The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Tuba and brought their cattle to graze on wheat and barley crops in Qawawis in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed 4 Palestinians, including a minor, and injured 23 others during a raid in Jenin refugee camp. A video of the incident showed Israeli soldiers in civilian clothes shooting a Palestinian man laying still on the ground in his head. The killings were described in the media as assassinations. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians while others suffered tear-gas related injuries during a late-night raid in Nablus in preparation for a settler tour of Joseph’s Tomb. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued 1 demolition notice for a commercial structure and 2 stop-work orders for agricultural structures in Deir Balut and demolished 1 house under construction in Deir ‘Ammar. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Jala, Jenin, Nil’in, and Beit Ula. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 children. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/16; GDN, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 3/17; MDW, UNOCHA 3/19; PCHR 3/23; UNOCHA 3/31)

A delegation of Hamas officials, led by the head of Hamas’ International Relations Office Musa Abu Marzouq, held meetings with Russians officials in Moscow, including with Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. (MEMO 3/18)

The UAE donated $3 million in aid to Palestinians in Huwwara affected by the Israeli settler raid on 2/26. (ALM, HA, NAT, TOI 3/16)

A Gallup poll for the first time registered more sympathy for Palestinians than Israelis among U.S. Democrats. The poll also showed that millennials have more sympathy toward Palestinians than toward Israelis. (Gallup 3/16; MDW, MEE, WAFA 3/17)

Arafat's cabinet threatens to suspend negotiations with Israel if settlement activity continues in the West Bank. (WT 12/31, MEI 1/6) (see 12/30)

Jewish Agency reports that 75,221 new immigrants have come to Israel since beginning of yr.--66,000 fr. frmr. Soviet Union. Expect numbers to reach 78,000 when final count is done. (JP 12/31)

1,000 Palestinians in West Bank plus 10,000 led by Arafat in Gaza march to celebrate Fateh's 30th anniversary. (WP 1/1)

U.S. announces that both Jordanian and Palestinian delegates will each be able to deliver a 45-minute opening speech at peace conference. Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria will also talk for 45 minutes. Israel protests to Washington that this violates conditions for Israeli attendance by treating the Palestinians as a separate delegation. (NYT 10/29)

London-based Mideast Mirror publishes list of Syrian delegates (MEM 10/28)

Demonstrators for, against peace conference clash at anti-conference rally in Amman. (MEM 10/29)

West Bank gunmen open fire on a bus carrying Israeli settlers from Shilo to an anti-peace conference rally in Tel Aviv, killing two and injuring five, bringing total number of Israelis killed since beginning of intifada to 74. (NYT, WP 10/29)

German authorities state police in Hamburg discovered 14 Soviet T-72 tanks aboard an Israeli ship destined for Israel. The tanks, formerly belonging to the E. German army and subsequently handed over to the German secret service BND, were to be delivered to Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, which sought to learn more about the tanks' design. (NYT, WP 10/29)

Israeli, South Lebanon Army forces launch artillery barrages directed at area surrounding Nabatiyya, S. Lebanon. Attacks continue into early morning hours of 10/29. (MEM 10/30)

Prime Min. Shamir indicates he will head Israeli delegation to the peace conference, not FM David Levy. Invitations sent to the parties by the U.S., USSR had called for talks at the "ministerial level," a diplomatic phrase usually interpreted to mean participation by officials holding rank of foreign minister or below. (NYT 10/24)

Arab foreign ministers representing Syria, Egypt, Jordan, along with representative of Lebanon's foreign ministry and head of PLO political department meet in Damascus to discuss strategies for peace conference. They were later joined by foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, representing the Gulf states, and Morocco, representing North African states (except Libya). (MEM 10/23)

Strike called for 10/22 by three groups in o.t. partially observed in E. Jerusalem, elsewhere in West Bank, but not in Nablus, Jenin. Residents of Gaza city observe strike, but not those in the refugee camps. (MEM 10/25)

Members of the Jewish Ateret Cohanim seminary move into a house in the Muslim quarter of E. Jerusalem. Group claims the house was owned by Jews driven out by Palestinian rioting in 1929. Settlers occupying a building in Silwan seized 10/9 from Palestinian residents petition Israeli high court of justice to allow them to remain. Group also seeks permission to move into four other buildings from which they had been evicted by police. (MEM 10/24)

European Community official announces EC, Israel have reached agreement over long-standing dispute over status, place of residence of EC official who will be sent to monitor EC economic aid to Palestinians in the o.t. EC had sough to post the official in the territories; Israel objected, seeking to place the representativen Tel Aviv instead. The EC has set aside $100 million in aid for Palestinians in the o.t. (MEM 10/24)

Human rights organization Middle East Watch issues report on condition of 18,000-20,000 stateless Palestinians in Kuwait. The Palestinians, who were either born in Gaza during the British Mandate, during the period of Egyptian administration of Gaza (1948-67), or who are descendants of those born there, have lived in Kuwait for decades but do not hold citizenship in any country. They do not carry Israeli Gaza identity cards but merely hold Egyptian travel documents, and are thus unable to legally live anywhere. According to the report, Kuwait intends to expel these persons to Iraq 11/15. (MEM 20/24)

U.S. military begins to transfer responsibility to the UN for major Kurdish relief effort as separate violent incidents involving allies, Iraqi troops, and Kurdish demonstrators occur [MEM 5/13; WP, NYT, LAT 5/14].

