The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers chanted racist slogans at Palestinians traveling near the entrance of Nabi Salih. Israeli settlers also threw stones at a Palestinian vehicle in the Masafer Yatta area, causing damage to the car. Israeli forces seized 1 tractor in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces also blocked an agricultural road near Qusra with dirt mounds. Elsewhere, Israeli forces dismantled and seized 2 residential structures in al-Ouja, displacing 12. Israeli forces also raided Bayt Liqya, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; 3 were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 32 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 at a checkpoint near Burqa and 30 during late-night raids in Abu Dis, Tuqu‘, Madama, Tell, Kafr al-Labad, Kafr Abbush, Illar, Ya‘bad, Fahma, and Tayba. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by MK Itamar Ben-Gvir toured Sheikh Jarrah. 1 Palestinian minor was arrested in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/23; PCHR, WAFA 3/24; UNOCHA 4/10)

Haaretz reported that declassified material from the Shin Bet revealed that Israel funded and ran the Khaim prison together with the South Lebanon Army in the southern part of Lebanon. The documents revealed that from 1985 to 2000, prisoners in the Khaim prison were tortured and held in indefinite detention without a trial. (HA 3/23)

The Middle East Studies Association passed a resolution endorsing the BDS movement. 768 members voted in favor of the resolution while 167 voted against. (HA 3/23; WAFA 3/24; WAFA 3/25)

U.S. special envoy Ross arrives in Jerusalem for talks with PA, Israel aimed at easing tensions, resuming security contacts that would pave way for visit by Secy. of State Albright, resumption of negotiations. (NYT 8/9; Radio France Internationale 8/9 in WNC 8/12; NYT, WT 8/10; JP 8/16)

Arafat calls emergency session of the PC to discuss conditions in the territories since the 7/30 bombings. (NYT, WT 8/10)

Nearly 2 wks. after the 7/30 bombings, Israel is still unable to identify the bombers. While some Israeli news reports claim that unnamed government officials have determined that the bombers were Palestinians fr. Nablus or Surif, other unnamed Israeli, PA officials claim that several indicators (the labels on the bombers clothing had been cut off, their finger prints are not on file, their bombs left no chemical residue, they carried Jordanian dinars) suggest that the bombers came fr. abroad, perhaps fr. Lebanon. Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz says that Israel is propagating these rumors to justify its recent intensification of attacks on Lebanon. (RL 8/9, al-Hayat al-Jadida 8/10 in WNC 8/12; WP 8/11, WT 8/18)

Israel eases the "inner closure" to allow Palestinian movement btwn. Janin, Qalqilya, Tulkarm. Bethlehem, H1 in Hebron, Ramallah are still sealed. Palestinians are permitted to cross the border into Jordan, but the overall ban on Palestinians entering Israel remains in effect. (WT 8/10, 8/13)

PA police uncover a cache of weapons, explosives in Qalqilya, arrest several Palestinians. (NYT 8/10; YA 8/10 in WNC 8/12; NYT 8/11; LAW 8/20)

Israeli Air Force (IAF) stages 2 attacks targeting Hizballah, PFLP-GC training camps in the Biqa` Valley, killing 1 Hizballah mbr. and 1 PFLP-GC mbr., wounding 4 Hizballah mbrs. 1 SLA mbr. is wounded in a separate clash with Hizballah. (RL 8/9 in WNC 8/12; NYT, WT 8/10; MM 8/11)

Egyptian parliamentarians denounce Israel for hostility toward Egypt, "reaping benefits of peace" while refusing to sign NPT, move forward on Palestinian self-rule, or withdraw fr. Golan. Israeli Pres. Weizman telephones Pres. Mubarak to discuss worsening relations, fears that conflict with Egypt could derail peace talks. (MENA 1/16 in FBIS 1/17; MM 1/17; WJW, WP 1/19; WJW 1/26)

Israel gives Egypt most favored nation (MNF) trading status retroactive to 1/1/95. (MENA 1/16 in FBIS 1/17) (see 1/3)

Arafat, Jordanian FM al-Kabariti meet in Morocco. Meanwhile, Jordanian PM Shakir meets with Nablus Chamber of Commerce delegation in Amman to discuss cooperation btwn. Jordan, PA. (RJ 1/16 in FBIS 1/19; MEI 1/20)

Israeli FMin. says it will begin canvassing embassies to see how many will be willing to move to Jerusalem after final status negotiations so FMin. can begin rezoning areas for construction. (MM 1/16)

PM Rabin authorizes confiscation of Palestinian lands for construction of 4 roads in West Bank (2 nr. Ramallah, 1 nr. Tulkarm, 1 nr. Hebron) so settlers can bypass Arab towns. (MM 1/16; QY 1/16 in FBIS 1/17) (see 1/15)

Israeli Housing M Ben-Eliezer circulates draft of report he will submit to cabinet 1/22. Report plans 77% increase in construction activity for 1995 as compared to 1994, mostly in Jerusalem area. (ITV 1/16 in FBIS 1/17; MM 1/20)

