The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF spokesperson says army has drawn up long-term plan that assumes Israel will still occupy the W. Bank and Gaza in the year 2000 [WP 8/31; MET 9/12]. Israeli defense source says over the past 3 weeks IDF and Shin Bet have rounded up some 170 W. Bank Palestinians who "make up the backbone of the hard core leadership of the intifada in the W. Bank" [FBIS 9/1].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat arrives in Cairo for talks with President Hosni Mubarak and senior Egyptian officials [FBIS 8/30].

Other Countries: UN Security Council adopts resolution "deploring" Israel's deportation of Palestinians, and calls on Israel to respect the Geneva Convention in the O.T. [WP 8/31]. The resolution passes with 14 of 15 Security Council members voting for it; the U.S. abstains [FBIS 9/1; MET 9/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Two Israeli soldiers are wounded by stones in Khan Yunis. Classes for 10th and 11th grade students resume in the W. Bank. Curfew in Bayt Sahur is lifted, curfew is imposed on Dayr al-Balah. IDF Radio reports that the departure of workers for jobs in Israel is sporadic [FBIS 8/30]. Army reports 3 Katyusha rockets fired into the Galilee panhandle causing slight damage but no injuries, claims Hizballah is responsible [FBIS 8/311.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Rabbi Moshe Levinger, afounder of Gush Emunim and indicted for the murder of a Palestinian merchant, demonstrates in front of the E. Jerusalem house of Faisal Husayni, calling for Husayni to be tried in his place [NYT, LAT 8/29; MET 9/5].

Arab World: Arab League UN representative Clovis Maksoud says that Arab countries will call for transferring General Assembly meetings to Geneva if Washington refuses to grant Arafat an entry visa [FBIS 8/29].

Other Countries: U.S. Consulate says there were 10,588 U.S. tourist-visa applications from Palestinians during the first six months of 1989 and 1,499 applications for permanent immigration visas. 48,500 Israelis applied for tourist visas during the first five months of 1989 [NYT 8/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In overnight skirmish, Israeli police in Beit Safafa shoot, kill 20-year-old Palestinian, then attempt to break up a memorial procession for him. 4 officers are wounded, as well as an Israeli cameraman who is shot with a rubber bullet. 23-year-old Palestinian dies of gunshot wounds received last week in Gaza Strip [NYT 8/29; MET 9/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel deports five Palestinians accused of leading the intifada in the W. Bank. 4 are deported to Lebanon, while the fifth, Dr. Taysir Aruri, is expelled to France [NYT, LAT 8/28; MET 9/5].

Other Countries: PLO spokesman in Washington says Arafat is "seriously considering" coming to New York in September for the UN General Assembly, and that the purpose of the visit "would not be to challenge the United States . . . [but] to facilitate and encourage the peacemaking process" [NYT 8/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 14 Gaza residents are detained after Molotov cocktail is thrown at army post. Petrol bombs are thrown at soldiers in Gaza and Jabaliyyah. Curfews on Rafah and Jabaliyyah lifted, curfew imposed on 'Ayn 'Arik near Ramallah after stonethrowing incident. At least 18 Palestinians wounded in clashes with IDF forces throughout the O.T.; two children from Kafr Ni'mah are injured when a suspicious object explodes in their faces. Military court sentences 17-year-old Palestinian woman to 13 months in prison for attacking an IDF officer with a knife [FBIS 8/28].

Arab World: Israeli Air Force fighters bomb Hizballah camps in South Lebanon, killing 2 and wounding at least 10 [NYT 8/28]. At least 7 others are killed, 15 wounded in further Israeli raids on South Lebanon Hizballah bases [WP, LAT 8/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Laflets distributed in E. Jerusalem announce birth of Hizballah in Palestine, declare jihad against Israel and U.S. [FBIS 8/28].

Arab World: In Aden for visit, Arafat says latest round of U.S.-PLO talks did not go as they should have, blames U.S. intransigence [FBIS 8/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 46-year-old Israeli is found in a W. Bank village after reportedly being kidnapped on 8/24 by masked Palestinians [FBIS 8/25; NYT 8/26; MET 9/5]. Israeli figures say 13 Palestinians have been killed in the O.T. in the past eight days; that the violence has increased because Palestinian leaders have vowed to step up the intifada [WP 8/26]. Acting under new regulation that allows troops to shoot at masked Palestinians, soldiers shoot, wound one of several masked youths who clashed with IDF patrol in Jabaliyyah [FBIS 8/28].