Meeting in Cairo, Soviet F.M. Bessmertnykh tells Sec. Baker that Moscow would be reluctant to support larger UN security role to protect Kurdish refugees [WP, NYT, LAT, MEM 5/14; MENA 5/13 in FBIS 5/13]. Bessmertnykh then flies to Saudi Arabia for meeting with King Fahd [SPA 5/13 in FBIS 5/14].

Washington Post reports on West Bank village of Artas, the villagers of which, while under curfew during the Gulf war, had most of their agricultural lands confiscated by Israeli authorities [WP 5/14].

Bush admin. has prepared arms control plan that would ban Israel from producing nuclear material for weapons and would require Arab nations in Middle East to give up chemical weapons, according to admin. officials [NYT 5/14].

Soviet F.M. Bessmertnykh begins trip to Middle East, arriving in Damascus and assuring Syrian leadership that Moscow remains "a strong supporter of the Arab cause." Bessmertnykh is also to visit Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, where he is expected to meet with Sec. Baker [MEM 5/8; WP, NYT 5/9; DDS 5/8 in FBIS 5/8, 5/9].

Pres. Mubarak announces decision to pull the nearly 40,000 Egyptian troops out of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait; media debates whether announcement signals the end of Damascus agreement made on 3/5 that provided for postwar security arrangements built around Syrian and Egyptian troops [MEM 5/9; MENA 5/8 in FBIS 5/8; WP 5/11].

Sec. Cheney visits Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Doha to discuss U.S.-Arab military agreements [WAKH 5/8 in FBIS 5/8].

Head of Israeli Civil Administration in West Bank grants 31 permits for establishment of businesses with policy of providing employment to hundreds of laborers [IGP 5/8 in FBIS 5/9].

U.S. and Britain tell Moscow that they find Soviet's 2/18 cease-fire proposal unacceptable because it lacks tight timetable for Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait and does not compel Iraq to accept all UN Sec. Council resolutions on the crisis [NYT 2/21; CSM 2/22]; Washington urges Moscow to stiffen cease-fire conditions on Iraq [WP 2/21].

After month of often bitter negotiation, U.S. releases $400 million loan guarantee to Israel for housing for Soviet Jewish immigrants (cf. 2/21) [IDF 2/20 in FBIS 2/21; NYT, WP, WT, MEM 2/21].

Israeli authorities begin allowing 400 Palestinians per day to cross bridges from Jordan back to West Bank; "security concerns" had prompted Israel to reduce number allowed to cross river from 1,000 per day to 50 per day; at least 30 Palestinians lose their residency permits because of delay in crossing [JTE 2/20 in FBIS 2/20; MET 3/5].

Israeli air force planes bomb alleged PFLP base in Al Izzah village, about 40 miles east of Beirut; 5 people are reported injured [IDF, BDS, AFP 2/20 in FBIS 2/20; NYT 2/21; JPI 3/2; MET 3/5]. 

More than 80 Iraqi planes have now sought refuge in Iran, according to U.S. officials [LAT, WT 1/29].

In television interview with CNN, Saddam Hussein says Iraq has won "the admiration of the world" for employing only conventional arms in war; Saddam warns that SCUD missiles can still be fitted with nonconventional warheads [BADS 1/28 in FBIS 1/29; LAT, WT 1/29].

Military officials say U.S. bombing raids at oil facilities in Kuwait have stopped oil spilling into Gulf, but not before 11 million barrels had entered the water [LAT, WT 1/29].

For 1st time in 20 years, no one protests outside Soviet embassy in Washington, demonstrating on behalf on Jews trying to emigrate from USSR; Kremlin's relaxed policies lead Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington to suspend daily 15-minute protests that began in December 1970 [LAT, WT 1/29].

Patriot missiles destroy incoming SCUD missiles aimed at Saudi Arabia; parts of SCUD land in Palestinian villages in West Bank; additional Patriot missile systems arrive in Saudi Arabia [SPA, IDF 1/28 in FBIS 1/29; LAT, WT 1/29].

Baghdad claims that some captured pilots have been injured in air raids by allied planes; in letter to UN leader Perez de Cuellar, Iraq says 345 civilians have been killed, 450 wounded, in air raids [LAT 1/29].

Prominent Israeli authors and peace activists Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua, Yoram Kaniuk, and Yael Dayan speak out in favor of war in Gulf, saying anti-war protests amount to appeasing Saddam Hussein [LAT 1/29].

One-day strike called in support of Iraq by Morocco's 3 major trade unions shuts down most economic activity [LAT 1/29].

UN Sec. Council rebuffs calls by several Arab nations for open debate on Gulf war; Council elects to continue informal consultations behind closed doors [LAT 1/29].

Bombs explode in Greece and Turkey, no one is injured in attacks that may be linked to U.S. role in war [LAT 1/29].

American Civil Liberties Union assails FBI assertion that Arab-American civic and business leaders will suffer no consequences if they refuse to be interviewed about potential terrorism [LAT 1/29]. 

After day of multinational force bombing successes against Iraq, Baghdad fires as many as 8 SCUD missiles at Israel, hitting Tel Aviv, Haifa, and less populated areas [NYT, LAT, WT, WP, MEM 1/18].

Saddam Hussein defies 2d day of bombing in Baghdad by touring Iraq's capital; vows to defeat multinational force and liberate Palestine; calls on all Arabs to help resist U.S. [NYT, LAT, WP, MEM 1/18].

Anti-U.S. demonstrations erupt in Algeria, smaller protests in European cities but European gov'ts. give full backing to war effort; Iran condemns U.S.-led invasion; Pres. Gorbachev blames Iraqi intransigence for war, but only after trying to get Pres. Bush to postpone attack long enough for Soviet diplomats to try to speak to Saddam Hussein; Japan pledges additional aid for allied effort [MEM 1/17; NYT 1/18].