DFLP head Nayif Hawatmah applies to Israeli FMin. (via Russian FMin.) for permission to move to Gaza with several supporters. Israeli FMin. says it has passed application on to security officials for review. (MM 1/16; QY, VOL 1/16 in FBIS 1/17; Al-Sharq Al-Awsat 1/17 in FBIS 1/19; MEI 1/20)

Israeli police raid East Jerusalem offices of al-Quds newspaper; confiscate papers, equipment; say they suspect office of being Hamas base. (QY 1/16 in FBIS 1/17)

Lebanese army shells IDF, SLA positions for 1st time in 2 yrs. in response to Israeli attack 1/15. (HA 1/17 in FBIS 1/17)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Pres. Asad in Cairo. (MM 3/29)

Hamas gunman shoots Border Policeman dead in Tulkarm. (NYT 3/28; AFP 3/29 in FBIS 3/29; MM 3/29)

Israel/SLA shell villages north of "security zone," killing 1. SLA lose 1 in clashes/roadside bombing near Jezzin. (AFP, VOS 3/27 in FBIS 3/30)

Hamas activists disrupt meeting in Tulkarm called to discuss peace and featuring Faisal Husseini. Militants throw rocks, bottles at Husseini and members of the audience. Fight ensues between supporters of Hamas, PLO afterwards. Hamas had earlier called for a strike in Tulkarm to stop Husseini, who decided to speak anyway. (MM 1/2)

SLA imposes curfew on Rashaf, S. Lebanon, following accusations that villagers participated in 12/29 attack which killed SLA soldier. UNIFIL later demands that SLA end the siege. Both SLA, UNIFIL maintain presence in village. (MM 1/14)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: CSM reports that by mid-August 91 alleged collaborators had been killed by fellow Palestinians since the intifada began [CSM 8/21].

Arab World: Palestine National Fund (PNF) offices in Amman are reopened [FBIS 8/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 3 Palestinians are killed, 6 wounded in clashes throughout O.T. General strike in W. Bank. IDF soldier in Tulkarm injured by a rock. Molotov cocktail hurled at a patrol in Jabaliyyah camp, no injuries. Police use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse stone-throwing youths in E. Jerusalem. Curfew imposed on al-Ram and Dahiyat al-Barid, north of Jerusalem, following clashes between youths and IDF [FBIS 8/22].

Arab World: UNIFIL places forces on alert because of heavy Israeli and SLA military activity in S. Lebanon [FBIS 8/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 9 Palestinians are injured during clashes in Gaza Strip. In Tulkarm camp 4 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations [FJ 8/7].

Arab World: In Sidon 2 Fateh officials are wounded by unknown gunmen. SLA kills 3 Palestinian guerrillas 3 km north of Israeli border [MET 8/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Arafat meets with King Hasan II of Morocco [MET 8/8]. Arafat states that Jamil Tarifi's meetings with Shamir have approval of Palestinian leadership [FBIS 7/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tulkarm Israeli soldiers shoot, kill 21-year-old Palestinian [NYT 7/28, FJ 7/31]. In Gaza 79-year-old Palestinian is hit and killed by Israeli vehicle [FJ 7/31]. In Khan Yunis Palestinian accused of collaboration is killed [NYT 7/28]. At least 15 Palestinians are injured in the Gaza Strip [FJ 7/31].

Arab World: SLA ambushes, kills 5 Palestinian guerrillas east of Sidon [FBIS 7/31, MET 8/8]. SLA expells 23 Lebanese policemen from south Lebanon's Israeliimposed "security zone" for refusing to cooperate with SLA, IDF [MET 8/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor party leader Shimon Peres states that Israel must give up Gaza as part of peace process [FBIS 6/1]. Soviet F. M. Shevardnadze calls Israel's plan for elections in O.T. "interesting" [FBIS 5/30]. D. M. Rabin states that standard of living in O.T. has dropped 40% due to uprising [FBIS 6/1]. Palestinian workers in W. Bank settlement, Ariel, must wear badges identifying them as foreign workers [NYT, FBIS 6/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tulkarm soldiers open fire, wound 4 Palestinians. In Nusayrat troops seriously wound Palestinian [FBIS 5/31]. Arab World: SLA troops open fire, kill guerrilla in south Lebanon; SLA soldier is injured [FBIS 5/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel lifts curfew on part of Gaza Strip, refuses to allow Gazans to reporto work inside green line. Palestinians report that Israeli authorities have ordered them to stop exporting citrus from Gaza. Tel Aviv mayor Shlomo Lahat says that the city will no longer employ Palestinians for street cleaning, garbage collecting, sanitation work: "I don't want to discriminate and make them take only this kind of job, which has been the case up until now" [NYT 5/19]. Israel bans Druze leader from Galilee from entering O.T. for 1 year [FBIS 5/18].

