The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S.envoy Richard Murphy arrives in Israel without having met with Palestinian delegation; briefs Israeli leaders on his discussions with King Hussein [NYT 8/16]. Three MKs from Tehiya party-Geula Cohen, Eliezer Waldman, and Gershon Shafat-lock themselves inside empty apartment in central Hebron; say they will remain until Cabinet discusses question of expanding Israeli presence in Hebron. Their action follows two previous attempts by Kiryat Arba settlers to occupy same apartment [JTA 8/16]. Al-Tali'a weekly reports Jordanian authorities have demanded dismissal of George Hazboun as secretary of Union of Public Institutions Workers in Bethlehem as precondition for release of funds to the union. Palestinian unionists denounce the demand as blatant interference in union affairs [FJ 8/16]. The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics announces July's inflation rate, 27.5 percent, arecord level for a single month [FT 8/16].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Qalqilya is declared closed military zone following ambush of Israeli bus. Area was searched and a number of arrests made [FJ 8/23]. Land mine explodes as Israeli car passes on its way to Kiryat Arba; windshield is shattered [FJ 8/23]. Israeli soldiers surround group of farmers from Sakhnin village, fire guns over their heads, and beat them. Two children and 3 women are injured [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: Suicide car bomber kills himself and a SLA militiaman when he tries to ram SLA post on the edge of security zone. The Syrian Arab Ba'th party claims responsibility [LT 8/16]. Fighting continues in Beirut, killing 10. Shells strike presidential palace [NYT 8/16]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Daily World reports Palestinian Communist party has denounced the moves to form joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to negotiate with the Israelis; sees it as effort to undermine principles of the PLO and the goal of an independent national state [DW 8/10]. The "Judea and Samaria" Settlement Council, dominated by Gush Emunim, announces boycott of Kiryat Arba because of its discrimination against Palestinians [JP 8/11]. Kiryat Arba town council cancels clause in its coalition agreement. Move opens the way for town council to receive funds blocked by the Knesset finance committee on grounds the clause violated the law [JP 8/11]. Jerusalem Magistrates Court imposes three-month suspended sentence and IS 200,000 fine on Rabbi Moshe Levinger for striking a 6-year-old boy in Hebron last year [JWP 8/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Kiryat Arba settler Ya'acov Reiter, 46, is stabbed in Hebron's marketplace; his condition is reported to be satisfactory. Curfew is imposed on Hebron, with house-to-house searches conducted for the two attackers [NYT, WP 8/11].

Arab World: Fighting continues in Beirut, with shells striking presidential palace [BG 8/11].