Other Countries: Five-vessel French Navy task force remains off the Lebanese coast [NYT 8/26]; the French are joined by eight U.S. ships, including the battleship Iowa. Soviet guided missile cruiser Kirov is also there [FBIS 8/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: CSM reports that by mid-August 91 alleged collaborators had been killed by fellow Palestinians since the intifada began [CSM 8/21].

Arab World: Palestine National Fund (PNF) offices in Amman are reopened [FBIS 8/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 3 Palestinians are killed, 6 wounded in clashes throughout O.T. General strike in W. Bank. IDF soldier in Tulkarm injured by a rock. Molotov cocktail hurled at a patrol in Jabaliyyah camp, no injuries. Police use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse stone-throwing youths in E. Jerusalem. Curfew imposed on al-Ram and Dahiyat al-Barid, north of Jerusalem, following clashes between youths and IDF [FBIS 8/22].

Arab World: UNIFIL places forces on alert because of heavy Israeli and SLA military activity in S. Lebanon [FBIS 8/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Tel Aviv newspaper Davar reports Moshe Arens recently held meetings with prominent Palestinian leaders from the O.T. [FBIS 8/22].

Arab World: PLO Chairman Arafat arrives in Amman for talks with King Hussein and senior Jordanian officials [FBIS 8/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 15-year-old Palestinian is killed, 12 are wounded in clash with IDF forces in Jabaliyyah camp. Commercial strike held in Ramallah [FBIS 8/ 21]. 3 Palestinians are wounded by gunfire while collecting magnetic ID cards in Jabaliyyah camp [FBIS 8/23]. In Jerusalem, Israeli soldier is stabbed by Palestinian youth, who is later arrested; the soldier was slightly injured [MET 8/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: From now on, Gazans working in Israel must present Israeli-issued ID cards in order to pass into Israel [LAT 8/19; CSM 9/6].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat, King Hussein of Jordan, and President Saddam Hussayn of Iraq meet in Baghdad to discuss latest developments in Lebanon and the O.T. [FBIS 8/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli security arrests 3 masked men trying to prevent Palestinian laborers from crossing into Israel [FBIS 8/18]. Facing question by army about the beating death of an Arab last August, Israeli soldier shoots himself; suicide note expresses fear over becoming scapegoat for other officers [LAT 8/19].

Arab World: At least 2 people are killed, 14 wounded by shell fire in Beirut [FBIS 8/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palesine/lsrael: In a test of magnetic ID system that becomes mandatory on 8/18, Israeli civil administration prevents hundreds of Gaza Strip Palestinians without the IDs from entering Israel [FBIS 8/18].

Arab World: PLO leader Salah Khalaf has said 4th round of U.S.-PLO talks "was very bad" and that the only new things were "the tough U.S. tone and the threats" [FBIS 8/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF soldier in Gaza is injured by rock. Army reports soldiers manning an outpost in Nablus come under gunfire. 6 Palestinians wounded by IDF gunfire in West Bank [FBIS 8/181.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: New military orders in W. Bank allow soldiers to open fire on masked Palestinians; similar order has been in effect in Gaza for months [FBIS 8/15]. Unified National Command of the Uprising calls on Gazan workers to boycott jobs in Israel for week to protest new I. D. cards [LAT 8/16]. The West Bank Database Project headed by Meron Benvenisti announces its closure [MEI 8/25].

Arab World: Jordan announces that upcoming elections will be held on 11/8 [MET 8/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian dies from wounds received 8/14 [LAT 8/16, FJ 8/21]. At least 16 Palestinians are shot, wounded during clashes throughout O.T. [LAT 8/16]. At least 25 Palestinians are arrested near Tulkarm [FJ 8/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Responding to heckler's call to expel Palestinians from O.T., D. M. Rabin declares, "I've expelled more Arabs than you" [FBIS 8/16].

Arab World: Israel announces that it will register cars in south Lebanon's "security zone" in order to curtail car bombings [MET 8/22].

