The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Justice Ministry lawyers have been refusing to cooperate with Shin Bet's legal department to protest fact that two top Shin Bet lawyers, pardoned for role in Shin Bet cover-up, were allowed to keep jobs (NYT 9/30). Jordan says it will resume payment of salaries of 280 lawyers and judges in West Bank who boycott Israeli legal system in show of solidarity with Palestinians (JP 10/1).

Other Countries: Mordechai Vanunu, former Israeli nuclear reactor employee, disappears in London after giving story to Sunday Times about Israeli nuclear weapon factory (5 October) (WP 11/10). French Minister of Cooperation cites evidence linking Syria with terrorist bombing groups but stops short of accusing Syria of backing terrorists (NYT 10/1).

Military Action

Arab World: In S. Lebanon, IDF kill two Arabs (FBIS 10/1).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Coalition government of P.M. Peres survives 5 votes of no-confidence in Knesset over Shin Bet scandal but calls for limited investigation into the security agency [WP, JTA 7/1]. Five are slightly wounded in explosion Tel Aviv bus; Syrian-based faction Fateh Uprising takes responsibility [NYT 7/1]. Jordan supports appointment of 4 local Palestinians as West Bank mayors and promises to supply money to their cities if they are appointed [JP 7/1; LAT 7/10].

Other Countries: High-level Israeli delegation, including Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Meir Rosenne, concludes talks with U.S. Justice Dept. regarding prospects for bringing criminal charges against Israeli Air Force Colonel Aviem Sela (and 3 other Israelis) as contacts for Jonathan Jay Pollard, who earlier pleaded guilty to spying for Israel; Israel says recruitment of Pollard was unauthorized move by lowerlevel Israeli officials operating on their own initiative, and that by Israeli law they cannot be forced to testify [NYT 7/2; WP 7/4]. 

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: Israeli Defense Minister Rabin rejects P.M. Thatcher's call for free elections in occupied territories, says EEC should contributeo material improvement of territories [BG, MG 5/27]. P.M. Thatcher later meets 8 Palestinian leaders at British consulate in Jerusalem [CT 5/27], including Bethlehem Mayor Ilyas Furayj, Rashad al-Shawwa, and Hanna Siniora [CT, LT 5/27], who give her memo. Israeli Attomey General Zamir asks police to examine evidence in case involving Shin Bet head [NYT 5/27]. Zamir will proceed with prosecution of Shin Bet head Avraham Shalom [MG 5/27].

Arab World: King Hussein travels to Baghdad to meet Iraqi President Sadam Husayn [LAT 5/27]. Al-Ahram reports Syrian plot to assassinate PLO Chairman Arafat [MG 5/27] and replace him with Syrian-backed Khalid al-Fahum, former chairman of PNC. PLO Chairman Arafat meets in Tunis with Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van den Broek, president of EEC Council of Ministers, despite Israeli protests. Hafiz al-Asad, on official visit to Greece, condemns terrorism.