The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political:

Arab World: Representatives of Fateh, PFLP & DFLP issue communique after 3-day Aden mtg., calling for renewed drive for Palestinian state by all means, including armed struggle.

Other Countries: US State Dep't. rejects view of Benvenisti's West Bank Data Project report that Israeli occupation of the West Bank is nearly irreversible. Morocco announces break in diplomatic relations with Costa Rica and El Salvador.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestinle/Israel: Haifa U. lecturer Sami Mar'i arrested for public criticism of Israeli education curriculum for Arabs; released after 24 hrs. through MK Aloni's intervention.

Arab World: In al-Ahram interview, Egypt's FM Ghali says peace process with Israel is frozen as Israel reneged on terms and spirit of Camp David. Peace Now delegation leaves for Egypt for mtgs. with senior Egyptian officials. Interviewed in Fez, Chrmn. Arafat challenges Israel to meet him on neutral ground at international conference (perhaps under UN sponsorship); says UN force in occupied territories and UN-controlled plebescite acceptable.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Arens denies reports that Israel is amassing troops in Beqaa for attack on Syria.

Other Countries: NBC television broadcast reports Israel supplies 25% of arms to rebels in Nicaragua.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestinle/Israel: 2 Israelis slightly injured in roadside bomb explosion near Qalqilya.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Arens bows to pressure for military inquiry to determine cause of death of commandos killed by IDF (4/12/84). Labor slate decides to accept party's choice of a Druze representative. Arab World: DM Arens says Israel is in contact with Syria through ICRC regarding possible POW exchange. [Israel reportedly holds approx. 3,000 PoWs, incl. 290 Syrians.]

Other Countries: Egypt breaks diplomatic relations with El Salvador and Costa Rica in response to transfer of their embassies to Jerusalem. Bonn's Dep. FM Moellemann calls for new EEC Middle East peace initative.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 4th largest Israeli Bank, United Mizrahi announces $8.8 million loss for 1983. 

Other Countries: US State Dep't. denies widespread speculation US intends to fund covert activities in Central America by 3rd countries such as Israel on behalf of US interests

Social/Economic/Political:

Arab World: Lebanese Pres. Gemayel returns from Damascus with Syrian agreement that he should form new gov't. giving increasing power to Lebanese Muslims.

Other Countries: Haaretz reports Israeli FM Kimche to visit US to discuss establishing special fund for Israeli assistance to Central American countries. 15-member Islamic Conference Organization committee to safeguard Islamic and Arab character of Jerusalem announces Islamic countries will break relations with Costa Rica and El Salvador for locating their embassies in Jerusalem. Reagan admin. warns Eastern bloc gov'ts. relations with US cannot improve if they continue support for Palestinians and other "international terrorists."

Social Economic/Political:

Other Countries: In Maundy Thursday apostolic letter, Pope John-Paul calls for international status for Jerusalem and says Palestinian homeland and security of Israel are fundamental to peace; Jerusalem mayor Kollek calls Pope's remarks "inappropriate." UN Security council extends UNIFIL mandate by 6 mos. amid US protest to Lebanon's call for expanded UN role in mediating S. Lebanon stalemate. El Salvador provisional Pres. Magafia says in television interview he expects increased military and economic aid from Israel now that El Salvador has moved its embassy to Jerusalem. Arab-Americans launch protest against Goldie Hawn-production of film Protocol for its anti-Arab racial stereotyping.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Due to pressure from civilian sector, IDF cuts reservist service to 50 days per year. Elaborating on new Yahad Party platform, Ezer Weizman says "it's not our job to chuck the Syrians out of Lebanon" before Israel withdraws. Political prisoner Mike Mansour, denied his medication in prison, suffers heart attack; prison authorities deny him prescribed drugs. Advocate Felicia Langer demands military authorities investigate murder of Bilal Najjar (found 3/23/84) and that military advisor disclose to family the cause of death.

