The Palestine Chronology

Bilateral talks in Washington adjourn until 11/9. (Qol Yisra'el 10/29 in FBIS 10/29)

Two-day multilateral conference on economics opens in Paris, with World Bank suggesting establishment of Middle East reconstruction bank modeled on similar European bank. Dr. Fayiz al-Tarawina, head of the Jordanian delegation, says the Arab states will reject any joint projects with Israel before withdrawal from the o.t. Syria and Lebanon boycott, London-based businessman Zayn Mi'asi heads the Palestinian team, and Bank of Israel gov. Ya'akov Frenkel heads the Israeli delegation. (Qol Yisra'el 10/29 in FBIS 10/29; MM 10/30)

Chmn. Arafat sends Madrid conf. anniversary messages to leaders of U.S., Russia, China, France, Japan, Austria, Great Britain and Sweden urging them to help remove Israeli obstacles to progress in peace talks. (Akhbar al-Usbu' 10/29 in FBIS 10/29)

Fateh Cent. Comm. mbr. Hani al-Hassan issues statement praising Saudi Arabia's support of the Palestinian cause and the kingdom's treatment of its Palestinian community. (Saudi Arabian TV 10/29 in FBIS 10/30)

King Hassan of Morocco meets with Pres. Asad in Damascus. (MM 10/30)

Israel shells Iqlim al-Tuffah, western Biqa' regions, overflies Sidon and surrounding refugee camps. SLA soldier is wounded in bomb attack north of "security zone," southern Lebanon. (Qol Yisra'el, Radio Lebanon 10/29 in FBIS 10/29)

PM-designate Rabin announces new cabinet to the Labor party Cent. Comm. He named himself DM, Mordechai Gur dep. DM (in charge of "day-to-day" affairs), Avraham Shochat fin. min., Benyamin Ben-Eliezer construction and housing min., Shulamit Aloni education min. Labor has 13 minister portfolios, Meretz 3, and Shas 1-interior. (NYT 7/13)

Labor issues separate letters of commitment on social and political matters to HADASH (Democratic Front) and Arab Democratic Party, two Arab parties supporting but not part of new coalition who have a total of 5 Knesset seats. (ITV 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

Chmn. Arafat meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo. (MM 7/13)

PLO political advisor and delegation advisory comm. mbr. Nabil Shaath says Egypt is "the" Arab state capable of restoring Arab solidarity and boosting Palestinian negotiating strength, aswell as materially aiding the Palestinan people. (MENA 7/12 in FBIS 7/14)

Palestinian delegation spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi is detained for several hours upon crossing the Allenby bridge from Jordan, regarding the delegation's 6/18 public meeting with PLO Chmn. Arafat. (Qol Yisra'el 7/12 in FBIS 7/13; NYT 7/13)

Israel, SLA heavily shells Iqlim al-Tuffah region in S. Lebanon, reportedly in retaliation for bomb attack on Israeli patrol. (MM 7/13)

UNLU issues addendum to call no. 84 (issued 7/4) commending and supporting efforts to end intra-Palestinian violence in Gaza Strip.

U.S. refuses Arab demand to reschedule negotiations due to Israeli refusal to attend 12/4 talks in Washington. (WP 12/6)

Islamic Resistance Movement fires rockets into Marjayun, S. Lebanon in retaliation for Israeli, SLA shelling of Shiite villages. (NYT 12/9)

Israeli communications ministry and telephone company Bezek end several days' experiment by which selected customers were allowed to call unnamed Arab countries directly through American installations. Experiment came in order to prepare Israel in the event that peace talks lead to agreement on direct communications between Israel, Arab world. Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini was among those who called, speaking to his brother in Jordan. (MM 12/5, 12/6)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D. M. Rabin says IDF efforts to control intifada have been unsuccessful, but that intifada accounts for "only 4 percent" of Israel's defense budget [NYT 12/5].

Arab World: Jordan's P.M. Zeid bin Shaker resigns and is replaced by Mudar Badran, who has held the office twice before. King Husayn asks Badran "to work with the PLO" and support the intifada [NYT, WP 12/5].

Arab Tripartite Committee on Lebanon concludes 2-day Riyadh meeting, issues communique calling on all parties involved to abide by Taif agreement [FBIS 12/5].

