The Palestine Chronology

In Marsa Matruh, Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak meets with Arafat on the peace process, possible international summit. (MENA 8/18 in WNC 8/19; ESC Television 8/29 in WNC 8/20)

PA bans visits by Jews to Joseph's Tomb in Nablus after Jewish settlers, allowed by the IDF regional cmdr. to stay in the tomb for 1 mo. to observe a mourning period for 2 Yitzhar settlers killed 8/5, announce that they are going to establish a permanent settlement there. (MM 8/19; MEI, PR 9/4)

Numerous media reports claim that Egypt has arrested Fatah Revolutionary Council leader Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal) in Cairo, but Egypt denies them. Abu Nidal is known for staging lethal attacks on Israeli, Jewish, PLO targets in the 1970s, 1980s. (MM 8/18; HA, MA, YA in IGPO 8/18; al-Quds, SA 8/24 in WNC 8/26; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/26; MENA 8/26 in WNC 8/27; NYT 8/27; WT 8/31; MEI 9/4; AFP 9/12) (see 8/18)

In s. Lebanon, 2 IDF soldiers are killed in clash with Hizballah. (RL 8/18 in WNC 8/19)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, addressing OAU summit in Tunis, criticizes "serious delay" in international aid to Palestinian National Authority, continuing Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem.  Arafat orders most PLO offices in Tunis to close, leave for Jericho.  (WT 6/14, 6/15)

FRC ("Abu Nidal" group) mbr. Yusuf Sha`ban, on trial in Beirut for 1/94 murder of Jordanian diplomat, claims responsibility for 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.  U.S. officials doubt claim; evidence in case points to Libya.  (CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 6/14)

Lebanon indicts Lebanese Forces (LF) cmndr. Samir Ja`ja`, 7 other LF mbrs. for 2/27 bombing of church in Zuq Mikhail, nr. Juniya.  (MM 6/13; NYT 6/14)

Palestinian police stop IDF vehicles carrying IDF Brig. Gen. Doron Almog in Gaza Strip.  Standoff continues for 1 hr. until Palestinian police col. issues written order to permit Almog to continue.  (WP 5/26)

Israeli-Palestinian agricultural trade talks open in Tel Aviv to regulate commerce in agricultural products btwn. Israel, self-rule areas.  (Qol Yisra'el 5/25 in FBIS 5/26)

Secy of State Christopher, FM Peres, at joint news conference in Washington, criticize PLO Chmn. Arafat's decree restoring pre-1967 laws in Gaza and Jericho, saying Arafat lacks authority for such a decree.  Israeli FMin. issues statement saying Arafat statement of "no legal validity" and a "breach" of Gaza-Jericho agreement.  (Israeli Govt. Press Office release 5/25 in FBIS 5/25; MM 5/25; MM, NYT 5/26)

PLO Chmn. Arafat orders release of his wife's uncle George Hawa, held for 5 days by PLO officials in Tunis on suspicion of taking kickbacks fr. companies seeking contracts in Jericho, Gaza Strip.  (MM 5/25; WP 5/26; al-Sharq al-Awsat 5/27 in FBIS 6/1)

Trial starts in Beirut of 7 mbrs. of FRC ("Abu Nidal" group) for 1/29 murder of Jordanian diplomat.  (MM 5/25, 5/26)

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli FM Peres have 4-hr. night mtg. in Davos, Switzerland, on sidelines of World Economic Forum conference. Both sides report progress in negotiations on Palestinian autonomy in Gaza and Jericho. (NYT, WT 1/30)

Unknown gunman kills Na'ib 'Umran al-Ma'aitah, 42, 1st secretary of Jordanian embassy in Beirut, in 1st assassination of diplomat since end of Lebanese civil war in 1990. Suspicion focuses on FRC ("Abu Nidal" group), responsible for killing of Jordanian diplomats in 1980s. (NYT, WP, WT 1/30)

3 IDF soldiers wounded in grenade attack in Gaza Strip. (NYT 1/31)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Dr. 'Azmi Shu'aybi, 'Ali Abu Hilal, and Hasan 'Abd al-Jawad drop High Court appeal against deportation orders against them on grounds they cannot expect a reasonable decision [NYT 1/31]. Sephardi Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliahu proposes erecting a synagogue on the Haram al-Sharif [JTA 1/31].

Arab World: Talks break down between Yasir Arafat, King Hussein after 5days of discussion on how to secure role for PLO in M.E. peace process; PLO will accept UN resolutions 242, 338 only if the U.S. recognizes Palestinian righto self-determination within context of Jordanian-Palestinian confederation, and if U.S. guarantees effective peace conference [WP, BG 1/31]. Arab League condemns U.S. economic, military pressures against Libya, rejects Libya's demand for economic retaliation [WP, LAT 1/31]. Anonymous phone caller claims responsibility on behalf of Abu Nidal group for 1/29 killing of 2 Israeli soldiers in West Bank [BG 1/31].

