The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ira Rappaport, leader of Israel's Jewish settlement movement, is charged with 1980 bombing that seriously wounded Bassam Shaka'a, former mayor of Nablus. Rappaport surrendered to police when he returned from 3-year stay in U.S. [WP 12/10].

Arab World: Egypt accuses Israel of using "violent repressive measures" against Palestinian protestors in occupied territories [BS 12/10; FJ 12/12].

Other Countries: Before the House Foreign Affairs Com., former U.S. National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane testifies that Israeli official David Kimche supplied him with a list of more than 800 "moderate" Iranian leaders. Vice Adm. John Poindexter, Lt. Col. Oliver North, and retired Air Force Gen. Richard Secord refuse to answer questions before the committee [WSJ 12/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 1,000 students and faculty members hold peaceful march from Birzeit U.'s new campus to the closed old- campus. Israeli troops force businesses in Ramallah, al-Birah, and Nablus to open [FJ 12/12]. Israeli military spokesman says troops fired in self-defense and student demonstration was "prepared in advance" [JP 12/10]. Palestinian youth is shot and seriously wounded in fight with Israeli soldier in Gaza; another is wounded when soldiers fire at stone-throwing marchers. Four Palestinians have been killed, at least 27 wounded in the last 6 days of Arab rioting [NYT, WP 12/10].

Arab World: Soviet ambassador in Beirut says his government is trying to mediate in battle between Amal and PLO [BS 12/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Dmonstrations and "almost complete" general strike in major W. Bank and Gaza Strip towns protest shootings of Palestinian students. More than 70 demonstrators are arrested. At least 6 Israelis are wounded [NYT 12/7]. Ramallah and al-Birah are placed under curfew; old campus of Birzeit University closed until January while left-wing politicians and press criticize security policies [CSM 12/9].

Arab World: SLA forces fire at Irish UNIFIL post, killing 1 Irish soldier. UNIFIL lodges official complaint with Israeli army [FJ 12/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Justice Minister denies France's request to extradite William Nakash, convicted of 1983 murder of an Arab in France [FJ 12/12].

Other Countries: The Times (London) reports discovery of plot to kidnap British ambassador in Turkey and exchange him for arrested members of Abu Nidal organization [LT 12/4].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers firing to break up student demonstration kill 2 Palestinian students, wound at least 11 others outside Birzeit University. Demonstration was in response to an Israeli military roadblock [FJ, NYT 12/5].

Arab World: Police records reveal that the last two months of fighting between Shi'a and Palestinians in Lebanon have left 550 dead, 2,000 wounded, and large numbers dislocated [NYT 12/5]. Israeli gunboats attack Palestinian refugee camps in S. Lebanon, the third time Israeli military has supported Amal in the last 2 weeks of fighting. Druze and Amal leaders announce draft agreement for solution to camps war. Plan still requires Palestinian support [FT 12/5]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: The Sunday Times (London) reports retired U.S. Air Force general, working in London, arranged sale of arms to Iran [LT 11/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers shoot and wound Ramallah student [FJ 1/2].

Arab World: PLO forces halt Amal offensive in Beirut and advance in S. Lebanon. More than 100 are killed, 269 wounded in the two battle areas. The PLO in Tunis calls for Arab League meeting to discuss fighting [WSJ, GU 12/1].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel continues with plans to expel Palestinian newspaper editor, writer, and poet Akram Haniyyah although he has not been charged with any crime [WP 11/23]. Memorial march for a murdered Jewish student ends in anti-Arab violence in Jerusalem [LAT 11/24; FJ 11/28].

Arab World: Representatives of Fateh and the Syrian-based PFLP meet in Moscow to discuss plans to reconcile the two factions [NYT 11/24]. Egypt's Pres. Mubarak and Jordan's King Hussein end two days of talks in Cairo [LAT 11/24].

Military Action

Arab World: Palestinian forces seize Christian village of Maghdushah [F) 11/28]. 14 are killed, 39 wounded in fighting between Palestinians and Amal militiamen throughout Beirut and S. Lebanon [BS 11/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: High level representatives of Fateh and PFLP meet in Prague to discuss reunifying the PLO. Fateh Central Committee member Abu Jihad leaves Prague for Moscow [FJ 11/21]. U.S. Pres. Reagan attempts to smooth relations with Arab countries angered by his shipment of arms to Iran [LAT 11/20].

