The Palestine Chronology

Israel makes 2 air strikes on Gaza targeting the launch site of 4 mortars fired into Israel minutes earlier (causing no damage or injuries), hitting a nearby residential area, killing 4 Palestinian civilians (including 3 children) and wounding 11 (4 critically); Netanyahu expresses regret for accidentally harming civilians but accuses Palestinian militants of using civilians as human shields to carry out rocket and mortar attacks (even while there was no rocket fire at the time of the strikes). In the evening, Palestinians fire a manufactured Grad rocket and several mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Later, the IDF carries out a 3d air strike, killing 4 Islamic Jihad mbrs. preparing to launch a rocket into Israel. The IDF also makes a brief incursion into Gaza northeast of Gaza City to level lands and clear lines of sight. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishermen off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a predawn raid on Awarta, imposing a curfew and arresting 9 Palestinians, possibly in connection to the 3/11 Itamar murders; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and Salfit. (IRM 3/22; NYT, REU, WP, WT 3/23; NYT, PCHR 3/24; OCHA 4/1)

The Knesset passes (37-25, with 58 abstaining or not voting) the “Nakba Law,” which allows state funding to be reduced to communities or groups that commemorate the Nakba, deny Israel is a Jewish state, question whether Israel is a democracy, or harm Israeli national symbols. It also passes (35-20, with 65 abstaining or not voting) the “Admissions Committee Law” allowing Negev and Galilee Jewish communities with fewer than 400 families to reject potential residents (i.e., Palestinians) who are “socially unacceptable.” (IsRN 3/23; JTA 3/24)

The IDF detains 2 Lebanese shepherds who accidentally crossed the Blue Line into Israeli territory and turns them over to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). (DS 3/23)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Administrative detention order is issued against ex-political prisoner Ziad Abu 'Ain, for allegedly planning to hijack Israeli bus. (Abu 'Ain spent less than 3 months at home following his release in the 5/20 prisoner exchange) [FJ 8/9]. Nablus remains under curfew following 7/30 murder of Albert Buchris. Five hundred police and a helicopter monitor his funeral [JTA 8/1]. Army enters al-Najah University and raids student council offices; preparations had been underway for student elections [JP 8/2]. Knesset passes bill requiring anyone running for Knesset to give up second citizenship [WP, PI, JTA 8/1]. Israeli police break into the site of preparations for the second annual Palestinian heritage festival in Tireh, order volunteers to stop work on the basis they do not have building permits [FJ 8/9]. Funeral is held in Afula for Israeli shot to death in West Bank. Riot police disperse crowd outside police station [PI 8/1]. Mayor Shalom Wach of Kiryat Arba cancels plan to dismiss all Palestinian workers employed by the municipality following Attorney General Zamir's ruling the plan is illegal UTA 8/1]. New American Ambassador to Israel Thomas Pickering assures P. M. Peres there has been no change in U.S. policy towards the PLO; U.S. will engage in talks with a Palestinian-Jordanian delegation only if convinced it will lead to direct talks with Israel; U.S. is ready, if requested, to help Israel and Egypt resolve Taba dispute [JTA 8/1]. The Jerusalem Post reports charges of corruption have been made against several Israeli companies and individuals operating in the black "homeland" of Ciskei; contracts with the trade commissioners in Israel have been terminated; all commercial relations with Israel have been cut [JP 7/31, JTA 8/5].

Military Action

Arab World: Suicide car bomb attack against an Israeli armored patrol in the security zone kills at least 3 Lebanese, including the driver, wounds unknown number of others, including Israeli soldiers. Syrian Social Nationalist party claims responsibility, saying its member, 'Ali Ghazi Talib, 22, carried out the attack [NYT 8/1]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shops in East Jerusalem go on general strike again to protest closure of Hospice Hospital [FJ 8/2]. Proposal to erect a settlement on spot where two Afula schoolteachers were murdered is presented to Zionist Executive by Jewish Agency Settlement Department Cochairman Nissim Zvilli [JP 7/29]. Shimon Barda, head of the "Lifta Gang," is convicted by the Jerusalem district court of conspiring to blow up the Dome of the Rock. Sentencing will follow [JP 7/30]. Knesset finance committee freezes IS 354 million for Kiryat Arba's local council until Attomey General Zamir gives legal opinion on council's proposal to dismiss Palestinian workers [JP 7/30]. Knesset appoints seven-minister committee to make recommendations regarding punishment of those convicted of politically motivated killings [BG 7/29]. Voice of America reports Israel seeks American banks to operate in Israel, to boost ailing Israeli banking system; at least one is reportedly interested [JTA 7/3 1]. Koterit Rashit reports Israeli firms are studying 70 proposed business projects in China, including construction of 2 hotels and an airport. The Daily Telegraph cites report in Jane's Defence Weekly stating secret military links were opened between Israel and China in 1979, a $3 billion arms deal was recently concluded, and Israeli military advisers have served with Chinese ground and air force units [JC, DT 7/29].

