The Palestine Chronology

In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak meets with Yasir Arafat [MENA 5/20 in FBIS 5/ 21].

Egyptian gov't. reports that in effort to ease regional tension, Israel has told Egypt it will not launch military first strike against any Arab nation. Israel declines to confirm the statement [NYT 5/ 20].

In S. Lebanon, Israeli troops open fire at UNIFIL troops, injure Finnish soldier [IHD 5/19 in FBIS 5/21].

Amal offers to return remains of 2 Israeli soldiers in exchange for release of 300-400 prisoners held by SLA in S.Lebanon at Khiyam prison [NYT 5/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D. M. Rabin says IDF efforts to control intifada have been unsuccessful, but that intifada accounts for "only 4 percent" of Israel's defense budget [NYT 12/5].

Arab World: Jordan's P.M. Zeid bin Shaker resigns and is replaced by Mudar Badran, who has held the office twice before. King Husayn asks Badran "to work with the PLO" and support the intifada [NYT, WP 12/5].

Arab Tripartite Committee on Lebanon concludes 2-day Riyadh meeting, issues communique calling on all parties involved to abide by Taif agreement [FBIS 12/5].

Other Countries: Arab nations at UN ask U.S. not to threaten UN with financial sanctions in future, and to allow PLO observer's seat to be placed near observer nations; in return Arabs will drop campaign to recognize Palestinian statehood [NYT, WP 12/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 2 Israeli army reserve units made up of W. Bank settlers are deployed in Jericho and Ma'radah in W. Bank [FBIS 12/5].

General strike is observed in O.T. [FBIS 12/7].

Arab World: SLA and Amal forces exchange artillery fire in S. Lebanon [NYT 12/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Beginning at 4 am, hundreds of Israeli soldiers and Shin Bet agents raid Palestinian homes in Nablus, arrest "scores" of youths. In Gaza, IDF troops shoot, wound at least 36 Palestinians. In both incidents, Israeli soldiers are reportedly dressed as Arabs, driving vehicles with O.T. license plates [NYT, WP 12/3; FBIS 12/7; JP 12/9; MET 12/12].

Members of Israeli group Yesh Gval demonstrate to show solidarity with Palestinian residents of Bayt Sahur, attempto distribute leaflets, but are restrained by IDF troops [FJ 12/18].

Arab World: 3 killed and 9 wounded in artillery exchange between SLA and Amal forces in S. Lebanon [WP 12/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A general strike is observed in the occupied territories. Several demonstrations areheld on 40-day anniversary of the death of Abu Jihad. Several refugee camps are placed under curfews [NYT 5/26, FJ 5/29].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers injure 58 Palestinians during clashes in jabalya. The military uproots 150 trees in the village of Bayt Iba [FJ 5/29].

Arab World: Israeli air power and artillery aid the South Lebanon Army's attack on a Hizballah stronghold in S. Lebanon. Israeli helicopter gunships attack Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon. Amal announces it will join Hizballah in the fight against the Israelis. Amal also claims to have shot down an Israeli helicopter over Lebanon [NYT 5/26]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Israeli P. M. Yitzhak Shamir meets with 7 pro-Jordanian W. Bank Palestinians; the Palestinians later meet with Shmuel Goren, Israeli coordinator for W. Bank, to discuss economic problems of the territory [FJ 10/11; MET 10/17]. Al-Fajr reports former Hebron Mayor Mustafa Natshah and Gaza attorney Fayiz Abu Rahmah have been denied permission to attend conferences abroad [FJ 10/4]. Abu Dis College of Science employees launch strike to protest ban on establishment of union [FJ 10/11]. Woman charged with attempting to stab Israeli border guard 10/2 is ordered back into custody [FJ 10/11]. Hebron University reopens after 2-week military-ordered closure [FJ 10/11]. Gaza taxi drivers file suit against city police department for excessive ticketing near Eretz crossing [FJ 10/11]. Palestinian youth wounded by IDF bullet dies in hospital [FJ 10/11]. Davar reports Irael and Nigeria have agreed to restore low-level diplomatic relations severed in 1973 [CSM 10/5].

Arab World: PLO accuses Amal of shelling Shatila refugee camp in attempt to undermine Sidon cease-fire agreement [FBIS 10/6].

Military Action

Arab World: SLA patrol attacks UNIFIL position, killing 1 Nepalese soldier [MET 10/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Rabin defends Israel's involvement in Iran arm shipments, states Israel participated with U.S. encouragement and approval [WP 2/16].

Arab World: Representatives of PLO and Jordan meet in Amman to discuss reactivating joint committee for W. Bank and Gaza development [WP 2/16]. Kidnappers release advisor to Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil after 4days as hostage [BG 2/16].

Other Countries: Washington Post reports Jonathan Pollard supplied U.S. reconnaissance data on PLO headquarters in Tunisia, assessments of operations planned by the PLO, and related information to Israel [WP 2/15]. Jerusalem Post cites reports that Israel has doubled forces in Lebanon to nearly 3,000 in effort to support SLA [JP 2/15].

Military Action

Arab World: Police report at least 8 injured, 1 killed in heavy fighting near Beirut's Burj al-Barajinah and Shatila refugee camps. In W. Beirut, 4 are killed, 9 wounded in clash between Amal and Lebanese Communist party [BG 2/16]. Amal allows 30 families to leave Burj al-Barajinah; UN still unable to bring supplies into camp. Amal also allows some refugees to leave Tyre's Rashidiyyah camp and return with food and medicine [WP 2/16].

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].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF reserve soldier found dead (strangled) in Westem Negev [FJ 6/14].

Arab World: SLA seizes 25 Finnish UNIFIL soldiers in southern Lebanese "security zone" in retaliation for UNIFIL seizure of 11 SLA men and their deliverance to Amal custody [NYT 6/8]. UN says 11 deserted the SLA [WP 6/10]. Kuwait daily al-Qabas reports attempted coup d'etat in Jordan last month while King Hussein was in U.S. (Jordanian officials deny the story.) Al-Qabas names Hasan 'Ubaydat, secretary general of Jordanian Ba'th party, who entered Jordan from Syria, as leader of the coup attempt. 'Ubaydat is reportedly arrested and an arms cache uncovered [JWP].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF release 37 of more than 1,100 Lebanese and Palestinians transferred 4/2 from Ansar prison camp [BG 4/19]. Convicted Jewish underground defendants Uri Maier, Dan Be'eri, Yossi Edri sentenced to terms ranging from 25 mos. to 3 yrs. [JP 4/19]. High Court orders Defense Ministry to explain absence of appeals court system in occupied territories [FJ 4/26].

Arab World: In Baghdad, joint PLO-Fateh leadership meeting rejects proposals of US State Dept. official Murphy which call for public PLO recognition of Israel's right to exist, UN Sec. Council Resolutions 242, 338 [FT 4/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF soldier shot, wounded in Gaza; assailant killed by 2nd soldier [JP 4/19].

Arab World: Action in Lebanon: Lebanese Forces, SLA bombard Mieh Mieh, 'Ain al-Hilweh; 8 killed [BG 4/19]. Amal militiamen surround Burj al-Barajneh, Sabra, Shatila camps, search residents entering and leaving [WP 4/19].