Turkey's parliament authorizes U.S. fighters and bombers to launch attacks on Iraq from Incirlik Air Base near Adama on the Mediterranean [NYT, LAT, MEM 1/18].

New York Times reports of CIA's psychological warfare against Iraq: broadcasting anti-Saddam propaganda into Iraq, circulat- ing audio and video cassettes depicting Saddam's regime as corrupt, and smuggling radios into Iraq to receive American broadcasts [NYT 1/19].

Curfew in Gaza continues; Israel places West Bank under curfew [JDS, IDF 1/17 in FBIS 1/17].

PLO Executive Committee issues statement decrying U.S. for beginning Gulf war and calling for worldwide resistance [AVP, MAP, AFP 1/17 in FBIS 1/18; MEM 1/17; WP 1/18].

U.S. and Iraqi admins. air differences over when Bush-Aziz and Baker-Saddam meetings should take place; Iraq suggests Baker come to Baghdad on 1/12, but U.S. says it is too close to UN deadline of 1/15 for Iraqi troops to leave Kuwait [NYT, WP 12/11].

For 2d time, U.S. postpones Sec. Council vote on resolution endorsing Middle East peace conference; hopes to change text so that it can avoid using in Israel's defense veto that could weaken Arab support for U.S.-led coalition in Saudi Arabia [NYT, WP, MEM 12/11; CSM 12/12; JPI 12/22].

Sec. Baker asks F.M. Shevardnadze to commit token Soviet troop contingent to multinational force in Gulf; Shevardnadze says USSR cannot do so [WP 12/11].

Kuwaiti officials says Iraq owes them $64 billion for stolen property, unpaid debts, and damage caused by 8/2 invasion [IRNA 12/11 in FBIS 12/12].

Israeli army steps up 3-month-old policy of deploying hidden snipers along highways in the West Bank with authorization to shoot Palestinians seen throwing stones at Israeli cars. Snipers use live ammunition and are permitted to fire without warning if they be- lieve the stone throwers are endangering lives [HAM 12/11 in FBIS 12/11; MEM 12/12; NYT, WT, CSM 12/13; MET 12/25].

Israeli military prosecutors are ordered to demand harsher sentences for those Palestinians convicted of stonethrowing; D.M. Arens sets maximum sentence at 20 years in prison [JDS 12/11 in FBIS 12/11].

Labor MK Yossi Beilin presents initiative of dovish Mashov Circle group, calling for "negotiations between Israel and a Palestinian delegation with a primary purpose of bringing about Israel's evacuation from the Gaza Strip, to create in the Gaza Strip a Palestinian state. . . ." [MEM 12/11].

28 American Jewish community leaders, celebrities, and law professors send letter to Pres. Bush urging him to raise at his 12/11 meeting with P.M. Shamir the human rights cases of Palestinian journalists Radwan Abu Ayyash and Ziad Abu Zayyad, who were placed in administrative detention on 11/13. Letter urges they be either formally charged with a crime or else released. Copy of letter is sent to P.M. Shamir [MEM 12/11].

EC says it will give $6 million to help 8 hospitals in o.t. keep functioning during Gulf crisis [MEM 12/11].

Two-day tripartite meeting of foreign ministers of Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia begins in Cairo; this is 3d meeting since Gulf crisis began [MENA, RMC 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; MET 12/11].

Greater Beirut officially comes under control of Lebanese Army after Lebanese Forces militia vacate positions [MEM 12/3; NYT, WT, WP, CSM 12/4; BDS, BVL, RFL 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; MET 12/11].

Def. Sec. Cheney tells Senate Armed Services Committee that military action rather than economic sanctions is only sure way of forcing Iraq out of Kuwait [NYT, WT, WP, MEM 12/4; CSM 12/5].

Soviet television reports that 1,000 of the 3,000 Soviet citizens still held in Iraq will be allowed to return to USSR within next 3 weeks [NYT, WT, WP 12/4].

In separate statements before English-speaking or American audiences, Israeli D.M. Moshe Arens, Housing Min. Ariel Sharon, Deputy F.M. Benjamin Netanyahu, and several MKs offer sharp warnings that Iraq should not be left with its army and weapons intact after Gulf crisis [NYT 12/4; WP 12/6]; Sharon compares Sec. Baker's proposed Baghdad trip to Neville Chamberlain in World War II [JDS 12/3 in FBIS 12/4].

Israeli military court sentences to 30 years each of 12 Arabs apprehended in PLF's May 1990 attempted attack on Tel Aviv beach [IDF 12/3 in FBIS 12/5; LAT 12/4; MEM 12/4; MET 12/11].

Quoting B'Tselem data, HaAretz reports that Palestinians are prohibited from building on 68% of West Bank's 5.5 million dunums [HAA 12/3 in FBIS 12/5].

Israeli air force and navy confront "fishing vessel that appeared suspicious" off coast of Gaza; force it ashore and shoot dead 1 crew member who tries to flee; five others are detained [JDS 12/4 in FBIS 12/4; MEM 12/4].

At least 10 "anti-Israeli combatants" are killed in 2 incidents of fighting with IDF, SLA troops in S. Lebanon [IDF, AFP 12/3 in FBIS 12/4]. 

In Brussels for international economic meetings, Sec. of State Baker rejects Soviet envoy Yevgeny Primakov's suggestion that solution to Gulf crisis be linked to Palestine question [LAT 11/17].

