The Palestine Chronology

Sec. Baker tells NATO allies he expects Saddam Hussein to take dramatic step, such as partial pullout from Kuwait, just before UN resolution authorizing use of force goes into effect on 1/15. NATO ministers issue statement saying "there can be no partial solutions" [NYT, LAT, WT, WP 12/18; CSM 12/19].

Iraq asks European Community to go ahead with scheduled high-level meeting on 12/20 in Rome between European leaders and Iraqi F.M. Aziz [NYT, WP 12/18].

Fourteen former senior gov't. officials, including former NSC advisers Richard Allen and Robert McFarlane, urge Bush admin. to use military force shortly after 1/15 deadline if Iraq does not leave Kuwait [NYT 12/18].

After meeting with Algeria's Pres. Benjedid in Cairo on efforts to find Arab solution to Gulf crisis, Pres. Mubarak says "we have not yet found a way for a solution" [CDS 12/17 in FBIS 12/18; NYT 12/18]; Pres. Benjedid then travels to Libya, while Jordanian P.M. Mudar Badran goes to Syria in further diplomatic activity [APS, DDS 12/17 in FBIS 12/18; NYT 12/18].

Ishak Mousa Husseini, noted Palestinian writer and teacher who sought to explain Arab history to the West, dies in Jerusalem at age 86 [NYT 12/23; FJ 12/24].

Shmeul Goren, coordinator of gov't. activities in o.t., tells Knesset committee that Gulf crisis has cut in half annual aid of $140 million from Gulf Palestinians to o.t. Palestinians; that o.t. exports have been cut by 50%; and that citrus exports from Gaza have been reduced by 80% [IDF 12/17 in FBIS 12/20].

Senior Jordanian official says Amman has rejected proposal by Israel for bilateral negotiations on water and other territorial disputes, declaring Jordan would enter talks with Israel only in international peace conference on Middle East [MEM 12/18].

Israeli police bar thousands of Palestinians from entering Jerusalem and send hundreds of officers into the Old City to prevent clashes caused by heightened tensions [NYT, LAT, WT, WP, CSM 12/18; FJ 12/24; MET 12/25].

Jerusalem Post reports that the Jewish Agency about a month ago ordered all Agency and World Zionist Organization institutions to stop employing Palestinians from o.t. for "security considerations" [JPD 12/18 in FBIS 12/18; MEM 12/18]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Former National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane acknowledges U.S. relied on Israel's analysis of Iranian political situation [NYT 1/17]. W. Germany states willingness to extradite Muhammad Hamadi to U.S. for trial if U.S. agrees not to seek the death penalty, which is forbidden by the W. German constitution. Italian officials are investigating to determine whether there is a "link" between Hamadi and a Lebanese arrested at Milan airport 1/12. Both men arrived from Beirut and were found to be carrying explosives [WP 1/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 300 Arabs and Jews demonstrate in Haifa in solidarity with the residents of the occupied territories [FJ 12/25].

Other Countries: White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan publicly denies Pres. Reagan approved August 1985 Israeli arms shipment to Iran, contradicting testimony from former National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane [LAT 12/19]. Britain pledges aid for Jordan's W. Bank and Gaza Strip development project UP 12/19].

Military Action

Arab World: Syrian troops take Sami Turk, a commander of Sunni fundamentalist group known as Tawhid (Islamic Unification Movement), into custody. Tawhid members kill 15 Syrian soldiers in protest. Leftist Lebanese parties join with Syrian forces in 36-hour battle, which leaves over 200 dead [WP 1/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ira Rappaport, leader of Israel's Jewish settlement movement, is charged with 1980 bombing that seriously wounded Bassam Shaka'a, former mayor of Nablus. Rappaport surrendered to police when he returned from 3-year stay in U.S. [WP 12/10].

Arab World: Egypt accuses Israel of using "violent repressive measures" against Palestinian protestors in occupied territories [BS 12/10; FJ 12/12].

Other Countries: Before the House Foreign Affairs Com., former U.S. National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane testifies that Israeli official David Kimche supplied him with a list of more than 800 "moderate" Iranian leaders. Vice Adm. John Poindexter, Lt. Col. Oliver North, and retired Air Force Gen. Richard Secord refuse to answer questions before the committee [WSJ 12/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 1,000 students and faculty members hold peaceful march from Birzeit U.'s new campus to the closed old- campus. Israeli troops force businesses in Ramallah, al-Birah, and Nablus to open [FJ 12/12]. Israeli military spokesman says troops fired in self-defense and student demonstration was "prepared in advance" [JP 12/10]. Palestinian youth is shot and seriously wounded in fight with Israeli soldier in Gaza; another is wounded when soldiers fire at stone-throwing marchers. Four Palestinians have been killed, at least 27 wounded in the last 6 days of Arab rioting [NYT, WP 12/10].

