The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Saudi King Fahd pledges to support Egypt's full return to Arab League [LAT 4/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Israel, United States agree to develop $35 million research center to work on S.D.I. [MET 4/11].

Arab World: Washington Post reports that Iraq is engaged in crash program to build atomic weapons and will test warhead within 2-5 years [WP 3/3 1]. In S. Lebanon PFLP, Lebanese resistance attacks Israeli positions; 2 guerrillas are killed [MET 4/ 11].

Other Countries: Nordic foreign ministers meet, issue statement on Middle East saying that they approve of PLO's recognition of Israel, acceptance of UN resolutions 242, 338 and they urge Israel not to interfere with function of UNIFIL [FJ 4/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Paestinians in W. Bank, Gaza, Israel mark Land Day by observing general strike [FJ 4/3]. Knesset approves $29 billion austerity budget, avoids vote on funding of settlements, religious institutions, kibbutzim [MET 4/ 11].

Arab World: PLO executive committee proclaims Arafat president of State of Palestine [NYT 3/3 1].

Other Countries: Canadian diplomats for first time meet with PLO representatives at UN [NYT 3/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tulkarm soldiers shoot, kill 17-year-old Palestinian. In al-Jib 22-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed by Israeli troops. In Jabalya camp soldiers open fire, kill 24-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 4/3]. In Salfit 20-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed by Israeli troops. In Hebron at least 6 Palestinians are shot by Israeli troops. In Bayt Ummar 7 Palestinians are shot. At least 30 other Palestinians are wounded in O.T. [FJ 4/3]. IDF destroys the homes of 4 Palestinians in Gaza and demolishes part of a 5th house [FBIS 4/3]. In the Galilee, Israeli authorities arrest 17 Palestinians for possessing "inciting material" [FJ 4/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Cabinet Minister Ariel Sharon calls for more Jewish settlement in E. Jerusalem [FBIS 3/29]. According to figures released by Ministry of Industry and Trade sales of Israeli agricultural products in the O.T. fell 60% from 1987 to 1988 [FBIS 4/4].

Arab World: Mubarak rejects Shamir proposal for meeting in Washington [FBIS 3/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Hebron 70- year-old Palestinian dies after exposure to tear gas. In Salfit soldiers shoot, kill 20- year-old Palestinian. In Salim 6 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations at funeral of Palestinian who died day before [FJ 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D.M. Yitzhaq Rabin announces Fateh has refrained from attacking Israeli positions [WP 3/29].

Arab World: Saudi Arabia's King Fahd and Egypt's Pres. Mubarak meet in Egypt, discuss Middle East peace, bilateral relations [FBIS 3/29]. Chedli Klibi is reelected chairman of Arab League for 3rd 5-year term [FBIS 3/29]. PLO Executive Committee nominates Arafat to be president of State of Palestine [FBIS 3/29]. In Cairo, Arafat meets with leaders of Muslim Brotherhood [FBIS 4/5].

Other Countries: French Pres. Mitterand announces he will meet with PLO chairman Arafat [FBIS 3/29, FJ 4/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 19-year-old Palestinian from Salim dies from wounds received 3/13 [FJ 4/3]. At least 10 Palestinians are injured during clashes in O.T. In Balata 3 women are treated after receiving cut wounds on the head during clashes with troops [FBIS 3/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al HaMishmar reports that Shamir has met with Sari Nuseibeh, Hanna Siniora, Elias Freij, Faysal Husayni; the Palestinians received PLO permission to meet with the Israeli P.M. and reported the results to the PLO leadership [FBIS 3/27]. General strike is observed throughout O.T. Curfews throughout O.T. confine 400,000 Palestinians to homes [FJ 4/3].

Arab World: Saudi King Fahd arrives in Cairo for 4-day visit [FBIS 3/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops open fire near Jenin, kill 4-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 3/27, FJ 4/3]. In Nablus 4 Palestinians are wounded by troops [FBIS 3/27]. At least 19 other Palestinians are injured throughout O.T. [FJ 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Former Israeli P.M. Menahem Begin ends 6-year silence to praise Israel's peace with Egypt; he also criticizes U.S. talks with PLO, icy relationship with Egypt [LAT 3/27].