Other Countries: Arab nations at UN ask U.S. not to threaten UN with financial sanctions in future, and to allow PLO observer's seat to be placed near observer nations; in return Arabs will drop campaign to recognize Palestinian statehood [NYT, WP 12/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 2 Israeli army reserve units made up of W. Bank settlers are deployed in Jericho and Ma'radah in W. Bank [FBIS 12/5].

General strike is observed in O.T. [FBIS 12/7].

Arab World: SLA and Amal forces exchange artillery fire in S. Lebanon [NYT 12/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel lifts curfew on part of Gaza Strip, refuses to allow Gazans to reporto work inside green line. Palestinians report that Israeli authorities have ordered them to stop exporting citrus from Gaza. Tel Aviv mayor Shlomo Lahat says that the city will no longer employ Palestinians for street cleaning, garbage collecting, sanitation work: "I don't want to discriminate and make them take only this kind of job, which has been the case up until now" [NYT 5/19]. Israel bans Druze leader from Galilee from entering O.T. for 1 year [FBIS 5/18].

Arab World: Jordan's king Hussein calls Israel's election proposal an attempt to "waste time" [LAT 5/19]. PLO calls on UN to take "practical measures to protect the residents of the West Bank and Gaza" [FBIS 5/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In E. Jerusalem 20-year-old Palestinian from Duhayshah dies from wounds received 2 weeks earlier. In Jamma'in troops open fire, kill Palestinian [FBIS 5/18]. IDF troops shoot, kill Palestinian youth from Nusayrat camp [FBIS 5/19]. At least 3 Palestinians are shot, injured in Tulkarm camp [FBIS 5/18].

Arab World: Soldiers of the Israeli-backed South Lebanese Army (SLA) wound 2 Irish UNIFIL troops in the Israeli-imposed "security zone" [FBIS 5/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel closes 4 schools in Gaza following demonstrations [FBIS 2/24].

Arab World: In Cairo, Arafat holds press conference with Israeli journalists, reaffirms willingness to accept three-part state consisting of Israel, Palestine, Jordan. Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze arrives in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi pres. Saddam Husayn [FBIS 2/24].

Other Countries: Egyptian pres. Mubarak, Jordan's King Hussein meet with Pres. Bush at Japanese emperor Hirohito's funeral, ask him to back Middle East peace conference; Israeli pres. Chaim Herzog urges Bush to wait [WP, LAT 2/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In al-'Ayzariyyah Israeli civilians shoot, wound 4 Palestinians after their car was stoned. At least 6 other Palestinians are wounded throughout O.T. [FBIS 2/24].

Arab World: South Lebanese Army (SLA) forces shoot, kill 3 DFLP guerrillas attempting to cross Israel's northern border [FBIS 2/24, NYT 2/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F. M. Peres announces Israel and U.S.S.R. have agreed to establish normal political contacts [LAT 8/20]. Rafael Eitan, former Defense Ministry official involved in Pollard spy case, says he acted with approval from his superiors [CSM, NYT 8/20]. Doctors at Gaza Strip hospitals strike to protest dismissal of Dr. al-Agha from Nasir Hospital on political grounds [FJ 8/23]. Nazareth's weekly political newspaper al-jamahir is ordered closed on charges that it is supported by the PFLP [FJ 8/23]. Two Arabs are injured by Jewish youths in Baqa al-Gharbiyyah [FJ8/23].

Arab World: Hashim 'Ashayir, head of waqf in Jerusalem, travels to Amman for meetings with Jordanian officials [FJ 8/23].

Other Countries: U.S. officials confirm Ambassador William Eagleton will return to Damascus 9/1 [WP 8/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew at Jabaliyyah refugee camp is relaxed, allowing residentso go to work [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: Near Marja'uyun inside Israel's S. Lebanon security zone, 4 SLA members are injured by land mine explosion [FJ 8/23]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Rabin defends Israel's involvement in Iran arm shipments, states Israel participated with U.S. encouragement and approval [WP 2/16].

Arab World: Representatives of PLO and Jordan meet in Amman to discuss reactivating joint committee for W. Bank and Gaza development [WP 2/16]. Kidnappers release advisor to Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil after 4days as hostage [BG 2/16].

