The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Miitary coordinator for occupied territories Shmuel Goren, directing commentso MKs who support Palestinian rights, says he will not hesitate "to stop any activity of Israeli parties in the West Bank & Gaza which might affect general order."

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: On Lebanese state radio, PM Karami assails US for vetoing UN resolution on Israeli occupation of S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: National Press Club (Washington) denies MK Kahane's request for speaking appearance. Palestine Aid Society (US) convenes 3rd national convention in Washington.

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat meets with officials in Jedda, then flies to San'a' to discuss preparations for next PNC meeting.

Other Countries: US vetoes UN Security Council resolution calling on Israel to "immediately lift all restrictions and obstacles" imposed on Lebanese civilians in Israeli-occupied S.Lebanon; US delegate calls resolution "unbalanced." Israel and Belize establish diplomatic relations

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha. Renewed talks produce basic agreement on bipartisan Israeli government. High Court refuses to make public Zorea Com. report regarding killing of Palestinian commandos in Gaza (4/12/84). Shattah prison (Nazareth) inmates find worms in food, stage hunger strike. Jnaid prison (Nablus) inmates strike after guards attack prisoners with tear gas in their cells, hospitalizing 4. Bank Hapoalim announces $8.2 million profit for 1st half of 1984.

Other Countries: In New York pre-trial hearing in his $50 million suit against Time, Ariel Sharon castigates its 2/21/83 issue's implication that he encouraged Sabra & Shatila massacres (9/82) as "blood libel."

Military Action

Arab World: IDF transfers responsibility for security in Nabatiya to South Lebanon Army; sends patrols north of Awali River. Israeli DM Arens meets SLA Gen. Lahd, expresses satisfaction with SLA performance. Former Lebanese PM Selim al-Hoss escapes remote-control bomb blast; 4 killed, 25 wounded.

SociallEconomic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Death sentences of Maher & Karim Yunis [conferred 12/271/84] for killing Jewish hitch-hiker (1980) commuted to life in prison by Lydd court. El Al airline announces $14.3 million loss in fiscal 1984.

Arab World: Christian Lawyer Joseph Hashem announced to replace deceased Pierre Gemayel as Lebanese Health and Communications Minister.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities demolish power station and grid belonging to Jerusalem Electric Co. at Ain al-Sultan camp claiming that construction was not licensed. About 50 armed Israeli squatters storm and take possession of Palestinian home near Herod's Gate, Old Jerusalem. 3 Dheisheh camp nationalists injured in stabbing by anti-nationalist group members after week of confrontations; nationalist supporters respond by demolishing Young Men's Muslim Assoc. headquarters.

Arab World: IDF engineer corps commander Cohen says IDF spending $17 million to fortify eastern front in Lebanon for winter. IDF release 45 detainees from Ansar concentration camp in S. Lebanon, where about 800 remain.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza military court charges 2 Israeli officers with 5/1/84 attack & blinding of Gaza man M. H; Abu Amra.

Arab World: 3 Palestinian Nat'l. Action leaders in Jordan voice opposition to PNC mtg. before agreement between all PLO groups. Lebanese Pres. Gemayel meets Pres. Assad in Damascus for talks on security and political reforms. Palestine Higher Military Council meets in Tunis, endorses Aden-Algiers agreement (6/27). Chrmn. Arafat meets with Algerian (FLN) officials.

Other Countries: Nigerian gov't. sanctions chiefs Oba Sijuade II and Alhaji Ado Bayero for recent visit to Jerusalem for talks with Israeli officials. Israel Aircraft Industries recruits 10 engineers from Lear Fan plant in Belfast, N. Ireland to accelerate production of Lavi jets. France's Chief Rabbi Rene Sirat condemns Kahane as "contrary to all ideals of Judaism." Venezuelan Confederation of Jewish Associations denounces Pan American Gymnastics Federation support for Palestine's membership in International Gymnastics Federation. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza artist Fathi Ghabin released from prison after serving 4 of 6-mo. sentence for "incitement" through his painting. Religious, intellectual and political personalities from all Palestine conclude 2nd annual Arab Christian and Muslim Heritage Conference at Theological Center for Ecumenical Studies in Tantur (Bethlehem), calling on educational institutions to raise level of Arabic instruction, and teach elements of Islamic and Christian religions. Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Shamir report "serious obstacles," particularly issue of West Bank settlements, block formation of unity government. Bank of Israel announces foreign currency reserves dropped by US$192 million in August [total reserves now US$2.4 billion; US$3 billion needed to cover 3 mos. basic commodity imports].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli soldier wounded dismantling bomb at "Voice of Lebanon" radio station at Lebanese border.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus Chamber of Commerce submits memorandum to "civil administration" outlining city's urgent social and economic problems; no response from authorities. 19 Palestinians arrested for stone-throwing during MK Kahane's attempted entry into Umm al-Fahm (8/29). Israeli troops raid Qalandiya refugee camp, detain several youths suspected of commandeering bulldozer from nearby quarry and flattening Israeli-built barrier at camp entrance.

