.M. Aziz between 1/7 and 1/9 in Geneva [MEM 1/3; NYT, WP, WT, LAT, WP 1/4].

Libyan leader Qaddafi predicts Iraq will leave Kuwait to avoid international "catastrophe"; Qaddafi hosts hastily arranged 3-hour meeting with Pres. Mubarak, Pres. Asad, and Sudanese leader Omar Bashir to discuss Gulf crisis [MENA 1/3 in FBIS 1/3; DDS, SANA, RMC, JANA 1/3 in FBIS 1/4; MEM 1/3; WP, WT, LAT 1/4].

Sources in Algerian gov't. say Saddam has sought guarantees before evacuating Kuwait that Iraq will not be attacked subsequently by U.S. or Israel [WP 1/4].

Group of international judges say UN Sec. Council resolution authorizing use of force against Iraq is invalid because China, as a permanent member, had not backed it. Judges cite Article 27 of UN Charter as saying decisions of the Council require "affirmative vote" of all 5 permanent members [WT 1/4].

Citing national security and Iraqi threats, Britain expels 8 Iraqi embassy staff members and 67 other Iraqi nationals [NYT, WP, WT, LAT, MEM 1/4].

Guido de Marco, president of UN Gen. Assembly and 1st to visit o.t., witnesses stones being thrown at Israeli troops and soldiers answering with tear gas and rubber bullets during visit to Jabaliya camp [WP, WT 1/4].

Israeli troops shoot dead Palestinian and wound 6 others in Gaza; military reports soldiers chased masked Palestinians in Khan Yunis and opened fire when they would not halt [WT 1/4].

Pentagon reports number of Iraqi troops in and near Kuwait has grown to over 530,000 and multinational force arrayed against them now totals more than 580,000 [NYT 1/4].

Jerusalem court sentences reserve army Lt. Col. Yair Klein to 12 months in prison, suspends him for 3 years, and fines him $75,000 for training armed groups linked to drug barons in Columbia [JPD 1/4 in FBIS 1/4; WP 1/4].

Syrian D.M. and deputy P.M. Gen. Mustafa Talas arrives in Riyadh for meetings with Saudi defense officials [SPA, RIDS 1/3 in FBIS 1/4].

Pres. Bush holds meetings and press conference with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, then flies to Geneva for talks with Pres. Asad; in Geneva Bush says Syria "is lined up witlh us . . . standing up against aggression" [MENA 11/23 in FBIS 11/23; CDS, MENA 11/23, PRA 11/25 in FBIS 11/26; NYT, LAT, WP 11/24; MET 12/4].

More than 4,000 Jordanians march through Amman's main marketplace denouncing Pres. Bush's visit to Gulf region [NYT 11/24].

Chinese and Soviet F.M.s meet in Beijing, issue statement on Gulf crisis urging world to seek peaceful solution [NYT 11/24].

Iraq begins calling up battle-experienced reservists in their 30s for deployment in Kuwait [BADS 11/23 in FBIS 11/26; LAT 11/24].

Israeli soldiers shoot dead Druze Arab, capture another trying to cross from Golan Heights into Syria [LAT 11/24; JPI 12/1].

Israeli Chamber of Commerce opens Moscow office [TASS 11/23 in FBIS 11/26].

Sec. of State Baker leaves for Gulf and Europe to lay groundwork for new UN Sec. Council resolution authorizing use of force against Iraq and to ask allies under what conditions would they support military action [WP, NYT 11/4].

IDF shoots dead Gaza Palestinian, injures at least 61 others as soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to break up demonstration in Bayt Hanoun that erupted after news that Palestinian activist had died in detention [WP, NYT 11/4; JPD 11/4 in FBIS 11/6; LAT 11/5].

For 2d time in as many weeks, Iraqi officials hint that they might release all hostages in return for guarantee Iraq would not be attacked; guarantee to come from at least 2 of the following states: China, France, USSR, Germany, and Japan [INA 11/3 in FBIS 11/6; WP, NYT 11/4].

Iraqi F.M. Aziz arrives in Amman for meeting with King Hussein [INA 11/3 in FBIS 11/5].

World Bank officials say more than 1.5 million people have been displaced by the Gulf crisis [WP 11/4].

Saudi Oil Minister Hisham al-Nazir says Saudi Arabia's oil production surpassed 8.2 million b/d this past week and is expected to rise to 8.5 million b/d early next year to make up for loss of Iraqi oil [NYT 11/4].

Pres. Bush accepts offer from Baghdad to speak on Iraqi television, says 10-15 minute speech would provide "real opportunity" to explain why he has sent U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia [LAT, WP 9/7].