Arab World: Jordan's king Hussein calls Israel's election proposal an attempt to "waste time" [LAT 5/19]. PLO calls on UN to take "practical measures to protect the residents of the West Bank and Gaza" [FBIS 5/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In E. Jerusalem 20-year-old Palestinian from Duhayshah dies from wounds received 2 weeks earlier. In Jamma'in troops open fire, kill Palestinian [FBIS 5/18]. IDF troops shoot, kill Palestinian youth from Nusayrat camp [FBIS 5/19]. At least 3 Palestinians are shot, injured in Tulkarm camp [FBIS 5/18].

Arab World: Soldiers of the Israeli-backed South Lebanese Army (SLA) wound 2 Irish UNIFIL troops in the Israeli-imposed "security zone" [FBIS 5/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: More than 80 leading Palestinians from O.T. issue statement rejecting Shamir's call for elections in territories, calling on Israel to negotiate with PLO, attend international peace conference [NYT, LAT 4/27]. General strike is observed throughout O.T. [FJ 5/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tulkarm camp troops shoot, kill 8-year-old Palestinian; 7 Palestinians are wounded at funeral. In Sabra troops open fire, kill 16-year-old Palestinian, wound 9 during demonstration. Troops shoot, kill 14-year-old Palestinian in Beach camp. In al-Shaja'iyah 14 Palestinians are wounded during protests [FBIS 4/27, FJ 5/1]. At Ansar 3 guards open fire with rubber bullets, tear gas and wound 5 during protest [FBIS 4/27].

Arab World: According to Beirut radio, IDF, SLA kill 8 Arabs in al-Qawzah [FBIS 4/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza 8 refugee camps, Gaza City, Bayt Hanun are placed under curfew [WP 3/23].

Arab World: PLO rejects U.S. appeal to curb violence in O.T. [WP 3/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tulkarm camp Israeli soldiers shoot, kill 11-year-old Palestinian. In W. Bank doctors treat 4 Palestinians wounded by Israeli troops. In the Gaza Strip 28 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations [WP 3/23].

Arab World: Lebanese fighters attack SLA position in S. Lebanon; 2 attackers are killed, 1 SLA soldier is seriously injured [FBIS 3/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew isi mposed in Tulkarm camp [FJ 1/30].

Arab World: In Shibaa in S. Lebanon villagers protest Israeli "civil administration" and "recruitment" techniques of SLA [CSM 2/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Hablah Israeli troops dressed as civilians ambush Palestinians killing 1, wounding another [NYT 1/ 25]. In Bethlehem 43-year-old Palestinian dies after exposure to tear gas. In Jabalya 2 Palestinians are shot during demonstrations. In Khan Yunis troops shoot 4 Palestinians [FJ 1/30].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli security authorities seal 1 house and 3 rooms belonging to 4 residents of Tulkarm accused of throwing fire bombs at Israeli vehicles [JP 3/7].

Arab World: Israeli journalist Uri Avneri is expelled from Jordan to Egypt after reportedly holding contacts with Jordanian and PLO officials in Amman; Avneri retums to Israel, states he met with senior Jordanian and Palestinian personalities, including at least 1 cabinet minister and PNC members, denies he was expelled. (Avneri's trip was approved by P.M. Peres, Foreign Minister Shamir, and Defense Minister Rabin) [JP 3/7; WP 3/8]. Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shar' concludes 2 days of apparently unproductive talks in England with senior British officials; he states in press conference that Israel is main obstacle to peace in the M.E., that Syria allows Abu Nidal group to maintain political press office in Damascus but it "has nothing to do with violence" [WP, MG, LT 3/6].

Military Action

Arab World: SLA soldier is killed by roadside bomb; Israelis kill 2 Arab guerrillas in S. Lebanon "security zone"; Lebanese security sources say Israeli troops kill 1 farmer, injure another in raid outside "security zone" [MG 3/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The Guardian reports 3 Israelis and 6 Palestinians have been detained in connection with land fraud investigation [MG 8/24]. Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin warns Amal that Israel will not allow it to carry out attacks across the northern border [MG 8/25]. The Washington Post reports Knesset Internal Affairs Committee voted 7-4 to block construction of the Mormon Center on Mount of Olives [WP 8/24]. A new memorial, called the Center for Special Studies in the Memory of the Fallen of Israel's Intelligence Community, opens in Tel Aviv [NYT 8/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Andre Alush, 40, is shot and killed by lone gunman in Tulkarm. Curfew is imposed [WP 8/25]. Avi Oved, of Tiberias, is shot three times in the marketplace of Jenin. His condition is serious. Curfew is immediately imposed [WP 8/25]. Katyusha rocket fired from Lebanon falls in northern Israel, causing no casualties [WP 8/25].

Arab World: IDF carry out large-scale search operations in 3 south Lebanese villages: Qabrikha, Majd al-Salim, and Shaqra. Search follows firing of a katyusha into the Galilee earlier in the week. Several arrests are made and a variety of weapons seized [MG 8/25]. The Arab Socialist Ba'th party claims suicide bomber killed or wounded 60 at a SLA checkpoint; Israel's army radio says one Lebanese Christian soldier was killed and 2 others wounded [MG 8/25].