The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, employees of the ministries of public works, labor, justice, and women’s affairs—those led by Gaza-based ministers of the PA unity govt.—go on strike, protesting unpaid salaries since 6/2. In the West Bank, Palestinians throw stones at Israeli settlers’ vehicles nr. Sinjil, injuring 2 women. Israeli police arrest a settler in connection with the shooting of a Palestinian nr. Hebron on 1/10. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Jenin, Hebron, and Bethlehem; patrols nr. Jericho, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians. (MNA 1/12; OCHA, PCHR 1/15)

Following up on the 1/11 meeting between political factions in Gaza, a Hamas spokesperson says that the group will make a political decision to quit the PA unity govt. if the crisis facing civil employees is not resolved. (MEMO 1/12; JP 1/13)

Egyptian authorities announce that they will not open the Rafah border crossing this week, reversing their 1/11 announcement. The decision comes after the Sinai Province of the Islamic State captures an Egyptian security officer nr. Shaykh Zuwayd. (MNA 1/12)

Israeli security forces shut down 3 Nazarethbased Muslim charities—Muslim Women for al-Aqsa, al-Fajr, and Ruad al-Aqsa—suspected of channeling funds to Hamas and inciting violence at Haram al-Sharif. (HA 1/12; AFP 1/13)

Ariel Sharon, new housing minister, promises Israel will make no special effort to settle Soviet Jewish emigrants in O.T.: "We do not divert and we do not send any Russian immigrants or any Jew who comes from Russia" to O.T. (cf. 6/25) [IDF 6/24 in FBIS 6/25; WP, LAT, NYT 6/25; CSM 6/27].

Knesset announces plans to allow armed civilian units to patrol perimeters of O.T. settlements; creation of settlers' Civil Guard comes under fire [MEM 6/ 25].

East German president of parliament Sabine Bergmann-Pohl and her West German counterpart Rita Suessmuth visit Israel apparently to allay Israeli concerns about a unified Germany. Bergmann-Pohl says she hopes she "will be able to assist in speeding up the creation of diplomatic relations between the two countries" [WT 6/26].

Israeli transport minister Moshe Qatzav suspends inauguration of direct commercial flights between Tel Aviv and Prague because of dispute over security arrangements in Czech capital UPD 6/25 in FBIS 6/28].

Inspector general of Israeli police, Yaakov Turner, warns Palestinian residents of E. Jerusalem that more of them would be killed if they continue demonstrations that began on 6/20 [JDS 6/24 in FBIS 6/28; NYT 6/25].

Hanna Siniora, editor of Al-Fajr, says of U.S. decision to suspend dialogue with PLO that "the whole area is slipping toward a bottomless pit of hatred and suspicion." Editorials say suspension of dialogue has "put the whole region on a powder keg" and amount to reward for Shamir's intransigence [CSM 6/25].

King Hussein calls on U.S. to reassess its Middle East policy and open door for Soviet Jews who wish to settle in U.S. rather than Israel [WSJ 6/25]

Egyptian F.M. Esmat Abdel Meguid flies to Washington hoping to avert crisis in U.S.-Arab relations and reassert Egypt's role in peace process [LAT 6/25].

Hadashot reports since Arye Bibi, commander of Jerusalem district police, assumed his post, 5 Arabs have been killed by police or border guard fire in the district. Under Bibi's predecessor Yosef Yehuday, no one was killed by police gunfire; due to relative quiet in O.T., Jerusalem is becoming intifada's frontline [HAD 6/25 in FBIS 6/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: More than 1,000 regular and border police are deployed in Jerusalem as Palestinians in E. Jerusalem and occupied territories hold day of mourning to commemorate victims of recent violence. Israel confirms deaths of 2 Palestinians inearlier clashes [NYT 1/16]. General strike is observed in W. Bank [FJ 1/17].

Arab World: In Biqa' Valley village of Kasara, 4 deported W. Bank Palestinians set up tents across from International Com. of the Red Cross office, begin hunger strike [WP 1/16].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 70 Palestinians are injured by tear gas, clubs, and rubber bullets when Israeli police, border police attack worshipers at al-Haram al-Sharif. Reports indicate tear gas is fired into Dome of the Rock, al-Aqsa Mosque. [NYT 1/16] In Gaza Strip's al-Shaykh 'Ajlin soldiers shoot, kill Palestinian who stabs soldier in leg [WP, NYT 1/17]. Family says youth is shot at home after quarrel with soldiers [FJ 1/17]. Military-imposed curfew continues for 6 W. Bank and 7 Gaza Strip refugee camps [WP, NYT 1/16]. Israeli forces fire rubber bullets to disperse crowd of Palestinians surrounding UN envoy Marrack Goulding in Balatah refugee camp [WP 1/17]. On W. Bank, roadblocks and clashes between soldiers and protesters occur in Ramallah and al-Birah. Al-Fajr reports demonstrations in 'Arrub, Fawwar, Balatah, and 'Azzah refugee camps, Bayt Fajjar, Bethlehem, Kissan, and Nablus. At least 2 are injured by Israeli army gunfire in Nablus-district town of Salfit, and at least 7 are wounded in Qalqiliyyah [FJ 1/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities ban distribution of al-Fajr Arabic daily on the W. Bank and Gaza for 2 weeks on charges that the newspaper violated censorship regulations [FJ 12/25]. Israeli police and border guards demolish 5 Arab houses in al-Khawalid in Galilee, leaving -more than 30 homeless. Several residents who were trying to block the demolitions are arrested [FJ 12/25]. Israeli soldiers shoot and wound Bayt Sahur youth suspected of firebombing an army bus [FJ 12/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Some hundred Jewish extremists are arrested by Israeli police while trying to reach al-Aqsa Mosque during demonstration by nearly 10,000 celebrating the 19th anniversary of the "reunification of Jerusalem" [AFP 6/6]. According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, "united Jerusalem" now has 460,000 inhabitants, including 331,000 Jews (71.5%). Al-Fajr reports that 2 released members of the Israeli settler underground have been reinstated into the army reserves and given duty [FJ 6/6]. Al-Fajr reports MK Abba Eban told dovish members of Knesset he recently met with PLO officials while in the U.S., that he believes there can be no peace without the participation of the PLO [FJ 6/6]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli police forensic experts are "reasonably sure" al-Fajr journalist Hasan 'Abd al-Halim was killed by a bomb [JP 12/24].

