The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli official states U.S. involvement in secret diplomatic contacts between Jordan, Egypt, and Israel is intensifying daily [WP, CSM 11/4].

Arab World: Jerusalem Post reports Israeli military expels 4 leading Druze shaykhs from village of Hasbaya in security zone in S. Lebanon [JP 11/3]. Israeli settlers in the Golan Heights block bridges leading there, stage demonstrations against their poor financial situation; settlements there owe $20 million to Northern Moshavim Purchasing Association [JP 11/3; JTA 11/4]. Institute for Strategic Studies in London annual report, Survey of Military Balances, states that Syria has almost 3 times as many troops in regular army as Israel [JP 11/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb explodes in Afula (5th in recent weeks); no injuries. Palestinians are rounded up for questioning [JP 11/4]. Bomb goes off at bus stop near French Hill; no injuries [JP 11/4]. Katyusha rockets land in Galilee; no casualties [JTA 11/4].

Arab World: Three people trying to smuggle explosives into 'Aysha village in S. Lebanon using a donkey are killed when SLA militiamen open fire on them, detonating the explosives [JP 11/4]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Thousands demonstrate against MK Meir Kahane, drowning out his words, at Givatayim; Kahane threatens audience, leaves [JP 9/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Booby-trapped van discovered in Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim quarter is defused; no injuries [JP 9/23]. Al-Am'ari refugee camp and 'Anabta town are put under curfew. Settlers reportedly joined Israeli soldiers' search-and-arrest campaign in al-Am'ari [FJ 9/27].

Arab World: Israeli forces shoot and kill 2 armed men near Hasbaya [JP 9/24]. Mines explode near wreckage of Israeli helicopter in Tyre, killing 1 Shi'ite militiaman and wounding 8 others [JP 9/24]. 107-mm. katyusha rocket fired at SLA strongpoint near Bint Jubayl; no injuries. UNIFIL dismantles 2 katyushas north of Marjayun. SLA dismantles 100-kilo bomb near 'Ayshe [JP 9/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Following inquiries from Red Cross, Israeli army orders investigation into 9/17 killing of Munthir 'Awad, 18, of Gaza, by Israeli army [JP 9/19]. Women relatives of prisoners in Gaza prison begin sit-in at Red Cross office in Gaza to protest recent harassment and harsh measures used against prisoners [FJ 9/27]. Members of Lifta Gang who conspired to blow up Dome of the Rock last year are sentenced to 8 years in jail; 2 others who ordered the operation are found mentally incompetent and are institutionalized [JP 9/19]. The Central Bureau of Statistics announces Israel's population is 4.255 million: 82.5% Jewish; 13.5% Muslim; 2.3% Christian; 1.7% Druze and other. During the past year, the pop. increased 1.8%-1. 6% among Jews and 3.2% among Muslims [JTA 9/19]. Ethiopian Jews in Israel mark 15th day of sit-in protest on a Jerusalem street comer opposite the main offices of the chief rabbinate; the rabbinical authorities insisthe Ethiopians must undergo ritual conversion before marriage [LAT 9/19].

Other Countries: Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East that arms sales to Jordan are necessary to continue the momentum of the peace process and that the administration will go ahead with plans to sponsor such a sale [LAT 9/19]. P.M. Thatcher, on visit to 'Amman, states opportunity for peace must be seized before the end of the year and asks all parties to the conflicto take risks for peace [LT, FT, MG 9/19]. Mexico agrees to buy $21 million worth of Israeli goods by the end of this year and agrees to raise the amount for next year, in an effort to induce Israel to continue oil purchases from Mexico [JP 9/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jamal 'Awad, 18, of Gaza, is shot 4 times, critically wounded by Israeli soldiers after reportedly refusing to stop when ordered [FJ 9/20, 27].

Arab World: Over last few days, 26 residents of Bint Jbail, allegedly members of Hizballah, arrested on suspicion of attacking Israeli army, SLA soldiers in area; weapons found [JP 9/19]. SLA reportedly captures one guerrilla, kills another trying to infiltrate Hasbaya from Biqa' Valley [JP 9/20].

Other Countries: Palestinian publisher Michel Numari, 37, is shot and killed in central Athens by unidentified gunmen. Numari, who published al-Nashra Arabic weekly magazine, was said to be close to Yasir Arafat [LT, JP 9/19]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Six settlers demonstrate outside offices of al-Fajr newspaper in Jerusalem demanding it be shut because "it serves the PLO" [JP 9/12; FJ 9/13]. Jerusalem Post reports the National Insurance Institute released study showing the number of wage-earning families living below the poverty level in Israel increased 25% last year; 1 out of every 10 breadwinners is now categorized as "the working poor" [JP 9/11]. Energy Min. Moshe Shahal announces Israel will drastically cut oil purchases from Mexico following Mexico's failure to buy an agreed $100 million worth of Israeli exports [JP 9/12].

