The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Shamir tells reporters that during trip to U.S., Pres. Bush and Sec. Baker promised U.S. would not demand Israel negotiate with PLO [FBIS 11/27].

Arab World: Lebanese parliament elects Elias Hrawi as new president to replace Rene Moawad assassinated on 11/22 [NYT, WP 11/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli army welds shut "a number of Palestinian stores" in Ramallah after owners refuse to pay taxes. Israeli authorities deport 4 Palestinians, including children 7-months- and 4-months-old, for not having family unification permits [FJ 12/4].

Jewish group calling itself "the Sicarii" plants explosives in front doors of homes of 2 Hebrew University professors (Yoram Ben-Porat for allowing Faisal Hussayni to speak on campus, and Dov Shim'on for aiding in 11/16 heart transplant from Israeli to Palestinian). No injuries [FBIS 11/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Lebanese President Rene Moawad is assassinated when an explosion destroys his car; 23 others are also killed. Moawad was in office only 17 days [FBIS 11/22; NYT, WP, LAT 11/23].

Other Countries: President Bush has received personal message from Arafat, delivered through U.S. embassy in Tunis; contents are not divulged; Bush does not plan reply [NYT, WP 11/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Bodies of 2 Palestinians suspected of collaboration are found; number of suspected collaborators killed during intifada stands at 144 [MET 12/5].

Military orders 2 Bethlehem houses destroyed. Authorities deport 5 Palestinians to Jordan, saying they lacked family reunification permit [FJ 11/27].

General strike called by Hamas is observed in O.T. At least 13 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with IDF [FBIS 11/29]

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: U.S. ambassador to Lebanon John McCarthy returns to that country, presents credentials to Pres. Moawad. U.S. embassy in Beirut was evacuated on 9/6 [NYT, WP 11/19].

Other Countries: President Bush telephones Egyptian President Mubarak to discuss peace process efforts. Mubarak later telephones Arafat to discuss conversation with Bush [FBIS 11/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: W. Bank Palestinian dies of wounds received 10/24 [NYT 11/19].

Gaza woman suspected of collaboration is killed [MET 11/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Lebanese President Rene Moawad appoints Selim al-Hoss as the country's prime minister, and asks him to form a cabinet [NYT, WP 11/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza, Israeli soldier is killed, another wounded, when Palestinians open fire on army jeep. Army closes Gaza to conduct search [FBIS 11/14; NYT 11/15]. 14 Palestinians from Gaza, 8 from W. Bank are injured in clashes with soldiers. 2 Israeli bus drivers are wounded in stonethrowing incident [FBIS 11/16]. Israeli army announces it will close all schools in the O.T. for one week for fear that mass demonstrations will mark the anniversary of the declaration of the Palestinian state [FBIS 11/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: One of Israel's small religious parties, Agudat Israel, leaves the governing coalition for two months in hopes of forcing Likud to change the electoral system to end the "nearly permanent political deadlock," which many say preventshe peace process from moving forward [NYT 11/9].

Arab World: Women are allowed to cast ballots for the first time in Jordan's general election, the first election in that country in 22 years [NYT, WP 11/9].

Other Countries: U.S. Sec. of State Baker tells reporters that the U.S. had rejected Israeli imposed conditions on Baker's 5- point framework for peace talks even before the Israeli cabinet formally adopted the Israeli-modified plan earlier this week [WP 11/9]. U.S.-PLO dialogue continues in Tunis [FBIS 11/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 10 Palestinians are wounded in clashes throughout the O.T.; IDF confiscates 15 automobiles belonging to Palestinians in Nablus; Rafah man suspected of collaboration is killed; Palestinian is shot, killed, 15 are arrested for membership in PFLP [FBIS 11/16].

Arab World: A car bomb explodes in West Beirut killing 4, injuring 16, in a neighborhood a few blocks from the villa where President Moawad is staying [NYT, WP 11/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli inner cabinet votes 9-3 to accept Baker's 5-point plan with conditions [NYT, WP 11/6; JP 11/11; MET 11/14].

Arab World: Members of Lebanon's parliament meet at northern airbase in Syrian-controlled territory toelect Rene Moawad as the country's new president [NYT, WP 11/6]. PLO Executive Committee ends meetings in Cairo; reaffirms right of PLO to a role in the peace process [FBIS 11/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military breaks up demonstration by some 2,000 Arabs, clergy, and American visitors supporting Bayt Sahur's tax revolt [MET 11/ 14]. 2 Palestinians accused of collaboration are killed. In Bethlehem, soldiers shoot, wound masked Palestinian. Palestinian wounded 11/3 dies. Security forces declare Bayt Sahur a closed military zone to prevent participation in a peace prayer service, prompting demonstrations there. Firebomb is thrown at Israeli vehicle patrolling E. Jerusalem. At least 5 Palestinians are wounded throughout the O.T. [FBIS 11/7].