Arab World: PLO leadership prepares to launch $12 billion 5-year development plan for W. Bank, Gaza [FBIS 3/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A Palestinian corpse is found in Ramallah [FBIS 3/27]. At least 6 Palestinians are wounded by soldiers in Gaza Strip. In W. Bank 3 Palestinians are shot in confrontations with Israeli soldiers [FJ 4/3]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Over 6,000 Israeli Arabs will make pilgrimage to Mecca this year according to Israeli officials. 40 Israeli Arabs were denied permission to make Hajj for security reasons [FBIS 3/27].

Arab World: Arafat, Jordan's King Hussein, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak meet in Egypt, discuss Middle East peace, Lebanon. Hussein declares that members of newly formed Arab Cooperation Council will not attend Arab Summit unless Egypt is invited [FBIS 3/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Khan Yunis troops open fire, kill 20-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 3/27, FJ 4/3]. In Gaza City troops kill Palestinian demonstrator. In Gaza City, Rafah Palestinian collaborators are found dead [FBIS 3/27]. At least 35 Palestinians are injured in O.T. [WP 3/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli poll shows that 56% of Jewish Israelis who do not live on kibbutzim oppose talks with PLO [FBIS 3/27].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee begins 2-day meeting in Tunis [FBIS 3/29]. In Tunis Pres. Ben 'Ali meets with Arafat [FBIS 3/27]. In an interview in CSM [3/24], Salah Khalaf states readiness of PLO to enter talks without preconditions.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 19-year-old Palestinian from Tulkarm camp dies from wounds received 3/22. In O.T. 8 Palestinians are wounded during clashes [FBIS 3/27]. Israel's police chief agrees to stop officers from posing as reporters [WP 3/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza 8 refugee camps, Gaza City, Bayt Hanun are placed under curfew [WP 3/23].

Arab World: PLO rejects U.S. appeal to curb violence in O.T. [WP 3/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tulkarm camp Israeli soldiers shoot, kill 11-year-old Palestinian. In W. Bank doctors treat 4 Palestinians wounded by Israeli troops. In the Gaza Strip 28 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations [WP 3/23].

Arab World: Lebanese fighters attack SLA position in S. Lebanon; 2 attackers are killed, 1 SLA soldier is seriously injured [FBIS 3/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Shamir says intelligence report calling for PLO talks does not exist [WP 3/22]. Ha'Aretz becomes 1st major Israeli paper to advocate talks with PLO [NYT 3/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Utra-orthodox Jewish men throw chairs at Jewish women praying at Western Wall; 1 woman is injured. Police use tear gas to break up confrontation [MET 3/28, JP 4/1].

Arab World: Mine kills 3 Irish UNIFIL troops in S. Lebanon [FBIS 3/21, NYT 3/22]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli intelligence study indicates: only way to end uprising is for Israel to talk to PLO; PLO is only Palestinian leadership; PLO has truly become more moderate [NYT 3/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Qabatiyyah troops open fire, wound 2 Palestinians. In Am'ari camp troops injure 4 Palestinians. In Gaza 6 Palestinians are wounded during clashes [FBIS 3/21].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes attack PFLPGC base in Lebanon killing 10 guerrillas, 10 civilians, wounding 30 others [WP 3/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Absorption Minister Yitzhaq Peretz announces that of 2,226 Jews leaving the Soviet Union in February only 332 immigrated to Israel; in first 2 weeks of March only 60 of the 1,641 Jews leaving Soviet Union went to Israel [FBIS 3/16, JP 3/25].

Arab World: Egypt takes full control of Taba [WP 3/16].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Burqin Israeli troops destroy homes of 3 Palestinians [FBIS 3/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Paestinians in Galilee send trucks of food, medicine to Palestinians in O.T. [FBIS 3/14]. Border police units will be gradually replacing IDF units orf W. Bank. Attorneys working in O.T. end 2/2 month strike [FBIS 3/13].

