The Palestine Chronology

PM Rabin, speaking to United Kibbutz Movement leaders in Jerusalem, says "if we need to evacuate settlements [on the Golan Heights] for the sake of peace, I was in favor of that and I will be in favor of it," adding, "for me, peace is a more important value for the future of Israel's security than one group of settlements or another." Rabin argues 'whoever says 'peace with the whole Golan' says 'no' to peace." Committee of Golan Settlements criticizes Rabin's remarks, leader Eli Malka calling speech "a terrorist attack." (MM 4/21; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/22)

Current round of Israel-PLO talks in Cairo ends. (WP 4/22)

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli FM Peres meet in Bucharest, Romania. Arafat tells Crans Montana Forum conference on Middle East economic prospects Palestinians "need a Marshall Plan." (MM 4/21; NYT, WT 4/22)

11 Fateh activists, fugitives fr. Gaza Strip, return fr. exile, some fr. Libya. (WP 4/22)

4 Palestinians wounded in clashes with IDF during demonstrations in Gaza Strip. (WP 4/22)

IDF soldier reported missing 4/20, found dead in abandoned car in garbage dump in Hizmeh, nr. Jerusalem. (WP, WT 4/22)

Israeli-Arab community starts general strike to protest NIS 450 m. budget deficit of the 56 Arab local councils. (JP 4/23)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF reports $3 million in stolen army property returned by citizens during November "month of grace" [JTA 12/7]. 5 members of Gaza "Islamic military group" sentenced from 9 to 13 yrs. for membership, arms and currency violations [JP 12/7]. Defense Ministry announces plan to double police force in occupied territories [JP 12/7]. Umm al-Fahm attorney Hussein Abu Hussein arrested on political charges based on "secret testimony"; supporters cite his activity in Abna' al-Balad movement and defense of W. Bank prisoners as true reason [FJ 12/14]. IDF officer in charge of W. Bank judiciary sends letter to W. Bank prosecutor general stating W. Bank civil courts cannot try Israeli identity card holders in criminal or traffic cases [FJ 1/11].

Military Action

Arab World: Black September claims responsibility for 12/4 assassination of Jordanian diplomat 'Azmi al-Mufti in Bucharest [JP 12/7].