The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In E. Jerusalem, Israeli riot police, supported by armored personnel carriers and water cannon, force 14 Palestinian merchants to close their shops; shopkeepers are arrested [WP 4/26]. In Gaza, army raids offices of lawyers', women's, and engineers' associations and Palestine Red Crescent Society [WP 4/26]. Israeli court sentences to death John Demjanjuk, convicted of being Treblinka death camp executioner [WP 4/26].

Arab World: Pres. Hafiz al-Asad holds 4-hour meeting with PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat [NYT 4/26; CSM 4/28].

Other Countries: UN Security Council approves resolution condemning assassination of PLO official Khalil al-Wazir; U.S. abstains [NYT 4/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army bulldozers uproot trees on 5 acres of land in Hussan village; villagers demonstrate and soldiers respond with tear gas and rubber bullets. Several Palestinians are injured during clashes in Gaza Strip [FJ 5/1].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel celebrates its fortieth anniversary [WP 4/22]. U.S. and Israel sign "memorandum of agreement" formalizing U.S.-Israel military, security, and economic relationships [CSM 4/22]. Palestinians in occupied territories observe general strike [WP 4/22]. Gaza Strip telephone lines are cut. Water is shut off in Beach refugee camp [FJ 4/24].

Other Countries: Washington Post reports Israeli cabinet approved assassination of Khalil al-Wazir during 4/13 meeting; operation was planned by Mossad, army, navy, and air force [WP 4/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF seals off most of territories; 23 camps are under curfew. Palestinians are barred from entering Israel. Soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition after firebomb is thrown at military vehicle in Bethlehem [WP 4/22]. In Jerusalem-area village of 'Isawiyyah, soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets in clash with villagers after Palestinians refuse to remove Palestinian flags and black banners. Scattered demonstrations continue in Hebron and Ramallah regions. Army uses bulldozer and graveler in fierce clash in village of Hussan, west of Bethlehem [FJ 4/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-'Awdah Palestinian weekly is ordered closed within 15 days [WP 4/18]. Supreme Muslim Council declares 3 days of mouming for Khalil al-Wazir [NYT 4/18]. Youth from village of Yabid, near Jenin, dies from wounds sustained during 4/16 clash [FJ 4/24]. Israeli authorities ban distribution of al-Quds and al-Sha'b in W. Bank and Gaza Strip [FJ 4/24].

Arab World: PLO announces desire to bury Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) in Jordan within view of W. Bank [WP 4/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military imposes curfews in 20 refugee camps and 2 cities in occupied territories; 5 W. Bank towns are declared closed military zones [CSM 4/18]. Widespread demonstrations and clashes continue. Soldiers wound 2 Palestinians in Nur Shams refugee camp [WP 4/18]. Palestinian is shot dead during demonstration in 'Ubaydiyyah [FJ 4/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli F. M. Peres calls for dismantling existing settlements, demilitarizing Gaza Strip [CSM 12/8]. Jabalya preparatory school reopens after military-ordered closure [FJ 12/13]. Administration of Tulkarm's Khadduri College closes school indefinitely pending resolution of dispute between students and administration [FJ 12/13]. Palestinian American activist Mubarak 'Awad requests meeting with P. M. Shamir [CSM 12/8].

Other Countries: UN Sec. Gen. Javier Perez de Cuellar and Arab representatives protest U.S. congressional attempt to close PLO observer mission to UN [NYT 12/8]. PLO envoy Khalil al-Wazir arrives in Warsaw for 3-day visit [FJ 12/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinian vehicle approaching check point near Dhahriyyah; 1 Palestinian is injured [FJ 12/13].