February 19, 1984

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yaacov Levinson, long-time chairman of Bank Hapoalim, commits suicide after investigations into financial misdealings involving Labor Party institutions.

Arab Countries: Lebanese opposition leaders confer in Damascus. King Hussein returns to Amman after visit to US.

Other Countries: Israeli PM Shamir begins 3-days with EEC FMs in Brussels, lobbying for favorable trade treatment. Reagan admin. claims no knowledge of contact over past 9 mos. between State Dep't. and PLO via intermediary, John Mroz.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Israelis bomb positions at Hammana, Bhamdoun and Damour alleging rebel Palestinian bases there; local residents insist no Palestinians in area; Souq al-Gharb and Aley also hit.