The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Petition signed by 161 Israeli reserve soldiers and officers protests "brutal suppression" of Palestinian uprisings; signers say they will not serve in occupied territories [WP 1/1]. Closures of Gaza's Islamic U. and Palestine Religious Institute are extended until 1/10. Nablus' al-Rawda College is ordered closed for 1 week [FJ 1/3].

Other Countries: In U.S., Fu'ad Rafidi of Cleveland, OH, a naturalized American, is ordered deported because of alleged PFLP connections [FJ 1/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrators clash with Israeli troops in Dhahriyyah and Am'ari refugee camp. Scattered minor demonstrations are reported throughout W. Bank. Army reports 1,200 Palestinians have been arrested in connection with the recent uprisings [WP, NYT 1/1]. Am'ari camp is placed under curfew [FBIS 12/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian youth shot 12/16 dies [NYT 12/19]. Petrol bomb thrown at British consulate in E. Jerusalem causes no damage [FJ 12/20]. Italian Pres. Francesco Cossiga and F. M. Giulio Andreotti arrive in Israel for private visit [FBIS 12/22].

Other Countries: Speaking in U.S., Israeli Def. Min. Rabin reiterates Israel's intention to continue using live ammunition against violent demonstrations in occupied territories [WP 12/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Spontaneous demonstrations break out after Friday noon prayers in Gaza City's Sha'jiyyah neighborhood and al-Burayj refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are killed, 20 wounded when IDF troops open fire. On grounds of Shifa Hospital, Israeli forces use tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators throwing stones and Molotov cocktails; 1 Palestinian is shot to death. Hospital employees complain of harassment and assault by soldiers. Police in Jerusalem use tear gas to disperse about 300 stone-throwing Palestinian demonstrators [NYT, WP 12/19]. Demonstrations are also reported in Balatah, Am'ari, and Qalandiya refugee camps and in Hebron and Bethlehem. Old city of Hebron and Balatah camp are placed under curfew [FJ 12/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Minister of Industry and Trade Ariel Sharon moves into apartment in Muslim quarter of Jerusalem's Old City; merchants close shops in protest [LAT 12/16]. Complete commercial strike closes stores in E. Jerusalem, Nablus, Jenin, Ramallah, al-Birah, and other W. Bank towns [FJ 12/20]. Israel bans distribution of al-Sha'b in W. Bank and Gaza Strip for 12 days [FJ 12/20]. Khan Yunis youth shot 12/12 by Israeli soldiers dies in Barzali Hospital [FJ 12/20]. Palestinian journalists from occupied territories hold sit-in at Arab Journalists' Association's Jerusalem office to protest administrative detention of Radwan Abu 'Ayyash [FJ 12/20]. Israeli police announce capture of 2 Palestinians charged with murder of Israeli soldier [FJ 12/20].

Arab World: Arab League calls for emergency session to discuss Israeli actions in occupied territories [CSM 12/16].

Other Countries: Trial of Ibrahim Khalid, only survivor of 4-man team that attacked Leonardo da Vinci Airport in 1985, opens in Rome. Abu Nidal and Rashid Hamida are being tried in absentia [LAT 12/16]. U.S. calls for Israeli restraint in handling disturbances in W. Bank and Gaza Strip [NYT 12/16]. Israeli Def. Min. Rabin meets with U.S. congressional leaders in Washington [WP 12/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF soldiers fire on Palestinian demonstrators at Gaza's Shifa Hospital, killing at least 2, wounding more than 11. Dozens are arrested. Palestinians at hospital attack Western journalists. UN reports 2 Palestinians are shot, killed: 1 at Bayt Hanun, in northern Gaza Strip, and 1 at Dayr al-Balah refugee camp. Palestine Press Service reports another demonstrator is killed by soldiers during protest march from Beach refugee camp to Shifa Hospital [LAT, NYT 12/16]. In W. Bank, demonstrations are reported in Nablus, Bir Zeit, Abu Dis village near Jerusalem, and Qalandiya, Am'ari, and Jalazun refugee camps [FJ 12/20].

Arab World: With tank and helicopter support, Israeli troops move north of S. Lebanon security zone, raid Shi'i villages of Maydun and Kafr Hunah. Lebanese sources report 6 fighters are wounded, 20 captured [NYT 12/16].