Iraq acquiesces to U.S. demand that U.S. consular be given access to American wounded by Iraqi gunfire in Kuwait [LAT, WP 9/7].

Jewish and Roman Catholic leaders, meeting in Prague, agree to forge closer relationship and combat anti-Semitism in E. Europe [LAT 9/7].

UN acknowledges shortcomings in its relief efforts for tens of thousands of refugees who fled Kuwait and Iraq for Jordan [LAT 9/7].

Saudi Arabia announces it will cover virtually all of the hundreds of millions of dollars in monthly operating costs of U.S. forces; Saudis will also contribute several billion dollars in aid to Middle East nations that have joined the coalition against Iraq [NYT, WP 9/7; MET 9/18].

Several nations, including China, India, and Tunisia, say they are considering sending emergency food and medicine to Iraq despite embargo [NYT 9/7].

Britain announces it will send additional forces to the Gulf region, and will provide about $4 million in aid to refugee relief organizations [NYT, WP 9/7].

Pres. Bush telephones Pres. Asad to discuss Gulf crisis; Asad also meets with delegation from European Parliament [DDS 9/6 in FBIS 9/7].

Qatar deports 15 additional Palestinians; this is 3d group of deportees [RAY 9/9 in FBIS 9/10].

Sec. Baker meets in Jeddah with King Fahd to discuss Gulf crisis [WP 9/7; RTS 9/7 in FBIS 9/10].

Ending 2-day meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss crisis, foreign ministers of 6-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) demand immediate Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait [SPA, RIDS 9/5 in FBIS 9/6; MET 9/18].

General strike called by Hamas is observed in Gaza Strip; commercial strike is observed in parts of W. Bank [FJ 9/10].

Testifying before Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sec. of State James Baker says U.S. will not rush to break off contacts with PLO, despite fact that PLO's response to 5/30 attempted attack has "fallen short of the mark." Baker reports that "an extraordinarily large number" of allies has urged Washington not to move too quickly or rashly [WT, WP 6/13]; Baker also says that at least 7 nations including Egypt and USSR have agreed to urge PLO to save its dialogue with U.S. [LAT 6/13]; Pres. Bush reiterates his call for PLO to roundly condemn 5/30 attempted attack [WP 6/13].

Officials in Bush admin. and Congress say Israel has emerged as leading supplier of advanced military technology to China, despite U.S.'s clearly expressed opposition to Israeli-Chinese military cooperation [LAT 6/13].

IDF soldier throws tear gas grenade into UN maternity clinic in Gaza Strip; 66 infants are treated for gas inhalation. IDF says soldier acted contrary to orders, and legal steps would be taken. IDF was responding to stonethrowing incident around the clinic (cf. 6/13, 6/14) [JDS 6/12 in FBIS 6/14; WT, WP, LAT 6/13; FJ 6/18]. 

New York Times reports Shimon Peres has made no visible progress toward securing majority of Knesset votes needed to form gov't. [NYT 3/25].

Faisal Husayni says positive Israeli response to Baker proposals would lead to change in intifada methods used by Palestinians [JDS 3/25 in FBIS 3/26].

Pres. Asad and Pres. Mubarak meet in Libya; first meeting since their countries restored diplomatic ties in December [WP 3/25; DDS 2/25 in FBIS 4/3].

China and Israel have exchanged unofficial liaison offices to coordinate growing contacts, but diplomats says it is very unlikely China would recognize Israel soon [NYT 3/25]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Jordan, Qatar announce that PLO offices in their countries will be upgraded to embassies [NYT 1/8, WSJ 1/9].

Other Countries: Chinese officials state that PLO office in Beijing will now be considered embassy [NYT 1/8, WSJ 1/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bani Na'im soldiers injure 3 Palestinians. Soldiers in Tulkarm shoot, wound 3 Palestinians. Troops fire on demonstrators, wound 2 in Bethlehem. InRafah troops shoot, injure 7 Palestinians. At least 7 other Palestinians are injured in clashes throughout O.T. [FJ 1/16].

Arab World: IDF patrol in S. Lebanon "security zone" shoot, kill 8 Lebanese [NYT 1/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor's Peres announces willingness to enter talks with Likud to form another national unity government [NYT 11/21]. "Civil administration" announces W. Bank primary schools will reopen 12/1; secondary schools will follow; universities will remain closed [WP 11/22].

Arab World: Egypt announces itrecognized Palestinian state on 11/15 [NYT, WP 11/ 21]. In Amman King Hussein tells CBS News that U.S., Israel are blocking Middle East peace efforts [WP 11/21].