Arab World: Druze leaders meet in Majd al-Shams (Golan) to demand dismissal of 30 teachers accepting Israeli ID cards. Chrmn. Arafat meets with French FM Cheysson in Tunis.

Other Countries: Chrmn. Arafat cables Chrmn. Truong Chinh on occasion of Vietnam's nat'l. day. 2nd anniversary of Reagan Middle East peace initiative. US Navy announces Israel will lend 12 Kfir jets on no-cost 4-yr. lease for use in combat training; Israel Aircraft Ind. will maintain jets for "firm fixed price."

Military Action

Arab World: Palestinian & Lebanese resistance detonate remote-control bomb as IDF patrol near Marjayoun, S. Lebanon, destroying jeep, wounding occupants.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Peres and Shamir agree on plan to alternate PMship for 25 mos. each. In response to Umm al-Fahm confrontation (8/29), MK Kahane vows to bar Arab workers from entering Israeli towns and settlements.

Other Countries: MK Kahane arrives in US for political and fundraising tour.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Kach demonstrators march on Umm al-Fahm trying to establish Arab "emigration" office there; counter demonstration joined by local Palestinians and Jewish sympathizers; police intervene to forestall violence.

Arab World: Pierre Gemayel dies of heart attack in Lebanon.

Other Countries: UN Security Council hears Lebanon's case against Israeli actions in S. Lebanon.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF reveals new upgraded Soviet T-54 & T-55 tanks adapted from those captured in wars with Arab armies.

Arab World: IDF armored convoys advance north of Awali River in new offensive against resistance. 3 IDF troops wounded by roadside bomb near Marjayoun.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF jets attack Beqaa village Majdal Anjar, killing 100.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In radio interview, Educ. & Culture Min. Shmueli advises teachers to combat incitement against Arab citizens. Maariv quotes Ariel Sharon as saying Jordan rightfully belongs to Israel and will one day be settled by Jews.

Other Countries: Chrmn. Arafat arrives in Lusaka for visit with Zambian Pres. Kaunda. The Washington Times reports classified US defense document "Lessons Learned in Lebanon" concludes 20% IDF casualties in 1982 Lebanon invasion were self-inflicted, calls IDF "inept horde."

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Pres. Herzog grants Peres 21-day extension to form coalition gov't. 4 MKs arriving for inspection tour at Tel Mond prison beaten by Kach demonstrators; 40 mins. later police arrive, delivering Interior Min. Burg's orders barring MKs' entrance.

Arab World: Walid Jumblatt calls for negotiations with Israel to end IDF occupation of S. Lebanon.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF reportedly kill 2 resistance fighters near Tyre; IDF position attacked by Katyusha fire near Lake Karoun.

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Tanzanian pres. Nyerere greets Chrmn. Arafat on arrival in Dar es-Salaam for 3-day visit.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Supreme Court issues 2nd temporary injunction halting expansion of Orthodox settlement Emmanuel on Palestinian-owned land in West Bank.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Weizman's Yahad party joins Labor Alignment bloc.

