The Palestine Chronology

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF violently disperses stonethrowing Palestinian protesters in Silwad nr. Ramallah, injuring 1 with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 3 nearby villages, and 1 village each nr. Nablus and Qalqilya at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jericho, Nablus and 1 village and Balata r.c. nearby, and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Qalqilya at night. 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, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries except in Bil‘in (1 struck by a tear gas canister) and in Kafr Qaddum (2 wounded by bullets). (PCHR 5/8)

Right-wing Jewish extremists vandalize the tomb of Izzeddin al-Qassam in Haifa, leaving “price tag” graffiti that includes the names of U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and Israeli justice minister Livni. (AFP, JP 5/2)

Palestine becomes a formal party to 5 international conventions, banning torture, racial discrimination, promoting women’s rights, children’s rights, and the rights of the disabled. In response, Israel withdraws the VIP passes of 4 senior Fatah officials— Nabil Shaath, Tawfik Tirawi, Abbas Zaki and Jibril Rajub—thereby restricting their status at checkpoints and border crossings to the level of other Palestinian citizens. (AFP, JP, MEMO 5/2)

In s. Sinai, 2 suicide bombing attacks target police at a security checkpoint, killing 1 soldier and wounding at least 8. The attacks are claimed by Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis. (AP, REU 5/2)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen working 6 naut. mi. off the coast nr. al-Waha resort in the n. Gaza Strip, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF issues a demolition order for a home in Yatta nr. Hebron. The IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Jenin in the morning. (MNA 12/15; PCHR 12/20)

Palestinian undersecretary of the Ministry of National Economy Nasser Tahboub says that the PA may go to the sponsors of the Paris Protocol to pressure Israel to stop holding back tax revenues collected on the Palestinians’ behalf. (MNA 12/15)

Palestine’s Central Elections Commission announces that the 2d stage of local elections in the West Bank will take place on 12/22/12, after 78 districts failed to register any candidate in the 1st round (10/20/12, see QU in JPS 166). (MNA 12/16)

In Syria, the head of the pro-Asad PFLP–GC, Ahmed Jibril, leaves the Yarmuk r.c. after 12 days of clashes with Syrian rebel forces supported by Palestinian fighters known as Liwa al-Asifah (Storm Brigade), who have gained ground in the camp. (MNA 12/15)

PLO's Faruq Qaddumi arrives in Beirut fr. Damascus, meets with Lebanese FM Buwayz, announces he is making a tour of Arab states (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) to gain support for a "council to look after Palestinian refugees abroad." (al-Hayat, al-Nahar 3/9 in FBIS 3/12; al-Nahar 3/31 in FBIS 4/3)

Lebanon puts its forces on alert, fearing either Israel will deport Palestinians to its territory or attack s. Lebanon. Israeli puts its forces in s. Lebanon on alert, fearing a Hizballah attack as a demonstration of support for recent bombings. (IDF Radio, RL 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; RL, VOL 3/10 in FBIS 3/11) (see 3/5, 3/7)

PA amb. to Ankara Fu'ad Yasin says 8 Palestinians have disappeared in Turkey, apparently for political reasons, since the recent bombings in Israel; says the PA is following the issue closely with Turkish officials. (MENA 3/8 in FBIS 3/8)

To prevent suspects connected to recent bombings fr. fleeing by sea, Israel bans all fishing off the Gaza coast. PA condemns the action as collective punishment, violation of Oslo accords. (IDF Radio 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; NYT 3/9; WT 3/11)

In Burqa, West Bank, IDF blows up house rented by family of the 3/3 bomber. In Jerusalem, the IDF serves the Conference of Sciences and Islamic Education offices in n. Jerusalem with closure, partial confiscation orders, saying offices are used as a Hamas base. (VOP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11; WT 3/9; MM 3/20)

PA police detain Hamas spokesman Zahhar in Gaza City. (AFP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11)

PSF West Bank head Col. Jibril Rajub is forced to resign after refusing to carry out Arafat's orders to arrest Hamas leaders. Hussayn Shaykh, current head of Ramallah security, is appointed to replace him. (ITV, QY, RMC 3/9, HA 3/11 in FBIS 3/11; WT 3/10; QY 3/10 in FBIS 3/12)

International Olympic Comm., meeting in Monte Carlo, grants provisional recognition to Palestine Olympic Comm., set to open office in Jericho. Ruling allows Palestinian athletes to compete as Palestinians at 1994 Winter Olympics and 1996 Olympics. (WP 9/19; NYT 10/9)

Iranian Dep. FM Hussein Sheikholeslam, visiting Damascus, meets DFLP's Hawatmah, PFLP-GC's Jibril, Hamas delegation, pledges Iranian support for opposition to PLO-Israel accord. (WT 9/19)