Soviet envoy Alexander Belonogov meets in Cairo with Pres. Mubarak to discuss Gulf crisis; Belonogov then leaves for Saudi Arabia [MENA 11/16, CDS 11/17 in FBIS 11/20].

Ultra-Orthodox Agudat Israel party joins P.M. Shamir's ruling coalition; belated agreement increases Likud majority from 62 Knesset seats out of 120, to 66 seats [JDS 11/16 in FBIS 11/16; NYT, LAT 11/17; CSM, MEM 11/19; JPI 11/24; MET 11/27].

Arab and nonaligned nations introduce Sec. Council resolution calling for UN observer force in occupied territories (o.t.) and for conference of 164 signators of Fourth Geneva Convention [LAT 11/17; MEM 11/19].

Iran and Iraq announce agreement on series of steps to end major disputes lingering from 8-year war; Iranian F.M. Velayati says he detects willingness by Iraq to end crisis by withdrawing from Kuwait [NYT 11/17].

700 members of U.S. Council of Jewish Federations pass without dissent resolution backing Bush admin. policy in Gulf, but say they will fight U.S. plans to sell weapons to Saudia Arabia [NYT 11/17].

IDF bars Gaza Strip and West Bank residents from Jerusalem as preventive measure against anticipated protests following prayers on Haram al-Sharif [FJ 11/19].

Israeli Immigration Minister Yitzhak Peretz ignites political row by calling for curbs on Soviet immigration, saying 4 of 10 newcomers are not Jewish [MEM 11/1].

Speaking before Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sec. Baker tones down 9/4 suggestion of NATO-style security arrangement, which had touched off controversy, by saying "any such arrangement would have to fit regional realities. We have no particular model, such as NATO, in mind" [WP 9/6; FJ 9/10].

Britain agrees to contribute to U.S.-sponsored fund to aid Middle East countries hurt by the trade embargo against Iraq [LAT 9/6], while West German gov't decides not to supply funds for multinational force in Gulf, but will offer use of planes and ships to transport troops to the region [WP 9/5].

Iraqi F.M. Aziz meets with Pres. Gorbachev in Moscow over Gulf crisis amid signs Moscow is losing patience over Iraq's refusal to leave Kuwait [NYT, LAT, WT, WP 9/6; MET 9/18].

State Dep't reports U.S. citizen is shot and wounded trying to evade capture by Iraqi troops in Kuwait City [LAT, WT, WP 9/6; MET 9/18].

Bush admin. offers to mount international effort to provide economic aid to USSR in return for Moscow's pulling its military advisers out of Iraq and agreeing to join multinational force in Middle East [LAT 9/6].

Israeli and American sources report F.M. David Levy, visiting Washington for talks with Sec. Baker, asks Bush admin. to forgive Israel's $4.5 billion military debt and dramatically increase military aid [WT 9/6; JDS 9/6 in FBIS 9/6; JPI 9/15; MET 9/18]; Baker and Levy say U.S. and Israel will work to establish "credible" Arab-Israeli peace process to demonstrate alternative to Saddam Hussein [NYT 9/6].

King Hussein meets with British for. sec. Hurd in Amman [JTE 9/6 in FBIS 9/6], then flies to Baghdad to discuss Gulf crisis with Saddam [BADS 9/5 in FBIS 9/6; CSM 9/7].

Jerusalem Post reports 195,000 elementary school children begin year's studies in West Bank. Intermediate and high schools will open in stages over next 2 weeks [JPD 9/6 in FBIS 9/7]. 

Ethiopia has reportedly stopped issuing exit visas for Jews in attempt to compel Israel to send Ethiopian gov't. more weapons. Israeli advisors, weapons, and surveillance equipment are being used by gov't. against rebel guerrilla armies [WJW, WT 7/12; NYT 7/13, 7/14]; Washington Jewish Week says classified congressional memorandum confirms that Israel has supplied Ethiopia with cluster bombs, military trainers, etc. as part of deal [MEM 7/13; JDS 7/13 in FBIS 7/13].

Israeli Labor party's 150-member leadership bureau abandons its 7/5 position of not taking sides in party leadership struggle, backs Yitzhak Rabin over Shimon Peres on major issues; Labor's 1,400-member central committee will reach final decisions at 7/22 meeting [JDS 7/12 in FBIS 7/13; NYT, WP, WT 7/13].

West Bank settlers have set up "foreign office," called Foreign Relations Forum of the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, whose task is to explain to foreign and domestic gov't. and media personalities the "needs and rights" of settlers [JPD 7/12 in FBIS 7/12].

Chrmn. of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Colin Powell, arrives in Israel, meets with D.M. Moshe Arens [JDS 7/ 12 in FBIS 7/13].

In Moscow, Soviet-Arab dialogue continues as Soviet officials host delegation from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia [IZV 7/14]. 

In first interview with U.S. newspaper in nearly 6 years, Iraq's Saddam Hussein says another Mideast war is "inevitable" unless U.S. deters aggressive Israeli policies against Palestinians; that Iraq will stand up to any Israeli military aggression in the area [WSJ 6/28].

Joint Jewish Agency and gov't. coordinating committee on immigration and absorption approve annual budget of $2.3 million for absorbing 150,000 immigrants a year for next 3 years; plan includes construction of 45,000 new apartments [IGP 6/27 in FBIS 6/27].

Esmat Abdel Meguid, Egypt's F.M., meets in New York with UN Sec. Gen. Javier Perez de Cuellar to brief de Cuellar on Meguid's meetings with Pres. Bush, Sec. Baker [MENA 6/27 in FBIS 6/28].

