The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prime Minister Shamir calls Baker's speech calling on Israel to forswear annexation of O.T. "useless" [NYT, WP 5/24]. General strike is observed throughout O.T. Curfew in Anabta enters 20th day [FJ 5/29].

Arab World: Egyptian president Husni Mubarak gives keynote address opening Arab summit in Casablanca [WP 5/24]. Southern Lebanese town of Jezzin observes strike protesting tactics of Israeli, SLA troops [NYT 5/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Rafah at least 10 Palestinians are shot, wounded during clash. At least 7 other Palestinians are shot, injured in Gaza [FJ 5/29]. Soldiers shoot, injure 2 Palestinians in Nablus [FBIS 5124].

Arab World: Joint IDF-SLA (South Lebanese Army) patrol enters 2 Druze villages north of "security zone" [FJ 5/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Peres tours E. Jerusalem neighborhoods (1st visit of Israeli PM to E. Jerusalem since capture in 1967) [WP 4/30]. Deputy Premier Shamir indicates Likud would leave government if commission of inquiry into causes and conduct of war in Lebanon were created [MG 4/30].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF complete withdrawal from Tyre; Shi'ite militiamen erect checkpoints outside Palestinian camps outside city to prevent return of Palestinian fighters [NYT 4/30]. SLA exchanges artillery fire with Palestinian, Muslim forces near Jezzine [JP 4/30].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Paestinian landowners meet in Nazareth to discuss recent property tax increases as high as 1,500% [FJ 5/3]. Al-Hakawati theater troupe receives threatening letter calling for group's "extermination" [FJ 5/3].

Military Action

Arab World: IDF soldier wounded in early April dies of wounds [JP 4/26].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF completes another stage of withdrawal, evacuating most of Beqaa, Jabal Baruk, Jezzine; still control area S. of Litani R. [NYT 4/25]. IDF soldier wounded early April dies of wounds [JTA 4/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Over 300 Jewish and Arab students hold sit-in at Hebrew U. to protest harsh measures recently taken against students by Haifa U. [FJ 3/15].

Other Countries: In Washington, Pres. Reagan refuses to support Pres. Mubarak's 2/24 proposals [NYT 3/13]. US vetoes proposed UN Sec. Council resolution condemning Israel's "iron fist" policies in S. Lebanon; vote was 11 to 1, 3 abstentions [NYT 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 63-yr. -old Miriam Amru killed in al-Majd by IDF soldiers involved in weapons training at a nearby IDF base [FJ 3/22].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: 2 IDF soldiers killed, 2 wounded in ambush near Qasmiya Bridge. Car bomb explodes next to IDF vehicle S. of Jezzine; 1 injured. 2nd bomb explodes 2hrs. later; at least 2 IDF personnel wounded [NYT, LAT 3/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF close Bir Zeit U.'s new campus for 2 mos. following 3/1 raid [LAT 3/9].

Other Countries: In interview with Parisbased al-Watan al-'Arabi, Chmn. Arafat asserts Israel, Syria holding secret negotiations over mutual withdrawal of forces from Lebanon; cites 12,000 Syrian troops pulled back from ceasefire line after 1st stage of IDF withdrawal as proof of collusion [MG 3/7]. US, Israel reach "understanding" on Israeli request for $2.6 billion in new aid, specifics yet to be arranged [NYT 3/9].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: SLA officer killed by resistance in Jezzine [NYT 3/9]. IDF fire rockets around homes in Bidias [LT 3/9]. Resistance fighters battle IDF unit at Qasmiya Bridge for several hours, firing more than 50 RPGs, mortar rounds; 5 Israelis wounded, 1 critically [NYT 3/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In joint communique, Israel and Egypt agree to talks on moving 6,000 Palestinians from Egyptian section of Rafah to Israeli-held portion; Israel seeks compensation for the move [LT 1/30]. Former "Black Panther" members, urban slum dwellers form activist group "Combat '85" to improve conditions in poor Israeli neighborhoods; among 1st demands is shift of W. Bank settlement funds to poor urban areas [JTA 1/29]. Knesset debates govt. decision to abolish office of adviser to the prime minister on Arab affairs [JP 1/30].

Arab World: PLO Central Com. mbr. 'Abd al-Rahim Ahmad reports Committee to meet mid-February to discuss jordanianPalestinian relations, other subjects; meeting to be held in Algeria, S. Yemen or Tunisia [MG 1/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF detain scores of residents of northern mountain in Nablus after gasoline bomb thrown at IDF vehicle; later released for lack of evidence [FJ 2/1].

Arab World: Katyusha launched at IDF position in Ruman, S. Lebanon; no injuries [JP 1/30]. IDF kill 4 resistance fighters near Jezzine, S. Lebanon [JP 1/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Manufacturers, govt. and Histadrut union agree on 8-mo. proposal to cut wages, subsidies [JP 1/25, LAT 1/26]. Over 600 Ethiopian Jews airlifted to Israel have been drafted into IDF; plans indicate induction of additional 2,000, creation of Ethiopian battalion in W. Bank [DW 1/24].