Military Action

Arab World: A man apparently on a mission to bomb SLA post blows up his car killing 3 UN soldiers, a Lebanese woman, and himself [WP 11/21]. Israeli helicopters and navy ship shell Sidon port injuring 3 [FJ 11/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Ashdod, Gaza, Arab municipal worker is stabbed by unknown attacker (JP 10/20).

Arab World: Arab League Council ends two-day meeting, 86th ordinary session, in Tunis in presence of nine foreign ministers; condemns Hasan-Peres meetings; agrees to hold first summit meetings in four years (date and place to be set). Council decides member states will sever diplomatic ties with Ivory Coast to protest opening of Ivorian embassy in Jerusalem (FBIS, WP 10/20; AFP 10/19).

Military Action

Arab World: IDF confirm Israeli fighter pilot, shot down 10/16, is being held by Amal (NYT 10/20).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities close Nablus offices of Construction and Public Institutions Unions and Union of Public Service Workers for one year for "security reasons," alleging groups are linked to PFLP (Fl 9/26).

Arab World: Egypt's ambassador to Israel assumes functions in Tel Aviv (WP 9/24).

Other Countries: UN Security Council adopts resolution calling on Israel to withdraw troops from S. Lebanon and to permit UNIFIL to move up to border. U.S. abstains; 14 members of council vote in favor of resolution (WP 9/24).

Military Action

Arab World: IDF warplanes bomb Palestinian targets in Druze-controlled Shuf mountains southeast of Beirut, the tenth airstrike in Lebanon this year; two women are wounded. New York Times reports five wounded, four Druze villages bombed (NYT 9/24). Defense Minister Rabin tours SLA outposts before raid, vows to crush attempts to attack SLA which has lost 16 men in recent weeks. French continue to evacuate positions for safer ground (NYT, WP 9/23). Shamir says Israel is not planning an invasion (NYT 9/24).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Dmonstrations are held throughout West Bank to commemorate anniversary of massacres at Sabra and Shatila (FJ 9/19). Strikes and demonstrations continue through 9/20; shops and businesses stay closed, students and workers remain at home (Fl 9/26). Israel announces it has licensed first Arab bank in West Bank since 1967. Bank, with headquarters in Amman and first branch in Nablus, will be allowed to deal in Israeli, Jordanian, and foreign currencies (FJ 9/19).

Arab World: Thousands of Lebanese in Tyre, Lebanon, led by Amal officials march in support of UNIFIL after 9/16 attack on French UNIFIL forces (for which Hizballah is held responsible). In south Lebanon general strike is held to show resident' support for continued UNIFIL presence. (Speaker of Lebanese Chamber of Deputies Husayn al-Husayni recently returned from Paris where he asked Pres. Mitterand not to recall French contingent) (NYT 9/18).

Other Countries: In Paris, five killed, 60 injured in bomb explosion, bringing to ten number killed in five bombings in last two weeks (WP, NYT 9/18). Peru grants PLO embassy status in Lima (Fl 9/26). 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli bulldozers demolish Arab-owned groves at Za'atara near Bethlehem to make way for parking lot for tourists (FJ 9/26). IDF shoots and kills 30-year-old mother, Muyassar Jamil al-Hih, at Hebron Mosque (Fl 9/15).

Arab World: In Beirut, group called "Arab Revolutionary Cells-'Umar al-Mukhtar Forces" claims responsibility for Beirut kidnapping of Frank Reed and Joseph Ciccippio (NYT 9/16).

Other Countries: In Washington, Israeli P.M. Peres meets President Reagan at White House, de-emphasizes endorsement of international conference, stresses need for direct negotiations at bilateral level with each of parties concerned in peace process (NYT 9/16). Amnesty International of London announces ithas compiled allegations of torture at Khiyam detention center in S. Lebanon (run by SLA with Israeli supervision), including detailed account of torture of West Bank resident; group says it is publicizing charges because Israel has failed to respond to its appeals for an independent probe (WP 9/17). In Paris, bomb explodes in police station, killing one and wounding 51 (NYT 9/16).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: For past three days, Jerusalem municipal workers have prevented Palestinian farmers from selling their produce in Jerusalem market, giving advantage to Israeli growers (Fl 9/19).