Arab World: Soviet ambassador in Beirut says his government is trying to mediate in battle between Amal and PLO [BS 12/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Dir.Gen. of For. Min. David Kimche states in press briefing that Israeli intelligence has "absolute, complete and irrefutable proof' that Yasir Arafat "knew about this [the Achille Lauro] operation before it was to begin" [WP, LAT 10/11]. Jerusalem Post reports arrest of members of alleged Fateh cell said to be responsible for recent spate of bombings in and around Jerusalem [JP 10/10]. Jerusalem Post cites report in al-Mithaq stating some Palestinian ex-prisoners released in the 5/20 prisoner exchange are asking for special consideration in their applications to West Bank universities; Najah U. has agreed to admit some despite low grades, while other universities have agreed to give them special entrance exams [JP 10/11]. Jerusalem shops close in general strike to protest "iron fist" policy in occupied territories which since its imposition in August has resulted in over 6 deaths, 21 deportations, over 80 administrative detentions without trial. Similar strike in Ramallah is forcibly ended by Israeli troops. Students at Birzeit and Bethlehem U. also strike [FJ 10/11].

Other Countries: Pres. Reagan tells reporters it would be "all right" for the PLO to try the 4 hijackers if Arafat has "kind of a national court set up, like a nation that they can bring them to justice." Later in the day, Nat. Sec. Adv. Robert McFarlane tells reporters Reagan "meant that he wants the PLO to tum these hijackers over to competent authorities for trial" [WP 10/11]. Sec. of St. George Shultz appeals to Senate Foreign Relations Committee to approve the proposed $1.9 billion arms sale to Jordan, calling it an "absolute necessity" for success in the M.E. peace process [CT, TS 10/1 1].

Military Action

Other Countries: U.S. Navy F-14 fighter jets intercept Egyptian plane carrying 4 hijackers and force it to land in Sicily; Italian authorities arrest the 4. White House spokesman Larry Speakes says the Egyptian plane was destined for Tunisia, but Tunisia had denied it landing rights. Speakes "categorically denies any deal" between the U.S. and Egypt on the interception. Speakes says the hijackers are in Italian custody but the U.S. will seek extradition [NYT, LAT 10/11]. Bodies of 2 men believed to be missing Israeli soldiers are found in Barcelona, Spain. Anonymous caller to Westem news agency claims the 2 were "Zionist sailors from the Zionist ship California" and that Fateh's Force 17 executed them on 10/5 [NYT 10/11].

Military Action:

Baddawi and Nahr al-Bared refugee camps hit by intense tank and artillery barrages from anti-Arafat forces, Arafat says Syrian and Libyan units participate; oil storage tanks at Tripoli port hit by artillery; IDF patrol hit by explosion near Zahrani river.

Casualties:

50-100 killed, 100-200 wounded in fighting around Tripoli; 3 IDF soldiers wounded near Zahrani.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Deposed mayors Khalaf and Shaka'a placed under house arrest to prevent official meeting with British Foreign Office minister, Shakaa also refused permission to travel to US.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Geneva conference participants agree to put aside issue of May 17 agreement, permit Gemayel time to explore means to end Israeli occupation and ensure national sovereignty; Arafat appeals to Arab and Non-aligned heads of state for support. US and Other Countries: Donald Rumsfeld, Defense Secretary in Ford administration, succeeds McFarlane as Special Envoy to Middle East.

Military Action:

Druze forces attack Beirut airport, Lebanese Army positions, with rockets and artillery; remote-controlled bomb explodes near IDF patrol in Aley.

Casualties:

22 killed, 65 wounded, including 3 US military personnel, in Beirut shelling; cumulative statistics on Chouf fighting in past year show more than 420 killed, 600 wounded, 700 kidnapped or detained; 11 IDF soldiers wounded in Aley explosion.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 2 IDF reservists court martialled for refusing to serve in Lebanon, total now 72.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Executive Committee begins 2 days of meetings in Tunis.

US and Other Countries: Reagan meets Gemayel, says US is committed to full withdrawal of all foreign forces; Deputy National Security Affairs Adviser Robert McFarlane replaces Habib as special envoy to Middle East, Draper also replaced