Arab World: King Hussein tells US Congressmen visiting Amman there can be no peace with Israel until it pulls out of Arab lands, and this condition is not negotiable. Syrian DM Tlas warns Syria will hit Israeli settlements if Israel attacks camps in Syria.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prisoners' Day commemorated throughout Palestine. Israel Bureau of Statistics announces inflation rate for March reached 392%. US citizen Mike Mansour (held since 4/2/84 in solitary confinement, beaten and abused to extract "confession") remanded by Israeli military court on charge of "cooperating with a Palestinian organization. "

Military Action:

Other Countries: Israeli terrorist group "TNT" threatens violence against British cinema union ACTT in retaliation for pro-Palestinian resolution passed at its 1983 conference.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Post poll shows support for Labor at 41%, Likud at 28%. In radio interview Yitzhak Rabin outlines plan for complete IDF withdrawal from Lebanon in 3-6 mos. with UNIFIL replacement. California-based National Semiconductor Inc. establishes $55 million Israeli gov't.- subsidized plant at Migdal Haemek.

Other Countries: As US Congress denies further CIA funds for Nicaraguan "Contras," Honduras-based rebel "Nicaraguan Democratic Force" meets with US intelligence officials to coordinate plans for alternative aid from Israel.

Social/Economic/Political:

Other Countries: Minister of Commerce Patt (first Israeli official to visit Austria since 1973) heads Israeli trade delegation to Vienna.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF mutilates bodies of 4 commandos killed (4/12/84) before allowing 1 member of each family to identify them at midnight burial of the 4 in common grave.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Sakhnin man Saleh Zbeidat arrested on charges of raising Palestinian flag on Land Day (3/30/84). Arab World: 9th anniversary of outbreak of Lebanon civil war.

Other Countries: El Salvador gov't. officially moves embassy in Israel to Jerusalem; [2nd country to do so, after Costa Rica].

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In special session, military court considers charge that confession of Abd al-Aziz Qablawi, 16, to stone-throwing at IDF vehicles was untrue and extracted by torture at Fara'a prison.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 4 Arab men demanding release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons commandeer Egged bus from Tel Aviv to Gaza with about 10 hostages; Shin Bet storms bus, kill commandos Jamal Qablan & Mohammed Barakeh (1 passenger killed and 7 wounded by stray gunfire), take Ahmed & Subhi Abu Jama'a into custody, bludgeoning them to death later; DM Arens on scene confirms only 2 killed in operation. IDF then destroys Gaza home of the 4, orders their families not to rebuild, places home villages under curfew. Arab World: Suicide car-bomber hits IDF armored personnel carrier, wounding at least 4 troops near Deir Qanoun.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: WZO Settlement Dep't. co-chrmn. Weitz walks out on Ministerial Settlement Com. mtg., accusing participants of new settlement plans as "grab tactics" before upcoming election.

Arab World: 1 Israeli soldier wounded in attack on IDF patrol near Nabatiya, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian lawyer Raja Shehadeh and Israeli author Amos Kenan honored in Israeli Peace Council ceremony commemorating late Issam Sartawi on anniversary of his murder. Knesset Ministerial Settlement Com. approves 4 new settlements in West Bank and 2 in Negev.

Other Countries: Al-Fajr managing editor Sam'an Khoury addresses members of National Union of Journalists convention in London on subject of press conditions in the occupied territories. Group of 54 US congressmen petition Int'l. Olympic Com. to reject any application by PLO to participate in summer games, saying "recognition of PLO ... would be morally repugnant" and that "PLO represents neither a geographical area nor the Palestinian people."

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army reserves called up for exercises.

Arab World: 3 attacks against IDF in S. Lebanon.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops seal off entrances to Arroub refugee camp after firebomb incident.

Arab World: IDF patrol vehicle hit by remote-control explosive device near al-Ghaziya village, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/ Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli cabinet refuses to release secret documents for MK Sharon's use in $50 million libel suit against Time magazine. UNRWA closes Ramallah Men's Teacher Training Center indefinitely inresponse to student protests against administrative actions. 4 Kabul residents imprisoned for demonstrating during Shimon Peres' campaign visit to their village.

Arab World: Lebanese PM Wazzan tells Beirut press that US officials "lied to us" in assuring the Lebanese govt. Israeli forces would be out of Lebanon by Jan. or Feb. 1983.

Other Countries: As pres. of non-aligned movement, Indira Ghandi visits Chrmn. Arafat in Tunis.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Firebomb thrown at IDF patrol near Arroub camp, 1 soldier injured.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Over 200 Palestinian Druze and delegates of groups from Galilee, Triangle and Golan Heights hold 3rd general conference of Druze Initiative Committee in Shefa 'Amr.

