The Palestine Chronology

Israel Aircraft Industries announces U.S. has formally commissioned Israel to begin work on second phase of joint U.S.-Israel project to develop the Arrow missile defense system, part of U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star Wars" [U.S. contributions to second stage will total $320 million]. (Qol Yisra'el 4/13 in FBIS 4/15)

FM Levy demands release of Israeli held in Egypt on charges of espionage [3 Arabs carrying Israeli citizenship are also being detained; see 3/10]. (IDF Radio 4/13 in FBIS 4/14)

Pres. Asad meets with representatives of Syrian Jewish community for first time since assuming power in 1970. Asad informs delegation that travel restrictions faced by Jews will be lifted. He also announces government will release 2 Jews currently imprisoned in Syria. (MM 5/1)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The director of the U.S. SDI program announces that Israel has been awarded over $165 million in SDI contracts, more than any foreign country [WP 10/25].

Arab World: The PLO reiterates statements by Chairman Arafat that Israeli Arabs and Jews should vote for "forces that represent the real peace choice" [NYT 10/ 25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Reuters reports the existence of Israeli undercover "death squads" on W. Bank and Gaza Strip; military spokesman denies that Israel assassinates wanted men [WT 10/24]. In Far'ah refugee camp soldiers shoot, kill 17-yearold Palestinian [NYT 10/25, FJ 10/30]. In Nablus 3 Palestinians are shot, injured by Israeli soldiers. In Nusayrat camp 4 Palestinians are injured during clashes with troops. At Beach camp soldiers shoot, injure 2 Palestinians [FJ 10/30].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes strike Syrian Social Nationalist Party base in south Lebanon. One person is wounded [NYT, WP 10/25]. In south Lebanon Israeli troops capture 7 Palestinian guerrillas trying to cross the Lebanese-Israeli border [WP 10/ 25].