UN envoy Jean-Claude Amie tours Gaza Strip and meets with Palestinian officials there who request UN protection [JDS 6/28 in FBIS 6/28].

West Bank Civil Admin. allows 2 colleges to reopen: al-Najah University in Nablus and Science University in Abu Dis; studies will resume in mid-July [JDS 6/27 in FBIS 6/28].

Soviet Pres. Mikhail Gorbachev sends letter to Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, stressing need for continued peaceful efforts and declaring suspension of U.S.- PLO dialogue as harmful to peace process [RMC 6/28 in FBIS 6/29].

Concluding 3-day visit to Israel, speakers of East and West German parliaments say they have received P.M. Shamir's unconditional approval of reunification of Germany. Shamir says he expects Germany to influence other EC members to adopt more understanding attitude toward Israel [JDS 6/28 in FBIS 6/28; WT 6/28].

Pres. of European Parliament, Enrique Baron Crespo, meets in Tunis with Arafat, according to WAFA [MEM 6/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Two pardoned Shin Bet legal advisers are to be transferred to other jobs within the agency, Attorney General Harish decides (JP 9/30). Jordanian government recognizes Israeli-appointed mayors of Hebron, Ramallah, and al-Birah, but Amman-based Zuhdi Sa'id, deputy director of PLO Department of Occupied Territories, denounces the appointments, and calls for elections in West Bank. In Damascus, PFLP leader Dr. George Habash issues "death sentence" for the three mayors (JP 9/30).

Other Countries: In interview at UN, Syrian F.M. Faruq Shar' says world should expect continuing terrorist attacks against American targets until U.S. stops backing Israel occupation of West Bank, Golan Heights, and S. Lebanon (WP 9/30). Also at UN, PLO political director Faruq al-Qaddumi meets Soviet F. M. Shevardnadze (Fl 10/3).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli govt. commission of inquiry appointed to investigate October 1983 collapse of banking shares, headed by Moshe Beijsky, a High Court judge, issues recommendations that call for resignation of governor of Israel's state bank and the top executives of the country's 4 leading commercial banking chains within 30 days [FT, NYT, WSJ 4/21]. P.M. Peres states Jordan is determined not to lose its stake in the Gaza Strip and that an autonomy plan for Gaza could be combined with plans for autonomy on the West Bank; Perestates Egypt has a "lack of political interest" in establishing an interim Israeli-Egyptian "condominium" in Gaza [JP 4/21].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat reportedly met with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in East Berlin on 4/18; sources also say Arafat met secretly with Gorbachev in Moscow last February [JP 4/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: King Hussein has frozen all West Bank funds in Jordanian banks and has suspended all aid to public institutions in the territories, according to a report in 'Al Hamishmar [JP 4/18]. Inspectors of income tax and VAT departments, assisted by a strong force of police, raid Palestinian villages of Kafr Qasim, Jaljuliyyah, and Kafr Bara to collect debts; they impound TV sets, furniture, and 2 motor vehicles [JP 4/21].

Arab World: Radio Monte Carlo broadcasts that Yasir Arafat has notified Jordan that Amman-based Fateh military officer Abu Za'im has been relieved of his duties and that Jordan should suspend all contact with him [JP 4/18].

Other Countries: A U.S. federal judge rules that PLO Permanent Observer to the UN Zuhdi Tarzi may travel from New York to Cambridge, Mass. for a debate with Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, despite State Department travel ban [PI 4/20]. UN Security Council votes to extend UNIFIL mandate in S. Lebanon an additional 3 months; Soviet Union concurs in vote for first time since UNIFIL's creation, states it will begin contributions to UNIFIL budget [NYT 4/19; WP 4/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Anatoly Shcharansky states his concern for human rights remains undiminished, extends to his adopted country, Israel; states he would like to compare Israeli prison life to Soviet prison life, learn Arabic, visit West Bank [WP 2/19].

Other Countries: European Court of justice upholds Britain's right to ban North Sea oil exports to Israel [WSJ, JC 2/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade is thrown at Israeli foot patrol in Gaza City, wounding 5 soldiers [JP 2/19].

Arab World: Israeli army moves large numbers of reinforcements into S. Lebanon, well beyond the "security zone," in search for 2 soldiers captured 2/17; tanks and helicopter gunships are employed [WP, LAT 2/19]. Iranian-linked Muslim faction warns it will kill 2 captured Israelis if army does not withdraw from S. Lebanon within 24 hours [NYT 2/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Meron Benvenisti publishes study update stating number of Israelis living in West Bank and East Jerusalem may be as high as 140,000, compared to 930,000 Palestinians in the same area [NYT 11/25; CSM, JTA 11/26].

Arab World: Central Committee of the Palestine National Council convenes in Baghdad [JP 11/25]. Jordanian Parliament selects 4 new deputies to fill vacancies left by deaths of members from West Bank, where elections have not been held since 1967 [JP 11/25].

Other Countries: Sec. of State Shultz states Soviet Union cannot be considered part of M.E. peace process until it restores diplomatic ties with Israel, improves policy on emigration of Soviet Jews [JTA 11/25]. California state legislator Tom Hayden promises P.M. Peres to help raise money in U. S. to train South African blacks in Histadrut programs in Israel; U.S. Democratic party will cooperate with Israeli Labor party in program [JP 11/25].