Other Countries: New York jury clears Time magazine of libeling Ariel Sharon in controversial article (11/12), but criticizes Time's reporting; previously ruled that article was inaccurate and had defamed Sharon [NYT 1/25]. [Many of Sharon's legal bills paid by rich Americans, Israeli residents of U.S.] [VV 1/29]. US Pres. Reagan asserts PLO, Col. Qadhafi, Ayatollah Khomeini assisting Nicaragua, creating "new danger" in Central America [NYT 1/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Israeli vehicles hit by gasoline bombs near Dheisheh camp; no injuries [FJ 2/1].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: bomb injures 2 IDF troops near Deir Zahrani. RPGs fired at IDF liaison bldg., Nabatiya; no injuries. Katyusha fired at SLA position in Deir Qanun; no injuries. RPGs fired at SLA roadblock near Nabatiya; none reported wounded. IDF kill Palestinian in gun battle with masked men near 'Ain al-Hilweh; kill 6 commandos near jezzine [JP 1/25]. SLA soldier killed by resistance near 'Abassiya [JP 1/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Fire destroys 2 rooms in Nablus District court containing thousands of files, court documents dating from 1936; loss will make land ownership more difficult to prove; criminal files left intact; arson suspected [FJ 1/4].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Post reports 349 military actions, killing 5 Jews and wounding 108, occurred within Israel since 1/1/84 [JP 12/20].

Arab World: IDF outpost near Jezzine, S. Lebanon fired upon [JP 12/21]; Jerusalem Post reports 892 attacks against IDF in Lebanon since 1/1/84; 28 killed, 275 wounded [JP 12/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Tentative agreement reached in Nablus to reconcile 3-yr.-old rivalry in Federation of West Bank Labor Unions.

Arab World: Kuwait gov't. criticizes King Hussein for defying Arab summit decisions by new relations with Cairo.

Military Action

Arab World: Lebanese & Palestinian resistance claim responsibility for killing IDF intelligence officer "Abu al-Nur." Light weapons fired at IDF post in Jezzine & at civil guard post in Haboush village, S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: Sri Lankan Defense Ministry spokesman reports departure of Israeli military staff after training counterinsurgency forces.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Min.of Police Bar Lev refuses Jewish terror suspects' request for prison leave over Jewish holidays.

Arab World: In Damascus, Democratic Alliance calls for convening PNC.

Other Countries: US envoy Murphy arrives in Tel Aviv to discuss with PM Peres possible mediation between Israel and Syria over IDF withdrawal from Lebanon. Israeli FM Shamir meets Egyptian FM Abd al-Meguid in New York. US threatens withdrawal from Intl. Atomic Energy Agency if it does not recognize Israel.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF and SLA patrols come under light arms fire near Jezzine and in Tyre, S. Lebanon. 1 IDF soldier & 1 Shin Bet agent killed, 1 soldier wounded in ambush near Mishki village, eastern Beqaa.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jerusalem press conference, staff and student representatives of West Bank universities condemn closure of Najah Nat'l. U. (since 7/30/84). Military orders ban Gaza table tennis tournament (scheduled for 9/21).

Arab World: Portuguese & Eritrean labor delegations visit Chrmn. Arafat at Tunis HQ. PDR Yemen leader Ali Nasser Mohammed arrives in Damascus for talks with officials on PLO-Syria reconciliation.

Other Countries: Israel announces appointment of Benjamin Netanyahu as its amb. to UN.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2nd anniversay of massacres at Sabra and Shatila camps; Israeli troops respond with tear gas to demonstrations in Jalazoun and Dheisheh camps. Israeli bus ambushed near Bethlehem, 5 Israelis, 2 Palestinians in nearby car injured; police search, impose curfew on Dheisheh camp & al-Khidr village. Arab World: IDF position near Jezzine shelled by Katyushas fired from south of Awali River.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel gov't. rejects King Hussein's UN peace negotiations proposal. Finance Ministry refuses income tax amendment protecting workers from inflation.

Arab World: Representatives of Fateh and Palestinian Democratic Alliance (PDA) issue joint statement in Algiers proposing to convene 1 7th National Council session before mid-Sept.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF shoot Jabaliya camp (Gaza) resident on suspicion of stone-throwing, wounding him in leg.

Arab World: 3 IDF troops wounded by roadside bomb near Jezzine. Lebanese resistance fighters ambush IDF vehicle S. of Lake Karoun. Katyushas fired on IDF position near Tyre.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Govt. unity talks stall over issues of settlement & negotiations with Jordan. Actual foreign currency reserve losses in July reportedly exceed $700 million; official $351 million figure created by bookkeeping maneuver [see 8/1]. Speaking at National Defense College, DM Arens charges communications media give "distorted" reports of S. Lebanon situation.

