The Palestine Chronology

PLO Executive Committee (PLOEC) meets in Ramallah to discuss resumption of the 4/27+n29 PLO Central Council (PCC) mtg., which will continue discussion on possible declaration of a Palestinian state. (al-Ra'i 6/2 in WNC 6/3; al-Quds 6/4 in WNC 6/11)

In Paris, King Abdallah of Jordan holds talks on the peace process, debt forgiveness with Pres. Jacques Chirac. (AFP, RJ 6/2 in WNC 6/3)

In talks with Syrian pres. Asad in Damascus, Crown Prince Abdallah of Saudi Arabia offers to mediate btwn. Asad, Arafat if it would help coordinate a unified Arab stand on the peace process. (al-Nahar 6/2 in WNC 6/3; MM 6/3, 6/4)

IDF suspends export licenses of the Israeli company Orlil based on reports that Orlil stole U.S. night-vision equipment purchased for the IDF, sold it to "Far Eastern" countries. (Globes [Internet] 6/2 in WNC 6/3)

Palestinian delegation presents counter proposal in response to 4/27 Israeli suggestion that municipal elections be resumed in o.t. calling for elections for a Palestinian legislative assembly. Delegation also demands abolition of military decrees No. 2 (which granted IDF power to issue laws in o.t.), No. 92 (concerning Israel's control over water in o.t.), and No. 291 (which prohibited registration of land in W. Bank). Delegation also demands Palestinians be given access to public records such as land and population records. Israeli delegation proposes plan which would allow Palestinians to run o.t. hospitals. (NYT, MM 4/30; al-Nahar 4/30 in FBIS 5/1; Qol Yisra'el 4/30 in FBIS 4/30)

Israeli ambassador to U.S. presents compromise proposal to Secy. of State Baker dealing with Israeli objections to participation of diaspora Palestinians in multilateral talks on refugees, economic development [see 4/28]. Under the Israeli proposal, diaspora Palestinians who have residency in other Arab countries would be allowed to participate as members of the delegations from those countries and not as members of the Palestinian delegation. (WP 4/30)

U.S. announces it will give $80 million to Jewish Agency for absorption of immigrants in Israel, nearly double the size of a similar grant extended last year. (MM 5/1)

Classes resume at Bir Zeit University for first time since IDF closed it in January 1988 [see 4/20]. (MM 4/29)

King Fahd pledges to pay costs, estimated at $70 million, of repairing al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock in E. Jerusalem after receiving reports from UNESCO concerning state of the shrines [team of Egyptian architects recently recommended spending $10 million to repair Islamic monuments in o.t. See 4/26]. Announcement comes in midst of continued poor relations between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the latter of which has traditionally assumed responsibility for the shrines' maintenance. (Saudi Press Agency 4/29 in FBIS 4/30; MM 4/30; NYT 5/14)

Nazareth court sentences 4 Palestinian citizens of Israel to life imprisonment for 2/15/92 attack on IDF camp which killed 3 soldiers [see 2/26, 3/3, 3/6]. (NYT 4/30)

Undercover units kill 2 Palestinians in Janin area, one in Yamun and second in 'Arraba. IDF claimed both had threatened troops with guns. (MM 4/30

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: 41 current and former officials of American Jewish organizations deliver letter to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir expressing "profound differences" with Shamir's views of Middle East peace process [NYT, WP 11/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: 4 Palestinians are deported to Jordan. Army issues orders for the destructionf 8 Khan Yunis houses [FJ 11/27].

At least 10 Palestinians are injured in clashes throughout the O.T. [FBIS 11/ 20].

Israeli security forces ban for 3 days for printing and distribution of E. Jerusalem's Al-Nahar newspaper. [FBIS 11/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Post reports two other Shin Bet members have implicated Shamir in scandal (FBIS 8/28). Al-Nahar reports $10 million is to be paid to Musa al-'Alami project near Jericho (Fl 8/28).

Arab World: Egyptian Pres. Mubarak arrives in Jordan for unannounced one-day working visit. King Hussein meets Soviet First Deputy Foreign Minister and Soviet delegation in Amman (FBIS 9/2).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin threatens "scorched earth" policy in S. Lebanon if Shi'ite military actions continue [JP 3/27]. In Jerusalem, Arab Lawyers Union calls on members to create delays in W. Bank military courts by refusing to enter guilty pleas, refusing to accept prisoner testimonies until determining admissibility of confessions; aim is to protest recent heavy sentences imposed by IDF courts [FJ 3/29]. Jewish underground defendant Dan Be'eri indicatesettler leader Rabbi Moshe Levinger was present at meeting to discuss blowing up the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem [FJ 3/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF disperse student demonstrators at Hittin school, Jenin, with tear gas after students allegedly threw stones; 2 arrested [JP 3/27].

Arab World: SLA, IDF raid Jabaa, 'Ain Buswar; unreported number arrested. Bombs explode near IDF vehicles near Deir Qanun al-Nahr, Jwaiyeh; no casualties [JP 3/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jerusalem, The Foreign Press Assoc. protests 3/6 IDF treatment of 7 joumalists arrested near Tyre, S. Lebanon [NYT 3/7]. Led by Rabbi Moshe Levinger, more than 50 Gush Emunim settlers from Kiryat Arba march through downtown Hebron in celebration of Purim [FJ 3/15].

Other Countries: US Sec. of State Shultz testifies before Senate subcommittee that Israel has not made enough progress toward solving economic problems to warrant $2.6 billion in new aid [NYT 3/9].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF soldier killed in clash with Lebanese Army, resistance fighters after IDF kill 2 resistance fighters, pursue other suspects across last-stage withdrawal line near Kawthariyat al-Siyad [NYT, WP 3/7]. Resistance fighters battle SLA near Shukin; 4 SLA fighters wounded, 1 resistance commando killed [JP 3/8]. IDF position near Deir Qanun al-Nahr, SLA post near Qa'qa'iya Bridge attacked; no casualties reported [NYT 3/9]. IDF raid Hallusiya; 8 arrested; 4 houses destroyed. IDF raid Teir Filsay; arrest 14 [WP 3/8]. IDF raid Kafr Danis, make undisclosed number of arrests [LT 3/8]. SLA, Shin Bet forces kill 16-yr. old Insaf Kourani, wound 3 other women in Yatar; IDF, SLA block evacuation of wounded by Irish UNIFIL troops [LT, WP 3/8]. UNIFIL also report SLA attempts to block entrance of UNIFIL into village [WP 3/8]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: France Pays Arabes publishes interview with dissident Palestinian leader Abu Nidal, previously thought to have died 10/20/84; reportedly now located in Beqaa Valley, he threatens to kill King Hussein [NYT 2/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb thrown at old central bus station, Hebron; several arrested; no injuries. Bus stoned in Halhoul; IDF close stores in vicinity [JP 2/22].

Arab World: IDF, SLA raid Teir Dibba, Deir Qanun al-Nahr, Yanuh, Zrariya, 'Arab Salim, Burj Rahhal, S. Lebanon; 3 killed, over 50 arrested; 12 homes demolished; 38 'Arab Salim residents deported from S. Lebanon [NYT, WP, PI, JP 2/22]. 2 Katyushas fired into Golan Heights; no casualties [PI 2/22].