The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Central Bureau of Statistics reports October inflation rate of 24.3%. No Confidence motions presented in Knesset by Mapam, Civil Rights Movement, Progressive List for Peace & Hadash.

Arab World: IDF release 3 of 4 Shi'ite leaders held since 11/8, but retain Mahmoud al-Faqih; with UN mediation, Lebanon's cabinet decides to resume talks with Israel.

Military Action

Arab World: Shi'ite Imam Abdulla alAmin assassinated in Tawana village, S. Lebanon; Nabih Berri blames Israel.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Central Bureau of Statistics reports cost-of-living index soared by 21.4% in Sept., 450% over past 12 mos., and estimates 1984 inflation rate at 900-1, 300%. 12 members of Israeli Com. for Solidarity with Bir Zeit U. arrested in 2 days demonstrating against settler harassment at Dheisheh camp.

Arab World: Shi'ites celebrate feast of Ashoura. IDF/Gen. Lahd announce pardon for SLA members who killed & injured Sohmor civilians (9/20).

Other Countries: US offers Irael deferment until March of $500 million in military procurement loans now due. US reaffirms its aversion to role as mediator in IDF S. Lebanon withdrawal talks. Syrian Pres. Assad arrives in Moscow for 3-day talks with Pres. Chemenko.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 6 Petah Tikva schoolchildren injured as time bomb explodes near their bus north of Nablus.

Arab World: Lebanese resistance fighters attack IDF patrols near Nabatiya, near Sarafand & in Zahrani region.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine! Israel: Central Bureau of Statistics reports overall imports for Jan.-Feb., 1984 down 11% compared with same period in 1983; fuel imports down 9%, private car imports down 57%, diamonds up by 21%. On Israeli TV Sharon presents himself as candidate for premiership. 8 Arab men arrested in connection with Ashdod bus bombing (3/7/84).

Arab World: Chinese Pres. Li Xiannian meets King Hussein in Amman. Egypt's FM Ghali in Jerusalem Post interview reveals his delegation mtg. with Israeli Labor leaders (May 1982) was assured Labor would only support surgical strike in S. Lebanon along lines of 1978 Litani campaign.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestinle/Israel:Unknown dawn attackers fire at Umm al-Fahm homes for 3rd time in four weeks; no casualties. Arab World: 2 hand grenades thrown at IDF convoy outside Nabatiya; no casualties reported.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics reports Israeli population grew by 1.7%; Arabs by 2.8% in 1983. Meir Kahane detained for illegal demonstration supporting Jewish terror against Arabs; Kahane allowed by interrogators to escape.

Arab World: King Hussein orders reconvening of Jordan's parliament; 12 deputies now live under Israeli occupation. International Red Cross confirms that casualties of Israeli bombing raids near Baalbek (1/4/84) were mostly civilians; Baalbek closed in general strike.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Bomb in Qazizin market in Hebron; defused shortly before set to explode.