Other Countries: China formally recognizes the State of Palestine [NYT 11/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nar Nablus Israeli troops shoot, kill 1 Palestinian, wound another. In Kafr 'Ayn soldiers wound 1 Palestinian. In Jabalya troops shoot, wound 12-year-old boy. In Hebron Israeli authorities demolish 2Palestinian homes. In Qalandiya camp Israeli soldiers smash doors, windows and overturn cars after their bus is stoned; UNRWA sources state that "well over 20 houses" were damaged [LAT 11/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military authorities order 30 schools in Qalqiliyyah and Tulkarm closed until end of school year [FJ 7/17].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Qalqiliyyah residents clash with Jewish settlers [FJ 7/17]. In Gaza a number of residents are injured during demonstration in Jabalya and al-Burayj [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: The L.A. Times reports that Syria and China have concluded a sale which would give Syria China's new M-9 short-range missile [LAT 7/14].

Other Countries: In Beijing, Sec. of State George Shultz asks China to discontinue selling missiles in the Middle East [WP 7/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Eight villages in the Hebron area are placed under curfew following the stabbing death of an Israeli [FJ 6/26]. The Burayj refugee camp is suffering from a water shortage; UNRWA distributes water in buckets to residents [FJ 6/26].

Arab World: The Washington Times reports PLO has told U.S. State Dept. officials that an article by Bassam Abu Sharif constitutes PLO policy [WT 6/21].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli settlers block roads in the Hebron area following the murder of an Israeli [FJ 6/26]. A firebomb in Gaza City injures 2 soldiers [FJ 6/26]. Clashes are reported in Beach, Jabalya, and Khan Yunis refugee camps [FJ 6/26].

Other Countries: American and Israeli officials announce that Syria and China are discussing the sale of short-range missiles to Damascus [NYT 6/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel deports 4 Palestinians to S. Lebanon; PFLP takes the 4 to base in Biqa' Valley [CSM 1/15]. Child injured in demonstration dies [FJ 1/17]. Commercial strike continues in many W. Bank towns and cities; at least 23 shops in Tulkarm and Qalqiliyyah are welded shut for joining the strike [FJ 1/17].

Other Countries: Sir Crispin Tickell, pres. of UN Security Council, and International Com. of the Red Cross condemn Israeli deportation of 4 Palestinians. U.S. says it "regrets" Israeli action [NYT 1/14]. China announces its Red Cross Society will send medicine, food to PLO for Palestinians in W. Bank, Gaza Strip [CSM 1/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: All refugee camps are declared under curfew. Demonstrations continue. In Khan Yunis camp, protesters attack soldiers with clubs, knives before being arrested; 2 soldiers are reported injured. In Bayt Hanun, several Palestinians are injured after clash with soldiers. Military reports more than 500 Palestinians attack army vehicles in Rafah during visit of UN Undersec. Gen. Marrack Goulding [FJ 1/17]. Soldiers fire on crowd, killing 1, in Ramallah-district village of Kafr Ni'mah. Palestinian sources report that 2 children die from tear gas in village of Dayr 'Ammar, near Ramallah; Israel denies report. Jerusalem Post reports child is wounded in throat during clash between soldiers and about 40 stone-throwing demonstrators in Qalandiya camp [FJ 1/17]. Death toll of Palestinians killed since 12/9 is now at 34 [CSM 1/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Pres. Herzog reduces from life to 24 years the prison sentences of 3 Jewish settlers convicted in connection with the July 1983 attack on Arab students at Hebron's Islamic College [WP 3/27].

Arab World: Statement drafted by representatives of 5 factions within the Palestine National Salvation Front at end of 5-day meeting in Tripoli calls for new PLO chairman to replace Arafat, restructuring of National Council. Al-Sa'iqah and Abu Musa's faction of Fateh did not participate in the talks [NYT 3/28].

Other Countries: Reagan administration announces shift to a more "activist" policy in the Middle East in an effort to restore credibility [WP 3/29]. Israeli Foreign Ministry official and China's UN ambassador hold talks on prospects for international conference on Middle East peace [WP 3/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin meets with 20 West Bank personalities, outlines Israel's policy of encouraging talks with a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation as long as none are PLO members [FJ 2/28]. Rashid al-Ja'bari, head of Hebron Chamber of Commerce and son of late Mayor Shaykh Muhammad 'Ali Ja'bari, has submitted candidacy for mayor to the civil administration [JP 2/25]. P.M. Peres makes surprise visit to Golan Heights, sparking violent demonstrations by about 5,000 Druze; five Israeli policemen are wounded [JP 2/26; FJ 2/28]. Golan figures who meet with Peres are also attacked [FJ 2/28]. Israel is now largest supplier of arms to China, selling 100 times as much as Britain last year [DT 2/25].