Other Countries: House Ways & Means Trade Subcom. members predict Congress will pass "free trade pact" with Israel before October. US Pres. Reagan tells World Jewish Congress leaders he will cancel US participation in Nairobi UN Conference on Women (1985) if it adopts measure equating Zionism with racism.

Military Aciton

Arab World: Israeli jets bomb supposed Palestine guerrilla camp E. of Bar Elias in Beqaa Valley; casualty reports contradictory; later, roadside bomb explodes near Jezzine, wounding 3 Israelis.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel rejects recent USSR peace proposal based on Brezhnev plan. Jerusalem mayor Kollek tells news conference of drive against Kach and Meir Kahane with appeal to support anti-racism bill. Defendents Amjad Rabaya and Wafiq Sawalha tried for armed attack on W. Jerusalem street (4/2/84) admit charges, insisting on POW status. Najah student sentenced to 10 mos. charged with membership in Palestinian organization. Police summon head of Gaza Citrus Producers' Union, warning of legal retaliation against Union for assisting farmers to obtain financialid.

Other Countries: USSR calls for renewal of Geneva Middle East peace talks including USSR, US, Israel, PLO & Arab states.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli-made bomb thrown at Shefa 'Amr home; no injuries. Kach members beat up 2 Palestinian laborers; victims hospitalized in serious condition.

Arab World: IDF units attacked by rocket fire near Jezzine and S. of Tyre.

Military Action:

Israeli forces advance to 15 miles from Beirut; one of the biggest air battles since the 1973 war takes place over Beirut (6 Syrian, 2 Israeli jets reported down); heavy fighting in Tyre and Sidon continues, as Tyre residents are told via air-dropped leaflets to go to beaches to avoid bombings, city is shown in flames; 15,000 people try to enter city from countryside, saying they have no food; Israelis move 100 tanks into mountains east of PLO stronghold of Damour; Israeli shells re-portedly destroy a Red Cross center on the edge of Sidon; tank battles near Jezzine, and Israelis reportedly aim to cut highway to Syria; Israeli planes blast road 2 miles south of Beirut airport; fierce fighting between Israeli and Syrian troops on edge of Beirut; Israelis capture Lebanese president's summer residence at Beiteddine; third attack on Beirut sports complex.

Syrians engage Israelis on southern edges of Beirut, along Beirut-Damascus highway; major Syrian-Israeli tank battle shaping up in Chouf region, stronghold of PLO ally and Lebanese National Movement (LNM) leader Walid Jumblatt (temporarily out of country).

Fierce resistance from PLO units continues in Tyre and Sidon; a few PLO-fired rockets fall on northern Galilee, from enclave controlled by Syria; PLO and Lebanon accept UN call for a cease-fire.

Casualties:

Beirut residents stockpile goods and Palestinian suburbs almost deserted as residents fan out into city; Red Cross center in Sidon destroyed by Israeli shelling; thousands of refugees pour into Beirut from southern Lebanon; 10,000 people placed under Red Cross care in Tyre alone.

Political Responses:

Israel/Occupied Territories: Prime Minister Begin lays out 4 conditions for withdrawal from Lebanon, including removal of all Syrian and PLO forces from Lebanon, creation of a 40 km demilitarized zone north of the Israeli border; Knesset defeats no-confidence vote, 94-3; Israeli Ambassador Arens meets with Deputy Secretary of State Stoessel, Defense Secretary Weinberger and Senator Percy as a former Israeli general meets the US press; Begin calls on Assad not to engage Israeli troops; UN reports continue to be censored; about 40 demonstrators opposed to the invasion are attacked in Tel Aviv.

Palestinians/Lebanese: Arafat meets with USSR Ambassador; Lebanese president appeals to Arab League to hold a meeting; Lebanon's UN Ambassador says casualties run into thousands, mostly civilians.

Arab Governments: Iranian volunteers reported arriving in Lebanon via Syria, as well as Palestinian volunteers from Jordan and Kuwait; Arab diplomats from Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrein, Jordan and Algeria ask the US to pressure Israel to withdraw immediately, accept cease-fire; Syria rejects any troop withdrawal from Lebanon, reacting to reports of new Israeli conditions for a withdrawal.

US: Reagan, in London, appeals for an end to hostilities; Haig later says US would not deny Israel the "right of legitimate self-defense."

UN: Lebanon and the PLO accept the UN call for a cease-fire; Israel rejects the Security Council demand for withdrawal. Lebanon circulates a petition condemning Israel, threatening sanctions if it does not withdraw. UNIFIL General Callaghan makes first offi-cial protest of the invasion to Israel.