Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: At inner cabinet meeting ministers Yitzhaq Modai and Ariel Sharon call for Israeli annexation of occupied territories; ministers from Labor party counter that annexation of 850,000 W. Bank Palestinians would dilute the Jewish character of Israel [WP 8/4]. In Nablus total strike is observed [FJ 8/7].
Arab World: In Baghdad the PLO announces it will perform duties of legitimate representative of Palestinian people; it gives little indication how it will carry out its new duties in territories [WP 8/4].
Military
Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF destroys 10 homes, seals 2 of families of people suspected of throwing Molotov cocktails at army patrols, settlers [WP 8/4, FJ 8/7]. In Nablus Israeli troops use rubber bullets, helicopters to quell demonstrators. In Irtas, near Bethlehem, troops arrest 11. Clashes occur in Salfit, Jabalya, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Gaza City, Beach, Bayt Hanun, and Bayt Lahiya [FJ 8/7].
Other Countries: Negotiations in U.S. Congress clear way for Kuwait to buy sophisticated weapons from U.S.; restriction will be placed on the weapons to ensure Israeli security [WP 8/4].