Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel condemns U.S. move to begin talks with PLO; Shamir aide states Israel will never meet with PLO [LAT 12/16].
Other Countries: UN votes in favor of calling for M.E. peace conference; call is opposed by U.S., Israel [LAT 12/16]. UN upgrades the status of PLO; PLO will be referred to as Palestine [WP 12/16]. W. Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands praise U.S. decision to talk with PLO [NYT 12/16].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus soldiers shoot, wound 3 Palestinians. In Maythalun 1 Palestinian is injured. In Gaza Strip 9 Palestinians are injured during clashes with Israeli troops. Troops arrest 4 Palestinians in Bir Zeit. Troops demolish 3 Palestinians houses in Dhahriyyah [FJ 12/19].