The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attack Israeli forces escorting Palestinians trying to locate stolen goats at the Hava settlement outpost. Israeli settlers also remove barbed wire fencing surrounding Palestinian farmland in Khlayel al-Louz. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raid Arab al-Milehat, threatening Palestinians. Israeli settlers also raid Huwwara, opening fire at homes; no injuries are reported. Israeli forces raid Za’atra, taking measurements of the family homes of 2 Palestinians who killed an Israeli on 2/22 for punitive demolitions. Israeli forces also prevent Palestinian farmers from working their land in Deir Istiya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seal the entrance to Bizarya with earth mounds and rocks. Israeli forces arrest 22 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Beit Furik, and Jenin. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Beit Lahiya, Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Shati’ refugee camp, Maghazi, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, and al-Bureij refugee camp, killing at least 92 people. 2 Israeli soldiers are killed in combat. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces attack Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah, damaging a boat. In Tel Aviv, Israeli police violently disperse anti-government protesters with water cannons and batons, at least 1 protestor is flogged by mounted police using a whip. In Lebanon, 20 rockets are fired at Kiryat Shmona, most of them are intercepted. Israeli forces bomb Rab El Thalathine, Ayta ash Shab, and Blida. In Yemen, U.S. and UK forces bomb 18 sites, including a factory in Sanaa. U.S. forces also shoot down a drone launched from Yemen. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/24; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 2/25; HA, UNOCHA 2/26)

More than 29,606 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 69,737 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 399 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 102 children. More than 4,545 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 237 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,396 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 86 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (WAFA 2/24; UNOCHA, UNOCHA 2/26)

Ceasefire negotiations in Paris attended by representatives from Israel, the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar reportedly lead to a proposal for a 6-week ceasefire but many other details remain elusive. (REU 2/23; AJ, AP, HA, REU 2/24; HA, HA, HA, REU, REU 2/25; HA 2/26)

Palestinian National Council speaker Rawhi Fattouh meets with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid, briefing him on the situation in Gaza and settler attacks in the West Bank. (WAFA 2/24)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borrell condemns Israel’s 2/22 announcement that it will build 3,300 new settlement units. (AJ, WAFA 2/24)

Axios reports that the U.S. has asked Israel not to attack civilian police escorting aid trucks in Gaza, but that Israel rejected the request. (AJ, AX 2/24)

The New York Times writes a letter to the Israeli consulate in New York asking the Israeli Foreign Ministry to “cease perpetrating the provably false claim that the freelance photographer Yousef Masoud was embedded with Hamas terrorists on October 7.” (NYT 2/24; HA 2/25)

The documentary No Other Land by Palestinians Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal and Israelis Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor wins Best Documentary Film at the Berlin Film Festival. The movie focuses on the plight of Palestinians living in the Masafer Yatta area. During the acceptance speech, Basel Adra calls for a ceasefire and for Germany to stop sending arms to Israel while Yuval Abraham describes the Israeli system of apartheid. The German ministry of culture and media issues a statement saying that culture and media minister Claudia Roth only applauded “the Jewish-Israel journalist and filmmaker Yuval Abraham.” Berlin mayor Kai Wegner calls the speeches anti-Semitic. (HA, WAFA 2/25; HA, NA, X 2/26; GDN, TOI 2/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided 2 schools in Ras al-Tin and Wadi al-Siq east of Ramallah, smashing windows and vandalizing classrooms. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Shukba, al-Mughayyir, Kafr Ra’i, al-Yamun, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Jerusalem, Israeli settlers blocked Route 1 and attacked a Palestinian family, injuring a child, with pepper spray during a protest calling for the release of Yehiel Indore who is charged with killing a Palestinian during a settler raid on Burqa on 8/4. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; HA, TOI 8/14; PCHR 8/17; UNOCHA 8/28)

The National Council of Arab Mayors in Israel said all Palestinian schools in Israel will go on strike from 9/1 if Palestinian municipalities do not receive $80 million promised to them by the previous government. The funds have been frozen by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The group also demonstrated outside of the prime minister’s office and the Finance Ministry. (HA, NA 8/13; HA, TOI 8/14)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes near Damascus, causing damage. (HA 8/13)