Arab World: Pres. Mubarak warns that Yasir Arafat has "one or two months" to accept UN resolutions 242 and 338, otherwise King Hussein may lose patience and negotiate separate peace with Israel [WP 12/24]. Arafat deputy Salah Khalaf (Abu lyad) confirms PLO has been given 2 months to accept 242 and 338, says PLO will never do so [MG 12/24].

Other Countries: National Assoc. of Arab-Americans (NAAA) calls for investigation into U.S. justice Dept. handling of espionage allegations made 7 years ago against former Senate aide Stephen D. Bryen, now asst. defense secretary with top-secret security clearance [LAT, JTA 12/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli is shot, wounded in Hebron market; soldiers shoot 2 Palestinians in aftermath, curfew city, arrest 3 dozen Palestinians [FJ 1/3]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-Fajr reports 30 youths from the Golan Heights aged 15-18 were detained early in the month following a landmine explosion near cease-fire line with Syria [FJ 9/27]. Israeli Min. of Labor and Soc. Welfare Moshe Katzav tells cabinet over 18,000 illegal foreign laborers now work in Israel, mainly from Europe, Asia, Africa [JWP 9/27]. For. Min. Shamir, visiting U.S., says Israel will not take anti-apartheid measures against S. Africa [NYT 9/27]. Israeli police announce they will not press charges against Meir Braverman for 9/24 killing of mentally ill Palestinian Hasan Husayn Mashara [JTA 9/27].

Other Countries: Reagan administration announces intention to sell between $1.5 and $1.9 billion of advanced arms, including 40 fighter jets, to Jordan. Pro-Israel activists and lawmakers pledge to defeat the sale during the legislative review period [JP 9/20; NYT 9/30; NER 10/7]. Resolution calling for withholding all nuclear contracts with Israel and embargo on purchases of equipment and materials from Israel is defeated at conference of International Atomic Energy Agency, failing to get 2/3 majority; 41 voted in favor, 30 against, 14 abstained [FT 9/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police find the bodies of 2 Afula schoolteachers missing since 7/21-Yosef Eliahu, 35, and Lea Elmakais, 19-in a cave in northern Israel; Eliahu had been shot. Police say deaths do not appear to be politically motivated. An anti-Arab rampage breaks out in Afula. A number of Palestinians are hospitalized. Cars are stoned and property is damaged. Twenty rioters are arrested [NYT 7/27]. Hakawati Theater in East Jerusalem is closed for 3 days. Authorities state women's group which rented the theater is connected,to a PLO faction. Fifty women hold sit-in strike outside the theater [JP 7/28, FJ 8/2]. Al-Fajr English weekly reports many would-be pilgrims to Mecca were prevented from leaving by new Israeli restrictions. Muslims under 35 were not allowed to make the pilgrimage; 150 applicants were tumed down. [FJ 7/26].

Arab World: King Hussein calls on Arab governments to form working group to address critical problems confronting the region; stresses Jordan and the PLO will not submit additional names of Palestinian delegates if U.S. rejects first list. U.S. administration officialsay 3 names are acceptable, do not specify which ones [NYT 7/27].

Other Countries: After 5 hours of negotiations, compromise isreached on the wording of the final document of the UN Decade for Women Conference; "Zionism" is replaced by "and all other forms of racism." The nonbinding document will be referred to UN General Assembly for approval [NYT, WP 7/27]. House-Senate committee passes worldwide U.S. foreign aid bill, including amendment requiring President Reagan, in proposing any sale of advanced arms to Jordan, to certify Jordan has made "a public commitment to the recognition of Israel" [JP 7/28].

Military Action

Arab World: Four Palestinians loyal to Arafat are found murdered outside Mieh Mieh refugee camp near Sidon. Bodies show signs of torture. Notes pinned to them call them Israeli collaborators. Patrols are stepped up around camps following the murders [PI 7/27, WP 7/28]. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Former chief of staff Yigael Yadin submits affidavit stating IDF seizure of Hebron central bus station is not justifiable for reasons of security. PM Shamir survives 3 no confidence motions in Knesset. Al-Fajr journalist, Awad Abdel Fattah, denied access to West Bank and Gaza for 1 year by Israeli occupation authorities. Yaqoub Hijazi, owner of Akka publishing house, summoned by Israeli police for questioning about new book of short stories; police confiscate copies of the book, claiming it is "inciting."

Arab World: Lebanese Shi'ite leader, Raghib Harb, makes last public appearance in Hallusiyeh rally after fellow Shi'ite leader arrested by IDF.

Other Countries: Israeli Pres. Herzog ends African visit, returning from Liberia with wide-ranging commercial cooperation agreement. Washington Post alleges presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson privately made anti-Jewish remark; Zionist anti-Jackson campaign accuses candidate of "racism" and "anti-Semitism."