Faisal Husseini releases names of the fourteen Palestinians who will serve on the joint Palestinian-Jordanian negotiating delegation. Seven additional Palestinians will serve on a steering committee and not participate in the actual talks. Chmn. Arafat asserts that the Palestinian delegates will represent the PLO because "every Palestinian is a member of the PLO." (NYT 10/23)

U.S. State Department indicates Secy. Baker will appoint a special Middle East representative to facilitate the bilateral negotiations which will constitutehe second phase of negotiations. (NYT 10/23)

PFLP, DFLP, Hamas issue joint statement in o.t. urging escalation of intifada, call for general strike 10/23 in opposition to peace conference. Statement also rejects claim that a majority of Palestinians favor talks. Spokesmen for PFLP, DFLP denounce 10/21 threat against Palestinian delegates issued by PFLP-GC head Ahmad Jibril in Tehran. Fateh also issues leaflet in o.t. calling on Palestinians to ignore PFLP-DFLP-Hamas call for strike on 10/23. (MEM 10/22)

Saudi Arabia releases $3 million to PLO. The funds, deducted from salaries of Palestinians working in Saudi Arabia as a "liberation tax," had been frozen following the deterioration of PLO-Saudi relations during the Gulf crisis. Agreement was recently reached about resuming transfers of the funds [see 9/26]. Some of the funds also came from Saudi donations to the Palestinian cause. (MEM 10/24)

Tehran conference on Palestine ends, establishes permanent secretariat in Tehran. (MEM 10/23, IRNA 10/23 in FBIS 10/24)

Chmn. Arafat meets with Lebanese pres. Ilyas al-Hirawin Paris, their first meeting since al-Hirawi's election as president. Talks focus on peace conference, Lebanese-PLO relations. (MEM 10/23)

Al-Hirawi later tells press conference that "not one shot" will be fired at Israel from Lebanon once Israeli forces are withdrawn from S. Lebanon. (MEM 10/23)

Chmn. Arafat travels to Egypt, his first trip to Egypt since the deterioration of PLO-Egyptian relations during the Gulf crisis. (MEM 10/21)

At Tehran conference on Palestinian issue, PFLP-GC Gen. Secy. Ahmad Jibril states Palestinian delegates to peace conference have "sentenced themselves to death." Arguments break out between delegates supporting, opposing participation in peace conference, including verbal exchanges between anti-Arafat delegates such as Sa'id Musa Muragha (Abu Musa), head of Fateh-Uprising, and PLO representatives. (MEM 10/22)

National Committee of Heads of Local Arab Councils, made up of mayors of Palestinian communities in Israel, votes unanimously to strike 10/24 and stage protest in Jerusalem to draw attention to under-financing of Arab municipalities by Israeli authorities. Vote comes in wake of increased calls for action on the question and strikes by Arab municipal workers demanding payment of back wages [see 8/20]. (MEM 10/22)

Israel releases 14 Lebanese prisoners held in Khiyam prison, S. Lebanon. A 15th detainee was released in Israel and returned to Lebanon. Islamic Jihad for Palestine in turn releases American hostage Jesse Turner. Turner had been held captivie since January 1987, and is the fourth Western hostage to be released since the current comprehensive, multilateral prisoner-hostage negotiations began earlier this year. (MEM 10/21, 10/22)

Israeli jets bomb Hizbullah headquarters in Jibshit, S. Lebanon, in retaliation for 10/20 deaths of three Israeli troops. (MEM 10/21)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel deports 3 more Palestinians to Jordan: Mahmud Fa'anun, from the West Bank; and Hasan Muhammad Ahmad al-'Amudi and Jalal Hafiz Hashim 'Azizi, both from the Gaza Strip. Military sources state they were affiliated to the PFLP [JP 2/6; FJ 2/7]. The 3 refused to appeal to the High Court, believing they would not get a fair trial [FJ 2/7]. Deputy head of the Red Cross delegation in Israel, jean Jacques Fresard, sharply criticizes Israeli govt. for deporting Palestinians from the occupied territories to Jordan, termsuch actions "completely illegal" [JP 2/6].

Arab World: King Hussein and Yasir Arafat begin new round of talks in Amman [BG 2/6]. Arafat reportedly gives Hussein 3- point plan whereby PLO would accept UN resolution 242 in return for firm measures calling for Palestinian state; PLO was in return given countersuggestion that originated with U.S. officials [JP 2/11]. Egypt, Israel begin 2 days of talks on Taba border dispute [BG 2/6]. Ahmad Jibril, head of PFLP-GC, states passengers on U.S., Israeli commercial airliners may become targets for reprisals for Israel's interception of Libyan jet [TS 2/6].

