The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli officials dismiss Arafat's Cairo Declaration as having no significance [BG 11/9]. Jewish Press cites poll in Hadashot which finds nearly 75% of all Israelis favor capital punishment for Palestinians found guilty of politically motivated murder [JWP 11/8]. Israeli officials state Israel has no intention of pulling remaining forces out of security zone or turning protection of border over to UNIFIL troops [MG 11/9].

Arab World: King Hussein praises Yasir Arafat's "Cairo Declaration" on the use of violence, saying move will enhance prospects for peace [PI, WP 11/9].

Other Countries: FBI states Jewish Defense League is "possible responsible group" in recent bomb attacks against ADC office in Santa Ana and two East Coast men purported to have Nazi ties; 2 of the attacks resulted in deaths [NYT, WP 11/9]. Leader of JDL threatens to sue FBI for slander [BG 11/10].

Military Action

Other Countries: Car bomb explodes in Nicosia killing manager of Iraqi Airlines' Cyprus branch moments after another bomb explodes inside airline's office there; phone caller claims responsibility on behalf of pro-Syrian Eagles of the Revolution Organization, states attack is first in series of operations against Iraqi govt. in retaliation for its support of Yasir Arafat, states organization isPalestinian [LT 11/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres tells reporters in France he is ready for direct negotiations with Syria, reiterates refusal to meet with PLO [FT 10/26]. Jewish Press reports 2 convicted Jewish underground defendants refuse to testify against 2 Israeli army officers on trial for their part in the attack on the heads of the National Guidance Committee in 1980 [JWP 10/25].

Other Countries: Israel and U.S. cast only votes against UN Gen. Assemb. resolution proposing strengthening ties between UN and Arab League UP 10/27]. P. M. Shimon Peres states France has offered to help Jews emigate from the Soviet Union by flying them directly to Israel if the Soviets were to permit expanded emigration [NYT 10/26]. Italian police arrest another Palestinian in connection with the Achille Lauro hijacking; 2 of the 4 hijackers are said to be cooperating with the police [NYT 10/26]. Two Arabs and 1 Briton are charged in Cyprus with murder of 3 Israelis last month [MG 10/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops reportedly find guns and ammunition in Yatta village, south of Hebron; 2 houses are destroyed, curfew is imposed, house-tohouse searches are conducted. Houses belonged to 2 Palestinians arrested several weeks ago [JP 10/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Center of Dheisheh refugee camp, near Bethlehem, placed under siege for 3 hours [FJ 9/20]. Establishment of the Voice of America transmitter inIsrael will bring in at least $150 million in revenues, Davar reports [JWP 9/13]. Jewish Press reports secular and religious Jews have formed an international committee to mobilize resistance to construction of an extension of the Mormon Brigham Young University on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem [JWP 9/13].

Other Countries: U.S. vetoes a resolution in the UN Security Council which would have condemned "the repressive measures taken by Israel since 4 August 1985 against the civilian Palestinian population in the Israeli-occupied territories." The vote was 10 in favor, 1 opposed (the U.S.), and 4 abstentions (Australia, Denmark, France, and Britain) [JP 9/15]. New York Assembly man Dov Hikind holds a rally outside PLO offices in New York calling for the removal of the PLO from that city. Rally is sponsored by Americans for a Safe Israel [JWP 9/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army announces it has arrested Yusuf Muhammad Abu Armanah, 22, and Sa'id Fakhri Ibrahim Afanah, 23, both from Rafah, who have allegedly confessed to the 9/5 stabbing of an Israeli truck driver in Gaza. Their families' tar-paper residences have been destroyed [LAT 9/7; FJ 9/13]. MK Meir Kahane's Kach movement forms new group "Hatzala" (Parents for their Children) to oppose Min. of Education's plans to sponsor meetings between Israeli and Palestinian children. Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef strongly opposed the Ed. Min.'s plan last week, saying he would urge religious parents to remove their children from the national religious school network if it is implemented [JWP 9/6].

Arab World: Jerusalem Post reports 6 kidnapped members of the Lebanese Jewish community are being held by the Hizballah group [JP 9/61.

Other Countries: Congressional sources say administration has tentatively decided not to propose selling advanced F-15 fighter planes to Saudi Arabia. U.S. Sec. of State George Shultz announces U.S. is releasing the first $750 million of $1.5 billion in special economic aid approved last month by Congress for Israel. $250 million is going to Egypt, $53 million to Jordan, and $3 million is planned for aid to Palestinians in the occupied territories [WP 9/7]. Jewish Press reports the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council (NJCRAC) in the U.S. called on major Jewish groups and federations to condemn MK Meir Kahane during his upcoming visit to the U.S. and is putting pressure on the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. and television shows to cancel their invitations to Kahane to speak while here [JWP 9/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb explodes seriously wounding the man trying to place it in an Israeli market; 20 Palestinians are detained [LAT 9/7].

Arab World: Palestinian and Shi'ite gunmen battle for the 4th straight day around Burj al-Barajinah camp in south Beirut; 23 killed and 70 wounded ovemight. Shi'ite militia is backed by Soviet T-54 tanks. The DFLP issues a statement from Damascus accusing Amal militia of executing 17 Palestinian civilians in the street. The Druze and Murabitun militias have joined forces with the Palestinians against Amal militia [NYT, DT, WP, LT 9/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: DM Rabin indicates Israel will establish 3 to 10 mile "security zone" in S. Lebanon; states UNIFIL played "negative" role in area and that Israel would be "better off" without its presence [MG 4/20]. Jewish Press reports Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Nissim Ze'ev charged city's Arab-Jewish youth activities encourage inter-ethnic dating, marriage; demanded Palestinians be banned from such activities [JP 4/19].

Other Countries: In Washington, Intl. Center for Research and Public Policy releases survey indicating 55% of American public believes peace will come to Middle East only when Palestinian state is created; only 27% felt such a state would constitute a threat to Israel; 70% feel US policy in region should be evenhanded [FJ 4/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb explodes in Jerusalem street; no injuries; 77 arrested [JP 4/21]. IDF raid, close Bethlehem U. indefinitely [LT 4/20]. In al-Bureij camp, Border Police fire on crowd, killing 12-yr.- old 'Issa Isma'il 'Issa, wounding 2nd youth; over 250 arrested in subsequent demonstrations [JP 4/21]. Israeli taxi driver shot, killed on W. Bank; 3 suspects arrested, contend motive was robbery [JP 4/21, 22]. IDF arrest 35 young boys from 'Ain Arik, including 5-yr.-old Muhammad 'Ali Dhyab, on charges of participating in 2/85 stone-throwing incident; older boys beaten [FJ 4/26].