The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Israeli television interview, Def. Min. Rabin reveals more than 1,000 Palestinian activists have been arrested in past week, bringing total number of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons to at least 4,400 [WP 3/30; LAT 4/1].

Other Countries: Richard Schifter, U.S. asst. sec. of state for human rights and humanitarian affairs, defends Irael's use of force in occupied territories. Amnesty International cls on Israel to insure Palestinian human rights during 3-day sealing off of territories [WP 3/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army reports violent clash between soldiers and Palestinians in village of Zaytand Tulkarm; about 20 Palestinians are injured by live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas [WP 3/30; FJ 4/3]. Soldiers and protesters clash in Am'ari and Qalandiya camps [FJ 4/3]. Curfews are in force in Jenin camp, nearby Qabatiyyah village, Qalqiliyyah, Zayta, 'Askar camp, and Jalazun camp [FJ 4/3]. Curfew in Gaza Strip is lifted for 1 hour. W. Bank residents are restricted to own communities [WP 3/30]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Commercial strike continues in E. Jerusalem. Stores open in Gaza City [WP 1/27]. Shopowners heed call of Unified National Command for the Uprising in the Occupied Territories, strike in many W. Bank cities and towns [LAT 1/27]. Trials of Gazans arrested during uprising slow to "standstill" as scores of defendants demand full hearings [FBIS 1/27]. Moshe 'Amirav leaves Herut Movement after being removed from its central com. [FBIS 1/27]. Israeli authorities order al-Fajr's Gaza office closed for 1 year [FJ 1/3 1]. Hebron U. reopens after 1-month military-ordered closure [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: In Beirut, Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine says fate of 4 Beirut University College professors it is holding hostage is linked to Israeli arrests of Palestinians inoccupied territories [WP 1/27].

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. announces Sec. of State Shultz will meet with al-Fajr editor Hanna Siniora and Gaza attorney Fayiz Abu Rahmah. Egypt's Pres. Husni Mubarak arrives in Washington for 3-day official visit. Elyakim Rubinstein, Israeli cabinet sec., holds talks with Charles Hill, aide to Sec. of State Shultz [NYT 1/27].

Military Action Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops open fire on demonstrators in Gaza Strip's Jenin refugee camp, wounding 1. Curfew on Jabalya is lifted but reimposed after crowds throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli patrol [WP 1/27; FJ 1/31]. In the West Bank, military imposes curfews on village of Qabatiyyah and Jenin camp following violent demonstrations. Curfews imposed on Tulkarm and Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta are lifted; military lifts curfew on Balata, declares camp closed military zone. Sa'ir village remains under siege and nearby village of al-Shuyukh is also blockaded. Israeli troops use rubber bullets to disperse stone-throwing crowd in Jalazun refugee camp, injuring 1; another Jalazun resident is severely beaten. Curfew is imposed on camp. Demonstrations are also reported in al-Birah and Ramallah [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes stage mock raids over Sidon, drawing anti-aircraft fire [FBIS 1/27].