Arab World: Nabil Shaath, chairman of PLO political committee, calls Bush proposal "way too little, too late," but said PLO leadership would study proposal [WP 3/13]. PLO chairman Arafat states willingness to go to Jerusalem to convince Israelis of need for international conference; visit is predicated on approval of Arab states [FBIS 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian from 'Ayda camp dies from wounds received 3/11 [FBIS 3/14, FJ 3/20]. Israeli troops shoot, wound Palestinian who stabbed a soldier in Bethlehem [NYT 3/13, FJ 3/20]. At least 5 Palestinians are injured in W. Bank; 8 Palestinians in Gaza [FJ 3/20].

Arab World: Israeli troopshoot, kill 2 PFLP-GC guerrillas in the Israeli-imposed security zone in S. Lebanon [NYT 3/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Economy Min. Gad Ya'aqobi announces that intifadah cost Israeli economy NIS 1.2 billion in 1988 [FBIS 3/14].

Other Countries: Bush administration calls on PLO, Israel to ease tension in O.T. Plan includes: release of some Palestinian prisoners; end of administrative detention; reopening of schools; halt to violent demonstrations; end of anti-Israeli activity in S. Lebanon; end of distribution of inflammatory leaflets [NYT 3/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Clashes in Gaza leave 5 Palestinians shot, wounded. In Hebron troops shoot, wound 4Palestinians [FBIS 3/13, FJ 3/20]. Others are injured during clashes in Nablus, Tulkarm, Ramallah [FJ 3/20].

Arab World: In S. Lebanon Israeli army kills 2 PFLP-GC guerrillas attempting to cross Israel's northem border [FBIS 3/13]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies issues report calling for Israeli-PLO talks, prolonged transitional period that could lead to Palestinian state [WP, NYT 3/9]. General strike is observed in O.T. [FJ 3/13]. Ministry of Tourism announces that in February tourism was down 15% from same period in 1988 [FBIS 3/16].

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. announces it will grant visas to PLO officials Afif Safieh, Nabil Shaath, Noha Tadros to attend conference at Columbia Univ.; Israel protests move [WP 3/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: In Gaza at least 5 Palestinians are wounded by IDF gunfire [FBIS 3/8]. In Rafah troops demolish 2 houses of Palestinians accused of participating in the Unified National Command of Uprising (UNCU) [FBIS 3/9]. At least 14 Palestinians are wounded throughout W. Bank. In 'Isawiyyah troops arrest 30 Palestinians [FJ 3/13]. Arab World: Ba'th party attacks SLA position in S. Lebanon. Amal attacks 2nd SLA position, kills 1 soldier. SLA responds by shelling Nabatiyyah [FBIS 3/9]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel closes al-Raya, an Umm al-Fahm-based newspaper, on grounds that it is PFLP front [FBIS 3/3, FJ 3/6]. Number of Israelis applying for unemployment benefits for the first time reaches new record in February; unemployment in Israel in February is up 78% over same period in 1988 [FBIS 3/16].

Arab World: Arafat declares that PLO will continue military raids across Israel's northern border [WP 3/4].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 5 Palestinians are shot, wounded in W. Bank [FBIS 3/6].

Arab World: Israeli commander speaks of expanding Israeli-imposed "security zone" in S. Lebanon [FBIS 3/3]. PFLP-GC captures, later releases 2 American diplomats near camp outside of Damascus, accuses them of spying [LAT, WP 3/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers wound 3 Palestinians during clashes in Jabalya camp [FBIS 3/3].

Arab World: IDF kills 4 Palestinians in S. Lebanon's Israeli-imposed security zone [FBIS 3/2, WP 3/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: All of Ansar 3 joins hunger strike begun 2/26 to protest conditions at desert facility [FBIS 3/3]. Likud emerges from municipal elections as big winner [WP 3/2].

Arab World: King Hasan II of Morocco meets with Arafat [FBIS 3/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza troops kill 24-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 3/2]. In Nablus soldiers shoot, wound 3 Palestinians [FBIS 3/1].

Arab World: Israeli forces shell post of Palestine Liberation Front in S. Lebanon killing 1, wounding 3 [MET 3/14]. Lebanese Army announces it is sending forces to southern Lebanon "to help in confronting the continuing Israeli aggression against Lebanese territory" [FBIS 3/1].