The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 2 Palestinian families were notified that Israel intend to seize 4 dunums of their land in Jaba‘ for construction of a parking lot for Israeli military vehicles. A Palestinian family from Ya‘bad accused Israeli soldiers of stealing money and jewelry from their house during a late-night raid. Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian-owned water tanks near Tubas and seized a cement mixer near Salfit. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Nablus, Jericho, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were detained in al-Aqsa Mosque during prayers; both were released after 5 hours of interrogation and banned from entering the mosque for 2 weeks. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/3; PCHR 12/5)

During a visit by the Irish minister of foreign affairs Simon Coveney to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, the ministry announced that Ireland was funding a $8.8 million project for construction of solar panels in Gaza in partnership with the French Development Agency. Foreign Affairs Minister Coveney met with PA prime minister Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah during his visit. (HA, WAFA 12/3)

In France, the French parliament passed a resolution to combat anti-Semitism that included anti-Zionism and criticism of Israel. The resolution adopted the language of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of anti-Semitism which equates some criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic. The resolution was passed despite a petition signed by 129 Jewish and Israeli scholars warning the French parliament about equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism. (HA 9/4)

At the UN, 5 resolutions pertaining to Israel and Palestine passed in the General Assembly. 13 countries changed their vote, compared to previous years, on the resolution in support of the Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat. The 13 countries that previously abstained on the yearly vote were Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Brazil, and Colombia. The vote on that resolution passed 83 to 23, with 54 abstentions. (TOI 12/4; HA 12/5)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Jenin and al-Fawar and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night; patrols in Nablus, 3 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. In Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron, the IDF attacks a funeral procession, sparking clashes where 2 Palestinians are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. In East Jerusalem, Israeli troops demolish residential and agricultural structures in al-Za’ayem village, displacing around 35 people. In addition, Israel’s Housing Minister Uri Ariel visits the al-Aqsa mosque compound under police protection, heading a tour group of around 100 rightist Jewish activists. (MNA, WAFA 9/11; PCHR 9/12)

The 5 permanent mbrs. of the UNSC meet at Russia’s UN mission to discuss the contents of a new res. on the securing and dismantling of Syria’s chemical weapons. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry and Russian FM Sergey Lavrov speak by phone the day before heading to Geneva for talks with experts about the practicalities of the Russian proposal. France, for its part, aligns itself with the U.S. position of insisting that a military option remains on the table but that the diplomatic process will be prioritized. (AFP, AP, REU 9/11)

Three attacks including 2 car bombs kill 11 people and injure more than 15 in the Sinai, as the army continues its offensive against Islamist militants, including Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis. The dead include 9 Egyptian officers targeted at the intelligence headquarters in Rafah. Meanwhile, Israeli officials arrive in Cairo on a private jet for discussions with Egyptians security officials expected to focus on events in the Sinai. (MNA, REU 9/11)

U.S. Amb. Joseph Macmanus tells a meeting of the IAEA that there are “troubling developments” in Iran’s nuclear program amid concerns that Tehran is stalling on achieving any progress in negotiations with the international community. Iran’s FM Mohammad Javad Zarif says that Iran’s nuclear work could take place under international safeguards but would not just go away. (REU 9/11)

Political storm erupts in France over government's decision, for "humanitarian reasons," to allow PFLP Gen. Secy. George Habash to enter France from Tunis 1/29 aboard a French Red Cross plan for medical treatment following a stroke. Habash's wife, however, states he was admitted for routine medical exam. Under pressure, Pres. Francois Mitterrand counters that he knows of no French or international warrants for Habash's arrest. (AFP 1/30; NYT, WP 2/1)

Egyptian invitation to 140 Jewish families to file for compensation for property seized by Egypt is disclosed in Israel. (MM 1/30

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Returning from France, PM Peres confirms Irael negotiating purchase of 2 French nuclear reactors [FT 12/10]. Labor Min. Katzav orders Jews be hired over Arabs when filling state job openings in occupied territories [TS 12/10]. 26 Palestinian lawyers meeting in Umm al-Fahm form Arab Lawyers League to fight discrimination against Arabs, Arab lawyers [FJ 12/14].

Military Action

Arab World: Katyusha fired at IDF unit near Hasbaya, S. Lebanon [JP 12/9]. SLA position attacked near 'Arab Salim, S. Lebanon [FJ 12/14].