Former Israeli Northern Command commander Amiram Levin told the public broadcaster Kan that the situation in the West Bank is “total apartheid” and that soldiers are “beginning to be a partner in war crimes,” referring to a lack of enforcement against settler violence. Levin compared the situation to Nazi Germany, saying “[w]alk around Hebron, look at the streets. Streets where Arabs are no longer allowed to go on, only Jews. That is exactly what happened there, in that dark country [Nazi Germany].” (HA, JP, MEE, NA, TOI 8/13)

In the West Bank, about 50 Israeli settlers from the Oz Tzion settlement outpost shot and killed 1 Palestinian, injured 4 others, and set fire to 2 vehicles in Burqa. 2 of the settlers involved were arrested, including Elisha Yered, a former spokesperson for Otzma Yehudit party MK Limor Son Har-Melech. Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the arrested settlers heroes, while National Unity leader Benny Gantz called the incident “Jewish terrorism.” The U.S. condemned the incident as a “terror attack by Israeli extremist settlers.” 4 Palestinians were later arrested on 8/7. An Israeli settler also rammed a Palestinian child in Hebron, causing fractures. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up a tent on Palestinian-owned land near Tulkarm. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces also raided Biddu, injuring Palestinians with tear gas and arresting 2. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Dajan; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinians in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Deir Istiya, assaulting 1 Palestinian official and causing tear-gas related injuries. In Gaza, Palestinians demonstrated against poor living conditions in several cities and towns. 1 Palestinian minor was injured by an unexploded ordnance that detonated when he touched it. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/4; JP, MEE, NYT, PCHR, REU, WAFA 8/5; ALM, CNN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI 8/6; ALM, ALM, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA 8/7; AJ, ALM 8/8; HA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; HA, UNOCHA 8/11)

12 Palestinian families comprised of 89 people fled their homes in Ras al-Tin following Israeli settler violence in the area. (WAFA 8/12; AP 8/24)

The UN humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Lynn Hastings said the UN has launched an assessment of how to aid 60 Palestinian herding communities that are affected by Israeli settler violence. (WAFA 8/4)

An open letter, titled “The Elephant in the Room,” began circulating among academics and public figures and received more than 1,100 signatures by 8/11. The letter stated that “[t]here cannot be democracy for Jews in Israel as long as Palestinians live under a regime of apartheid,” and called for an end to Israeli impunity at the UN and restrictions on U.S. military aid. The letter was primarily signed by Israeli and Jewish academics and public figures, including Benny Morris, Avraham Berg, Avi Shlaim, and Ilan Pappe. (Letter 8/4; HA 8/7; MEE 8/8; TOI 8/9; WAFA, WP 8/11; WAFA 8/12; MDW 8/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 50 olive trees in Deir Sharaf. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinians in al-Mughayyir and assaulted 2 Israeli soldiers when they tired to arrest 1 of the stone throwers. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at a Palestinian ambulance traveling near Ramallah, injuring 1 passenger and causing damage. Israeli settlers raided Madama; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces issued demolition notices for 6 homes and 2 water wells in Umm Lafsa and 1 home in Marda. Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 4. (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/28; PCHR 3/2; UNOCHA 3/19)

Israel’s minister of public diplomacy Galit Distel Atbaryan said in a video on her Twitter account about Palestinian-Israeli relations, “[d]on’t be misled and don’t be naive, it’s not a war over territory. No, it’s a fundamentalist religious war of brainwashed murderers who are programmed to seek Jewish blood since age zero. There are hypocrites who wake up to condemn violence here, only when it suits their narrative of a so-called ‘occupying apartheid country.’” (MDW 2/28; NAT 3/1)

The U.S. special representative for Palestinian affairs Hady Amr visited Huwwara, meeting with victims of the Israeli settler attack on 2/26. The U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs said it wants “to see full accountability and legal prosecution of those responsible for these heinous attacks and compensation for those who lost property or were otherwise affected.” (HA, WAFA 2/28)