Arab World: The United Arab Emirates is second state to confirm attendence at upcoming Arab summit meeting. Syria, Lebanon, and South Yemen will not attend [FT 7/30, LT 8/2]. Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt back the summit call [JP 7/30, FT 7/31].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli planes attack Palestinian base used by the PFLP-GC in eastern Lebanon; no casualty reports [WP 7/30].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nationalist Palestinian organizations call for general strike to protest Shi'ite attacks on Beirut camps [JP 5/30]. Court releases convicted Jewish underground defendant Ze'ev Friedman after serving 13 mos. detention during trial; leniency shown because Friedman suffers from a"severe illness" [JTA 5/31]. Knesset defeats motions for inquiry into Lebanon war [NYT 5/30]. IDF releases 249 ex-Ansar prisoners held in Israel [WP 5/30].

Arab World: In Tunis, PLO Central Comm. approves joint Palestinian-Jordanian peace efforts aimed at creating independent Palestinian state in confederation with Jordan [WP, PI, WSJ 5/30].

Other Countries: In Washington, King Hussein states PLO, Jordan in agreement on holding negotiations with Israel in context of intl. conference; asserts PLO participation will be on basis of UN Sec. Council resolutions 242, 338 [NYT 5/30, LM 5/31].

Military Action

Arab World: Fighting continues in Beirut between Shi'ite, Palestinian forces [NYT 5/31]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: High Court rejects petition by MK Kahane to cancel Knesset's 12/18 decision to strip Kahane of parliamentary immunity with regard to freedom of movement; orders Kahane to pay IS 500,000 court costs [JP 4/2]. Foreign Min. official David Kimche tells UN diplomat Jean-Claude Aime that Israel does not want UNIFIL troops to be deployed along Israel-Lebanon border after IDF withdrawal [JP 4/2]. Inner cabinet unanimously approves plan to exchange 1,150 prisoners held by Israel for 3 IDF soldiers held by PFLP-GC in Syria (see 5/20/85) [JP 5/22].

Other Countries: US State Dept. spokesman Bernard Kalb, referring to 3/31 report by West Bank Data Base Project, states US opposed to W. Bank settlements, feels that settlement activity does not preclude chances for negotiated settlement [JP, JTA 4/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Border Police shoot and injure 4 students after stonethrowing incident during Land Day protest outside Bethlehem U. [LAT, JP 4/2]. IDF order settlers to evacuate hill near Umm Safa after they began clearing land for an illegal settlement in response to 3/31 killing of settler in Ramallah [JP 4/2].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF convoy attacked with RPGs near Jwaiyeh. 8 Katyushas fired at IDF position, Douer; no casualties reported. 2 SLA soldiers killed during ambush near 'Arab Salim [JP 4/2]. IDF soldier injured 3/30 in Douer, S. Lebanon, dies of wounds [JP 4/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Central Bureau of Statistics reports 37% of occupied territories' work force employed in Israel during 1984: 50,000 from W. Bank, 40,000 from Gaza; 44,000 worked in construction, 13,000 in agriculture [JTA 3/7]. Housing Min. begins building permanent structures in 3 settlements formerly containing temporary housing: Atzmona in Gaza, Cadim in N. portion of W. Bank, and Na'ama in Jordan Valley [JP 3/6]. Haifa U. suspends Palestinian student leader Amir Makhoul, imposes sentences on 3 other Arabs, 1 Jewish student, for activities stemming from 1/17 disturbance at university during speech by MK Eitan [JP 3/7].