Military Action

Arab World: After hijackers throw 5 bodies out of hijacked plane in Malta, 80 Egyptian army commandos storm plane. Hijackers detonate grenades; about 60 people, including all but one hijacker, die in resulting blaze [NYT, WP 11/25; JTA, NYT, WP 11/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli govt. officials state Jordan has provisionally agreed to be involved in choosing and appointing Palestinian mayors for some of the largest towns in the West Bank, including Nablus, Hebron, Ramallah, and al-Bireh [LT 10/30]. Birzeit U. and Bethlehem U. students demonstrate against deportation orders issued 10/28. Another demonstration takes place outside Min. of Defense building in Tel Aviv; group of professors from Tel Aviv U. and Hebrew U. issue statement calling for cancellation of orders [JP 10/31]. Green Patrol evict 40 Bedouin families from Negev land, cutting down their tents [JP 10/31].

Arab World: PLO promises Jordan it will avoid repetition of incidents like Achille Lauro hijacking or "any act that would hurt the 11 February agreement" [NYT 10/31]. New York Times reports Pres. Amin Jumayyil of Lebanon is trying to open negotiations with Israel on S. Lebanon and has sent former For. Min. Elie Salem to Damascus for talks with Syrian For. Min. Faruq al-Shar' on the subject [NYT 10/31].

Other Countries: Israeli and U.S. officials state some Arab nations, including Jordan and Egypt, have recently urged the Soviet Union to restore diplomatic ties with Israel as a way to help promote peace talks [NYT 10/31]. Israel Radio reports Hungary has agreed to open diplomatic mission in Israel, will permit Israeli rep. to work from a foreign embassy in Budapest [JP 10/31].

SociaL/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Another 20 Palestinians are put under administrative detention [NYT, LT 9/4]. Military review board rejects appeals submitted by 3 West Bank Palestinians against deportation orders issued against them a week ago. They are expected to appeal to Israeli High Court [FT 9/4]. Shafiqa Abu Sitteh, 25, "accidentally" shot by Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip last week, dies from her wounds in Beersheba Hospital [FJ 9/6]. Israeli army spokesman reports Iraeli navy seized another yacht, the Gandha, off the coast of southern Lebanon on 8/31, arresting 2 Palestinians, a Greek, and a Briton who were aboard. Spokesman states Palestinians confessed to being members of Fateh and to planning attack against targets inside Israel. Def. Min. Yitzhak Rabin states Israeli navy will intercept vessels anywhere in the Mediterranean to prevent attacks on Israeli targets [LT, CT, MG, JP 9/3]. Israeli Chief of Staff Moshe Levy tours Golan Heights and declares 2-kilometer-wide strip along demarcation line a closed military zone. Army is reportedly building new fortifications and strengthening forces in the Golan [FJ 9/6]. Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports a Modi'in Ezrachi poll shows 60% of Israeli adult public favor amnesty for imprisoned members of Jewish underground; 34% oppose it UTA 9/3].

Other Countries: New York Times reports U.S. administrations discussing convening a meeting of Western European states to sponsor direct Arab-Israeli negotiations as alternative to the international conference which King Hussein and PLO insist on, which would include the Soviet Union [JP 9/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb explodes at bus stop at Gilo settlement, south of Jerusalem, wounding 6; 11 Palestinians are arrested [JP 9/3]. Abu Musa faction of Fateh reportedly claims responsibility [MG 9/3]. Unidentified people ambush settler's car in Gaza Strip; Israeli police say several bullets hit the car. Several Palestinians detained by police [Fl 9/6]. Stones thrown at Egged bus smash its windshield near Ramallah; 3 Palestinian youths detained and released [Fl 9/6].

Arab World: Gunmen seriously wound Hussayn al-Hayabi, 50, Palestinian guerrilla official loyal to Arafat, after storming his home in 'Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp. Hayabi is 7th Arafat loyalist attacked since July in 'Ain al-Hilweh, and only one to survive [BG,WP,MG 9/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Knesset passes, by vote of 60-0, law banning future election lists that advocate racism [FJ 8/9]. Clause proposed by Justice Minister Moshe Nissim bans election lists which reject the legitimacy of Israel as the "state of the Jewish people." Progressive List for Peace and the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Israeli Communist party) abstained in Knesset vote; PLP spokesman Kamil Dahir submits resignation in protest of abstention vote. Two Palestinians are found dead near car in West Bank village of Tubas, in what police say was apparently an accidental detonation of a car bomb [WP 7/31]. Palestinian sources speculate they may have been murdered [FJ 8/2]. U. S. Asst. Defense Sec. Richard Perle announces Israel agrees to participate in Strategic Defense Initiative research [BG 7/31]. Jane's Defence Weekly reports that Israel's clandestine arms sales to China have bolstered its international weapons trade to $1.2 billion annually [MJ 8/16].

Arab World: Jordanian and PLO officials say 2 Palestinians acceptable to Israel - Hanna Siniora and Fayez Abu Rahmeh - are intended only as "consultants" to joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation [WP 7/31]. Al-Fajr English newspaper reports sources in Tunis say PLO condemns new West Bank committee set up by local pro-Jordanian figures to lobby for joint Jordanian-Palestinian moves [FJ 8/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Albert Buchris, 32, from Afula, shot to death in Nablus market. Nablus and 2 nearby refugee camps put under curfew; residents are teargassed, house-to-house searches are conducted for the weapon used in the killing. Al-Najah University is closed [WP, LAT 7/31, JTA 8/1].

