The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: New campus at Bir Zeit U. reopened (closed 3/8 after IDF raid) [NYT 5/9]. Knesset no-confidence motion based upon allegations that Min. Ezer Weizman leaked secret information to US sources during Carter administration fails [JP 5/9]. Gush Emunim settlers erect tent settlement of Hadar Beitar near Palestinian village of Hussan [JP 5/10]. Palestinian students at Haifa U. protest 3/6 disciplinary action against colleagues [JP 5/90].

Arab World: Chmn. Arafat states he and King Hussein agreed on composition of joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation [BG 5/9]. In Tunis, PLO spokesman Ahmad 'Abd al-Rahman, PLO Pol. Dept. Head Faruq al-Qaddumi, Fateh Second-in-Command Salah Khalaf (Abu lyad) indicate only PLO Central Committee members may participate in joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation's talks with US officials [NYT, CSM 5/9]. 5 leaders of Palestine National Salvation Front, incl. Sec. Gen. Ahmad Yamani (Abu Mahir), meet with Lebanese PM Rashid Karami, Nabih Berri concerning bringing 13 Palestinian camps in Lebanon under PNSF control; are informed Palestinians cannot use S. Lebanon for rocket attacks against Israel [NYT, LT 5/9].

Military Action

Arab World: Off Lebanese coast near Tyre IDF gunboat sinks rubber dinghy carrying 5 Palestinian fighters [PI, NYT 5/9]. RPG wounds IDF soldier in Kantara, S. Lebanon [JP 5/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nat'l. Religious Party leader Burg agrees to join unity gov't. under Peres, but opposes freeze on settlements.

Arab World: From Tunis, Fateh Central Com. calls urgently for Arab summit meeting. Lebanese PM Karami meets Soviet envoy to discuss USSR's peace conference proposal.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Municipal bulldozers demolish home inhabited since 1931 by Salman Arab in al-Salib near Jerusalem; authorities claim he doesn't own the house.

Arab World: 3 IDF soldiers wounded by remote-control bomb at roadside near Ansariya, S. Lebanon.

Military Action:

Lebanese Army takes over more positions vacated by PLO near luxury hotels and in Fakhani district; Murabitun turns over more weaponry to Lebanese Army.

Casualties:

Eight missing IDF soldiers still unaccounted for; 23 IDF soldiers injured when bus caught fire south of Tyre; traffic police return to West Beirut as well as other municipal services as heavy traffic flows into area; Fuad Chehab Bridge reopens.

Political Responses:

israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel drops request to resume autonomy talks because of difficulties posed by Reagan proposals; Sharon tells Lebanese Israel wants peace treaty or security belt; Shamir urges military links with new Lebanese government in talk to EEC, rejects UN role on border; Begin popularity higher than ever in Jerusalem Post poll (Sharon's popularity begins decline); Sharon holds Syrians responsible for eight captured IDF soldiers; Sharon warns IDF forces will advance unless LNM militia with-draws from outskirts of Beirut; West Bank university staff being forced to sign formal renunciation of PLO as condition for employment.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat leaves Tunis for Morocco talks; Foreign Minister Butros fears failure of Fez summit may further weaken Arab resolve, unity of action; after meeting at Salam's house Lebanese "Muslim Conference" issues list of principles and demands as basis for negotiating with Gemayel-list rejects incorporation of militias into Lebanese Army, calls on Gemayel to guarantee rights, preserve "Arab" character of Lebanon (head of Murabitun and former Prime Minister Karami refuse to attend, demand that Gemayel presidency be boycotted).

Arab Governments: Arab League talks start in Morocco; Egypt sharply criticizes Israel's settlement plans.

US and Other Countries: Soviet Union criticizes Reagan plan; IDF soldier who refused to serve in Lebanon has been named "prisoner of conscience" by Amnesty International; Hungary protests IDF occupation of its Beirut embassy.