Other Countries: Washington Post reports Jonathan Pollard supplied U.S. reconnaissance data on PLO headquarters in Tunisia, assessments of operations planned by the PLO, and related information to Israel [WP 2/15]. Jerusalem Post cites reports that Israel has doubled forces in Lebanon to nearly 3,000 in effort to support SLA [JP 2/15].

Military Action

Arab World: Police report at least 8 injured, 1 killed in heavy fighting near Beirut's Burj al-Barajinah and Shatila refugee camps. In W. Beirut, 4 are killed, 9 wounded in clash between Amal and Lebanese Communist party [BG 2/16]. Amal allows 30 families to leave Burj al-Barajinah; UN still unable to bring supplies into camp. Amal also allows some refugees to leave Tyre's Rashidiyyah camp and return with food and medicine [WP 2/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: John Cardinal O'Connor meets with F.M. Peres, visits Gaza Strip, and stresses poverty and statelessness of Palestinians before ending visit to Jordan and Israel [NYT, WP 1/6]. Two Arab houses in Yatta are demolished by Israeli authorities, leaving 15 homeless. Authorities charge the owners did not obtain proper construction permits. In the last week, 6 Arab houses have been demolished by Israeli authorities on similar charges [FJ 1/9].

Arab World: UN Undersec. Gen. for Special Political Affairs meets with Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil and P.M. Karami to discuss renewal of mandate for UN peace-keeping force in Lebanon [WP 1/6].

Military Action

Arab World: Bomb explodes under SLA armored personnel carrier, kills 4, wounds 6 near Markaba, in the "security zone." Police report Israeli helicopters attack Hizballah strongholds in retaliation; Israel denies carrying out such an attack [WP, NYT 1/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres states in keynote speech opening Labor party convention that Israel recognizes the Palestinians "as a nation," states Israel is trying to "create interim conditions for an interim arrangement" in the occupied territories until their final status is resolved [DT 4/10]. Egyptian delegation headed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Butrus-Ghali attends the convention, as well as delegations from 20 other countries [JP 4/9].

Arab World: Former chief of intelligence for the PLO, 'Atallah 'Atallah (Abu Za'im), is reported to have been touring Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan delivering speeches critical of policies of Yasir Arafat and blaming him for the collapse of dialogue with King Hussein; Abu Za'im's statements have been given front-page coverage in Amman [JP 4/8; NYT 4/9]. Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Abba Eban arrives in Cairo for a visit [JP 4/9].

Other Countries: U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy, originally scheduled to accompany Vice Pres. George Bush on his M.E. tour, stops instead in Cairo and then proceeds to Israel; Bush tells press conference Murphy is investigating a new peace initiative [LAT, BG 4/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Firebomb is thrown at bus on northern edge of Jerusalem, injuring 9 Israeli passengers; police detain 17 Palestinians for questioning [LAT, WP 4/9]. A bomb explodes in Afula, injuring a soldier; WAFA, the Palestine News Agency, states the PLO is responsible for placing the bomb [WP, LAT 4/9].

Arab World: Suicide bomber drives car into checkpoint near Hasbayya, at edge of Israeli-declared "security zone," killing himself and injuring 3 SLA militiamen and 3 civilians; the pro-Syrian Lebanese Ba'th party claims responsibility [WP, NYT 4/9]. Car bomb in Christian port city of Juniyah kills 10, injures over 100; no one claims responsibility [WP, NYT 4/9]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli security authorities seal 1 house and 3 rooms belonging to 4 residents of Tulkarm accused of throwing fire bombs at Israeli vehicles [JP 3/7].

Arab World: Israeli journalist Uri Avneri is expelled from Jordan to Egypt after reportedly holding contacts with Jordanian and PLO officials in Amman; Avneri retums to Israel, states he met with senior Jordanian and Palestinian personalities, including at least 1 cabinet minister and PNC members, denies he was expelled. (Avneri's trip was approved by P.M. Peres, Foreign Minister Shamir, and Defense Minister Rabin) [JP 3/7; WP 3/8]. Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shar' concludes 2 days of apparently unproductive talks in England with senior British officials; he states in press conference that Israel is main obstacle to peace in the M.E., that Syria allows Abu Nidal group to maintain political press office in Damascus but it "has nothing to do with violence" [WP, MG, LT 3/6].

