The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces open fire with live ammunition during a raid of Silwad village nr. Ramallah, wounding 4. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Bethlehem at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers nr. Hebron cut down or vandalize around 40 Palestinianowned olive trees. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in where 1 is wounded by a bullet and Nabi Salih where 2 are wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. (MNA 12/27; PCHR 1/2)

U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki says that Israel has informed the U.S. that the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners will be postponed 1 day, to 12/30. (MNA 12/27)

A car bomb in Beirut kills 7 people and wounds more than 50, including Mohammad Chatah, former minister and mbr. of the March 14 coalition. Former PM Saad Hariri hints that Hizballah is behind the attack and Fares Souaid, secy.-gen. of March 14, calls for the creation of a govt. that excludes Hizballah. (AFP, DS, REU 12/27)

Clashes break out across Egypt between supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and security forces, 3 are killed and 87 wounded, with more than 250 arrested. The group’s supporters had gathered to protest the govt.’s classification of the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization on 12/24. (AFP, AP, REU 12/27)

Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calls for new direct talks with the U.S. over Tehran’s nuclear program. Separately, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, says that the country is building a new generation of centrifuges for uranium enrichment, in what is seen as a gesture toward hard-liners unhappy with the ongoing negotiations with reps. of the P5+1 in Geneva. (AP 12/27)

In Gaza, the PLO Central Council (PCC) opens debate on statehood declaration, with 96 of 124 mbrs. attending. Arafat opens the mtg. by affirming Palestinians' right to independence, but recommending against declaring a state on 5/4. Hamas sends a 4 mbr. observer group led by Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, marking 1st time it has participated in a PLO mtg.; the move is criticized by Hamas political leaders in Jordan. Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine boycott. (MM 4/27; AFP, IDF Radio, JT 4/27 in WNC 4/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/28; IDF Radio, MBC 4/28 in WNC 4/29; al-Ayyam 4/28, 4/29 in WNC 5/3; PR 4/30; MEI 5/7; al-Istiqlal 5/7 in WNC 5/17; CSM 5/17)

In Nablus, 1,000 Fatah mbrs. march in support of a statehood declaration on 5/4. (WT 4/28)

A Palestinian arrested by Israeli police on burglary charges on 4/27 is admitted to a Tel Aviv hospital having been beaten so severely that one of his kidneys stopped functioning. (Reuters [Internet] 5/6)

Without explanation, the GIS orders the Hamas weekly newspaper al-Risala closed "until further notice." Under pressure fr. unnamed PA officials, the paper is allowed to reopen several hrs. later. (AFP 4/27 in WNC 4/28; al-Hayat al-Jadida 4/29 in WNC 5/3; PR 4/30)

In Geneva, the UN Human Rights Commission passes (52-1) a resolution reaffirming the Palestinians' right to self-determination, right to return. The U.S. votes against. (ADC press release 4/28; Xinhua 4/28 in WNC 4/29; Prime Minister's Report 4/30) (see 4/23)

Israel claims that the PA has released 3 Hamas prisoners involved in attacks in which Israelis were killed. PA, Hamas deny the story. (IDF Radio 4/27 in WNC 4/28; NYT, WP 4/28; al-Ayyam 4/28 in WNC 4/29; PR 4/30; JP 5/7)

In Washington, Israeli DM Moshe Arens meets with Secy. of State Albright, NSA Berger, Secy. of Defense Cohen for talks on Arrow missile program, Israeli receipt of 60 new F-16D fighters, regional issues. Albright, Berger criticize Israeli settlement policy. (USIS Washington File 4/27; MM 4/28; IDF Radio, MA 5/3 in WNC 5/4; WJW 5/6; JP, MEI 5/7)

Lebanese security personnel arrest an Israeli woman, Mary Vizeman, on suspicion of spying after she is found in Tyre without a passport. Vizeman, who speaks Arabic well, claims that she came fr. Nazareth to visit a friend in Beirut. (VOL 4/28 in WNC 4/29; JP 5/7)

Hizballah attempts to capture 2 IDF/SLA posts in s. Lebanon, wounding 8 IDF soldiers, 3 SLA mbrs. IDF shells Hizballah targets in response, wounding 2 civilians. (VOL 4/27 in WNC 4/28; MM 4/28)

Regarding the assertion concerning Mega (see 5/7), an unnamed senior U.S. official confirms that special envoy Ross read Netanyahu the U.S. letter of assurances to the PA but did not give him a copy to keep. (WP 5/8; CSM 5/9)

In Geneva, the UN Comm. Against Torture summons Israel for a 3-day extraordinary hearing to face accusations that its practices against Palestinian prisoners violate international conventions. (NYT, WT 5/8; IGPO 5/8 in WNC 5/13; NYT, WP 5/10)

