Thursday, March 3, 1983

Military Action:

IDF convoy ambushed south of Damour, 3 IDF wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Police search settler houses in Kiryat Arba for illegal arms and other evidence relating to attacks on Palestinians; 12 carloads of Kiryat Arba settlers block road outside Dheisheh camp, break into school, detain principal after he refuses their demand to line up students for identification; 25 Palestinian familes in Hebron receive warnings to emigrate; American supporter of Kach movement arrested at airport in connection with shooting of 4 year-old Hebron girl; soldier, border policeman injured, a dozen cars damaged in stone-throwing incidents; 1000 dunums of fertile land seized from Deir Dibwan near Ramallah for garbage processing plant; each of 6 Village Leagues receives IS 5 m. annual operating budget from Defense Ministry for salaries of clerks and officials, guards, entertainment and office expenses; 4 Druze residents of Golan sentenced to 3 to 8 years in jail for spying for Syria; IDF says mines that killed 5 Bedouin in Negev last week were laid by unknown persons who crossed the border to Egypt.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese-Israeli-US negotiations held at Netanya, progress reported on movement across borders, early warning stations; President Gemayel sends envoy to assure Saudi Arabia that Lebanon will not be infiltration point for Israeli goods, Saudi imports from Lebanon valued at $400m in 1982.

Arab Governments: Egyptian-Israeli talks on Taba end without resolving dispute over ownership of the 700 meter Red Sea coastal strip.

US and Other Countries: 18 rabbis end 2 days of lobbying in Washington to demonstrate alternative views among American Jewish leadership, support for Reagan plan and freeze on settlements; EEC expresses regret over Israel's settlement policy, reiterates its commitment to 1980 Venice Declaration calling for association of PLO with peace process.