The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Galilee youths released after arrest (2/29/84) for hoisting Palestinian flag on anniversary of Sabra & Shatila massacres; in court, defendents describe torture used on them; suit filed against interrogators. MK Sarid submits letter of protest over MK Sharon's violation of Knesset "code of ethics" by accepting money for US lecture tour. [Sharon appealed for dispensation on grounds he is suing Time magazine for reporting his connection with Sabra & Shatila massacres.] PM Shamir denies charges by Sharon that his gov't. is bowing to US pressure to impede settlement drive. MKs Zakin (Mapam) and Aloni (CRM) urge PM Shamir to declare "TNT" a terrorist organization. [1948 Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance would then allow security agencies to fight Jewish terrorism.] After 3 years, Bani Zad village resumes relation with "civil administration" upon promise of IS10 million grant for civic improvements. 8 Palestinians arraigned in military court for murder of Kiryat Arba squatter Aharon Gross (7/7/83); 5 plead not guilty, 1 claims self-defense. 7 West Bank squatters and 2 from Green Line, all of US origin and followers of Meir Kahane, arrested for bombing attempt on al-Aqsa Mosque and shooting attack on Arab bus (3/4/84); news blackout on investigations imposed.

Arab World: Gemayel abrogates US-sponsored May 17 agreement with Israel. Israel protests Egypt's permitting Palestinian conference in Cairo later this month; complains conference will provide opportunity for "anti-Israeli propaganda."

Other Countries: European Community Commission Pres. Thorn says Egypt urging Europeans to press US to deal with PLO.

Military Action:

Arab World: Israelis bomb alleged PLO positions in 2 raids on Aley, Lebanon.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 homes in Marj al-Dudeh near Yatta demolished without warning by Israeli military bulldozers, claiming buildings were not licensed; residents expelled. Nablus military court issues prison sentences of 2.5 to 4.4 years to 5 youths from Bidya villages believed to have thrown Molotov cocktails at Israeli and collaborators' cars. MK Shulamit Aloni discloses secret military document recommending Israeli withdrawal of IDF from Lebanon. Settlers from Ofra go on window-smashing rampage, damaging 10 cars belonging to Palestinians. 2 IDF grenade bombs discovered in Hebron synagogue by Arab workers doing repairs there; investigation directed to Israeli vigilante group, "TNT."

Other Countries: Int'l. Commission of Jurists (Geneva) accuses Israeli authorities of arresting Palestinian students without charge to prevent them from taking important exams. 

Military Action:

Phalange and Druze militia exchange artillery and rocket fire during night and morning in Shweifat, Baabda, Aley and Bhamdoun; lDF sets up checkpoints on Beirut-Damascus highway to divert traffic from areas of fighting.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Chief of Staff Eitan tells Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that 117 IDF were killed in western Lebanon, 8 in Beirut, that Begin denied Eitan's request during war for 2 more hours to cross Beirut-Damascus highway and destroy Syrian T-72 tank group, that critics such as Yossi Sarid and Shulamit Aloni harmed the war effort by talking about number of Palestinian homeless and refugees; Shamir and Kimche meet for 2'h4 hours with Habib and Draper; Sharon arrives in Zaire; 1DF spokeswoman confirms 10 Israeli Druze soldiers were jailed for defying orders in South Lebanon; Knesset votes 46-44 not to censure Kiryat Arba Council for destroying 4 of Hebron municipality's electricity pylons; Elias Freij and Rashad Shawa say they are willing to be members of a Palestinian-Jordanian delegation in peace talks with Israel.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: After 3 days of meetings in Damascus, PLO Executive Committee does not give Arafat support for alliance with Jordan; Lebanese Government insists end to state of war must be linked to complete Israeli withdrawal; Foreign Minister Elie Salem says another month or 2 of intensive discussion necessary to clear differences with Israel, he is confident Syrian and Palestinian forces will leave when Israelis leave, Lebanon is prepared to guarantee it will never again be base of operations against Israel, calls for multinational force and UNIFIL to double in size; Prime Minister Wazzan asks Justice Minister Roger Shikhani to investigate missing persons and to speed up interrogation of hundreds of detainees.

US and Other Countries: State Department says that Carter and Ford rightly focus on settlements as obstacle, but they are not the major obstacle to peace, and refuse to call settlements illegal; Weinberger and French Defense Minister Charles Hernu hold talks in Washington, Hernu says France will increase its contingent in Lebanon and take on more responsibility after the withdrawal of Syrian, Israeli and Palestinian forces, providing US and Italy do the same.

UN: Security Council votes to extend mandate of 5,800 UNIFIL troops for another 6 months; Israeli Ambassador Yehuda Blum says UNIFL has outlived its usefulness; US delegate says UNIFIL is a positive element in the negotiations.