Arab World: Syria delivers 50 Soviet-made T-54 tanks to Amal in south Beirut [DT 7/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: All shops close in East Jerusalem in general strike to protest Israeli closure of the Hospice Hospital in Jerusalem's Old City [FJ 7/26]. P. M. Peres says Israel should not give up part of Golan Heights in deal with U.S.S.R. for emigration of Soviet Jews UP 7/25]. Kiryat Arba's new nine-member local council - pledged to firing its Arab employees, pressing private businesses to do likewise, and to preventing economic ventures with Arab investors - is formally installed; dozens of secular residents enter building to protest [JP 7/25]. Israeli civil administration governing the occupied territories announces high school matriculation exam results improved on West Bank this year; schools were closed less than in the past; 64 percent of West Bank students passed their exams this year, compared with 54 percent last year [JP 7/25].

Arab World: Jordanian diplomat Ziad Sati, 40, is assassinated in Turkey; Islamic Jihad takes credit [CSM 7/26, NYT 7/25].

Other Countries: Reagan administration presents Middle East arms transfer study to special closed session of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee as basis for request to sell new arms to Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Congressional supporters of Israel warn administration against pursuing the arms sale, saying it would provoke an "enormously divisive" debate [WP 7/24, 25, JTA 7/25, BG 7/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel frees 74 Lebanese Shi'a, 6 Lebanese Sunnis, and 20 Palestinians held at Atlit prison since April, when Israel transferred 1,200 detainees from its Ansar prison in south Lebanon to Israel. Three hundred are still in detention. Any prisoner now detained in south Lebanon by Israel is sent to new prison run by SLA at Khiyam village, in the security zone [NYT 7/24]. 

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: 5th American Jewish Kach settler arrested in connection with shooting of Arab bus passengers (3/4/84) and other "TNT" activities. 6 Israeli settlers tried in Jersualem for rioting and arson of Hebron market last year. Tel Aviv police unit leader Hafetz suspended for leaking information of "TNT" to press. Knesset defeats bill to declare "Hatikvah" Israel's national anthem, with its theme of a historic Jewish yearning for the "land of Israel." National Com. of Arab Town Councils urges adoption of national anthem that expresses the notion of two nations living in a single country. Returning from 3-day visit to Cairo int'l. trade fair, Israeli Industry & Trade Minister Patt reports no improvement in Israel-Egypt relations in sight; says 50% decrease in exports to Egypt since 1982 linked to poor political relations. US Marine commander Gen. Kelley begins 2-day official visit with IDF and DM Arens. At Jerusalem rally PM Shamir claims USSR refused renewed relations with Israel because of its hatred of the Jewish people. Members of Makuya sect of Japanese Christian zealots conduct pro-Israel march in Jerusalem.

Arab World: Beirut cease-fire called by leaders at reconciliation talks in Lausanne.

Other Countries: French Minister of Industry Fabius and Israeli Trade Minister Patt agree to further cooperation in commerce and industrial research. Pres. Reagan defends proposed arms package to Jordan before United Jewish Appeal. Added to his recent refusal to assist in obtaining Israel's permission for West Bank delegates to attend PNC session, Reagan refuses to support or withhold veto on Jordan's draft resolution condemning Israeli settlements in occupied territories as illegal. 4 JDL members arrested for criminal trespass and possession of noxious chemicals, and held in suspicion of bomb threat at Greensburgh, NY Town Hall showing of Russian architecture film. [JDL seeks severance of all US relations with USSR until all Soviet Jews permitted to emigrate freely.] 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Red Cross re- ports Israel reneged on terms of last month's prisoner exchange, citing case of Ziad Abu Ain; PLO claims 39 still held in defiance of agreement; Israel DM communique blames error in ICRC/Israel coordination for reversal of Abu Ain's release. Patron of Birkat Avraham yeshiva remanded for 4 days for disregarding gov't. order to remove illegal structure. Trial begins for 10 Palestinians charged with harassment of Jewish settlers in Galilee and organizing demonstrations. Israel Bonds Organization announces total of $475,434,250. raised in 1983 (compared with $502,144,500. in 1982); total since 1951 more than $6.5 billion.

Arab World: Jordan Cabinet confirms 12 Jordanians of Palestinian origin given death sentences in absentia by special military court for selling West Bank land to Israel.

Other Countries: Gemayel in London for 2 days of talks with PM Thatcher. Responding to reports that Israel asked US for Pershing 11 missiles, Shamir sends message to USSR that Israel would not acquire missiles capable of hitting Russia. UN Gen. Assembly adopts resolution calling for peace conference inviting all parties, including US, USSR and PLO on equal footing [124-4, 15 abstentions].

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Abdullah Ahmed Musa, worker from Bir al-Basha/Jenin, found dead near Akka; family fears killed by Israeli vigilantes.

Arab World: US and Israeli navies launch simultaneous but separate attacks on Syrian and Palestinian positions, respectively, near Lebanese coast. Grenade thrown at IDF patrol near Sidon, 2 Israeli patrol soldiers wounded; Israeli truck driver wounded by grenade attack south of Zahrani River.

Military Action:

Israeli jets bomb guerrilla bases in areas around Sofar, Falougha and Bhamdoun, reportedly hit as-Saiqa, Syrian Baath party, PFLP-GC and Druze positions, intense and effective anti-aircraft fire deployed; brief exchanges of artillery fire between LAF and PSP around Souq al-Gharb; fierce fighting continues around Baddawi, PLO loyalists and rebels both claim control of major parts of camp; all areas of Tripoli come under rocket and artillery fire.