Austrian FM Wolfgang Schuessel arrives in Israel on 1st leg of a regional tour to acquaint himself with the issues of the peace process in advance of his assumption of the EU presidency in 1998; meets with FM Levy, Labor mbr. Ehud Barak. (Neue Kronen Zeitung [Vienna] 5/8 in WNC 5/12)

Israeli inner cabinet holds mtg. on evacuation of settlers nr. Nablus 5/6. Ms Rafael Eitan, Zevulun Hammer, Ariel Sharon accuse PM Netanyahu of making a gesture to the PA, prompting Netanyahu to apologize for the evacuation. (IDF Radio 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

Jordan, Tunisia sign agmt. to form comm. to study the creation of a common free trade zone; discuss joint tourism, investment projects. (JT 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

In Beirut, Iranian FM Velayati meets PM Hariri. Velayati then goes to Damascus to discuss Israeli-Turkish military cooperation with Pres. Asad, FM Shara`; then heads to Yemen. (IRNA, RMC, VOL 5/7 in WNC 5/8; SATN 5/7, IRNA, RMC 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM 5/8) (see 5/3)

ILMG meets to discuss Israeli complaint regarding 5/5 Hizballah attack, Lebanese complaint regarding 5/6 bombing. (RL 5/7 in WNC 5/8; RL 5/7, 5/8 in WNC 5/9)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli investigation reveals Jonathan Pollard worked for semi-secret Bureau of Science Relations (Lekem) in Washington, D.C., headed by Rafael Eitan, career Mossad agent who was adviser on terrorism to 2 previous Israeli prime ministers [LAT, NYT 11/29]. Israeli officials confirm 2 diplomats have been recalled from U.S. since Pollard spy scandal broke: Ilan Ravid, scientific affairs attache at the Israeli Embassy, and Yosef Yagur, scientific consul in New York [WP 11/29]. Israeli army prevents distribution of (East Jerusalem) Palestinian newspapers in occupied territories UP 11/29].

Arab World: Abu Nidal group issues statement in Beirut claiming responsibility for killing 2 Palestinians in Jordan this week, says they were agents of the Jordanians and Fateh organization [NYT 11/29]. Sudan orders expulsion of 3 refugee resettlement agencies implicated in airlift of Ethiopian Jews from Sudan to Israel: Intergovernmental Committee on Migration (Geneva); Joint Voluntary Agency (U.S.); and International Catholic Migration Commission [NYT 11/28].

Other Countries: Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports U.S. Agency for Intl. Development has set aside $5 million in 1986 budget for grants to provide funding for research, cooperation between Israel, third world [JTA 11/29].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli troops sweep into Kafra and Yatar villages in S. Lebanon and round up villagers for questioning, after rockets were fired into northem Israel [LAT 11/29].

Military Action:

Arafat forces resist rocket and artillery attack on Baddawi camp, shells fall in Tripoli,more oil storage facilities hit; cease-fire in Tripoli accepted by combatants late in day; small arms fire directed at Marine positions in Beirut; PSP and LF militias engage in fierce artillery battles south of Aley; leader of IDF-backed militia in Kharouf shot and seriously wounded.

Casualties:

F-14 naval jet fighter on training mission from carrier John F. Kennedy crashes into Mediterranean, 2-man crew missing, presumed dead; UNRWA official in Tripoli says casualties in Nahr al-Bared fighting were exaggerated, 13 civilans were killed, 45 wounded.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Factional representatives meeting in Geneva report agreement in principle on constitutional and political changes in Lebanon, including Muslim-Christian parity in parlianment, establishment of supreme court.

Arab Governments: Delegations from Tripoli and from Gulf Cooperation Council in Damascus to discuss Tripoli cease-fire.

US and Other Countries: US State Dept. says it is revolted that once again the people of Lebanon, this time around Tripoli, are subjected to terror and injury by the radical and brutal behavior of Palestinian factions and their supporters.

Military Action:

IDF tank detonates mine in Bekaa, no injuries reported; radio-controlled bomb explodes as IDF vehicle passes near Nabrah, in Chouf.

Casualties:

3 IDF soldiers wounded in Chouf attack; ICRC delegates visit 2 Israeli POWs held in Syria.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Lawyers representing Bidya residents send protest telegram to Defense Minister Arens, say border police failed to protect residents who held court orders enjoining developers from working on the land; Supreme Court refuses appeal by Ziad Abu Ein, extradited to Israel from US in December 1981, against conviction and life imprisonment for bomb attack in Tiberias in 1979.

Palestinians/ Lebanese-PLO Chairman Arafat and Syrian President Assad meet formally for first time since September, reportedly agree to coordinate military resources against IDF in Bekaa Valley; Haddad says he will accept no post other than commander of Lebanese forces in South Lebanon.