Military Action:

Arab World: Israeli planes attack alleged Palestinian guerrilla positions in Bhamdoun.

Social/Economic/Political:

Other Countries: International Parliamentary Union, meeting in Geneva, passes resolutions condemning Israeli policies as racist and expansionist.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: WZO completes placement of 30 buildings on hilltop S.E. of Nablus to form Tel Haim settlement [adjacent to former Elon Moreh, ordered dismantled in 1979]. Jerusalem mayor Kollek's spokesman confirms plan for 75-acre Jewish cemetery east of city, saying it "will increase our hold" on West Bank. Report issued by "West Bank Data Project" concludes US funds intended for economic projects in occupied territories diverted by Israeli gov't. for its own use. Labor Party unanimously nominates Shimon Peres as PM candidate for 7/23 elections.

Other Countries: Zehdi Terzi speaks before Canadian Senate Foreign Affairs Com. as final witness in 2-yr. review of Canadian policy toward Middle East. US Pres. Reagan tells Jewish Community Relations Council in private New York mtg. that if Israel expelled from UN, "We will walk out with her."

Military Action:

Arab World: IDF shoots and wounds 7 Lebanese civilians in Sidon after grenade thrown at Israeli patrol on main street.

Other Countries: Bomb explodes in Israel Aircraft Industries' Manhattan offices; "Red Guerrilla Resistance" claims responsibility. 

Social Economic/Political:

Arab World: Haaretz reports 1/3 [$16 million of $49 million] of Israel's fresh vegetable exports sent to Lebanon by Agrexco.

Other Countries: Koteret Rashit publishes Tel Aviv U. Institute of Strategic Studies' report findings that Israel recently sold arms to Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Morocco.

Military Action:

Arab World: Israeli-appointed Gen. Antoine Lahad officially replaces Saad Haddad as head of S. Lebanon Army. Limited exchanges of fire between Israeli and Syrian positions in Beqaa Valley reported. Lebanese National Resistance Forces strike IDF vehicle on Ghassaniyaal-Kawassariya road. IDF sets up checkpoints at approaches to Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp; shoot and wound 2 passengers in car approaching checkpoint. Israeli border policeman injured in grenade attack on IDF patrol in central Sidon. 

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yesh Gvul movement requests investigation of bank information leak when MK Ronni Milo charges $5,000 donated by the "leftist and anti-Israel" Presbyterian Church. IDF reserve corporal Marcello Weksler gets 2 weeks in jail for refusing service in Lebanon. (Weksler is 124th refusenik jailed.) A decision based on BritishMandate Defense (Emergency) Regulations (1945) to ban without explanation Arabic bi-weekly al-Masira upheld by Israeli High Court.

Arab World: Syrian and Israeli forces begin build-up in western sector of Beqaa Valley. IDF closes 4 Awali River crossings. 7 Israelis wounded in grenade attack near Nabatiya; 3 wounded by explosive charges at Litani River bridge. DFLP demands return of men responsible for Jerusalem shoot-out (4/3/84) in exchange for release of IDF PoW held for 1 year.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military authorities order 1-mo. closure of Bir Zeit U. after Land Day demonstrations there. Elon Moreh settler, convicted of destroying evidence in murder of Aisha Bahash (12/8/83), sentenced to 3 mos. jail and 33 mos. suspended. Deputy sheriff of Albuquerque, NM Mike Mansour arrested without charge during family visit to Deir Dibwan, West Bank.

Arab World: At Beirut news conference, Ali Kamil Bishri captured by Amal militia says IDF paid him and 3 others in Israeli-sponsored death squad to murder Imam Raghib Harb in Jibsheet, S. Lebanon (2/16/84). Pres. Mubarak says he hopes to restore full diplomatic relations with USSR soon. Egypt and Cyprus agree to restore diplomatic relations.

Other Countries: Norwegian Palestine Solidarity Committee hosts 3-day conference in Oslo on "The State of Israel and the Palestine Question." Mayors of 10 US cities attend Jerusalem Conference of Mayors sponsored in part by American Jewish Congress.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 3 Arab men throw grenades and open fire on shoppers in occupied Jerusalem, wounding 48; 1 gunman killed by armed shopkeepers, 2 arrested; DFLP and Abu Nidal group claim responsibility.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF spokesman says 6,000 technicians needed to man increasingly sophisticated war equipment. Despite agreement with Gaza Islamic U. officials that no arrest be made if students dispersed peacefully, 10 students given 1-3 mos. prison sentences and IS35,000- 50,000 fines by military court for participation in Land Day demonstrations. Tehiya and Rafael Eitan's Tzomet decide to run jointly in July elections.

