The Palestine Chronology

IDF undercover unit kills 2 Hamas activists, including 1 sought for killing Shin Bet officer, in raid on al-Ram, nr. Jerusalem.  Palestinian witnesses say the 2 were put up against a wall and shot in the back.  (Qol Yisra'el 5/31 in FBIS 6/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/1; JP 6/11)

Israel makes last salary payment to 7,600 Palestinian Civil Admin. employees in Gaza Strip.  Palestinian National Authority to assume paying salaries, as well as those of 9,000 Palestinian police officers.  (CSM 6/2; JP 6/11)

"Freedom and Independence Party," affiliated with Fateh, PPP wins 6 of 9 seats in elections to admin. board of Bethlehem University students' council.  "Democratic Coalition" of PFLP and DFLP supporters wins 2 seats, while Islamic Movement wins 1.  (MM 6/1; TJT 6/3)

PM Rabin complains to Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Comm. that Syria is "playing for time" and not "serious" about peace.  Rabin also says U.S. mediation effort has "exhausted itself," Washington talks "an exercise in treading water."  Secy of State Christopher calls Israel-Syria talks "difficult" and "at an early stage."  (WP 6/1)

UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) releases report during annual ministerial mtg. in Amman charging Israel of diverting 7.6 b. cubic feet a year of water fr. Litani, Wazzani rivers in Lebanon.  (MM, WT 6/1)

U.S. reportedly seeks to question Lebanese Shi`ite leader Mustafa al-Dirani, kidnapped 5/21 by Israel, in connection with 1988 kidnapping, 1989 murder of USMC Col. William Higgins, according to Beirut daily al-Diyar.  (WP 6/2)

PM Shamir chairs ministerial meeting to discuss formation of Jewish "civil guard" in o.t. (ITV 12/25 in FBIS 12/26)

Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek leads demonstration against settlers who moved into contested homes in Silwan. (MM 1/2)

Shiite cleric Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah addresses Beirut conference on intifada. Representatives from Fateh-Revolutionary Council [Abu Nidal], PFLP, Iranian Revolutionary Guards also speak. (Voice of Oppressed 12/26 in FBIS 12/27)

GCC ends summit, reaffirms commitment to "Damascus Declaration." Meeting also issues "Kuwait Declaration" supporting peace talks based on UN Sec. Council resolutions 242, 338, 425, affirming GCC support of multilateral talks with Israel. (MM 1/2)

Israel, Zambia renew diplomatic ties broken since 1973. (Qol Yisra'el 12/25 in FBIS 12/31)

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: U.S. federal agents in Los Angeles arrest Jordanian student on immigration violations, charge youth is affiliated with PFLP [LAT 2/14].

Military Action

Arab World: Amal leader Nabih Berri reaches agreement with UN whereby Beirut's Palestinians and Shi'a will receive equal amounts of food. Shooting around Burj al-Barajinah prevents Iranian ambulances, UN food trucks from entering camp, kills Iranian embassy bodyguard. Amal and Palestinian fighters blame each other for starting today's fighting. Syrian military observers arrive in S. Lebanon in attempto arrange a cease-fire, relieve crisis in camps [NYT 2/13; WP 2/14]. Unidentified gunmen capture advisor to Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil [LAT 2/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel Radio and TV broadcast code words alerting thousands of military reservists to units as part of a call-up exercise to test mobilization procedures [FT 6/14]. Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics reports inflation rose by 6.8 percent in May [FT 6/15].

Arab World: Talks continue in Aden, South Yemen, between PFLP, DFLP, and Fateh to achieve rapprochement [FJ 6/14]. Three Lebanese Shi'a hijack TWA airliner in Athens, order it to Beirut, Algiers, then Beirut, Hijackers' demands include freeing of 766 Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel [NYT 6/15]. U.S. antiterrorist Delta Force squad sent to aircraft carrier U. S. S. Enterprise in eastern Mediterranean [LT 6/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli health officials confiscate and destroy Arab-produced "Jneidi" brand dairy productsold in East Jerusalem saying producers did not have permits and products "may be hazardous to health" [FJ 6/14].

Arab World: PLO says 700 Palestinians were arrested in Syria for protesting violence in Lebanese camps. At least 30 killed at Sabra, still under seige. Shi'a bulldoze camp buildings. In Beirut, 3 Palestinian factions issue joint appeal for unity: PFLP, Fateh, and Palestine Communist Party.

Other Countries: U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John Heinz (R-Penn.) introduce nonbinding resolution (with 69 backers) opposing arms sales to Jordan until Jordan opens direct negotiations with Israel. Reagan administration calls measure "a serious mistake." U.S. wants to provide Jordan with $300 million in military credits to allow it to buy 54 F-20 fighter planes and two advanced anti-aircraft defense systems. Agreement was made in 1981. U.S. sees Jordan threatened by Syria.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gen. Amnon Shishak tells settler leaders they cannot take law into their own hands (in wake of attacks, threats against prisoners released 5/20) [NYT 5/25]. Poll indicates 70% of Israelis support 5/20 prisoner exchange agreement; 73% also support clemency for Jewish underground defendants [MG 5/26]. 10 injured in clash between students representing rival Palestinian factions at Bir Zeit U. [JP 5/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF announce discovery of purported PFLP cell in W. Bank responsible for 2/4 killing of IDF soldier in Ramallah; 30 arrested; 5 homes in Saffra, Beitur al-Tahta destroyed [PI, LM 5/25]. Settlers drive through Hebron, smash car windows, fire shots at home of Palestinian released in 5/20 prisoner exchange [LAT 5/25].

Arab World: Shi'ite-Palestinian fighting continues in Sabra, Shatila, Burj al-Barajneh camps, Beirut; at least 12 killed, 100 wounded; Syrian-sponsored ceasefire plan fails; Amal refuses to allow Red Cross into camps [NYT, WP, PI 5/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jewish underground defendant Menachem Neuberger pleads guilty to charges of plotting to blow up al-Haram al-Sharif [WP, PI 5/24]. PM Peres asks Attorney Gen. Yitzhak Zamir for legal opinion concerning release of Jewish underground defendants; opposes executive branch interference in legal process [JTA 5/24].

Arab World: Officials from Amal, Palestine National Salvation Front meet in Mukhtara, Lebanon to seek resolution of Shi'ite-Palestinian fighting in Beirut [NYT 5/24]. PFLP, DFLP, Chmn. Arafat accuse Shi'ite fighters of massacres against Palestinian civilians in Beirut camps; Arafat also accuses Nabih Berri of making secret agreement with Israel to hinder anti-Israeli resistance in S. Lebanon [WP 5/24, LM 5/25]. Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara accuses Chmn. Arafat of provoking recent Amal-Palestinian fighting in Beirut [MG 5/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Settlers attack homes of Talib Gheith in Hebron, Muhammad Abu Kishik in Askar camp (both former prisoners releasd 5/20) [NYT 5/25].

Arab World: Action in Lebanon: fighting continues between Amal, Lebanese Army's 6th Brigade and Palestinian fighters in Beirut camps; Palestinians launch Katyushas against Shi'ite areas of city; 33 killed, 193 wounded [NYT, MG 5/24]. Amal stages searches for Palestinians throughout Beirut; at least 200 arrested [PI 5/25].