Arab World: In West Beirut, Joseph Ciccippio, American deputy controller of American University of Beirut, is kidnapped, bringing to 18 the number of foreigners missing in Lebanon after being kidnapped (NYT, WP 9/13). In Alexandria, Egypt and Israel end summit, issue joint statement declaring 1987 "a year of negotiations and peace," but two sides fail to agree on Palestinian issue (NYT, WP 9/13). Israeli P.M. Peres says international conference should be convened and that Israel and Egypt agree to set up preparatory committee for this purpose (NYT 9/16). In Tunis, French F.M. Claude Cheysson meets PLO Chairman Arafat on marketing of Palestinian produce from occupied territories (Fl 9/19).

Other Countries: In Paris, bomb explodes in cafeteria in Paris suburb, wounding 41. "Committee in Solidarity with Arab and Middle Eastern Political Prisoners" claims responsibility (NYT, WP 9/13).

Military Action

Arab World: IDF aircraft bomb Palestinian checkpoint four miles south of Sidon and wound four (AFP 9/12; WP 9/13).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli officials say Ivory Coast will open embassy in Jerusalem on 9/15 (MEI 9/12).

Arab World: Negotiations over Taba end with agreemento go to arbitration, permitting 9/11 Peres-Mubarak meeting (CSM 9/12).

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF intercept Palestinian Liberation Front fighters in rubber dinghy as they attempto reach Nahariya, Israeli seaside resort; fighters escape to Lebanon, but are later captured by Amal militiamen (NYT 9/11, 9/14). PLO Chairman Arafat appeals for their release (AFP 9/10). Israeli cabinet meets to set "guidelines" for Peres-Mubarak summit (NYT 9/9).

Arab World: IDF air raid aimed at Palestinian ammunition dump in Sidon devastates civilian industrial district, kills three, wounds 17, ruins at least 20 workshops and factories with little damage to dump. Raid is response to attempted Palestinian attack on Nahariya (WP, NYT 9/11).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Taba agreement, condition for Egyptian-Israeli talks, incomplete, jeopardizing Peres-Mubarak talks, scheduled for 9/11 (WP 9/10). Spanish F.M. Francisco Ordonez visits Israel, stresses Spain's commitment to Palestinian right to self-determination during dinner hosted by F.M. Shamir; calls for international conference on Mideast (FBIS 9/11).

Arab World: Frank Reed, American director of private West Beirut school, is kidnapped by Islamic Jihad in West Beirut (WP 9/10).

Other Countries: U.S. Sec. of Defense Weinberger says Karachi Pan Am hijack-massacre looks like work of Abu Nidal, but Defense Department says there is "no connection to Syria or Lebanon here" (WP 9/10).

Military Action

Arab World: IDF warplanes again strike at alleged headquarters of Palestinian Popular Struggle Front near Sidon; at least three are killed (MEI 9/12).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F.M. Shamir says he will never concede territories in exchange for peace. Survey shows 45,000 settlers are now in occupied territories among 1.3 million Palestinians (MEI 9/14).

Arab World: At Tunis press conference, PLO Deputy Chairman Abu lyad says PLO opposes terrorist acts, individual and state-sponsored, following Karachi and Istanbul incidents (FJ 9/12). U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Murphy in Damascus for talks with Syrian President al-Asad; Asad stresses importance of international conference (MEI 9/14). Syria has ordered most of Abu Nidal's group in Damascus to leave, and detained 14 (including Abu Nidal's nephew 'Abd al-Karim al-Banna, who was released after two weeks following Libyan intervention), according to al-Ittihad (Abu Dhabi) (AFP 9/7).

Other Countries: Nonaligned movement conference in Hararends; accuses U.S. of ''state terrorism" in bombing of Libya; calls on U.S. to "end unprovoked aggression against Libyas well as military maneuvers in Gulf of Sidra (NYT 9/8). Pakistan's President Zia al-Haq says Pan Am terrorists have no apparent connection to any government; will be tried in Pakistan (under threat of death penalty); says Palestinian hijacking in Pakistan showed "bad taste" but would not reduce Pakistan's support for Palestinian cause (NYT 9/8).