Military Action

Arab World: SLA soldier is killed by roadside bomb; Israelis kill 2 Arab guerrillas in S. Lebanon "security zone"; Lebanese security sources say Israeli troops kill 1 farmer, injure another in raid outside "security zone" [MG 3/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli official states U.S. involvement in secret diplomatic contacts between Jordan, Egypt, and Israel is intensifying daily [WP, CSM 11/4].

Arab World: Jerusalem Post reports Israeli military expels 4 leading Druze shaykhs from village of Hasbaya in security zone in S. Lebanon [JP 11/3]. Israeli settlers in the Golan Heights block bridges leading there, stage demonstrations against their poor financial situation; settlements there owe $20 million to Northern Moshavim Purchasing Association [JP 11/3; JTA 11/4]. Institute for Strategic Studies in London annual report, Survey of Military Balances, states that Syria has almost 3 times as many troops in regular army as Israel [JP 11/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb explodes in Afula (5th in recent weeks); no injuries. Palestinians are rounded up for questioning [JP 11/4]. Bomb goes off at bus stop near French Hill; no injuries [JP 11/4]. Katyusha rockets land in Galilee; no casualties [JTA 11/4].

Arab World: Three people trying to smuggle explosives into 'Aysha village in S. Lebanon using a donkey are killed when SLA militiamen open fire on them, detonating the explosives [JP 11/4]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Cabinet holds 6-hour debate on P.M. Peres' recent overtures to Jordan; unity govt. appears in no danger, but Likud members charge Peres violated basic agreement in formation of unity govt. whereby peace efforts were to adhere to the 1979 Camp David framework [NYT, LAT 10/28]. Washington Post reports W. Bank Palestinians oppose Peres' proposals because they attempt to exclude the PLO [WP 10/27]. The Observer reports P.M. Shimon Peres met secretly earlier in the month with King Hussein in Paris, urged Hussein to come out publicly in favor of direct talks with Israel [OB 10/27].

Arab World: Jordanian Min. of Info. Muhammad Khatib states bilateral talks with Israel outside international conference and without the PLO are unacceptable to Jordan [WP 10/28].

Other Countries: Red Cross officials state Israeli and SLA troops have prevented them from seeing scores of prisoners being held in S. Lebanon since June. Over 100 families await word of missing relatives who have disappeared inside the security zone [TS 10/28]. French Pres. Francois Mitterrand supports Shimon Peres' offer to negotiate directly with Jordan, pledges French assistance in the process [JTA 10/28].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli planes raid alleged guerrilla bases in Lebanon's Biqa' Valley, the 13th such raid this year. Planes are said to have made direct hits on PFLP-GC bases. Christian radio station Voice of Lebanon reports base belonging to proSyrian al-Sa'iqa faction is also hit. No casualties are reported; tanks and ammunition dumps are reportedly hit [NYT, TS 10/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Order closing 5- month-old al-Darb newspaper takes effect. Attomey for the paper's publisher is able to schedule High Court hearing for case for 10/6 [FJ 10/4].

Arab World: King Hussein meets with key U.S. congressmen to discuss proposed U.S. arms sale to Jordan [WP 10/2].

Other Countries: Pentagon officials meet Israeli diplomats, ask for list of U.S. weapons used in Tunis air raid [DT 10/4]. EEC countries empower their president to meet a joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation, following Britain's decision to invite the delegation, including 2 prominent PLO members, to London for talks [JP 10/2].

Military Action

Arab World: Israel bombs PLO headquarters in Tunis, claiming retaliation for Lamaca killings and W. Bank violence; 61 Palestinians and 12 Tunisians killed, over 100 injured. 8 U.S.-made F-15s and 8 F- 16s used in the attack, raising speculation Israel may have violated U.S. Arms Export Control Act. White House spokesman Larry Speakes describes attack as a "legitimate response" to "terrorist atacks" [NYT, JP 10/2]. Jordan and Egypt condemn raid, vow to continue peace process. Egypt suspends Taba discussions in protest [NYT 10/2]. Saudi Arabia calls for UN sanctions against Israel. England, Greece, Czechoslovakia, China, Rumania, France, Kuwait, UAE, Turkey, Jewish leaders condemn raid [NYT 10/2; MG, LT 10/3]. Washington claims no advance knowledge of the attack [NYT 10/2]. Three SLA soldiers killed by unidentified gunmen in the security zone [JP 10/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: All shops close in East Jerusalem in general strike to protest Israeli closure of the Hospice Hospital in Jerusalem's Old City [FJ 7/26]. P. M. Peres says Israel should not give up part of Golan Heights in deal with U.S.S.R. for emigration of Soviet Jews UP 7/25]. Kiryat Arba's new nine-member local council - pledged to firing its Arab employees, pressing private businesses to do likewise, and to preventing economic ventures with Arab investors - is formally installed; dozens of secular residents enter building to protest [JP 7/25]. Israeli civil administration governing the occupied territories announces high school matriculation exam results improved on West Bank this year; schools were closed less than in the past; 64 percent of West Bank students passed their exams this year, compared with 54 percent last year [JP 7/25].