Casualties:

1 Israeli jet shot down by shoulder fired SAM-7, pilot is rescued by LAF patrol after parachuting into Beirut suburb, Syria says 2nd jet was downed; casualty reports from air raid range from 2-18 killed, 8 wounded, damage to targets reportedly minimal; no reliable estimates possible of casualties in Tripoli, ambulances unable to move; Red Cross estimates 13,000-15,000 refugees from fighting at camps are in Tripoli.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF says air raid in Lebanon is reaction to long chain of terrorist attacks against IDF in South Lebanon, 35 IDF soldiers killed, 64 wounded since redeployment to Awali on September 4; Arens, addressing Moral Majority delegation in Jerusalem, says there will be no withdrawal from the West Bank; minister without portfolio Ben Porat says his plan to rehouse 250,000 Palestinians now living in refugee camps will cost between $2 and $1.5 b. over next six years, Shamir to raise the subject in forthcoming meetings with Reagan; IDF say group of Muslim extremists has confessed to the killing of a Jewish religious student in Hebron on July 7; settlers block road near Halhoul after stone throwing incident, enter town, break windows of cars and houses.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel ends 2 days of meetings in Saudi Arabia with King Fahd.

US and Other Countries: Rumsfeld makes first official visit to Damascus, meets FM Khaddam; Iranian official says 14 Revolutionary Guards and about 30 Lebanese were killed in Israeli and French air raids near Baalbek last week; Soviet Union calls on PLO factions to cease senseless bloodshed, resolve differences through political means.

Casualties:

Armed Phalangists enter Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp in Sidon, force adults and schoolchildren to make blood donations.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Foreign Ministry officials meet Habib to discuss clarifications of agreement; after funeral of Netivot resident shot in Gaza, 5 bakery workers from Gaza beaten by Jews in Netivot; Beit Sahour mayor meets head of Israeli Civil Administration, breaking national consensus of non-cooperation; senior police officer says that in West Bank there is a see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil attitude among Jews about Jewish vigilantism; Deputy Attorney General Y. Karp, head of a Justice Ministry committee investigating Jewish vigilantism, reportedly resigned last month because no action taken in year on recommendations for stricter law enforcement, including criticism of intervention by politicians on behalf of arrested suspects and the dependence of the police on the Military Government; Foreign Minister Shamir on tour of West Bank settlement says the Green Line has been erased in political consciousness and on the ground.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Foreign Minister Salem meets President Assad in Damascus; Lebanese Cabinet discusses agreement, gives no formal endorsement of it; Lebanese Parliament extends Cabinet's emergency powers until end of September, extends its own life by 18 months to end of 1984; Haddad calls on IDF to disarm Phalange and Guardians of the Cedars militias operating in his area to carry out death sentences against Palestinians; 34th tripartite session of withdrawal talks takes place at Netanya to work out final wording of agreement.

Arab Governments: Syrian Air Force and Soviet advisers reportedly complete sophisticated 230-mile long anti-aircraft missile defense system stretching from Latakia in north to Jordanian border in south; Jordanian minister of health says he cannot fully accept results of WHO inquiry into West Bank illnesses, even if it is psychological pressure this is a poison of the mind.

US and Other Countries: US Defense Secretary Weinberger meets Saudi Defense Minister Abdel Aziz in Paris, reportedly asks Saudi assistance to persuade Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon, US considering direct talks with Syria on troop withdrawal; State Dept. letters show US knew last September that 300-600 armed PLO fighters remained in Beirut in violation of August cease-fire agreement.

UN: WHO assembly votes 65 to 17, with 25 abstentions, for direct supervison of health services in Israeli occupied territories, expresses great concern over epidemic.

Military Action:

Bomb explodes as IDF vehicle passes in Beirut suburb of Baabda; IDF vehicle detonates mine near Ein Zahlata; IDF tank hits mine in Bekaa region.

Casualties:

6 IDF soldiers wounded in Baabda attack, 3 in Ein Zahlata; Lebanese police report 3 Palestinians killed in two attacks on IDF positions in South Lebanon; stray machine gun fire by IDF penetrates US Marine base after Baabda attack, no injuries; UNRWA officials report escalation in attacks on Palestinians in Sidon, said to coincide with arrival there of Phalange officer Elie Hobeika, armed and masked men of Guardians of Cedars threatening Palestinians, 4 killed, 2 wounded since April 28.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Shultz returns to Jerusalem, meets with Begin, Shamir, Arens; Begin says he will call Cabinet meeting to decide on draft troop withdrawal agreement; Ministry of Absorption reports that only 11 of the 114 Jews leaving the Soviet Union last month came to Israel; Elon Moreh settlers fire on Nablus youths when stones are thrown at their car, 13 students arrested, school closed; window of Israeli truck broken by stones near Kalandia camp; 400 students hold sit-in demonstration at Tireh UNRWA Training Center.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: President Gemayel says the danger of signing an agreement with Israel without obtaining the withdrawal of Syria, the PLO and some Iranians is that Israel will not withdraw and the agreement will have no value; PLO seeks guarantees for security of Palestinians in Lebanon as precondition for withdrawal of PLO forces, Saudi information minister to intervene with Lebanese officials this week on issues of murders of Palestinians, threats to refugees, bombings of shops, expulsions, detention, attacks by Lebanese Army on Palestinian women crossing into East Lebanon to visit husbands and fathers with PLO forces.

Arab Governments: Jordan considering limitations on export of West Bank produce to East Bank, restrictions on entry of West Bank students to University of Jordan, holding of elections on East Bank only.

US and Other Countries: Shultz continues talks in Beirut, then returns to Jerusalem; Reagan says PLO council was never elected by the Palestinian people, referendum on alternative leadership might not be practical; French foreign minister meets PLO official, asks PLO to cancel UN conference on Palestine scheduled for UNESCO's Paris headquarters in August.