Military Action

Arab World: Israel Navy reimposes blockade of port of Sidon; intercepts three commercial vessels, prevents them from entering port. State of emergency declared in Palestinian camps near Sidon for fear of Israeli attack (FBIS 9/8). 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities issue 6-month town arrest orders against 2 unionists: Amal Wahdan, from al-Birah, of the Women's Work Committee; and 'Adnan Kilani, head of the Construction Workers Union in Ya'bad; arrests bring total number of known town arrestees in West Bank alone to 33 [FJ 8/14].

Arab World: President Habib Bourguiba of Tunisia announces he has divorced his second wife, Wassila, who had been an influential member of Mr. Bourguiba's governing circle and a strong advocate of the Palestinian cause [WP 8/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli jets bomb suspected PLO and Abu Musa faction bases near Ba'albek in Biqa' Valley in Lebanon, killing 3 [LT 8/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Egyptian and Israeli negotiators on Taba dispute announce agreement on all but two conditions for arbitration: arbitrators and demarcation of boundaries of 700-meter beach [NYT, WP 8/11].

Arab World: In Baghdad, PLO Executive Committeends 2-day meeting with statement condemning U.S., Israeli, and jordanian plans to improve conditions in West Bank and Gaza as attempts to perpetuate Israeli occupation, calls for unity among all Palestinian factions [NYT 8/11; FJ 8/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF conducts military exercises on Golan Heights [JTA 8/11].

Arab World: IDF helicopter gunships attack Fateh and Abu Musa faction positions at 'Ain al-Hilwah and Mieh Mieh refugee camps in S. Lebanon following rocket attacks from S. Lebanon into Galilee [NYT, WP 8/111. Rivals for control of the Christian militias in Lebanon strike each other: Lebanese Forces rebel against leader Samir Ja'ja' and seize control of East Beirut [PI 8/11], hold it for 24 hours [LT 8/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Eighty prominent rabbis, led by former Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi and former Israeli Army Rabbi Shlomo Goren, formally call for the construction of a Third Temple on the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount); state survey maps drawn up by Israeli army engineers in 1967 indicate the ideal place for synagogue is on the site of the Dome of the Rock Mosque [NYT 8/6; FJ 8/8].

Arab World: Jordanian Prime Minister Zayd al-Rifa'i announces Jordan has drawn up $1.3 billion 5-year development plan for the occupied territories [FJ 8/8]. U.S. V.P. Bush ends Middle East tour [NYT 8/7].

Other Countries: U.S. Justice Department withdraws subpoenas issued to Israeli officials in investigation of illegal export of U.S. cluster bomb technology to Israel, after Israeli government promised to cooperate in investigation [NYT 8/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Maj. Gen. Amos Yaron, on "study leave" since being criticized for not alerting his superiors to the Sabra and Shatila massacres 4 years ago, has been appointed Israel's military attache to the U.S., the Israeli army announces [WP 8/2]. Rev. Riah Abu al- 'Assal, of Nazareth, secretary of the Progressive List for Peace, is banned from leaving the country for one year [FJ 8/8].

Arab World: Lebanese President Jumayyil proposes emergency parliamentary session, calls for Syrian help in Lebanon [LT, PI 8/2].

Military Action

Arab World: Car bomb explodes in East Beirut, kills one, injures 30 [NYT 8/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli court appointees raid 3 offices of Jerusalem Electricity Company in unsuccessful attempt to confiscate JEC funds they claim were being spent without proper approval from its court-appointed guardian, the Israeli Electric Company [FJ 8/8].

Arab World: U.S. V.P. Bush in Jordan suggests meeting between P.M. Peres and King Hussein. Suggestion rejected by Jordan [LT 8/1].

Other Countries: Reagan administration will funnel $4.5 million in American development aid for Palestinians living in the occupied territories through Jordan; the decision is expected to make it more difficult for Israel to determine how American money is spent in the occupied territories [NYT 8/1]. (The U.S. is already providing $14 million to enhance the "quality of life" of the Palestinians in the territories) [NYT 8/1].