Arab World: Jordanian diplomat Ziad Sati, 40, is assassinated in Turkey; Islamic Jihad takes credit [CSM 7/26, NYT 7/25].

Other Countries: Reagan administration presents Middle East arms transfer study to special closed session of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee as basis for request to sell new arms to Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Congressional supporters of Israel warn administration against pursuing the arms sale, saying it would provoke an "enormously divisive" debate [WP 7/24, 25, JTA 7/25, BG 7/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel frees 74 Lebanese Shi'a, 6 Lebanese Sunnis, and 20 Palestinians held at Atlit prison since April, when Israel transferred 1,200 detainees from its Ansar prison in south Lebanon to Israel. Three hundred are still in detention. Any prisoner now detained in south Lebanon by Israel is sent to new prison run by SLA at Khiyam village, in the security zone [NYT 7/24]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF reserve soldier found dead (strangled) in Westem Negev [FJ 6/14].

Arab World: SLA seizes 25 Finnish UNIFIL soldiers in southern Lebanese "security zone" in retaliation for UNIFIL seizure of 11 SLA men and their deliverance to Amal custody [NYT 6/8]. UN says 11 deserted the SLA [WP 6/10]. Kuwait daily al-Qabas reports attempted coup d'etat in Jordan last month while King Hussein was in U.S. (Jordanian officials deny the story.) Al-Qabas names Hasan 'Ubaydat, secretary general of Jordanian Ba'th party, who entered Jordan from Syria, as leader of the coup attempt. 'Ubaydat is reportedly arrested and an arms cache uncovered [JWP].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 200 representatives of professions, student groups, other institutions in occupied territories call for PLO unity, criticize 2/11 Arafat-Hussein agreement [FJ 4/19].

Arab World: Jordan removes travel restrictions (imposed 4/30/83) on residents of occupied territories (W. Bank residents were not allowed to remain in Jordan for more than 30 days; were required to fill out questionnaire concerning trip) [FJ 4/19].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: Lebanese Forces continue bombardment of Mieh Mieh, 'Ain al-Hilweh. IDF, SLA attack Yuhmur; 8 reportedly massacred [NYT 4/14, LT 4/15]. UNRWA reports finding 6 beheaded bodies of Palestinian refugees in Sidon area [NYT 4/16]. Katyusha, anti-tank rocket fired at IDF positions in Tyre; no casualties [JP 4/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military court in Lydda sentences Haifa resident Ziad Tawfiq Ba'alul to 15-year sentence, father Tawfiq Mahmoud Ba'alul for 5-years, for smuggling arms from Lebanon to W. Bank in 1982 [JP 2/12].

Arab World: Meeting in Amman, Chrmn. Arafat, King Hussein reach "framework for common action" on Palestinian question; accord establishes joint delegation to intl. conference including all permanent mbrs. of UN Sec. Council; calls for "confederated states of Jordan and Palestine," total Israeli withdrawal (including E. Jerusalem); affirms previous UN resolutions on Palestinian issue; does not explicitly mention Res. 242 [WP 2/12, NYT 2/13, 2/15, JP 2/14].

Other Countries: King Fahd, on visit to Washington, urges Pres. Reagan to become "more vigorously" involved in search for Middle Eastern peace [NYT 2/12].

Military Action

Arab World: IDF jets attack HQ post of Abu Musa fighters near Ta'lbaya, S. Lebanon; at least 4 injured [WP 2/12]. IDF soldier wounded by grenade attack on SLA post in Sidon, S. Lebanon. Katyusha fired at IDF post near Burj al-Shemali, S.Lebanon; no injuries [JP 2/12].