The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers toured an archeological site in Sabastia before touring parts of the city was closed off by Israeli forces. Israeli forces delivered expulsion orders to 15 Palestinian families living in the Kaabneh community between Bir Nabala and Bayt Hanina. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work notice for a house and a water well and demolition notices against agricultural structures in Masafer Yatta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered demolition orders against 14 residential and agricultural structures in ‘Ain al-Hilweh. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Balata refugee camp,’Illar, Tulkarm, Dheisheh refugee camp, and Yatta. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/13; MEMO, MEMO 9/14; PCHR 9/15; UNOCHA 9/30)

The Israeli interior ministry denied a request by the town of Eilabun to rename 3 streets in the city “Mahmoud Darwish,” “Hashivah [The Return],” and “Gamal Abdel Nasser.” The ministry said it needed more time to examine the name changes. (HA 9/13; MEMO 9/14)

China donated $1 million to UNRWA for educational programs in the West Bank. (WAFA 9/13)

Barak narrowly wins a no-confidence vote (47-42, with 3 abstentions) in the Knesset, which was called after heated public debate over Education M Yossi Sarid's decision to include 5 poems by Palestinian nationalist poet Mahmud Darwish in school curricula. (MM 3/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14; AYM 3/14 in WNC 3/15; NYT 3/15; MENL, WJW 3/16; MEI 3/24)

In apparent response to the Arab League's 3/12 statement), Israel steps up bombing campaigns against Amal, Fatah-Uprising, Hizballah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), Lebanese army targets in s. Lebanon and nr. the Lebanese-Syrian border, killing 1 Lebanese soldier, 1 civilian, wounding several others. The attacks on Fatah-Uprising and PFLP-GC are the first since 1986. (MM 3/13, 3/14; MENA 3/14 in WNC 3/15; MM, NYT 3/15)

Prince Hassan of Jordan says that he will not be able to make a previously arranged trip to Israel to day to receive an honorary doctorate. (DUS 3/14 in WNC 3/15)

PA Social Affairs M Intisar al-Wazir resigns to protest cuts to her budget for stipends to families of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or jailed in Israel, the PA's failure to fund pay raises for civil servants. Arafat refuses her resignation, appoints a panel to investigate ways of meeting these budget needs. (MENL 3/21; MEI 3/24; PR [Internet] 3/29; MENL 4/3)

As a goodwill gesture before Id, Arafat orders the PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) to release 18 Hamas activists being held as administrative detainees. (al-Quds 3/13 in WNC 3/16)

Syrian PM Miru presents his new government. FM Faruq al-Shara`, DM Mustafa Tlas, Interior M Muhammad Harba, Finance M Muhammad Khalid al-Mahaini, Economics M Muhammad Imadi, 8 other Ms retain their posts; 22 new mbrs. are all technocrats. (MM, WT 3/15; MM 3/20; MEI 3/24)

Lebanese Shi`i leader Mustafa al-Dirani, jailed in Israel since being abducted fr. Lebanon by the IDF in 5/94, files a $1.5-m. law suit against the Israeli government, alleging that he was raped and tortured during interrogations. (WP 3/14; WT 3/15; IRNA 3/15 in WNC 3/16; WJW 3/16)

Syrian FM Shara` meets with Egyptian FM Musa, Lebanese FM Buwayz, Saudi FM Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal on the sidelines of the UN mtgs. (RL, SARR 10/4 in FBIS 10/5)

On the sidelines of the UN mtgs., Arab FMs agree to support Libya's nomination for the rotating position UN Security Council. (MENA 10/5 in FBIS 10/6)

9 PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs (Mahmud Darwish, `Abdallah Hurani, Shafiq al-Hut, Muhammad Isma'il, Taysir Khalid, Iliya Khuri, `Abd al-Rahim Malluh, Sulayman al-Najjab, Faruq al-Qaddumi) release joint statement rejecting Oslo II accord. 2 others, Samir Ghawshah, Jamal al-Surani endorse the statement. Only 9 Exec. Comm. mbrs approved the agmt. (see 9/26) (SANA 10/4 in FBIS 10/5)

Visiting Palestinians detained in camp on Egypt's border, Libyan leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi calls on Arab leaders to "send home" all Palestinians in protest over the Oslo II agmt. Islamists, nationalist Palestinians jointly condemn the call. (NYT, WP, WT 10/5) (see 9/27)

Al-Watan publisher Imad al-Faluji signs PA pledge to respect the press and publication law, allowing publication of his pro-Hamas paper to resume. (Al-Nahar 10/5 in FBIS 10/6) (see 8/6)

In Gaza, Israeli policeman is wounded by shots fired at a joint Israeli-PA patrol. Group calling itself the Islamic Salvation Front takes responsibility. (ITV 10/4 in FBIS 10/5)

IDF extends closure on West Bank, Gaza to 10/8. (QY 10/4 in FBIS 10/5) (see 9/30)

