The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ziad Abu 'Ain is rearrested and held in solitary confinement in Hebron prison without charges under six-month administrative dtention order. Abu 'Ain begins a hunger strike [WP 8/2]. Nablus remains under curfew as search continues for killer of Albert Buchris. Residents are allowed two-hour reprieve to shop [JTA 8/2]. Israeli military censor orders printing press of al-Sha'ab newspaper closed for 3 days for publishing stories 7/30 on the death of 2 Nablus residents; censor said stories harmed investigation [JP 8/2]. Arab Journalists Association in the West Bank and the International Association of Journalists condemned closure order. Israel Press Association did not comment [FJ 8/9]. Israeli police break into site of planned Palestinian heritage festival in Tireh, confiscate IDs of 5 volunteers [FJ 8/9]. Arab local councils in Israel and their employees go on a one-day warning strike to protest government failure to provide promised funds to ease their financial problems [FJ 8/2, 8/9]. Jewish Press reports Egypt will lower the price of fuel sold to Israel by up to $2 a barrel, a savings of $100 million annually for Israel [JP 8/1]. The Washington Post reports Israeli government plans to entice estimated 175,000 Israeli emigrants living abroad back to the country by offering lucrative job contracts to the highly skilled, free shipping of household goods, and free air fares to Israel [WP 8/1].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Administrative detention order is issued against ex-political prisoner Ziad Abu 'Ain, for allegedly planning to hijack Israeli bus. (Abu 'Ain spent less than 3 months at home following his release in the 5/20 prisoner exchange) [FJ 8/9]. Nablus remains under curfew following 7/30 murder of Albert Buchris. Five hundred police and a helicopter monitor his funeral [JTA 8/1]. Army enters al-Najah University and raids student council offices; preparations had been underway for student elections [JP 8/2]. Knesset passes bill requiring anyone running for Knesset to give up second citizenship [WP, PI, JTA 8/1]. Israeli police break into the site of preparations for the second annual Palestinian heritage festival in Tireh, order volunteers to stop work on the basis they do not have building permits [FJ 8/9]. Funeral is held in Afula for Israeli shot to death in West Bank. Riot police disperse crowd outside police station [PI 8/1]. Mayor Shalom Wach of Kiryat Arba cancels plan to dismiss all Palestinian workers employed by the municipality following Attorney General Zamir's ruling the plan is illegal UTA 8/1]. New American Ambassador to Israel Thomas Pickering assures P. M. Peres there has been no change in U.S. policy towards the PLO; U.S. will engage in talks with a Palestinian-Jordanian delegation only if convinced it will lead to direct talks with Israel; U.S. is ready, if requested, to help Israel and Egypt resolve Taba dispute [JTA 8/1]. The Jerusalem Post reports charges of corruption have been made against several Israeli companies and individuals operating in the black "homeland" of Ciskei; contracts with the trade commissioners in Israel have been terminated; all commercial relations with Israel have been cut [JP 7/31, JTA 8/5].

Military Action

Arab World: Suicide car bomb attack against an Israeli armored patrol in the security zone kills at least 3 Lebanese, including the driver, wounds unknown number of others, including Israeli soldiers. Syrian Social Nationalist party claims responsibility, saying its member, 'Ali Ghazi Talib, 22, carried out the attack [NYT 8/1].