Arab Governments: Jordan restricts West Bank Palestinians entering Jordan to one month permits.

US and Other Countries: Shultz continues talks in Jerusalem, then returns to Beirut, says he thinks agreement possible by end of week, meets with Gemayel, Salem; Senate subcommittee hearing on US aid to Syria postponed after Reagan Administration expresses concern it could complicate Shultz mission.

UN: At WHO congress in Geneva, Israel blocks Kuwaiti-Libyan motion to put issue of mass illness on West Bank on agenda for full scale plenum debate.

Military Action:

Syrians shell IDF in Bekaa; Lebanese Army raids Murabitun Cultural Center in Beirut, seizes 14,000 religious books and legal documents, Wazzan orders books returned, Lebanese Grand Mufti issues protest.

Casualties:

Israeli official says Israeli exports to Lebanon totalled $9.3 m. in October, total trade exchange for year will total $100 m. by December.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: High Court orders Sharon to explain legal basis for detentions at Ansar camp, in suit brought by Leah Tsemel, demanding camps be open to lawyers and family visits; Israeli sources indicate 11 So- viet citizens killed when Israelis destroyed downed lAF aircraft in an effort to prevent its secret equipment from falling into enemy hands; El Al workers fight riot police in Tel Aviv after failing to win injunction against dissolution of airline; Industry and Trade Minister Gideon Pratt meets with delegates of four Black African countries during GATT conference in Geneva (countries have no diplomatic relations with Israel but seek more commercial ties); Israeli official says Israeli debt repayments to US now larger than incoming loans from US.

Palestininas/ Lebanese: Arafat authorizes PLO participation in 14-member commission with Jordan to draw up proposals for peace negotiations; Arafat attends first meeting of Commission, headed by PLO leader Dajani and Jordanian Prime Minister Badran; Arafat leaves for South Yemen; PLO spokesman in Paris says PLO will never recognize Israel, says Reagan initiative "Zionist."

Arab Governments: Saudi King Fahd meets Habib in Morocco to receive report on status of withdrawal negotiations.

US and Other Countries: Republican-controlled Senate Appropriations Committee approves $11.5 billion foreign aid bill, including $2.6 b. for Israel ($125 million in economic and $350 million in military loans/grants more than Administration requested); Reagan later urges House Appropriations Committee to reject the additional aid to Israel.

Military Action:

Beirut truce holds as Habib works intensively to break deadlock (only a few PLO mortar rounds fired near airport, in response to IDF attempted advances); IDF reports "terrorists" infiltrated lines near Hamia in eastern Lebanon.

Casualties:

Lebanese Red Cross appeals to UNICEF to get water, electricity restored; PLO blocks UNRWA from taking food warehoused in Beirut for distribution in IDF-occupied southern Lebanon; heavy damage from IDF raids, including increasing numbers of phosphorus victims.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Ben-Elissar says IDF responses to PLO/Syrian cease-fire violations won't necessarily be "proportionate"; Labor Party condemns continued bombing, shelling of Beirut; Health Minister Shostak charges ICRC with inflating casualty figures; Israeli Ambassador Soffer, in Geneva, attacks World Council of Churches resolution condemning Israeli invasion as "libelous"; Israel will seek to boost tourism by encouraging tours of Israel by Lebanese and Lebanese-Americans; Colonel Eli Geva, 14- year veteran who resigned his command, is dismissed from the IDF.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat outlines withdrawal plan to Wazzan; Arafat, Salam meet; Habib reportedly tells Sarkis he has secured agreements to meet PLO conditions.

Arab Governments: Arab League endorses PLO withdrawal once PLO is guaranteed safe passage out of Beirut and once future security of Palestinians remaining in Lebanon is assured.

US and Other Countries: US Administration says major hurdles remain, stepped-up IDF actions counterproductive to negotiations; Canada protests harassment of its Beirut Ambassador by IDF; ultra-orthodox rabbis in Britain protest several Israeli government actions, including invasion.

UN: Security Council debate opens on Egyptian/ French draft resolution (which links Beirut crisis to overall settlement of Palestinian problem); SC passes, 14-0, Spanish resolution demanding that IDF lift the blockade of Beirut (is first time in history that US does not participate in Security Council vote; Kirkpatrick claims insufficient time to consult with Washington, says resolution lacks balance).

Military Action:

IDF Deputy Chief of Staff says IDF is preparing to stay through the winter "if neces-sary" as IDF builds paved roads, moves bases to flat areas, installs water pumps for IDF; intermittent bombardment of W. Beirut by IDF continues as blockade maintained on food, bottled water (except for medicines).