Other Countries: Soviet CP officials begin talks with Lebanese Muslim leaders in Beirut. Canadian Progressive Conservative leader Mulroney tells Israel Bonds audience Israel must help solve the Palestinians' plight.

Military Action:

Arab World: Israeli artillery units shell Bar Elias area of N. Beqaa. At least 2 Israeli patrolmen injured in roadside bomb explosion in Sidon. IDF outpost near Baalul in Beqaa Valley attacked by automatic weapon fire.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Chrmn. of Knesset Econ. Com. says Lebanon war cost Israel economy $4.5 billion; MK Gur says war costs $800,000 daily.

Other Countries: (Pro-Palestinian) Israeli journalist Livia Rokach found dead at home in Rome.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF shoots 14- yr.-old boy in Dheisheh refugee camp Land Day demonstration.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 9th annual Land Day commemorated throughout Palestine in demonstrations protesting Israeli land theft and discriminatory policies; military authorities impose curfews on Balata and Ain Beit Alma refugee camps near Nablus; Israeli troops open fire on demonstrators and bystanders in jenin and Qabatya villages and Balata and Dheisheh camps, 5 people wounded. Meanwhile, IDF bulldozes wheat crops, olive and almond groves of Kufr Qalil family in 2nd day of work on Elon Moreh access road as settlers look on. Fara'a prison detainee Walid A'ardeh testifies before Tel Aviv District Court to torture used to extract confession to unspecified charge. Interior Min. issues travel ban for Fr. Fawzi Khoury.

Arab World: Arab FMs meeting in Tunis warn US of unspecified retaliation if its embassy moved to Jerusalem; fail to agree on proposed reform of voting procedure and establishment of pan-Arab Court of Justice.

Other Countries: Chrmn. Arafat and Pres. Mubarak meet while attending Guinean Pres. Sekou Toure's funeral in Conakry. US formally ends participation in Lebanon MNF. Sweden's FM Schori criticizes Israeli policy in West Bank and Latin America during official 3-day visit to Tel Aviv. Lebanon's PM al-Wazzan tells US amb. Bartholomew that US shares responsibility for IDF repression in South because of its "unlimited military and political support for Israel."

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli-run Hebron municipality serves orders to Palestinian shopowners in building near Sultan's Pool to vacate as city is "repossessing" it. Israeli bulldozers begin work on access road to Elon Moreh site through Palestinian-owned land. Poll by Jewish-Arab center of Haifa U. shows 55% of Israeli Jews support preventing Arabs becoming majority in Palestine again; 49% urge gov't. to encourage Arabs to leave; 64% urge tightened control over Arabs; 65% believe Arabs can't be trusted. In response to reports of Iraq's use of chemical weapons, Min. of Science Neeman asserts "Arabs have always been known to have no scruples about using unconventional weapons."

Arab World: Syria expells UNRWA director in Damascus without explanation.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Unknown assailant reportedly throws bomb at demonstrators in Gaza; 3 IDF soldiers, 7 Palestinians injured; local residents claim Arab victims shot by soldiers.

Arab World: Israeli troops open fire on car at road block near Saksakiyah, S. Lebanon, killing driver.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Likud bloc and Labor agree on July 23 as date for Knesset elections.

Other Countries: US Pres. Reagan calls bill to move embassy to Jerusalem "most unwise." Joint US Congressional Resolution proclaiming May 6-13, 1984, "National-jewish Heritage Week" enacted by Pres. Reagan.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: On eve of Land Day, occupation forces launch wide campaign of arrests of 15 to 20-yr.-old men throughout West Bank refugee camps.

Arab World: IDF tanks storm Jibsheet mosque, S. Lebanon during 5 a.m. prayer; soldiers open fire, killing at least 6 (teenage girl bleeds to death while Israelis prevent aid from ambulance and Red Cross workers).