Military Action:

6 separate attacks against IDF include tank damaged by mine near Kafr Shima, explosion on road south of Damour near IDF patrol, APC hit by explosion at Kabar Shamoun, small arms fire at IDF trucks in Beirut, bomb near troop buses, small arms fire at IDF patrols near Zaharani river.

Casualties:

IDF reports 1 soldier killed, 3 injured in attacks, Lebanese National Resistance Front says 20 IDF killed or wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel makes no official response to Hussein's decision regarding negotiations, reportedly considers Reagan plan dead; new WZO settlement department plan calls for 57 new settlements in next 4 years, bringing total to 165, with Jewish population of West Bank 100,000 by 1986 and Jewish-Arab population parity at 1.3 million in 30 years; spokesman for Israeli Embassy in US says West Bank land is being sold in the US not by government but by private group associated with Kedumim settlement; 10,000 dunums from Surif village near Hebron declared state land under military order 59; High Court legalizes 1976 imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) in occupied territories; Cabinet nominates Meir Rosenne, ambassador to France, to replace Arens as ambassador to US.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO officials deny Jordanian statement that Hussein and Arafat had reached agreement on a course of political action; Issam Sartawi assassinated at Socialist International congress in Portugal, Abu Nidal group claims responsibility.

Arab Governments: Jordan says Hussein and Arafat had reached agreement in principle and detail, PLO now proposes different course, so Jordan will not enter peace talks on basis of Reagan plan, will not act separately or in lieu of any party, and will leave it to PLO and Palestinian people to choose the ways and means for the salvation of themselves and their land.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says radical elements in PLO introduced changes in peace proposals that are an impediment, and are unacceptable to King Fahd, King Hussein and to US; Reagan telephones Kings Fahd, Hussein, and Hassan II of Morocco.

Military Action:

Lebanese Army moves into Chouf replacing Israelis; IDF, reluctant to leave, keeps two tanks, squad of soldiers in Kfar Matta; Norwegian UNIFIL units set up post in Haddad militia's area of operation, prompting exchange of gunfire; IDF attacked by bazooka and light weapons east of Doha and at IDF roadblock near Sil, south of Beirut; Syrian radio reports IDF reinforcing armor units in Bekaa, a few miles south of Beirut-Damascus highway.

Casualties:

One IDF soldier wounded by bazooka fire east of Doha; 300 West Beirut residents spontaneously protest rumor of Lebanese Army withdrawal from their neighborhood.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli Foreign Minister Shamir returns from 3-week visit to US; Israeli Ambassador Moshe Arens says US approved Israeli weapons, spare parts sales to Iran in attempt to make contacts in Iranian military that could be used to bring down Khomeini government; Israel reportedly agrees to provide arms and counter-insurgency training to Costa Rica; former Mossad head Meir Amit says net results of invasion are negative ("We've encouraged anti-Semitism,... highlighted the Palestinian problem instead of solving it" and by hitting PLO too hard, increased Arab solidarity); IDF mental health unit report indicates high mental illness rate among Israelis fighting in Lebanon (23 percent of total Israeli wounded are suffering psychiatric injuries, double "normal" wartime rate; 78 percent of 600 affected men are reservists).

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel returns home, calling trip a success (government announces US has agreed to equip 7,500 of 28,000-man Lebanese Army, France has pledged $86 million in military equipment); Salam, in interview, accuses Sharon of arming Phalange and Druze to promote sectarian tension in Lebanon.

Arab Governments: Arab League delegation headed by Moroccan King Hassan (with Foreign Ministers of Morocco, Syria, Algeria, Jordan, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia) meets with Reagan for 3 hours and later with State Department, stresses only PLO agreement will enable Jordan to play negotiating role for West Bank; US officials refuse to meet with PLO representative Khalid al-Hassan who is accompanying Arab League delegation.

US and Other Countries: Reagan urges Arab League delegation to begin direct negotiation with Israel to achieve Palestinian rights; Shultz tells delegation simultaneous Israeli-PLO recognition" moot as Israel totally rejects idea; Hassan's use of word "coexistence" seen by US officials as implying Arab recognition of Israel; Jewish medical team, back in Britain after visiting 4 refugee camps. in Lebanon, says Palestinians want to be more self-reliant but Israelis are preventing them from rebuilding homes, reorganizing health services.

UN: Britain blocks move to bar Israel from UN-sponsored International Telecommunications Union at Nairobi meeting; Arab states at UN agree to postpone efforts to expel Israel from General Assembly.