The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hosting 8 Palestinian mayors, Ezer Weizman promises reforms & increased financial aid. 1984 West Bank olive harvest reported 50% below last year. Educ. Min. bans use of book Central Issues in Recent History of the State of the Nation by Amnon Haver for its reference to "Palestinian nation."

Other Countries: George Habash (PFLP) & Nayef Hawatmeh (DFLP) meet with Soviet officials in Moscow to discuss PLO reunification. US Senate Foreign Relations Com. publishes pessimistic report on Israeli economy, stating without current US aid (12% of GNP), balance of payment problem "unmanageable," and increased US aid will not "significantly ameliorate" these problems posing serious security threat to Israel. At Israel Bonds dinner in Los Angeles, American-Jewish oilman Armand Hammer announces project to search for oil in Israel. In New York libel trial, Sharon claims COS Eitan ordered Phalangists into Sabra & Shatila camps (9/82).

Military Action

Arab World: Pentagon orders US carrier Eisenhower totake position within range of Lebanon for possible "retaliatory strikes" there.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Due to pressure from civilian sector, IDF cuts reservist service to 50 days per year. Elaborating on new Yahad Party platform, Ezer Weizman says "it's not our job to chuck the Syrians out of Lebanon" before Israel withdraws. Political prisoner Mike Mansour, denied his medication in prison, suffers heart attack; prison authorities deny him prescribed drugs. Advocate Felicia Langer demands military authorities investigate murder of Bilal Najjar (found 3/23/84) and that military advisor disclose to family the cause of death.

Arab World: King Hussein tells US Congressmen visiting Amman there can be no peace with Israel until it pulls out of Arab lands, and this condition is not negotiable. Syrian DM Tlas warns Syria will hit Israeli settlements if Israel attacks camps in Syria.