The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-Fajr reports ultra-Orthodox, anti-Zionist Neturei Karta sect is issuing travel documents they hope will replace their Israeli passports [FJ 12/27].

Military Action

Other Countries: Gunmen hurl grenades, fire submachine guns at crowds of travelers near El Al counters in Rome and Vienna airports, killing 16, wounding 118. Four gunmen are killed, 3 wounded and captured [NYT, WP, LAT 12/28]. One tells police he is "Palestinian freedom fighter" born in Shatila camp [WP 12/28; OB 12/29]. PLO officials deny organization is responsible [NYT 12/28]. Israeli officials blame attacks on Palestinians, vow revenge "in every place and at any time [Israel] sees fit" [LAT, MG 12/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Jerusalem Post quotes Arafat in al-Akhbar interview as saying he would negotiate with Israel only under UN auspices [JP 9/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Refugee camps of Balata, 'Askar, and 'Ain Bayt al-Ma' are put under curfew while Israeli soldiers round up and harass male residents; several men are beaten and one injured by rubber bullets [FJ 9/271].

Other Countries: Three gunmen, identified as 2 Arabs and 1 Briton, named Ian Michael Davison, seize private Israeli yacht in Lamaca, Cyprus for 10 hours, demand release of 20 Palestinians captured by Israeli navy patrols in 2 recent incidents, kill 3 Israelis they hold as hostages. Anonymous phone caller in Jerusalem claims responsibility on behalf of Fateh's Force 17, but PLO denies responsibility for the action. PLO office in Nicosia denounces the killings [NYT 9/26; LT 9/27; CSM 10/9]. Bomb rips through British Airways terminal in Rome, wounding 14. Hasan 'Atab, 16, from Shatila refugee camp in Lebanon and a member of the Revolutionary Organization of Socialist Muslims, is arrested and allegedly confesses to the deed [NYT 9/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In visit to settlers in Katif, DM Rabin asserts Gaza "must remain an inseparable part of the state of Israel" [JTA 3/22].

Other Countries: Pres. Reagan indicates US willingness to meet with joint PalestinianJordanian delegation (as proposed by Pres. Mubarak) as long as it contains no PLO members; reiterates opposition to direct US role in peace talks [WP, WSJ 3/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Car stoned in Nablus; no injuries [JP 3/22].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF cross 1st-stage withdrawal line, raid Humin al-Tahta, Jabaa, Sarba, Jal al- 'Arab, Rumin, Ankun, Kafr Malki, Kafr Fila; 23 killed, including CBS journalists Tawfiq Ghazawi, Bashir Matni (killed when IDF tank fired upon their car, marked as a camera car); 32 homes destroyed; resistance forces engage IDF; 1 Israeli wounded. IDF also raid Srifa, Janata. IDF soldier wounded 3/8 dies [NYT, JTA, WP 3/22, NYT 3/23]. Roadside bombs explode near IDF vehicles near Ma'roub, 'Arab Salim, al-Bazouriya; no injuries. SLA patrol fired upon near Jarjoura; no casualties [JTA 3/22].

Other Countries: Alia Royal Jordanian Airlines offices in Rome, Athens, Nicosia bombed; 5 employees injured; Black September claims responsibility [TS 3/22].