The UN Security Council called for an immediate de-escalation and end to “unilateral actions” in the West Bank during an emergency session. (NAT 3/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized more than 20 Palestinian-owned vehicles in al-Bireh with racist graffiti and by slashing tires. Israeli settlers with military escort brought their cattle to graze on Palestinian lands, leading to a confrontation between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Burqa and the Za‘atara checkpoint, causing damage. Israeli forces razed an olive grove in Wadi Fukin, uprooting 30 olive trees. Israeli forces also raided Qalandia refugee camp, injuring 7 with rubber-coated bullets and dozens of others with tear gas; 1 was arrested. 9 other Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Abu Shukheidim, Jalazun refugee camp, Tuqu‘, Hebron, Nablus, and Awarta. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Silwan. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel stabbed 6 Israeli Jewish people and rammed them with his car in Beersheba, killing 4 and wounding 2 others before he was shot dead by an Israeli bus driver. The Palestinian man, who was a resident of Hura, was said to be a supporter of ISIS and was reportedly arrested in 2015 and 2016 for attempting to join ISIS in Syria. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/22; HA, HA 3/23; ALM, HA, HA, HA, PCHR 3/24; ALM, HA 3/25; UNOCHA 4/10)

1 Palestinian resident of Sheikh Jarrah was sentenced to 1 year in prison on classified charges. (WAFA 3/22)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan met in Sharm El Sheikh, discussing energy stability, food security, and international issues. (AJ, AX, HA, REU, REU 3/22; HA, HA 3/23)

In a report to the UN Human Rights Council, the UN special rapporteur Michael Lynk charged Israel with committing crimes of apartheid. Special Rapporteur Lynk wrote that Israel has “an institutionalized regime of systematic racial oppression and discrimination ... where Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs in East Jerusalem and the West Bank live their lives under a single regime which differentiates its distribution of rights and benefits of the basis of national and ethnic identity, and which ensures the supremacy of one group over, and to the detriment of, the other.” (NYT 3/23; HA, WAFA 3/24; WAFA 3/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished stone fencing and a water well, uprooted olive and grape trees, razed 10 dunams (2.5 acres) of land in Qusra, and handed demolition orders for 2 agricultural structures and 1 stop-work order for a house in ‘Azzun. Israeli forces also set up mobile homes in Hebron. 1 Palestinian was arrested after allegedly opening fire at Israeli forces at the Qalandia checkpoint; 1 Israeli soldier was said to be lightly injured. 9 others were arrested, including 7 during late-night raids in Beit Fajjar, Sur Baher, Dura, Aqraba, and Hebron, 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Bethlehem and 1 during a raid in Biddu, were 1 car was also seized. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in al-Tur. Off the coast of Gaza, Israel naval forces also opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 1.5 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at the Gaza fence north of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/13; HA 7/14; PCHR 7/15)

A survey conducted between 6/28-7/1 on 800 Jewish-American voters by the Jewish Electorate Institute showed that 25% of the respondents said that Israel is an apartheid state and 34% said that “Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is similar to racism in the U.S.” 22% agreed that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. 20% of the respondents under 40 believed that Israel does not have right to exist and 38% of that group agreed with the statement that Israel is an apartheid state. (MEE, TOI 7/13; JNS, MDW, MEMO 7/14; JTA, TOI 7/15 JP, TOI 7/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted dozens of almond trees and grapevines in Bayt Umar and threatened the Palestinian landowners with guns. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in ‘Ayn Bus and seized 1 greenhouse in Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition as he was trying to enter Israel for work through the separation barrier near Far‘un. Elsewhere, Israeli forces dismantled and seized 1 agricultural structure in Tuqu‘. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian at the Qalandia checkpoint, claiming he wanted to stab a soldier with a screwdriver. 15 others were arrested during raids in and around Qabatiya, Jenin refugee camp, Burqin, Ramallah, Kafr Malik, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 7 nautical miles northwest of Rafah. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12; PCHR 1/14)

The Israeli government told its high court of justice that it had delivered 100 COVID-19 vaccine doses to the PA and that more doses would arrive in some 10 days. The PA health ministry denied having received any doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Israel. (HA, WAFA 1/13)

The Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem released a position paper “A regime of Jewish supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: this is apartheid,” calling Israel an apartheid state. B’Tselem argued that the distinction between Israel proper, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza has been obfuscated so that “the entire area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River is organized under a single principle: advancing and cementing the supremacy of one group—Jews—over another—Palestinians.” B’Tselem said it no longer could treat the occupied Palestinian territories as distinct from Israel as it has in the past and therefore needs to treat the area as 1 entity operating as an apartheid state. 2 particular developments led B’Tselem to change its viewpoint: the Nation-State law and the threats of annexation of Area C. Several Palestinian human rights organizations including al-Haq and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights have already called Israel an apartheid state. (AQ 11/12/2019; +972, AJ, AP, B’Tselem, CNN, GDN, HA, IN 1/12)

