The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: 36 members of the House of Reps. send letter to Sec. of State Baker saying they have "specific questions" about the sale of U.S. M- 1 tanks to Saudi Arabia [WP 10/22; Oct. MEPARC].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army declares Bethlehem and Bayt Sahur closed military zones; IDF distributes leaflet in Bayt Sahur waming residents they will "go hungry" when media interest wanes [FBIS 10/23]. Khan Yunis school is closed indefinitely; 12-year-old Palestinian shot by IDF gunfire [FBIS 10/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor members of Israel's inner cabinet propose to accept Egypt's offer to hold direct talks with Palestinians in Cairo. Likud defeats proposal [FBIS 10/6; NYT, WP 10/7; LAT 10/8].

Other Countries: General Assembly votes on an Arab proposal condemning Israel for human rights violations in the O.T.; 140 in favor, 2 (U.S., Israel) against [NYT 10/7; LAT 10/8]. 39 members of the U.S. House of Reps. send letter to Baker urging him to reject visa for Arafat [Oct. MEPARC].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army prevents multi-national European investigative group from entering Bayt Sahur [FBIS 10/10]; places Bayt Sahur under curfew. Army closes 18 Nablus schools, imposes curfews on 7 W. Bank refugee camps, declares Nablus, Bethlehem, Ramallah closed military zones. IDF forceshoot, kill Palestinian in clash in Battir village [FBIS 10/11].