Military Action

Arab World: An Israeli soldier and 2 unidentified Arabs are killed in a gun battle in S. Lebanon according to an Israeli army spokesman [WP 8/1].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Attorney General Harish orders police investigation (under news blackout) into Shin Bet scandal, after cabinet votes 14-11 not to establish government commission ofinquiry (a parliamentary victory for Likud) [NYT 7/14].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat, in interview with Der Spiegel, calls for handing the occupied territories over to UN control.

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli jets bomb two buildings 10 miles southeast of Beirut, killing 2 Palestinians and 2 Druze militiamen and injuring 4; Israeli army states targets were PFLP and DFLP bases; raid follows overnight rocket attacks on northern Galilee region, which reportedly caused no injury or damage [WP, NYT 7/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli cabinet appoints Yosef Harish, a district court judge, as attorney general, removing Yitzhak Zamir, who had opposed cabinet by ordering investigation of Shin Bet Chief Avraham Shalom. Investigation order is suspended. Israel Radio says Zamir found evidence showing Shalom ordered 2 Palestinians clubbed to death after they were arrested for attack on Israeli bus [NYT 6/2]. Harish favors secret investigation into Shin Bet case [LT 6/3]. Jerusalem District Electric Company workers strike over nonpayment of salaries. The East Jerusalem utility owes $12 million to Israel Electric Corp., which has refused to approve payment of salaries; JDEC's property attached in court UP 6/2]. Three Palestinians and 1 Tunisian are formally charged with membership in Fateh organization in Israeli military court in Lydda; the 4 were captured on 3/29 when the Israeli navy intercepted their vessel heading from Syria to Lebanon [FJ 6/6].

Arab World: Four hundred Fateh dissidents elect 'Atallah 'Atallah, former Jordanian army officer also known as Abu Za'im, as commander in chief [MG 6/2]. PLO military deputy Khalil al-Wazir calls election "theatricals" and "illegal" [BG 6/2].

Military Action

Arab World: Cease-fire in south Beirut negotiated by Algeria and Iran fails after a few hours. Estimated dead by now 55, and 348 wounded since 5/19 [BG 6/2]. Israeli forces raid Habbaniyeh in Lebanese "security zone" and pound Nabatiyah-Arab Salim-Jarjuh axis [OJ 6/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Rabin, in Knesset, says Wald report on condition of IDF distorts army's ability and performance [FT 5/21]. Colonel Emanuel Wald, former head of IDF planning, had accused the army on Israel TV of having buried his 700-page report on IDF weaknesses. Four men and 2 women, all of Nablus, are indicted by military court for kidnap-murder of Israeli soldier David Manos and membership in Fateh. Ibrahim 'Abdallah of Dayr Ballut is named ringleader [JP, JTA 5/21]. Italian Foreign Minister Andreotti meets deposed Hebron Deputy Mayor Mustafa Natshah, Gaza lawyer Fayez Abu Rahmah, deposed Gaza Mayor Rashad al-Shawwa, and al-Fajr editor Hanna Siniora [FJ 5/23].

Arab World: King Hussein orders arrest of leadership of Jordanian Communist party [NYT 5/21].

Military Action

Arab World: In suburban Beirut, Amal militiamen fight Palestinians for control of Burj al-Burajinah refugee camp, killing 2 and wounding 33. (Camp population: 11,000) [CSM 5/21].

Social/Economic/Politica

l Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli and Westem military sources state that over the past few months, the Syrian army has been building trenches in S. Lebanon that are closer to the Israeli border [NYT 5/13].

Arab World: Thousands of Fateh fighters are returning to take up fighting positions in Lebanon; PLO officials confirm that a tacit alliance has been established between the PLO and Hizballah organization, in the wake of ongoing clashes between PLO guerrillas and the Amal militia [FT 5/12]. Syrian govt.-owned newspaper Tishrin states Syria has signs and proof of an imminent Israeli attack on Syria [LT 5/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Cabinet hears report from Hebrew U. Prof. Roberto Bacchi on falling birth rate among world's Jewish population, predictions that there will be more Palestinians than Israelis living in Israel and the occupied territories by early next century [LT 5/13; JTA 5/14; BG 5/15]. Deputy Agriculture Minister Avraham Katz-Oz stated over the weekend Israel has been overpumping from its water reserves for the past decade by over 1,000 cubic meters; he stated water quotas would be cut this year by 10% from a high of 2 billion cubic meters [JP 5/11].

