The Palestine Chronology

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: Def. Min. Rabin tells Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Com. that 4,912 people are being detained in Israeli jails [WP 4/27]. Israeli govemment suspends official accreditation of 2 American reporters for not submitting stories about assassination of Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) to military censor [WP 4/27]. Bulldozers uproot olive trees in Qatannah village, north of Jerusalem; village is under 2-day curfew [FJ 5/1]. In E. Jerusalem, shopowners strike to protest 4/25 arrest of 14 merchants [FJ 5/1].

Arab World: PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat leaves Damascus. PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi remains in Syria for further talks with govemment officials [CSM 4/28]. In Damascus, DFLP leader Nayif Hawatmah threatens more attacks on Israel from S. Lebanon [NYT 5/1]. National Resistance Front also claims responsibility for attack on Israel [WP 4/27].

Other Countries: In The Hague, World Court rules U.S. must submit to arbitration over legislation ordering PLO to close its observer mission to UN [WP 4/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli patrol kills 3 Palestinian guerrillas who entered Israel across Lebanese border; 2 Israeli soldiers are killed [WP 4/27; NYT 4/28]. In Gaza Strip, student demonstrators stone soldiers in Gaza City and Jabalya, Beach, and Khan Yunis camps. Soldiers respond with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. In Sha'jiyyah quarter of Gaza City, authorities seal 6 rooms; 2 houses in Dayr al-Balah camp are also sealed [FJ 5/1].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police announce detention of 2 Israelis on charges of stockpiling weapons allegedly for anti-Arab attacks [WP 3/19]. IDF Chief of Staff Dan Shomron calls on Israeli leaders to reach accord with Arab leaders and end uprising [WP 3/19]. Israel arrests Muhammad Abu Sha'ban, deputy chairman of Gaza Bar Association, and 4 Palestinian joumalists [FBIS 3/18; WP 3/19]. In Nazareth, large numbers of Palestinians participate in Rakah-organized demonstration [FJ 3/27]. Close to 700 prisoners from Gaza are moved to Ansar 3, newly opened detention camp in Negev desert [FJ 3/27].

Other Countries: U.S. announces it will send special envoy Philip Habib to Middle East in continuing effort to revive peace process [WP 3/19]. UN General Assembly opens emergency session to consider means to keep PLO observer mission open [NYT 3/19]. Former Atty. Gen. Ramsey Clark says he will represent PLO in U.S. court efforts to prevent closure of its observer mission to UN [NYT 3/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF helicopters drop tear gas cannisters while soldiers use rubber bullets and live ammunition in violent clash with worshipers leaving mosque in Gaza's Beach refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are killed and at least 21 are injured [WP, NYT 3/19]. In Ramallah, troops pour gravel from helicopters on protesters; 2 Palestinians are wounded by army gunfire [NYT, WP 3/19]. Army bars foreign joumalists from W. Bank and Gaza Strip [WP 3/19]. In Nablus, soldiers shoot, kill Palestinian youth from 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma' camp [NYT, FJ 3/20]. Elderly Palestinian dies from effects of tear gas in Jabalya camp [FJ 3/20]. Jalazun is ordered under military curfew. Mass detentions are reported in Nablus, Hebron, Ramallah [FJ 3/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: On the W. Bank, hundreds of Palestinian policemen resign [WP 3/12]. In Tel Aviv 70 Knesset members deliver petition to U.S. ambassador Thomas Pickering, asking Pres. Reagan to pardon convicted spy Jonathan Pollard [LAT, WP 3/12]. Israeli bus is firebombed near Tulkarm [FJ 3/13]. In Bidiya village, Israeli authorities demolish 3 houses whose owners are accused of attempting to kill collaborator. House in Hebron is demolished; owner is charged with killing Israeli in Jerusalem in October 1987 [FJ 3/13]. Israel bans exports to Jordan from Qabatiyyah [FJ 3/13]. Police arrest 40 Palestinians from inside green line in connection with demonstrations during which stones and bottles were thrown and Palestinian flags raised [FJ 3/13].

Arab World: Egypt's Pres. Husni Mubarak and Jordan's King Hussein hold talks in Cairo, voice optimism on Shultz plan [WP 3/14].

Other Countries: U.S. Justice Dept. orders PLO to close its observer mission to UN [WP 3/12]. U.S. State Dept. asks PLO support for new U.S. peace proposals [WP 3/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF announces demolition of 4 houses of alleged Palestinian activists: 3 houses in village of Bidiya, north of Jerusalem, and 1 in Hebron [WP 3/12]. At least 6 Palestinians are wounded by army gunfire in violent clash in Bayt Ummar, near Hebron [FJ 3/13]. Army restricts press access to W. Bank for several hours [NYT, WP 3/12]. In Ramallah, several are wounded when soldiers fire on demonstrations that erupt after Friday prayers. Palestinian is arrested in Jenin for allegedly trying to stab soldier. Violent demonstrations are reported throughout Gaza Strip; Bayt Lahiyah quarter and Jabalya refugee camp are placed under curfew [FJ 3/13]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Commercial strike continues in E. Jerusalem, Nablus, and Ramallah [FJ 12/20]. Police use tear gas to break up demonstration by Arab and Jewish Hebrew U. students outside P. M. Shamir's residence [FBIS 12/17; FJ 12/20]. Group of 12 Balatah refugee camp residents file complaint against defense minister and military commander of occupied territories in Israeli High Court charging border guards used excessive force in controlling demonstrations [FJ 12/20].

Other Countries: U.S. Senate passes measure temporarily prohibiting denial of visas to and expulsion of foreigners because of their political beliefs; bill also includes provision to close PLO observer mission to UN and PIO in Washington, D.C. [NYT 12/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army sends reinforcements into Gaza Strip. In Jabalya refugee camp, at least 3 Palestinians are shot, wounded when troops open fire on crowd demonstrating atfuneral of youth killed 12/15; about 20 others are arrested. Israeli soldier is stabbed in Rafah; members of patrol open fire, wounding at least 3. Army fails to break general strike [NYT 12/17]. Israel begins using water canons to control demonstrating crowds in occupied territories. Widespread arrests are reported [WP 12/17]. Tire-burning, bottle-throwing demonstrators clash with soldiers in Jerusalem [FJ 12/20].

Arab World: Israeli troops enter eastern Lebanon, battle Lebanese militias, killing 1 [FJ 12/20]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres survives no-confidence motion and wins Knesset approval for 7-point peace plan recently offered at the UN; vote is 68-10 in support of Peres' initiative to Jordan [NYT, WP 10/29]. Israeli military issues deportation orders against 4 Palestinians for alleged "subversive political activity": 'Ali Abu Hilal, from Abu Dis, and Dr. 'Azmi Shu'aybi, from al-Bireh, both charged with membership in the DFLP; and Hasan Faraje, from Dheisheh camp, and Zaki Abu Stita, from Jabalya camp in the Gaza Strip, both charged with membership in the PFLP [LT 10/29]. The 4 will appear before an advisory board this week, where they can appeal the orders [JP 10/29].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat and King Hussein, accompanied by aides, meet for several hours, discuss strains in their relationship, schedule more talks for tomorrow [NYT, WP 10/29].

Other Countries: Jewish Telegraph Agency reports representatives of international Jewish organizations for the first time officially met 2 Chinese govt. agency officials in Peking recently [JTA 10/29].

Military Action

Arab World: SLA militiamen kill 3 unidentified gunmen near SLA position near village of 'Aysha in security zone [JP 10/29].