Israel attacked several places in Dayr al-Zur and Abu Kamal in eastern Syria with airstrikes, killing 57 people and wounding at least 37. According to a U.S. intelligence official, the strikes were made with intelligence from the U.S.; U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo had discussed the airstrikes with Mossad director Yossi Cohen at a D.C. restaurant on 1/11. Secretary Pompeo also announced that the terrorist group Al Qaeda has a home base in Iran without providing any evidence, a charge the Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called “warmongering lies.” On 1/10, Secretary Pompeo said that the Houthi rebels in Yemen would be added to the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations, a designation many humanitarian organizations lambasted as it will make it impossible to deliver aid to the civilian population living in Houthi-controlled areas who are heavily hunger stricken. (REU 1/10; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU 1/11; AJ, AJ, REU, REU 1/12; AA, AJ, FOX, HA, HA, HA, JP 1/13; HA 1/15; HA, HA 1/17)

Israeli forces arrested 18 Israeli settlers while evacuating temporary homes at an Israeli-deemed illegal settlement east of the Ofra settlement. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities issued 2 demolition orders for 2 buildings in Shu‘fat refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian-owned homes in Silwan; at least 1 Palestinian was injured trying to protect his home. In Gaza, Israel reduced the fishing zone from 15 nautical miles to 6 in response to the rocket fired from Gaza on 4/29. Israeli authorities said that the rocket was launched by Islamic Jihad. Off the coast of Gaza City, a Palestinian fisherman was injured when he was hit by a rubber-coated bullet fired by Israeli naval forces. Israeli naval forces also removed and destroyed all fishing nets placed outside of the 6-nautical-mile fishing zone. In Israel, 2 Israelis were sentenced to 1 year in prison for assaults made on 4 Palestinian citizens of Israel in 2017 to deter them from dating Jewish women. (AJ, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/30; HA, HA 5/1)

The EU called on Israel not to deport Human Rights Watch director for Israel and Palestine Omar Shakir, who was denied a petition at the Jerusalem district court to halt his pending deportation on 4/16. (HA 4/30)

The EU asked the PA to accept the reduced tax revenue Israel is offering until a solution to the PA’s financial crisis is found. The EU stressed that the request “does not constitute a legal or political endorsement of Israeli deductions.” (HA 4/30; HA 5/1)

The U.S. government is working to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization, said the White House. According to New York Times reporting, U.S. president Donald Trump was urged by Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to make the designation while on an official visit to Washington on 4/9. (AJ, NYT 4/30)

In a joint statement by U.S. democrats in the House of Representatives, concern was expressed for the Israeli-planned demolition of Khan al-Ahmar and Susiya. The U.S. members of Congress signing the statement were Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), David Price (D-NC), John Yarmuth (D-KY), Peter Welch (D-VT), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX). (Schakowsky’s Office 4/30; WAFA 5/2)

Member of the House of Representatives Betty McCollum (D-MN) reintroduced her bill H.R.2407 “Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.” The bill, if passed, would amend the Foreign Assistance Act, cutting assistance to foreign countries that uses “military detention, interrogation, abuse, or ill-treatment of children in violation of international humanitarian law,” and authorize $19 million annually to NGOs monitoring human rights abuses associated with Israel’s military detention of children. (Congress 4/30; McCollum’s Office, MDW 1/5)

The outgoing French ambassador to the U.S. Gérard Araud, who on 4/19 called Israel an apartheid state, will not be meeting Israeli officials when he visits Israel in early May, as Israel has barred its officials from meeting Araud. Additionally, Israel summoned France’s ambassador to Israel Hélène Le Gal to the Israeli foreign ministry for a reprimand for Araud’s statements. (HA 4/30)

The United Kingdom announced that it was contributing $11.7 million to help build a water desalination plant in Gaza. (WAFA 4/30)