Arab World: Pres. Husni Mubarak has talks in Jordan with King Hussein [BG 5/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli army spokesperson states Israeli troops kill two guerrillas in S. Lebanon "security zone" [JTA 5/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Th deficit in the balance of goods and services between the occupied territories and Israel increased by 49% in 1985 to total $219 million; the West Bank's trade deficit declined to $425 million in 1985, compared to $428 million the previous year, while the West Bank's surplus in services fell to $206 million in 1985, compared to $281 million in 1984, due to the erosion of Israeli salaries and the cutback in construction work [JP 4/29]. Israeli police announce arrest of members of a "terrorist ring" suspected of 2 killings and 2 attempted killings in Jerusalem in last 6 weeks; Jerusalem court declares news blackout on the case [NYT, PI, MG 4/30]. Later reports indicate 20 Palestinians are arrested [JP 5/6]. Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin has instructed the security authorities to bring to trial the West Bank settlers who blocked a road north of Halhul a fortnight ago to prevent people from reaching a Peace Now symposium in nearby Hebron [JP 4/29].

Arab World: The Jordanian minister for the occupied territories, Tahir Kan'an, was dismissed over the weekend [LT 4/29]. New departments are dedicated for hospital in S. Lebanese Christian town of Marja'uyun; SLA commander Gen. Antoine Lahd thanks Israel for its help in training workers and doctors for the hospital; some $2 million was donated for the hospital, coming from Israel, Middle East Television, and the SLA command [JP 4/29].

Military Action

Arab World: Guerrillas clash on slopes of Mt. Hermon with Israeli army troops; 2 guerrillas are killed, 3 Israeli soldiers wounded [JP, JTA 5/2]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres states Israel has engaged in "quiet diplomacy" with Jordan since King Hussein's break with the PLO in February [BG, WP 4/29]. Syrian army deserter captured by Israeli army in S. Lebanon says on Israel TV that he and 2 other Syrian deserters were recruited and paid by Fateh to infiltrate Israel, take hostages at Kibbutz Manara, take the French ambassador to Israel hostage, and demand safe passage out of the country to Jordan, Egypt, or Tunisia; he states Fateh has many Syrian, Pakistani, and Iraqi recruits for similar missions [JP 4/29].

Arab World: Spokespersons for Yasir Arafat's Fateh, the DFLP, and the PFLP denounce Jordanian regime for secret contacts with Israeli government officials [FJ 5/2]. Abu Nidal's Fateh Revolutionary Council claims responsibility for 4/27 shooting of British tourist in East Jerusalem, states it was in reprisal for U.S. air raid on Libyand British "collusion" in the attack, states Briton shot was an intelligence agent [WP, PI 4/29]. Egypt, which supplies Israel with one quarter of its oil, has reduced prices by approximately 25%, saving Israeli Treasury over $50 million a year [JTA 4/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres tells 21-member Council of Europe, in Strasbourg, that Israel is willing for Gaza Strip residentso be given Jordanian passports, states that the "only framework" that holds promise for peace between Israel and its neighbors and for solving the Palestinian problem is "direct negotiations between a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation and an Israeli delegation" [JP 4/23]. Israeli army sources state there have been 67 incidents of shooting, planting explosive devices, and throwing hand grenades and gasoline bombsince January of this year, compared with 104 during the period between August to December of 1985 [JP 4/23].

Arab World: PLO officials inAmman state Jordan has deported 7 Fateh officers from the Karameh force who sided with Yasir Arafat in conflict with 'Atallah 'Atallah (Abu Za'im) [BG 4/23; JP 4/24]. Reports from Amman indicate that 40 to 100 more Palestinians may be facing deportation as well [FJ 4/25]. Jordan has increased its restrictions on the entry of prominent pro-Fateh Palestinians from the West Bank and is turning them back at the bridges; Jordanian authorities have begun bureaucratic harassment, confiscation of passports at the border, and lengthy questioning of Fateh supporters [JP 4/23].