Military Action

Other Countries: Bomb explodes in Paris sporting goods store, wounding 9 [WP, LAT 2/6]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel closes all West Bank high learning institutions for duration of PNC mtg. 5 teenagers arrested for wearing T-shirts with PLO insignia. Settlers pass out leaflets at Dheisheh calling on residents to evacuate. Histadrut tacitly approves basic food price increases for December. Energy Min. spokesman claims Israeli-occupied Golan section of TAPline belongs to ministry.

Arab World: 120 delegates at PNC in Amman petition to expel Libyan-backed PFLP-GC's Ahmed Jibril for "high treason."

Other Countries: 26 US congressmen issue letter to Pope John Paul II calling for Vatican relations with Israel.

Military Action

Arab World: 2 al-Bas refugee camp (Tyre) residents, believed to be collaborators with IDF, killed by Lebanese resistance fighters. SLA soldier wounded by sniper fire near Nabatiya.

Military Action:

Syrian and Israeli jets carry out reconnaissance flights over Bekaa Valley; PLO forces fire anti-aircraft guns at IDF planes in northern Lebanon.

Casualties:

About 100 Palestinian families in Sidon tell UNRWA officials that local residents have broken into their homes and threatened harm if they do not leave.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 18 opposition MKs call Eitan's cockroach remark shocking and severe phenomenon that cannot be ignored, ask Arens to reprimand him, Arens refuses comment, says Eitan a national hero; Arens and Haddad meet in South Lebanon, Arens says Haddad is a great patriot; government investment in West Bank settlements and infrastructure estimated at $200m. a year; "No to Campaign Ribbons" group says thousands of reservists have refused to accept Lebanon ribbon; IDF lifts month long curfew on Dahariya; illegal publications confiscated at el-Bireh nurses' training college book fair, college closed; Interior Ministry bans publication and distribution of Palestine Press Services's daily newsletter on events in the West Bank, demands it be licensed like a newspaper and subjected to military censorship; southern district police commander accuses West Bank Waqf of interfering in politics and engaging in political activities.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Executive Committee meeting in Tunis postponed, Arafat travels to Bulgaria for 2 day visit.

Arab Governments: Egyptian Foreign Minister travels to Washington with message for Reagan; Mubarak meets Kissinger in Cairo; Egypt and Jordan agree to resume trade after 4-year interruption; Syrian President Assad meets DFLP's Naif Hawatmeh and PFLP-GC's Ahmed Jibril in Damascus.

US and Other Countries: US air and ground forces experts visit Israel to begin studying military data from Lebanon war; Albert Spiegel, Los Angeles businessman, quits as Reagan's Jewish affairs adviser.

Military Action:

IDF patrol confronts Lebanese Army at checkpoint east of Beirut; French and Italian soldiers take up positions in East Beirut alongside Lebanese Army; Foreign Minister Salem says army under orders to. shoot anyone who tries to obstruct its operations in Beirut, announces army will be increased to 40,000 men from present 22,000 by summer; car bomb explodes in Antelias, Phalange controlled suburb of Beirut; Haddad forces move in Hasbaya region of Bekaa valley; IDF reports explosive device defused near roadside in Sidon.

Casualties:

2 killed, 1 injured by car bomb in Antelias; 2 IDF killed, 2 injured in ambush while on patrol near Ayn Zhalta, southeast of Beirut.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin government defeats no confidence motions brought by Labor, Communist and Shinui parties, in single vote, 64 to 56; 1,466 signatures collected on petition denouncing war in Lebanon by Yesh Gvul ("There's a Limit") organization; High Court issues temporary injunction to prevent eviction of 2,000 residents of refugee settlement near Rafah; fire bomb thrown at Israeli bus near village of Arabe in Jenin district, village placed under curfew.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: At PNC, PLO Political Department head Farouk Kaddoumi calls Reagan plan another Camp David; Jibril says PFLP-GC will quit PLO and PNC if Fez resolution is endorsed; PNC Chairman Khaled al-Fahoum tells press conference we do not want to destroy any state in the region, says Palestinian state will be established in West Bank and Gaza, with Jerusalem as its capital; in Lebanon negotiations Israel seeks five "twarning stations" manned by 150 soldiers each at Mount Baruk, Hasbaya, Nabatiyeh, Sidon, and south of Sidon; Phalangist militia leader Fadi Frem says that Israel is installing Haddad's forces as second option if negotiations fail; Lebanese Foreign Minister denies Israeli report that agreement reached on accepting Haddad into Lebanese army.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says he is willing to increase number of Marines in Lebanon if it were key to speeding foreign troop withdrawal; Reagan invites Defense Minister Arens to White House meeting prior to his departure for Israel.