Arab World: After meeting with Pres. Mubarak in Hurghada, Egypt, King Hussein expresses support for 2/24 Mubarak proposal for talks between US, joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation [NYT, WSJ 3/7].

Other Countries: Reagan administration defersending Israel's $2.6 billion aid request to Congress for approval; states Israel has not made sufficient progress toward solving economic problems [NYT 3/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Authorities bulldoze 2 homes "illegally" built in Shuyuh [JP 3/7]. Roadside bomb explodes as settler's car passes in Hebron area; nearby note claims DFLP responsibility [JTA 3/8].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: RPGs, shots fired at IDF, SLA posts in Shukin, Ansar; no casualties [JP 3/7]. IDF kill 2, wound 1 resistance fighter in Kafr Sir. SLA soldier wounded in Yatar. IDF raid Bidias; arrest 20 [DT, CSM, NYT 3/7]. IDF, Shin Bet agents arrest dozens in Tyre. Taxi driver killed by IDF near Tyre. IDF raid Burj Eliya; 12-yr. -old boy killed. Civilians in Teir Dibba forced to sit outside village during IDF raid [LT 3/7]. 7 Beirut-based journalists arrested by IDF near Tyre; later released [on 2/26 Israel issued ban on Beirut-based journalists in areas under IDF control] [NYT MG 3/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gunman kills IDF soldier guarding local Interior Ministry office in Ramallah; curfew imposed on Ramallah, al-Bireh, al-Amari camp; lifted later after over 100 arrested; over 100 businesses and shops closed by IDF for failure to cooperate in search for gunman [NYT 2/5, TS 2/5, JTA 2/5, MG 2/6]. Rabbi Moshe Levinger [who has been holding a "protest vigil" outside Dheisheh camp for 3 mos.], Border Policeman enter Dheisheh camp, fire shots, after stones thrown at Levinger; IDF seals off camp, detains several youths [WP 2/5, LT 2/5]. Levinger later joined by several right-wing MK's [JTA 2/5].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: 2 IDF troops wounded in bomb explosion near Qlai'eh. Bombing near Jwaiyeh injures IDF soldier. Roadside bomb wounds IDF soldier north of Tyre [WP 2/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In joint communique, Israel and Egypt agree to talks on moving 6,000 Palestinians from Egyptian section of Rafah to Israeli-held portion; Israel seeks compensation for the move [LT 1/30]. Former "Black Panther" members, urban slum dwellers form activist group "Combat '85" to improve conditions in poor Israeli neighborhoods; among 1st demands is shift of W. Bank settlement funds to poor urban areas [JTA 1/29]. Knesset debates govt. decision to abolish office of adviser to the prime minister on Arab affairs [JP 1/30].

Arab World: PLO Central Com. mbr. 'Abd al-Rahim Ahmad reports Committee to meet mid-February to discuss jordanianPalestinian relations, other subjects; meeting to be held in Algeria, S. Yemen or Tunisia [MG 1/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF detain scores of residents of northern mountain in Nablus after gasoline bomb thrown at IDF vehicle; later released for lack of evidence [FJ 2/1].

Arab World: Katyusha launched at IDF position in Ruman, S. Lebanon; no injuries [JP 1/30]. IDF kill 4 resistance fighters near Jezzine, S. Lebanon [JP 1/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Peres rejects call for UN peace conference, direct talks with PLO [CSM 12/6];. offers to meet Hussein "with no preconditions" [MG 12/4]. Al-Najah U. opens after 4-mo. closure by occupation authorities UP 12/3]. Atty. Gen. Zamir threatens Knesset members with prosecution if they meet with PLO or "enemy agents" [JTA 12/3].

Arab World: Jordan and Egypt jointly call for UN peace conference, with PLO participation, based on UN Res. 242 [NYT 12/4]. Chrmn. Arafat meets King Fahd in Riyadh [LAT 12/4].

Military Action

Arab World: Bomb wounds IDF soldier as convoy passes through Saraf and, S. Lebanon [JP 12/4]. IDF kills woman in Jibsheet, S. Lebanon [MG 12/5]. Jordanian diplomat 'Azmi al-Mufti assassinated in Bucharest [WP 12/5].