Other Countries: Seventeen people, including a retired Israeli general, are indicted in New York on federal charges of conspiring to sell Iran more than $2 billion worth of American weapons, in violation of U.S. arms embargo; Israeli embassy denies Israeli govt. involvement in the matter [WP, WSJ 4/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli bus driver Shlomo Hatuka, injured in 4/12 attack on his bus near Ramallah, dies of gunshot wounds suffered in the incident [WP, JP 4/23].

Arab World: Two members of PLO are wounded during shoot-out at PLO office in Amman; reports say 'Atallah 'Atallah (Abu Za'im) tried to shoot his way into his office after finding it locked [WP, MG 4/23]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli magistrate's court in Haifa remands 10 Palestinians from inside the Green Line who are alleged to have been organized in the Palestinian resistance movement and to have killed an Israeli soldier in August 1984; some of the detainees have travelled to Cyprus and are alleged to have continued on to Syria for military training, as well as being members of the PFLP [FJ 4/25]. Yesh Gvul (There Is a Limit) organization holds press conference in West Jerusalem announcing their refusal to serve in the occupied territories [FJ 5/2]. Moshe Mendelbaum, governor of the Bank of Israel, states he will resign within 30 days; Giora Gazit, chairman of Bank Hapoalim, announces his resignation [WSJ, MG 4/22]. The number of West Bankers working inside the Green Line declined slightly last year to 47,000 each week, down from 50,000 weekly during the previous year; the number of Gazans working inside the Green Line increased from 41,000 to 42,000 weekly; the work force in the occupied territories reached 251,000 weekly last year, a 2% rise from 1984 [JP 4/21].

Arab World: PFLP announces 13 guerrilla organizations held a secret conference in Damascus last week and decided to escalate attacks against U.S. targets to avenge air strikes on Libya; the groups included the 6 Palestinian factions making up the Palestine National Salvation Front, as well as 7 unidentified "liberation movements," according to the source [JP 4/22]. Druze leader Walid Jumblatt denies meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin in Geneva in February, as was reported by Agence France Presse [JP 4/22].

Other Countries: P.M. Peres meets in Paris with French Pres. Francois Mitterrand and P.M. Jacques Chirac for talks on terrorism and Peres' proposal for a M. E. Marshall Plan [JP 4/22]. U.S. Justice Dept. notifies Congress it does not plan to seek prosecution of Yasir Arafat for the murders of 2 U.S. diplomats on 5/2/73 [WP, BG 4/22]. U.S. State Dept. has appealed ruling by U.S. district judge allowing PLO Permanent Observer to the UN Zuhdi Tarzi to travel to Cambridge, Mass. for a debate despite State's travel ban on Tarzi, on grounds it would lend legitimacy to the PLO [BG 4/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A Jerusalem court convicts Israeli army Capt. Shlomo Leviatan and Maj. Ronnie Gila of complicity in bombings carried out by anti-Arab Jewish underground group [JP, WP 4/15]. U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Murphy meets with Bethlehem Mayor Iliyas Furayj at reception at American consulate in East Jerusalem; reports circulate that they discussed the "Gaza first" proposals being floated by some circles in Jerusalem; Murphy confirms he attempted to ease tensions between Israel and Syria during recent meetings with Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad [JP 4/15]. Students at Hebron Polytechnic demonstrate in protest of Tehiya convention; 70 students are arrested [JP 4/15; FJ 4/18].

Arab World: West Bank Palestinians travelling to Jordan are experiencing increased bureaucratic harassment, including passport confiscation and interrogation by Jordanian authorities; moves seem to be targetting Fateh supporters [JP 4/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli police announce they have arrested 6 members of a West Bank Palestinian family in connection with kidnap-slaying of Israeli soldier David Manos, whose remains were found in a West Bank cave 2 weeks ago [JTA 3/28].

Arab World: Shi'ite Amal militia announces it holds 3 Palestinian guerrillas who the PLO claimed were killed in cross-border raid into Israel in which 4 Israeli soldiers were also claimed to have been killed [JP 3/26].