Other Countries: The Sunday Times [London] reports that Israel has told the families of 2 soldiers captured in Lebanon that the soldiers are dead; Israeli official states that "our soldiers are considered to be alive unless proved otherwise" [FBIS 8/14].

Military Action

Occupied PalestinelIsrael: Israeli troops shoot, kill 13-year-old Palestinian in Rafah [NYT 8/14, FBIS 8/16]. At least 25 Palestinians are wounded throughout O.T. [FBIS 8/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Rabin doubles, from 6 to 12 months, length of administrative detention [FJ 8/14, MET 8/22].

Arab World: In response to criticism Fateh's congress issues second statement softening call for armed struggle [LAT, NYT 8/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian dies in Ansar 3; death is attributed to camp conditions. Near Jenin unidentified exploding object injures 3 Palestinian children. Curfew in Nur Shams enters 11th day [FJ 8/14].

Arab World: SLA, IDF troops shoot, wound, capture Palestinian guerrilla in Israeli "security zone" in south Lebanon [MET 8/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: In Tunis Fateh's 5th General Congress ends [FBIS 8/11].

Other Countries: Bush administration criticizes Fateh's announcementhat it will escalate armed struggle [NYT 8/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Near Nablus, troops kill 16-year-old Palestinian. In Beach camp troops shoot, wound 23 Palestinians [FJ 8/14].

Arab World: SLA troops open fire, wound 2 Norwegian UNIFIL soldiers [MET 8/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians observe general strike throughout 0.T. [FBIS 8/11].

Arab World: In Jordan, UNRWA employees stage sit-in to demand wage increase to offset drop in dinar [MET 8/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli settler opens fire on Israeli soldiers thoughto be Palestinian; soldiers return fire killing 1- year-old Israeli, wounding settler and another child [WP 8/10, MET 8/22]. In Beach camp soldiershoot, kill 7-year-old and 23-year-old, wound 5. In Hebron settlers shoot, kill 18-year-old. In Rafah 45- year-old Palestinian accused of collaboration is killed. At least 23 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations [FBIS 8/10, FJ 8/14].

Arab World: Booby-trapped car explodes in south Lebanon killing Arab driver, wounding 5 Israeli soldiers [FBIS 8/9, MET 8/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Survey of Israeli youth finds 40% hate all or most Arabs [FBIS 8/8]. Central Bureau of Statistics states that population of Jewish settlers in O.T. increased by 10% in past year, to 66,000 [FBIS 8/11].

Arab World: Fateh's congress supports Arafat's diplomatic initiatives and "struggle against Israel by all methods, including armed struggle" [WP 8/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jordanian soldier crosses border near Elate, wounds 25-year-old American kibbutz volunteer, takes 2nd woman hostage before being killed [FBIS 8/8]. In Jenin soldiers shoot, wound 3 Palestinians. At least 7 other Palestinians are wounded by troops throughout O.T. Soldiers demolish 6 Palestinian homes in Bayt Furik [FBIS 8/9, FJ 8/14]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U. S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near East and South Asia John Kelly meets with 13 Palestinians from O.T.; Palestinians give Kelly letter stating that meeting is part of PLO-U.S. dialogue, rejects election proposal under Shamir's terms, demand that Israel accept territory for peace [FBIS 8/3].

Arab World: In Tunis Fateh opens 5th General Congress [FBIS 8/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade thrown at Israeli patrol in Khan Yunis injures 3 Palestinians, 3 soldiers; troops respond by opening fire injuring 14 Palestinians [FJ 8/7, MET 8/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 9 Palestinians are injured during clashes in Gaza Strip. In Tulkarm camp 4 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations [FJ 8/7].

Arab World: In Sidon 2 Fateh officials are wounded by unknown gunmen. SLA kills 3 Palestinian guerrillas 3 km north of Israeli border [MET 8/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D. M. Rabin offers to trade Shayk 'Ubayd, other Shia prisoners for Western hostages and Israeli soldiers captured in Lebanon [WP 8/1].

Other Countries: Bush administration deplores killing of Col. Higgins, states that Israel is not responsible [NYT 8/1]. Senate Republican leader Robert Dole accuses Israel of endangering U.S. lives [WP 8/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Burayj camp soldiers shoot, kill 15-year-old Palestinian. Troops shoot, kill 12-year-old Palestinian in Balatah camp. At least 16 Palestinians are shot in Gaza Strip [FJ 8/7].

