The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers demolish Arab house in Gaza Strip's Nusayrat refugee camp in restricted "green zone" security area [FJ 3/13]. In Jalazun refugee camp north of Ramallah, authorities seal off 4 rooms in houses belonging to Palestinians charged with planting a mine in October [FJ 3/13].

Other Countries: U.S. court hands down life sentence for admitted spy Jonathan Pollard and 2 concurrent 5-year prison terms for his wife Anne Henderson-Pollard [WP 3/5]. U.S. State Dept. statement criticizes Israeli government's appointment of Col. Aviem Sella, indicted by U.S. for role in Pollard spy ring, as commander of major air base near Tel Aviv [WP 3/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian farmers rally in Jericho to protest falling vegetable prices [FJ 3/6]. Planned Jerusalem memorial service for slain Nablus mayor Zafir al-Masris banned by Israeli authorities [FJ 3/6]. Officials of Gaza's Union of Carpenters and Construction Workers hold press conference, complain of Israeli harassment since 2/21 elections [FJ 3/6]. Gaza military court sentences 3 teenagers charged with throwing stones and molotov cocktails to between 10 and 14 years in prison [FJ 3/13].

Arab World: Nabih Birri renews offer to swap captured Israeli for 400 Arabs held in Israeli prisons, urges Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine to free 4 professors [LAT 3/4].

Other Countries: U.S. grand jury indicts Israeli Air Force officer Aviem Sella on charges of espionage. Since espionage is not covered by extradition treaties, Sella cannot be extradited to stand trial [NYT 3/4]. Reports indicate Israeli objections have convinced U.S. officials to abandon plan to take $30 million of U.S. grants to Israel and give funds to Jordanian 5-year W. Bank development plan [LAT 3/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Troops use tear gas to break up protest at Balatah camp, impose curfew. Demonstration is believed related to 3/2 killing of Nablus youth. Students at Ramallah's Teacher Training College burn tires, clash with Israeli soldiers [FJ 3/6].