The Palestine Chronology

Pres. Bush receives "very long and detailed" letter on the peace process from P.M. Shamir, in reply to Bush's own letter; Shamir rejects inclusion of deportees and E. Jerusalem Palestinians in Israeli-Palestinian talks, reminds Bush that Israel will not talk to PLO [WT, WP, NYT, LAT, MEM 6/29; NYT 7/8 (for details of letter see MEM 7/9)].

Palestinians in O.T. hold strike in protest against Israel's annexation of E. Jerusalem 23 years ago [MEM 6/28].

UN envoy Jean-Claude Amie meets in E. Jerusalem with Palestinian notables from W.Bank, including former Hebron mayor Mustafa al-Natshah [JDS 6/29 in FBIS 6/29].

Sources claim EC will appoint permanent representative in E. Jerusalem in November 1990 to study first hand human rights situation and to ascertain whether Soviet Jews are being settled in O.T. [RAY 6/28, JDS 6/29 in FBIS 6/ 29].

Survey conducted by Ha'Aretz over 6/ 23-6/24 finds 88,000 Jews are settled in O.T. 1988 Israeli census claimed 70,000 settlers, and Ha'Aretz forecasts number to rise to 95,000 by September [MEM 6/28].

World Zionist Organization exec. committee drafts resolution opposing settlement of Soviet Jews on occupied Palestinian land. The 165-member general council in Jerusalem is to vote on resolution on 6/20 (cf. 6/20) [WT 6/20].

Labor party's Central Bureau schedules meeting for next week to decide whether to call for party elections; an increasing number of Laborites are calling for Shimon Peres to be replaced as party leader by Yitzhak Rabin [NYT 6/20].

Israeli judge orders Israeli Arab poet Shafik Habib placed under house arrest on charges of incitement. Authorities say Habib's poems, written in Arabic, call for attacks on Israel with stones, firebombs and ammunition. Habib denies charges [WP, LAT 6/20].

Israel's National Planning Board votes not to approve VOA transmitter scheduled to be built in the Negev. Board shelves project until 2-year environmental study can be completed; agreement to build transmitter was signed in 1988 [NYT, WP 6/21].

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.] 

Military Action:

IDF attacked twice in Sidon; fighting continues in Tripoli.

Casualties:

Tripoli death toll for weekend is 17.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli Cabinet discusses fighting in Chouf, is briefed on Lebanese negotiations by Foreign Minister Shamir and David Kimche, hears of new security measures to be taken to reduce Israeli casualties in Lebanon; 3 members of Committee Against the War in Lebanon on trial for breach of peace after distributing leaflets in Haifa; Government agrees to 12% wage increase for public employees, averting general strike; official statistics show GNP did not increase in 1982, while real wages declined 3%; Begin's adviser on Arab Affairs Ben-yamin Gur-Arye says Begin will see if evacuation of Negev Bedouin families can be postponed; Bedouin township of Rahat forms labor council, the first in the Negev; Commission of Inquiry completes hearing of testimony, allowing Sharon to submit written answers instead of appearing for questioning; Moshe Reich, Israeli builder on West Bank, acquitted of blackmail, assault and threatened assault based on charges by Palestinians that he tried to force them to sell land; Jenin military governor warns Attorney Zuhair Jarrar not to complain to press about December 29 cut off of his electricity and water ordered by Israeli-appointed mayor Shihab Sanouri; Theodore Mann, chair of National Conference on Soviet Jews, announces 2,600 exit visas issued in 1982; PM Begin meets with relatives of Israeli prisoners, promises them no withdrawl of IDF from Lebanon until release of prisoners; Jerusalem police report series of raids on Jerusalem bookstores, seizing Palestinian flags, cassettes, T-shirts and other pro-PLO material.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Rashid Karami appeals to Syria to send envoy to stop fighting in Tripoli.

Arab Governments: Saudi Arabia says British Foreign Secretary Pym not welcome to visit after Thatcher government refuses PLO representative in Arab League delegation; Iraq announces that Saddam Hussein told Congressman Stephen Solarz (D-NY) on August 25, he accepts Israelis' need for security.