Arab World: Organization of the Oppressed of the World states that it has hanged U. S. Lt. Colonel William Higgins because Israel has refused to release Shaykh 'Ubayd; Another Lebanese group threatens to kill second American hostage [NYT 8/1, MET 8/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Supreme Court states that Palestinians have right to appeal house demolition orders before action is taken; ruling gives Palestinians 48 hours to appeal order to military commander and, if refused, another 48 hours to appeal to high court [WP 7/31]. Palestinians observe general strike in O. T. [FBIS 7/31].

Arab World: Arafat meets with Iraqi president Saddam Husayn [FJ 8/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops open fire, kill 17-year-old Palestinian in Ra's Karkar. Jewish settlers from Rafiah Yam shoot, kill 30-year-old Palestinian near Bayt Hanun. In Ramallah Palestinian from Bayt Lid dies from wounds received in May. In Nablus Palestinian dies from wounds received mid-July. Palestinian suspected of collaboration dies from injuries received 7/29. At least 7 Palestinians are wounded in O.T. [FBIS 7/31]. 

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza Strip at least 8 Palestinians are shot, injured by Israeli troops. In Duhayshah troops shoot, wound 2 Palestinians. Nur Shams remains under curfew for 10th consecutive day. Israeli soldiers demolish or seal 3 Palestinian houses in Gaza [FJ 7/31].

Arab World: Israeli commandos kidnap Shaykh 'Abd al-Karim 'Ubayd, a leader of Hizballah, and 2 others from Jibsheet, 16 km north of Israeli border; soldiers kill 1 Lebanese villager in raid [LAT 7/29, MET 8/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Arafat meets with King Hasan II of Morocco [MET 8/8]. Arafat states that Jamil Tarifi's meetings with Shamir have approval of Palestinian leadership [FBIS 7/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tulkarm Israeli soldiers shoot, kill 21-year-old Palestinian [NYT 7/28, FJ 7/31]. In Gaza 79-year-old Palestinian is hit and killed by Israeli vehicle [FJ 7/31]. In Khan Yunis Palestinian accused of collaboration is killed [NYT 7/28]. At least 15 Palestinians are injured in the Gaza Strip [FJ 7/31].

Arab World: SLA ambushes, kills 5 Palestinian guerrillas east of Sidon [FBIS 7/31, MET 8/8]. SLA expells 23 Lebanese policemen from south Lebanon's Israeliimposed "security zone" for refusing to cooperate with SLA, IDF [MET 8/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian lawyer Jamil Tarifi admits meeting with Shamir and informing PLO leadership in Tunis of details of meeting [NYT 7/26].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee member Mahmud Abbas tells Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, al-Bayan, that PLO accepts elections in O.T. as part of comprehensive settlement [FJ 7/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza 20- year-old Palestinian from Shabura camp dies from wounds received 7/23. In Ramallah troops shoot 2 Palestinians. In Gaza Strip 7 Palestinians are shot during demonstrations [FJ 7/31]. Israeli court imprisons 4 soldiers for stealing from Palestinians from Gaza while on duty [NYT 7/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ariel Sharon, minister of industry, states that Israel must "eliminate the heads of the terrorist organizations, first of all Arafat" [WP 7/18]. Palestinians observe general strike throughout O.T. [FJ 7/24]. F. M. Arens states that it is impossible to hold free elections in O.T., while U.S. is holding talks with PLO [WP 7/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Gaza City. At least 35 Palestinians are reported injured in O.T. [FJ 7/24]. Al-Fajr cites army sources as saying it costs Israel $500,000 per day to fight intifadah [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: SLA shells Palestinian positions near Sidon [FJ 7/24]. Israeli tanks fire on Sunni villages near Tyre, killing 1, wounding 10 [MET 7/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics states that 600 more people left Israel than arrived in 1988; overall population increasing at 1.6% per year; Jewish population at 1.3%; Muslim population at 3.7%; total population is 4,476,800; 82% of population is Jewish; 14% Muslim [FBIS 7/13]. Yossi Beilin, aide to Labor leader Peres, states that Israel holds indirectalks with PLO [FBIS 7/13, LAT 7/14].