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/ Israel: At press conference, Rev. Shehadeh Shehadeh cites Israeli land expropriation of 68% of Palestinian land as theme for upcoming Land Day demonstrations.

Other Countries: EEC FMs issue statement denouncing Israel settlement policy and call for PLO role in peace negotiations. Israeli Pres. Herzog arrives in London for official visit. During visit to Jordan Queen Elizabeth speaks at state banquet of need for just solution to "the tragedy that has befallen the Palestinian people."

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Explosive charges planted near bus stop on Bethlehem road and at Jerusalem train station found and defused.

Arab World: Several young men arbitrarily arrested by IDF removed by helicopter from Jibsheet village, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 5th anniversary of signing of Egypt-Israel peace treaty. Abu Ali Shahin wins temporary injunction against proposed expulsion from Gaza, Palestine. 4 American Jews formally charged with attack on Arab bus near Ramallah (3/4/84). 3 Alignment MKs walk out of Constitution Com. mtg. as Kach leader Kahane arrives uninvited. Tel Aviv U. pres. and Alignment candidate for Finance Min. Ben-Shahar alerts economics conference that Israeli GNP growth is slower than Arab neighbors.

Arab World: UK's Queen Elizabeth arrives in Jordan for state visit. Shlomo Ilya, recently dismissed from post as "civil administration" head in West Bank for misconduct, appointed IDF commander in S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: Commemorating Egypt-Israel treaty anniversary, US & Israel reaffirm March 1979 memorandum, extending (for 5 more years) and expanding Israel's prospects for arms sales in US.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: League for Human and Civil Rights in Israel charges IDF detention center at Fara'a (West Bank) is factory for torture of inmates (mostly minors). 2 prisoners to be freed in Nov. 1983 prisoner exchange still held in Atlit prison, appeal to High Court for release. Haifa U.'s Arab Student Union pres. suspended for semester on charges of disturbing MK Sharon lecture (1/19/84), at which he and student companions were tear gassed while attempting to enter lecture hall. Pres. Herzog rejects pardon request by Uri Adiv. [See JPS (Winter 1984) pp. 176-178.] Naturei Karta's Rabbi Hirsch says on US television PLO is sole & democratically-chosen representative of Palestinian people.

Other Countries: Israeli DM Arens reportedly calls US Sec. of Defense Weinberger "a prime candidate for psychoanalysis."

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF uses tear gas against Arab students demonstrating near yeshiva at Joseph's Tomb, Nablus. Egged bus traveling between Kafr Saba and Qalqilya, and IDF patrol near Balata refugee camp stoned. IDF soldier wounded while forcing dispersal of demonstrators at Nur Shams refugee camp. Beitunia students protest Egypt-Israel treaty and moves by local mayor to normalize relations with "civil administration. "

Arab World: In S. Lebanon, Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army invades Jibsheet village, kills 2 women, 1 man; IDF searches village, rounding up about 100 "suspects of hostility to Israel." IDF patrol ambushed south of Zahrani River, 1 assailant killed. 

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 200-400 Palestinians and Jews gather at Kerem Shalom settlement to protest detention of Abu Ali Shahin in nearby Dahniya village, Gaza.

Arab World: Lebanese police take over positions vacated by French MNF pullout.

Military Action:

Arab World: Abu Nidal group claims responsibility for bomb blast outside Intercontinental Hotel, Amman.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 former Ansar prisoners Ghassan Zeidan & Mohammed Yunis held in Atlit prison submit habeus corpus petitions to High Court that Israel violated Nov. exchange agreement for their release. 3 Black Americans (2 bishops and 1 journalist) detained at Lydd airport because of skin color; no official apology offered; Tourism Ministry spokesman Shoshani explains Blacks singled out as part of "security check."

Arab World: PFLP-DFLP Joint Command, Palestine Liberation Front and Palestine Communist Party meet in Aden to discuss unification and revitalization of PLO.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mutilated and decapitated body of Bilal Jamal Najjar, Najah U. student who disappeared (3/11/84), and was last seen in Israeli prison, found near Majdal Fadel village.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Knesset approves motions calling for elections in May or June.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Some 20 born-again Jews of Mahane Yisrael yeshiva, Jerusalem attack 2 Christians and 2 Messianic Jews living nearby who are then evicted by their landlord; victims decline to file complaint against attackers.