Arab World: Lebanon gov't. files complaint with UN Security Council against Israeli actions in occupied S. Lebanon. Syrian gov't. endorses proposal for UN-sponsored peace conference.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli border guards and archaeological dep't. officials escort settlers in constructing first structures on 100 dunums of Battir lands (near Bethlehem) owned by local families and recently confiscated by Israel as "state lands." Military court sentences 5 Village League members to 2 yrs. for arson and attacks on Palestinian nationalists in West Bank. Central Bureau of Statistics reports unemployment over past 9 mos. rose from 27,000 to 85,000. Israel radio reports caretaker gov't. plans to press US for early remittance of 1984 financial aid balance.

Arab World: Palestine National Alliance issues statement in Damascus criticizing PDA-Fateh proposal (8/19/84) to convene National Council before reaching national consensus.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF close only crossing point between S. Lebanon and rest of country for 3 days. Passing car fires grenades on IDF patrols near Nabatiya. Roadside bomb explodes as IDF vehicle passes Deir Kanoun. IDF vehicle at Burj Shemali refugee camp near Tyre ambushed with grenades and automatic weapons. [Casualty figures unavailable].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel gov't. rejects King Hussein's UN peace negotiations proposal. Finance Ministry refuses income tax amendment protecting workers from inflation.

Arab World: Representatives of Fateh and Palestinian Democratic Alliance (PDA) issue joint statement in Algiers proposing to convene 1 7th National Council session before mid-Sept.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF shoot Jabaliya camp (Gaza) resident on suspicion of stone-throwing, wounding him in leg.

Arab World: 3 IDF troops wounded by roadside bomb near Jezzine. Lebanese resistance fighters ambush IDF vehicle S. of Lake Karoun. Katyushas fired on IDF position near Tyre.

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Lebanese PM Karami says US has done nothing to stop repression of South by Israel.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor & Likud agree on basis for coalition gov't. economic & social policy.

Military Action

Arab World: al-Safir (Beirut) reports Lebanese Justice Min. Berri urges increase in ambushes of IDF occupiers in S. Lebanon. Bazooka fire hits IDF post near Tibnin, central Lebanon. Resistance fighters open light weapons fire on IDF near Kfar Kuk in E. Lebanon.

Other Countries: Madrid police report PFLP "special commando" leader Zaki al-Hallou shot, seriously wounded there.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Govt. unity talks stall over issues of settlement & negotiations with Jordan. Actual foreign currency reserve losses in July reportedly exceed $700 million; official $351 million figure created by bookkeeping maneuver [see 8/1]. Speaking at National Defense College, DM Arens charges communications media give "distorted" reports of S. Lebanon situation.

Other Countries: House Ways & Means Trade Subcom. members predict Congress will pass "free trade pact" with Israel before October. US Pres. Reagan tells World Jewish Congress leaders he will cancel US participation in Nairobi UN Conference on Women (1985) if it adopts measure equating Zionism with racism.

Military Aciton

Arab World: Israeli jets bomb supposed Palestine guerrilla camp E. of Bar Elias in Beqaa Valley; casualty reports contradictory; later, roadside bomb explodes near Jezzine, wounding 3 Israelis.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Under military authority, Israeli Electric Co. annexes western section of Nablus Electric Co.'s concession. Central Bureau of Statistics reports July inflation rate 12.4%.

Arab World: In S. Lebanon, hundreds of Palestinians in 'Ain al-Hilweh camp protest continued shooting and abduction of camp residents [2 killed by IDF gunfire this week, and camp raided daily by IDF and/or Israeli-trained "South Lebanon Army"]. IDF storm and seal off Maarake village E. of Tyre, arresting residents after stone-throwing incident. Beirut Jewish community leader Salim Jamus kidnapped by 3 unidentified gunmen.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: "Civil Guards" attack Palestinians randomly during night patrols in Jaffa.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Shefa 'Amr, Arab Local Councils pass resolution not to allow Kach members into their towns and villages.

Arab World: Haaretz reports Tahal plan to divert Hasbani River water to Israel using existing oil pipelines in Golan and S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: US State Dep't. begins review of Meir Kahane's dual US-Israeli citizenship.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset members sworn in; Meir Kahane refuses to take oath, then does so with biblical quote pledging to obey the law as long as he feels it does not disobey religious law. DM Arens defends act of Jewish squatters settling inside Hebron. Gov't. activities coordinator Goren tells press army will in coming weeks "uproot" development of national Palestinian bodies.