Arab World: Washington Post reports a 20- member "fact-finding" delegation from the American Jewish Congress has met with Pres. Husni Mubarak and King Hussein in a fact-finding mission to the Middle East. Mubarak and Hussein suggesthe PLO "be put to the test" by the U.S. on the issue of publicly recognizing Israel's right to exist [WP 9/12]. The U.S. should do this by agreeing to meet a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation [LAT 9/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli guards storm prisoners in their cells at Gaza prison, using tear gas and clubs, seriously injuring 2. Personal belongings of some prisoners are confiscated. Food and water are denied the prisoners for the following 3 days, and family visits are cancelled [FJ 9/27].

Arab World: Suicide car bomber Mariam Khayr al-Din, 18, rams a checkpoint at Hasbaya, outside the security zone. Casualty reports vary: Israel radio says she killed herself and wounded two SLA militiamen; Syrian Social Nationalist party claims she killed 18 militiamen and 2 Israeli intelligence officers [NYT, LT, LAT 9/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Local newspapers carry Agence France Presse report indicating IDF imposed greatest number of harsh sentences on residents of occupied territories in 1984 than any year since 1967; 5,226 convicted in 1984, 64% increase over 1983 [Fl 4/12].

Arab World: Chmn. Arafat meets with delegation of US congressional representatives [LAT 4/12, JP 4/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 1 Border Policeman injured by grenade thrown at patrol in Sa'ir; curfew imposed, several arrested [JP 4/14].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF withdraw from Nabatiya, Jabaa, Habbush, Ansar, Jibsheet, Humin al-Fawqa, Nabatiyah al-Fawqa; retain control of Beaufort Castle [WP, FT, NYT 4/12]. IDF major killed, 2nd soldier wounded, by mine in Hasbaya region [JP 4/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Peres indicates he no longer objects to Pres. Mubarak's proposed US talks with joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation as long as direct Arab-Israeli talks follow [CSM 3/21]. Attorney Gen. Yitzhak Zamir indicates 6 Israelis who met with Chmn. Arafat 2/16 will not be prosecuted for "meeting with the enemy" [JP 3/21].

Other Countries: UN figures, released to The Times of London indicate average daily attacks against IDF troops in S. Lebanon have doubled since recent initiation of IDF "iron fist" policy [LT 3/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF Gen. Amnon Shahak bans political demonstrations in W. Bank [JTA 3/21]. Bomb at bus stop injures 3 in Petah Tikva UP 3/21].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: SLA initiates 4-hr. gun battle with Irish UNIFIL troops near Ber'asheet; uses 40 schoolchildren as shield [DT 3/21, LT 3/22]. IDF, SLA come under attack in 4 locations in Tyre, Hasbaya areas; no casualties reported [FJ 3/22].

Military Action:

48 Israeli air strikes are reported in the areas of Nabatiyeh, Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Hasbaya and Aichiye; Israeli jets and gun-boats bomb and strafe several dozen targets along a 25-mile corridor from Tyre to Naameh (8 miles south of Beirut); Israeli bombardment of the Chouf region (a Lebanese left stronghold) is reported; Israeli tanks move into Haddad-controlled enclave in southern Lebanon and heavy artillery batteries move into Marjayoun 6 miles inside Lebanon; Damour area attacked for two hours as Israeli helicopters conduct reconnaissance flights.

Syria's estimated 30,000 troops inside Lebanon remain uninvolved, and no Syrian aircraft engage Israeli jets.

Casualties:

PLO sources claim 130 killed, 250 wounded and 3 Israeli jets shot down yesterday; Lebanese and Palestinian sources report many civilian casualties; the Rashidiyeh refugee camp near Tyre hit; thousands of civilians jam northern road as Sidon and other southern Lebanese towns empty in fear of an Israeli attack.

Political Responses:

Israel/Occupied Territories: Military censors UN accounts of fighting inside Lebanon; Labor party urges government to "control" Lebanese action and seek to restore cease-fire, complains about lack of prior consultation; 2000 protest in Tel Aviv against Israeli hostilities and criticize Israeli policies in the "occupied territories."

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat, in Saudi Arabia to mediate Iran/Iraq war, says PLO will respond strongly; Lebanese Foreign Minister Butros, noting lack of response from Arab world, asks "confrontation states" to stop being spectators, provide concrete solidarity and confrontation.

US: Secretary of State Alexander Haig, in Versailles, calls Israeli bombing of Lebanon "very serious," announces Philip Habib will seek to restore July 1981 cease-fire.

UN: Security Council meets in emergency session and issues unanimous call for cease-fire in Lebanon.