Casualties:

President of American University of Beirut, Malcolm Kerr, launches $5 million fundraising drive to save AU Hospital from financial disaster as a result of the war (says 95 percent of wounded treated at hospital were civilians, 70-80 percent of them Lebanese; nursing staff now down to 50 percent of normal); ICRC for first time allowed to bring ambulances, medicines, blood, hospital equipment into W. Beirut; some food trucks let in; Catholic Relief Services said they were allowed to bring food into W. Beirut for first time in 4-5 days; ICRC supplies in Jounieh still being held up by IDF; four IDF soldiers killed when armored car hits mine in southern Lebanon.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Doubts reportedly emerging among IDF soldiers about how "defensive" this war is; Sharon meets with Habib; government reportedly opposes wide-spread expulsions of Palestinian refugees advocated by Bashir Gemayel; Bir Zeit University closed for 3 months by order of Sharon (400 students protest in Ramallah-30 arrested); 2 lecturers, 30 students arrested in Nablus at Al Najah College.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Habib expects agreement by end of the week; Salam reports PLO dropped insistence on UN approval of multinational force; Wazzan still refuses to go to E Beirut; Pierre and Bashir Gemayel advocate complete expulsion of all Palestinians from Lebanon, civilian and PLO alike; negotiations snagged on role of foreign troops in PLO withdrawal (Salam says what good are troops after the PLO leaves; Sarkis reported-ly wants foreign troops deployed throughout Lebanon, fears PLO and Syrians will otherwise stay in Bekaa); Arafat invites ICRC to visit W. Beirut to see IDF violations of Geneva Conventions.

Arab Governments: In formation Minister says Syria hasn't been consulted on any plan for PLO fighters to go to Syria or for Syrian troop withdrawal (raises fears that Syria will not be willing to take PLO fighters); Syria estimated to have 60,000 troops in Lebanon (30,000 more than before invasion-sent to defend approaches to Damascus); Indian Foreign Ministry asks Israeli consul in Bombay to leave in 48 hours because of "interference in internal affairs."

US and Other Countries: US Sixth Fleet 40 miles off Lebanese coast; Habib instructed to offer US troops only after PLO evacuation; 2 US Senators (Dodd and Levin), after meeting with Begin, claim he set no deadline for evacuation.

Military Action:

IDF enters Phalange-held areas of Beirut; Israeli jets make reconnaissance flights over city for first time in 3 days; sporadic fighting around Sidon; Israeli Cabinet agrees to extend 48-hour cease-fire requested by Habib; Syrians/PLO abandon airport terminal to shorten lines; PLO takes journalists on tour of defenses near airport; tension high in Beirut; Syrians reposition artillery near Lake Karoun.

Casualties:

In Sidon, main shopping district was oblit-erated and one quarter of city totally destroyed; bodies remain buried under rubble; still no electricity; water only 1 hour per day; Lebanese government says 1,100 killed in Sidon; IDF use Sidon informants to identify potential PLO suspects (suspicious Lebanese marked with black X on back, suspected PLO members with white, some Lebanese charge old grudges being settled by informants); many Palestinian refugees remain on Sidon beaches as they have nowhere to go; Tyre reported two-thirds destroyed, with port damage heavy.

Israel explores reviving bank, rail links in Lebanon; Israeli Trade Minister says 3 proposed banking and customs centers would aid Israeli exports to Lebanon; 4 Norwegians, 1 Canadian doctor released by Israel; Israel offers to help repair Sidon refinery.

Political Responses:

Israel/Occupied Territories: 4 Israeli professors attack invasion, ask Israeli soldiers to refuse to serve beyond Green Line in Beirut; Israel says invasion is open-ended and excludes negotiations with the PLO; Begin calls for international peacekeeping force in Lebanon with US troops; Sharon says Israeli aims will not be met until PLO headquarters in Beirut are eliminated; Begin says participants in multilateral force would have to make detailed, individual agreements with Israeli, Lebanese governments.

Palestinians/Lebanese: Lebanon's National Salvation Council, in first meeting, makes no progress-Gemayel, Sarkis, Wazzan, Butros reportedly demand PLO surrender, Jumblatt rejects; PLO asks for IDF pull-back, guarantees of PLO safety in return for allowing Lebanese Army to enter West Beirut.

Arab Governments: Syria rejects Sarkis' request for troop withdrawal, saying it is made under duress, instead suggests joint US/USSR peacekeeping force under UN auspices to get Israelis out; Iraq announces unilateral withdrawal from Iranian territory, following June 10 unilateral cease-fire; South Yemen demands strong Arab stand against US support for Israel; Mubarak supports idea of PLO government in exile, would allow it temporary home in Egypt, if it restricted itself to political activities; Kaddoumi in Geneva, says Egyptian offer not being considered now.

US and Other Countries: Weinberger says US investigating possible violations of US law by Israelis using US arms in Lebanon; Greeks show support for Palestinians with strike, protests, blood donations; Greece is the only EEC member to offer diplomatic recognition to the PLO.