Other Countries: U.S. vetos UN Security Council resolution stating "provocative" visit by Israel MKs "violated the sanctity of the Haram al-Sharif" in Jerusalem; vote is 13-1, with 1 abstention [NYT 1/31; JTA 2/3]. Reagan administration postpones indefinitely proposed $1.9 billion arms sale to Jordan [LAT 1/31; NYT, WP 2/1]. United Jewish Appeal announces its 1985 campaign raised total of $637 million, a $51. 1 million increase over the year before [JTA 1/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Two gunmen open fire from a moving car outside Jerusalem's Old City, killing an Israeli undercover police detective investigating drug cases, injuring 2 others; 4 Palestinians are arrested [WP, NYT 1/31].

Military Action:

Tripoli fighting at a minimum, all forces reinforce positions around central part of city; LAF and PSP continue artillery exchanges around Souq al-Gharb; IDF moves troops and armored vehicles toward Sidon, Nabatiyeh placed under curfew.

Casualties:

Residents of Tripoli leave city in anticipation of renewed fighting in central areas; Red Cross puts civilian and military casualties in Tripoli since November 3 at 438 killed, 2100 wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 3 youths from jenin area sentenced to 5-7 year terms for using petrol bombs.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat agrees in principle to Saudi-Syrian proposals to end Tripoli fighting, including indefinite cease-fire, withdrawal of all Palestinian forces from Tripoli, and a democratic dialogue to resolve intra-PLO questions; Jibril says there are no negotiations, Arafat should be tried by revolutionary tribunal on account of political and morale deviations during last 18 years.

Arab Governments: Iraq reportedly closes Baghdad office and expels members of Abu Nidal group; Syria rejects Weinberger's charges on truck bombing of Marine base, says it will strike blow for blow if there is retaliation.

US and Other Countries: Soviet FM Grormyko says PLO would be stronger if it were unified and worked closely with national patriotic forces of the Arab world, above all with Syria; 13 Iranian revolutionary guards killed in Israeli and French air raids buried in Tehran.

Military Action:

6 separate attacks against IDF include tank damaged by mine near Kafr Shima, explosion on road south of Damour near IDF patrol, APC hit by explosion at Kabar Shamoun, small arms fire at IDF trucks in Beirut, bomb near troop buses, small arms fire at IDF patrols near Zaharani river.

Casualties:

IDF reports 1 soldier killed, 3 injured in attacks, Lebanese National Resistance Front says 20 IDF killed or wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel makes no official response to Hussein's decision regarding negotiations, reportedly considers Reagan plan dead; new WZO settlement department plan calls for 57 new settlements in next 4 years, bringing total to 165, with Jewish population of West Bank 100,000 by 1986 and Jewish-Arab population parity at 1.3 million in 30 years; spokesman for Israeli Embassy in US says West Bank land is being sold in the US not by government but by private group associated with Kedumim settlement; 10,000 dunums from Surif village near Hebron declared state land under military order 59; High Court legalizes 1976 imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) in occupied territories; Cabinet nominates Meir Rosenne, ambassador to France, to replace Arens as ambassador to US.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO officials deny Jordanian statement that Hussein and Arafat had reached agreement on a course of political action; Issam Sartawi assassinated at Socialist International congress in Portugal, Abu Nidal group claims responsibility.

Arab Governments: Jordan says Hussein and Arafat had reached agreement in principle and detail, PLO now proposes different course, so Jordan will not enter peace talks on basis of Reagan plan, will not act separately or in lieu of any party, and will leave it to PLO and Palestinian people to choose the ways and means for the salvation of themselves and their land.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says radical elements in PLO introduced changes in peace proposals that are an impediment, and are unacceptable to King Fahd, King Hussein and to US; Reagan telephones Kings Fahd, Hussein, and Hassan II of Morocco.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Former President Carter meets Begin in Jerusalem; 8500 Israeli health service doctors go on strike over wage claim; Defense Ministry negotiating with Kiryat Arba to accept Kach settlers evicted from El Nakam; several IDF injured by stones near Hebron; woman injured by stones thrown at bus near Bethlehem; IDF arrests 4 youths at Kalandia camp, carloads of settlers enter camp at night, shoot into air, demand that residents hand over stone throwers; Khadr village near Bethlehem under indefinite night curfew, no reason given; curfew imposed on Aida camp near Bethlehem.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Chairman Arafat meets President Amin Gemayel in New Delhi, assures him PLO forces will be withdrawn to facilitate Israeli withdrawal; Lebanese-Israeli-US negotiators meet at Khalde, report progress on question of normalizing relations; spokesman for Abu Nidal organization in Damascus says it was responsible for attempted assassination of Israeli Ambassador Argov, demands release of three men sentenced in London.

Arab Governments: At Non-Aligned summit in New Delhi, President Gemayel meets Presidents Mubarak and Assad, and King Hussein.