The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Foreign Ministry releases 27-page white paper on PLO activity which is to be basis for worldwide "information campaign" aimed at discrediting PLO as participant in M.E. peace process. Paper states PLO planned or carried out 380 attacks since 11 February Hussein-Arafat agreement was concluded, killing 19 and injuring over 100 [LAT, LT 10/19]. P.M. Shimon Peres states Israel will accept Jordan's proposal for an international conference provided Israel is not required to sit down with nations which do not have diplomatic relations with it [LAT, BG 10/19]. Palestinian political prisoners inJnayd prison end hunger strike begun 10/8 [FJ 11/1].

Other Countries: U.S. Deputy Asst. Sec. of State John C. Whitehead travels to Italy and Egypt in attempt to smooth relations following Achille Lauro affair [WP 10/19]. Senate Republican leaders warn Sec. of State Shultz admin. will face opposition in proposed arms sale to Jordan; White House will at best have to accept conditions on sale to avoid embarrassing defeat [WP, CT 10/19]. Sen. Edward Kennedy announces 43 Democrats and 28 Republicans, three-quarters of the Senate, have agreed to cosponsor measure prohibiting the sale [BG 10/19]. Jewish Press reports U.S. Sec. of Def. Weinberger attempted to talk Pres. Reagan out of the plan to intercept Egyptian plane carrying 4 hijackers [JWP 10/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli tour guide is stabbed by 3 unidentified men while showing 3 Danish tourists around ruins near Nablus. Area is curfewed: no arrests are reported [NYT 10/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres, in Washington, announces Israel is prepared to extend "the hand of peace" to Jordan [NYT, WP 10/18]. Peres begins high-level talks with U.S. officials to convince them the PLO must be kept out of the peace process, Jordanians and "moderate" Palestinians should be drawn in instead [MG 10/18]. Four Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are jailed for up to 7 years for allegedly planning agrenade attack on the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv last year [NYT 10/18]. Israeli officials announce Israel will partly restore ties with Poland, broken off 18 years ago, by opening diplomatic interest section in Warsaw. Poland will do the same in Tel Aviv [CT, LT 10/18]. Al-Bayader al-Siyassi is banned from distribution for 2 weeks following publication of an interview with Yasir Arafat [FJ 10/25]. "Arab Culture in Israel Week" begins in various cities under auspices of Min. of Education [JP 10/17].

Other Countries: U.S. Justice Dept. issues arrest warrants and announces $250,000 reward for information leading to arrest of 3 men charged with murder and piracy in June hijacking of TWA Flight 847 [NYT, WP 10/18]. Italian prosecutors say they lean toward the theory that the hijackers' original target was in fact the Achille Lauro [NYT, WP 10/18]. Aide to Italian P.M. Bettino Craxi says U.S. has still failed to prove Abu 'Abbas masterminded the hijacking, says transcript of radio conversation is unsufficient proof and the U.S. claim is "completely ridiculous at times" [WP 10/18].

Military Action

Arab World: Four suicide bombers attack and demolish fundamentalist Christian Voice of Hope radio station in S. Lebanon, killing 2 workers there and themselves. The Lebanese Communist party takes responsibility for the attack [WP, NYT, LT 10/18].