The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities have arrested scores of West Bankers and 1 Gazan on charges of committing attacks that have wounded at least 8 Israelis; most of the suspects are said to belong to Fateh cells active in the Jerusalem and Ramallah areas, to have been responsible for series of bombings since last September [JP, JTA 3/24].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat repeats PLO offer to trade acceptance of UN resolutions 242 and 338, and therefore acceptance of Israel, in return for guarantees by the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council of the Palestinians' rights to selfdetermination [BG 3/25]. Morocco's King Hasan proposes a summit conference between a chosen Arab leader and P.M. Peres to hear Israel's views on the Fez peace plan [JP 3/25].

Other Countries: U.S. is reportedly pressuring Israel to sell arms to Iraq, including Israeli "drone" reconnaissance aircraft and Soviet weapons captured by Israel during past wars with Arab neighbors [DT 3/24].

Military Action

Arab World: Lebanese state radio reports Israeli forces shelled Nabatiyyah, killing 3 civilians and wounding 22 [NYT 3/25]. Jerusalem Post reports the SLA shelled Nabatiyyah in response to 12 katyusha rockets that landed in "security zone" in early morning [JP 3/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-Fajr reports 30 West Bank residents have been arrested over past weeks in connection with land fraud investigation [FJ 1/17].

Arab World: W. German Nazi-hunter Beate Klarsfeld arrives in W. Beirut, offers to substitute herself for 5 missing Lebanese Jews held hostage by Shi'ite Organization of the Oppressed of the Earth until SLA, Israel release Shi'ite prisoners from Khiam detention center in S. Lebanon [JP 1/19].

Other Countries: U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy leaves for London for meetings with King Hussein, later with P.M. Peres [LAT 1/18; NYT 1/19]. Spain formally recognizes Israel [NYT, PI 1/18; NYT 1/19]. Govt. statement issued in Madrid states PLO should be included in M.E. peace talks, Spain does not recognize "any measures directed toward the annexation of Arab territories occupied since 1967" [CT, LT 1/18]. U.S. vetos UN Security Council resolution offered by Lebanon 'strongly deploring" Israeli violence in S. Lebanon, asking again all Israeli troops leave the area; vote is 11-1, with 3 abstentions [LAT, NYT 1/18; JTA 1/21].