Syria rejects latest U.S. proposal for breaking deadlock in Syrian-Israeli negotiations; says U.S. position adopts Israeli security arrangements, is designed to put Israel at ease. (WP 5/21; 5/26) (see 5/15)

In midnight trial, PA military court sentences 3 alleged Hamas mbrs. to 6 mo. each for incitement, carrying unlicensed weapons. (QY 5/20 in FBIS 5/22; AI Index 6/95)

PM Rabin bars poet, frmr. PLO official Mahmud Darwish fr. entering Israel, self-rule areas. (AFP 5/20 in FBIS 5/22)

PLO Exec. Comm. meeting in Tunis. PFLP threatens walkout of 7 comm. mbrs.- 3 independents, reps. of PFLP, DFLP (Hawatmah), PLF, and ALF - if Chmn. Arafat blocks discussion of financial, political crises. PFLP rep. 'Abd al-Rahman Malluh, independent Bishop Ilyas Khuri, and Shafiq al-Hut do not attend. Mahmud Darwish, who had resigned, says he will attend to show resignation fr. Exec. Comm. "does not mean resignation fr. the PLO." DFLP (Hawatmah) rep. Taysir Khalid says he will demand resignation of all PLO leaders responsible for negotiations with Israel. (MM 8/26, 8/27)

PLO Information head Yasir 'Abd-Rabbuh passes message fr. Chmn. Arafat to French govt. on provisional PLO-Israel accord. 'Abd-Rabbuh later tells RFI "we think that now there is a possibility of an historic breakthrough btwn. us and the Israelis." (MM 8/27)

Al-Sharq al-Awsat quotes delegation spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi as saying delegation cut to 7 negotiators, 1 asst. due to PLO financial straits. (MM 8/26)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Darwish resigns, citing PLO financial, political crisis, PLO stance in negotiations. (MENA 8/20 in FBIS 8/20; MM 8/20; WP, WT 8/21)

Israeli PM Rabin says 8/19 Hizballah attacks did not violate cease-fire ending "Operation Accountability." Rabin's stance on Lebanon, talks with Syria severely criticized by former PM Yitzhak Shamir, other Likud leaders. (Qol Yisra'el 8/20 in FBIS 8/20; MM 8/20)

Military Action:

Explosion in Beirut Shiite suburb of Shiyah kills 6, wounds 20, traps others in flames and debris, cause of blast unknown; US Marines enjoy Thanksgiving meal in Beirut, despite anonynmous bomb threat phone call; Israeli Border Police company which lost 35 members in Tyre building collapse to return to normal duties in Tyre; IDF completes program to improve security of IDF vehicles on Lebanese highways.

Casualties:

Palestinian refugees in South Lebanon spurn Israeli-made prefab houses.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Haaretz and Jerusalem Post quote source close to Begin that he may call new elections if Commission of Inquiry faults him for negligence of duty; Commission spokesman clarifies that warnings are not interim findings but represent only "worst case" scenario, notes others may subsequently receive similar warnings; Habib presents new proposals to Begin on starting Lebanon-Israel peace talks; Jerusalem Post poll shows marked increase in Israeli opposition to Reagan plan; Israel and US sign agreement on exchanging lessons of Lebanon war; 16 Bethlehem organizations not receiving Jordanian subsidies join notables in signing statement rejecting US initiative and its "Jordanian" interpretation, seen as response to pro-Jordanian West Bank leaders' document urging PLO recognition of Israel and praising "positive elements" of Reagan proposals; Deputy Agriculture Minister lays cornerstone of Nofim, first Samaria settlement to be developed entirely by a private company.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat opens meeting of 66-member PLO Central Council seeking united stand on Reagan plan, adopts new membership roll for PNC expanding representation from occupied territories; PLO official denounces US refusal to allow Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish to enter US for UNICEF poetry festival in New York; Lebanese officials say proposals given Begin ask IDF and Syrian forces to withdraw nine miles from Beirut-Damascus highway as first phase, Israelis would then move back to 25- 31 miles from Israeli border as Syrians withdraw into Bekaa from central mountain areas; Lebanese government announces team to negotiate with Israelis to be headed by Gen. Hamdan, including UN Ambassador Ghassan Tueni and Gemayel aide Antoine Fattal; Lebanese government plans to draft men into army for first time.

Arab Governments: Egyptian President Mubarak, at joint press conference with French President Mitterrand, urges PLO to recognize Israel without waiting for simultaneous Israeli recognition of PLO, says move would assist Reagan peace plan, allow PLO to dialog with US; Mitterrand says Israel should state mutual recognition of PLO.

US and Other Countries: US State Department denies Tuesday talks with West Bank Palestinian mayors is beginning of indirect talks with PLO; Italian Socialists reaffirm reciprocal, simultaneous recognition between Israel and PLO necessary for recognizing PLO.