The EU contributed $4.1 million to the PA’s private sector reconstruction agricultural program to help farmers in Gaza. In a separate announcement, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that the EU was contributing with an additional $24.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. (MNA, WAFA, WAFA 4/30; MNA 5/1)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Salfit in the morning, in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 4 villages nr. Hebron, Nablus and 1 village and Balata r.c. nearby, 2 villages nr. Qalqilya and Tulkarm at night. Jewish settlers from Yitzhar chop down an estimated 60 olive trees nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinian demonstrators in al-‘Izzariya, a protest in support of defending al-Aqsa mosque from Jewish extremists. There are no serious injuries. (MNA 4/27; PCHR 4/30)

The PLO Central Council in Ramallah adopts a plan to pursue efforts to join 63 UN bodies and international treaties, according to a public statement issued on the final day of a 2-day meeting. Separately, PA Pres. Abbas issues a statement to mark Holocaust Day, denouncing the Nazi genocide. Israeli PM Netanyahu dismisses the comments during an interview with U.S. television network CBS, and says that Israel will not negotiate with a Palestinian govt. backed by Hamas. Meanwhile, IDF Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai tells a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Subcmte. on Judea and Samaria that construction plans for 19 Palestinian villages in Area C of the West Bank have been frozen in response to the reconciliation deal. In addition, U.S. Dep. National Security Adviser Tony Blinken tells CNN that the U.S. is ready to suspend aid to the PA if a unity govt. backed by Hamas fails to recognize Israel. U.S. Special Envoy Indyk leaves Israel for consultations in Washington. EU foreign affairs chief Ashton releases a statement expressing concern over the latest developments in the peace process, and reiterates EU support for the U.S.-led peace talks. She also welcomes the Palestinian unity govt., affirming that it must abide by the principles of nonviolence, recognition of Israel, and commitment to previous agreements. (AFP, JP, REU, WAFA, YA 4/27; HA 4/28)

Remarks made by U.S. Secy. of State Kerry on 4/25 at a private meeting in Washington are published by the Daily Beast, in which he says that without a 2-state solution soon, Israel risks becoming an “apartheid state.” In response, pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC says it is “deeply troubled” by the comments. (HA, NYT 4/28)

Likud leader Yitzhak Shamir wins his party's near-unanimous approval to form new gov't., which he will present for Knesset vote on 6/11 [JDS 6/10 in FBIS 6/11; WP, LAT, WT 6/11].

U.S. Jewish delegation, concerned about anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela's statements supporting PLO, meets him in Geneva for reassurances, reports Mandela says African National Congress "accepts unequivocally the existence of the State of Israel, not only de facto but also its legal right to exist. . .within secure borders." Satisfied, delegation gives approval for warm welcome for Mandela on his arrival to U.S. on 6/20, a welcome that had been in doubt until meeting [WP, LAT, WT 6/ 11].

Arafat receives message from Mikhail Gorbachev detailing outcome of U.S.- Soviet summit, reaffirming Soviet support for Palestinians [BVP 6/10 in FBIS 6/12].

Israeli police discover 80 desecrated graves in American section of Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem; Mayor Teddy Kollek warns incident may further disrupt Arab-Jewish relations in the city [LAT 6/11].

SLA forces in S.Lebanon report capturing 3 Fateh soldiers inside "security zone" (cf. 6/11) [AFP 6/11 in FBIS 6/12]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gush Emunim squatters establish settlements Nachliel and Givat Helevona (a.k.a. Eli) north of Ramallah. Jewish squatters add 4 caravans to settlement at Tel Rumaida in al-Khalil (Hebron). In exchange for Progressive List for Peace (PLP) votes to support Shlomo Hillel as Knesset speaker, Labor agrees on 3 issues: to legislate against apartheid practices toward Palestinians, to approve proposed change in Umm al-Fahm's status to full township, and to consider favorably establishment of an Arab university in Israel. Canadian and British delegates meet with Palestinian mayors and community leaders in Jerusalem on eve of Int'l. Liberals Congress in Tel Aviv (9/13-16).

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat returns to Tunis, meets Soviet delegation there. Nabih Berri & Walid Junblatt boycott weekly Lebanese cabinet meeting to press gov't. to discuss political reforms and conditions in S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: In US, representatives of 11 relief and community service organizations meet State Dept. officials to protest Israeli policy toward Palestinian universities.

Military Action

Arab World: Beirut Radio reports 4 IDF troops killed in 2 S. Lebanon bomb attacks; IDF soldier injured by land mine in S. Lebanon (9/10) dies of injuries.