Arab World: PLO officials state that PLO and Israel have held indirect talks [LAT 7/14].

Other Countries: British F. M. Geoffrey Howe meets with Bassam Abu Sharif, aide to Arafat [FJ 7/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Stone throwing Palestinian from Hebron is shot, killed. In Khan Yunis soldiershoot, kill 18-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 7/13, FJ 7/17].

Other Countries: Land mine kills SLA soldier in Israeli-imposed "security zone" in south Lebanon [MET 7/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel announces that it will open W. Bank schools; no opening date given [LAT, WP 7/13]. Israel announces that Israeli-owned businesses in W. Bank will be taxed at Israeli rate, as opposed to Jordanian rate, starting in 1990 [MET 7/25].

Arab World: PLO Chairman Arafat says he regrets killing of 14 Israelis by Palestinian in bus incident; declares that "we have to stop this bloodshed" [WP 7/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza Strip Israeli troops shoot, wound 10 Palestinians [FJ 7/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in Ramallah district [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: Arafat sends letter to Pope John Paul II asking for a public appeal on behalf of the Palestinians [LAT 7/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 8 Palestinians are injured during clashes with Israeli troops in O.T. Soldiers arrest at least 28 Palestinians throughout O.T. [FJ 7/17]. Arab World: Israel deploys Hawk landto-air missiles in south Lebanon [FJ 7/17]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor threatens to withdraw from national unity government in response to Shamir's endorsement of strict conditions on proposed elections in O.T. [WP 7/11]. Israeli unemployment rises 4% in June [FBIS 7/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Ramallah troops kill Palestinians 17 and 20 years old. In Khirbet Abu Falah soldiers kill 18- year-old Palestinian. In Burayj 15-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed. Palestinian from Gaza dies from wounds received 7/9 [NYT 7/11, FJ 7/1 7]. At least 17 Palestinians are injured in clashes throughout O.T. [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: In south Lebanon IDF, SLA troops raid guerrilla base, kill 3 Arabs [NYT 7/1 1]; 2 Israeli soldiers are injured [FBIS 7/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed throughout O.T. [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: Arafat states that PLO would no longer consider supporting Israel's plan for elections in O.T. [NYT 7/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Ramin Israeli troops open fire, kill 20-year-old Palestinian. In Madma 21-year-old Palestinian is killed during clash with army troops. At least 15 Palestinians are shot throughout O.T. [FBIS 7/10, FJ 7/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shamir bowing to right-wing pressure pledges that Likud will never return O.T. to "foreign sovereignty"; Palestinians in E. Jerusalem will not be eligible to vote in O.T. elections; elections in O.T. will not be held until intifadah is over, and the Jewish settlements are expanded. Peres says that conditions place "heavy handcuffs on the peace process" [NYT, WP 7/6].

Arab World: Jordan announces that parliamentary elections, the first in 23 years, will take place 11/16 [FBIS 7/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus 20- year-old Palestinian from Bayt Lid dies from wounds sustained 10 days earlier. In Gaza 103 Palestinians are shot, injured by troops; 20 are overcome by tear gas [FJ 7/10]. Army arrests 100 Palestinians in O.T. [LAT 7/6]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Survey of Israeli Jews (except those living in O.T., kibbutzim) shows that 60% favor elections in O.T. Second survey shows that 46% of Israeli Jews believe that Israel is "too democratic": 74% think that tougher policy is needed to put down intifadah [FBIS 7/7].

Arab World: Fateh announces it will hold conference near end of July. Saudi Arabia gives $6 million to PLO's Intifadah Support Fund [FBIS 7/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers shoot, kill 18-year-old Palestinian in Nusayrat camp [FBIS 7/7, FJ 7/10]. At least 58 Palestinians are injured in clashes throughout O.T. [FJ 7/10]. Israeli troops arrest 200 Palestinians; over 13,000 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli prisons [WP, FBIS 7/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Rafah camp clashes with Israeli troops leave 5 Palestinians injured. At least 9 other Palestinians are injured in Gaza Strip. At least 4 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations throughout W. Bank [FJ 7/10].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes overfly Palestinian camps near Sidon. [FBIS 7/3]