The Palestine Chronology

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Bayt Hanun, Jenin; shells residential areas of Rafah; blows up a Palestinian home, 1 unit in an apartment building in Hebron. An IDF military court sentences 4 Hamas mbrs. each to 29 life terms plus 20 yrs. for involvement in planning the 3/27/02 Netanya bombing. Jewish settlers fr. Hebron run over, kill an 11-yr.-old Palestinian, chase 2 Palestinian school girls; attempt to reestablish a settlement outpost on the road to the Tomb of the Patriarchs/al-Ibrahimi Mosque, but are evacuated by the IDF, which declares the area a closed military zone. Other Jewish settlers fire on 3 Palestinian cars in Bayt Hanun. (HA 4/15; PR 4/16; LAW, PCHR 4/17)

U.S. Special Forces in Baghdad capture Palestine Liberation Front leader Muhammad Abbas (Abu Abbas). Abbas reportedly had tried to flee to Syria twice but was denied entry; Syria reportedly passed information to the U.S. about his whereabouts. Abbas was convicted in absentia in 1986 by an Italian court for masterminding the 10/85 Achille Lauro hijacking, in which an American was killed. Italy wants to extradite Abbas to serve his life sentence, but the U.S. is debating whether to try him itself. (NYT, WP, WT 4/16; MM, NYT, WP 4/17; PR 4/23; MEI 5/2)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek visits nearby Shu'fat refugee camp and offers financial assistance to persuade residents to move to another location; residents vehemently oppose idea [FJ 6/13].

Other Countries: King Hussein announces foreign ministers of Syria and Iraq will meet 6/13 [WP 6/11]. Italian prosecutors release report on Achille Lauro hijacking, say Muhammad 'Abbas planned it [NYT 6/10]. Israeli Palestinian Knesset member Muhammad Mi'ari meets in Tunis with PLO Chairman Arafat [MG 6/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ariel Sharon accuses P.M. Shimon Peres of "withholding information about important diplomatic talks from the govemment" [BG 10/18]. Knesset votes 39-22 to limit partially MK Muhammad Mi'ari's parliamentary immunity following speech he made in E. Jerusalem in which he expressed solidarity with Fahd Qawasmeh and Yasir Arafat [JP 11/7]. Nazareth district court finds Golan Heights Druze man Rafik Kalani, 20, guilty of giving information on Israeli army strength to Syria; Kalani allegedly confessed to the charges UP 10/16]. Galilee Palestinians demonstrate outside P.M. Shimon Peres' office while members of the Regional Committee of Arab Local Council Heads meet with Interior Ministry officials over $8 million in budget deficits plaguing the Arab councils inside the green line; Umm al-Fahm town has not been able to pay municipal employees for 5 months [FJ 11/18].

Arab World: King Hussein states there is "no truth at all" to PLO claims that last minute changes had been introduced toa statement Britain said 2 PLO delegates had agreed to sign; Hussein acknowledges that PLO rep. Muhammad Milham "was not aware, apparently, ofthe details" in the statement, negotiated by Jordan on behalf of the PLO, until it was shown to him in London [WP 10/16]. About 1,000 Sudanese demonstrators march on the U.S. embassy in Khartoum, buming the U.S. flag, after speech there by Yasir Arafat [NYT 10/16].

Other Countries: Pres. Reagan states he will "never" apologize to Pres. Mubarak for the interception of the Egyptian plane [NYT, WP 10/16]. British cabinet ministers have categorically denied the U.S. exerted any pressure to have the joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation meeting cancelled [CSM 10/16]. Italian Defense Ministry spokesman states U.S. evidence allegedly implicating Muhammad 'Abbas in the Achille Lauro affair arrived in Italy 30 minutes after 'Abbas had already been allowed to leave and it originally came from Israeli intelligence sources [WP 10/16]. Italy announces arrest and charging of 2 additional Palestinians for alleged involvement in the Achille Lauro hijacking [CT 10/16]. U.S. federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. begins hearings on Achille Lauro hijacking [LAT 10/17]. Friends and family of Leon Klinghoffer announce formation of memorial fund in his name to "fight international terrorism" [LAT 10/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb thrown at Israeli bus causes no injuries [JP 10/16].

Arab World: 2 Palestinians killed in clash with Israeli troops in security zone; no Israeli casualties reported [JP 10/16]. 2 Arabs on flight from Iraq are arrested in Rome airport carrying suitcase bombs; they carry false Moroccan passports [CT 10/16].