Thursday, February 25, 1988

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Sec. of State Shultz arrives in Israel [WP 2/26]. Stores and businesses remain closed in general strike to protest Shultz visit [NYT 2/26]. Near Nablus, camera crew working for U.S. network films 4 Israeli soldiers systematically beating, breaking arms of 2 bound Palestinians [WP 2/27].

Other Countries: Congressional committee investigating Iran-contra affair releases testimony revealing Lt. Col. Oliver North had budgeted $2.5 million to finance secret U.S.-Israel operations [WP 2/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military raids Qabatiyyah, arrests at least 100 villagers, destroys 2 houses [NYT 2/26]; village remains under curfew [FJ 2/28]. Israeli soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to disperse stone-throwing demonstrators in Jenin; 1 Palestinian is killed, at least 4 wounded [WP 2/26; FJ 2/28]. In Nablus, Palestinian youth is shot dead by army gunfire; 4 others are wounded. Soldiers raid al-Ittihad Hospital in Nablus, beating patients and staff and breaking fumiture [WP 2/26]. Soldiers clash with Palestinian protesters in E. Jerusalem neighborhoods. At least 5 are wounded during clashes in Tulkarm, Balatah refugee camp, and Yatta village near Hebron [NYT 2/26]. Demonstrations are also reported in 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma', Ramallah, Mazra'ah al-Nubani village, 'Anata, Ram village, and Jabalya camp [FJ 2/28]. Yamun village and Nusayrat, Burayj, Beach, Jalazun, and Am'ari camps are under curfew [FJ 2/28].