Other Countries: In Mexico City, UN Conference on Population adopts report condemning Israel's establishment of settlements in occupied territories; only US and Israel vote against.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 30 Israeli artists make solidarity visit to family of Gaza artist Fathi Ghabin imprisoned since 5/9/84. Gov't. activities coordinator in occupied territories visits newest settlement Tal Rumeida in heart of Hebron.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF officers serving in Lebanon submit to DM Arens detailed proposal for immediate withdrawal from S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Caretaker PM Shamir predicts Peres' coalition efforts will fail.

Arab World: IDF issues directive in Nabatiya forbidding display of photos of foreign [Shi'ite] leaders.

Other Countries: Under Arab state pressure, Guinea & Cameroon reportedly shelve plans for establishing relations with Israel.

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: In Tunis, Chrmn. Arafat reveals King Hussein's agreement in principle to link with future Palestine state.

Other Countries: Issue of illegal Israeli occupations since 1967 and "mass forcible transfers of population" discussed at UN Conference on Population, Mexico City.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel announces 1,440 immigrants & potential immigrants arrived in July. Caravan of 4 squatter families armed with M-16s arrives to settle inside Hebron during night. Meir Kahane prevented from breaking into al-Aqsa Mosque grounds to hoist an Israeli flag on Tishah b'Av (day marking the destruction of the 1st & 2nd temples).

Arab World: Egypt's FM Meguid says Egypt will return amb. to Tel Aviv if Israel withdraws from Lebanon and from Taba enclosure near Eilat, and if settlement of Palestinian question in progress. Lebanese cabinet approves plan to deploy army in militia-controlled countryside around Beirut.

Military Action

Arab World: Grenade thrown at IDF patrol 4 km E. of Jwaiyeh; 1 Israeli wounded.

Social/Economic/Political Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus prison inmates begin hunger strike to protest prison conditions. Kahane's incitement turns rite to bury Jewish religious articles in Hebron into rally for massive settlement of "greater Israel." Israel Treasury source says aid request from US for 1985 will be $5 billion.

Arab World: Addressing African-Arab Solidarity Conference in Tunis, Chrmn. Arafat calls for rigorous opposition to US policies in Middle East & Africa. IDF called mtg. of Tyre fishermen to ration out 400 fishing licenses.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 20 Gilo settlers evict nearby Salman family at gunpoint from their home, then bulldoze it. 62-yr.- old Palestinian woman dies of heart attack while pleading with IDF soldiers tying to trees and beating 3 of her relatives working in Heletez settlement.

Arab World: IDF bulldozers seal off Adloun village surrounding it with earthen wall.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nat'l. Religious Party leader Burg agrees to join unity gov't. under Peres, but opposes freeze on settlements.

Arab World: From Tunis, Fateh Central Com. calls urgently for Arab summit meeting. Lebanese PM Karami meets Soviet envoy to discuss USSR's peace conference proposal.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Municipal bulldozers demolish home inhabited since 1931 by Salman Arab in al-Salib near Jerusalem; authorities claim he doesn't own the house.

Arab World: 3 IDF soldiers wounded by remote-control bomb at roadside near Ansariya, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Herzog ends consultations with 14 Knesset parties; mandates Peres to form new gov't., still stressing unity of major blocs. Israel Assoc. for Civil Rights announces drafting bill to limit chances of racist groups getting into Knesset. Supreme Court releases 2 "TNT" suspects on IS1 million bail.

Military Action

Arab World: 1 IDF soldier killed, 2 wounded as personnel carrier hits land mine near Amiq village, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli rabbis join mass demonstration in Umm alFahm against fascist Kach movement.

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Jordan gov't. places former PM Mudar Badran & Minister of Occupied Territories Ibrahim under town arrest for suspicion of embezzling over $500,000 from Joint Committee funds.

Other Countries: Arab league amb. to US Clovis Maksoud urges US to renew peace efforts in Middle East, says recent events have not irreparably damaged US influence in region. AFL-CIO Executive Council votes to endorse boycott of El Al Airlines for its union-breaking policies.

Military Action

Arab World; Lebanese army reportedly repels 2 IDF gunboats approaching West Beirut coast. Military post atop Nabatiya building attacked with grenade; 1 Israeli killed, 1 wounded.