The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Cabinet settles on $375 million in budget cuts, $100 million from defense. Central Command [occupied territories] officer Shahak petitions High Court to expropriate 2 hills near Ramallah for IDF purposes. Cabinet decides to allow former Supreme Court pres. to examine secret documents required for MK Sharon's libel case against Time, Inc.

Military Action

Other Countries: Black September claims responsibility for assassinationf Jordanian diplomat Azmi al-Mufti in Bucharest.

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat & Exec. Com. submit resignations at PNC mtg.

Other Countries: During UN debate on Middle East, EEC countries call Israel, Palestinians & Arab states to mutual recognition, renunciation of force & for end to Israeli settlements. MK Abd al-Wahab Darousha tries to attend PNC by entry from Greece, but his (Labor) party persuades him to return home.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops shoot & wound Nablus youth during stone-throwing incident.

Arab World: Israeli F15s & F16s attack DFLP base in Qubb Elias, Beqaa Valley; 7 killed, 9 wounded; Syrian anti-aircraft tire repels planes.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: New IS10,000 note [approx. $16] bearing Golda Meir portrait begins circulation.

Arab World: US & Iraq resume full diplomatic relations. French Pres. Mitterrand begins 3-day official visit to Damascus. Rifa'at Assad returns to Syria from 51/2- mo. exile.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF patrol near Ansar comes under light arms fire; IDF returns fire, killing 1 gunman. IDF positions near Adwer & Kafr Kuk fired upon; no casualties reported. Israeli troops kidnap 3 from Kafr Seer, incl. head of Amal social services.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel closes all West Bank high learning institutions for duration of PNC mtg. 5 teenagers arrested for wearing T-shirts with PLO insignia. Settlers pass out leaflets at Dheisheh calling on residents to evacuate. Histadrut tacitly approves basic food price increases for December. Energy Min. spokesman claims Israeli-occupied Golan section of TAPline belongs to ministry.

Arab World: 120 delegates at PNC in Amman petition to expel Libyan-backed PFLP-GC's Ahmed Jibril for "high treason."

Other Countries: 26 US congressmen issue letter to Pope John Paul II calling for Vatican relations with Israel.

Military Action

Arab World: 2 al-Bas refugee camp (Tyre) residents, believed to be collaborators with IDF, killed by Lebanese resistance fighters. SLA soldier wounded by sniper fire near Nabatiya.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli-appointed mayor of Rafah (Gaza) [10/3, after Mayor Qishta's assassination], Suleiman Zo'rub arrested on charges of drug trafficking. IDF issues report showing it uses 8-10% of all fuel imported into country.

Arab World: PNC votes Khalid Fahoum out of office as Speaker [207-7, 47 abst.], elects Sheikh 'Abd al-Hamid Sayeh as replacement.

Other Countries: UN Gen. Assembly passes resolution (105-17, 9 abst.) condemning Israel for aggression in Lebanon.

Military Action

Arab World: 2 Israelis wounded in ambush of IDF patrol near Haboush village, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bethlehem & Bir Zeit U.s closed in mourning for death of Sharif Taibe (killed 1 1/21). Proceedings of PNC mtg. broadcast in Palestine via Jordanian TV.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat convenes 17th PNC with 257 delegates [251 needed for quorum] in Amman, evoking theme of "eternal continuity"; King Hussein gives opening speech urging Palestinian-jordanian initiative for peace talks based on "territory for peace." 41st anniversary of Lebanese Republic.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers shoot & kill Ramallah demonstrator Bakr Abdullah, wound another during stonethrowing incident there; officers refuse ambulance. Other stone-throwing incidents reported in Nablus & Jelaila camp (Gaza).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: COS Eitan says IDF can do without Lavi fighter. Jerusalem police refrain from seeking extradition of Jewish terror suspect Ira Rappaport from New York, claiming extradition "extremely problematic." [Under extradition agreement with US, Israel extradited Palestinian immigrant Ziad Abu Ain (1982) on basis of hearsay evidence.] Jewish terror defendant testifies MK Rabbi Waldman helped plan 1980 bomb attack on Palestinian mayors.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat meets Pres. Bendjedid in Algiers; Bendjedid urges 2-mo. postponement of PNC pending further unification talks. PFLP & DFLP announce their boycott of next day's PNC session. Lebanon & Israel meet in 4th round of withdrawal talks with no apparent progress. Libyan news agency Jana reports Col. Qadhafi meets in Tripoli with Abu Nidal [reported deceased].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police kill Sharif Taibe, wound 6 in shooting attack on Bir Zeit students demonstrating support for Chrmn. Arafat; curfew imposed on Bir Zeit, police occupy university.

Arab World: Bomb explodes at IDF patrol in Sarafand, S. Lebanon; no casualties.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hosting 8 Palestinian mayors, Ezer Weizman promises reforms & increased financial aid. 1984 West Bank olive harvest reported 50% below last year. Educ. Min. bans use of book Central Issues in Recent History of the State of the Nation by Amnon Haver for its reference to "Palestinian nation."

Other Countries: George Habash (PFLP) & Nayef Hawatmeh (DFLP) meet with Soviet officials in Moscow to discuss PLO reunification. US Senate Foreign Relations Com. publishes pessimistic report on Israeli economy, stating without current US aid (12% of GNP), balance of payment problem "unmanageable," and increased US aid will not "significantly ameliorate" these problems posing serious security threat to Israel. At Israel Bonds dinner in Los Angeles, American-Jewish oilman Armand Hammer announces project to search for oil in Israel. In New York libel trial, Sharon claims COS Eitan ordered Phalangists into Sabra & Shatila camps (9/82).

Military Action

Arab World: Pentagon orders US carrier Eisenhower totake position within range of Lebanon for possible "retaliatory strikes" there.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jiftlik farmers refute DM Rabin's claim that demolition (11/11) there done for security reasons. Att. Gen. Zamir recommends Knesset to limit MK Kahane's Knesset privilege of movement throughout country. Transport Min. suspends sea capt. Gilad for 60 days for forcing Kenyan stowaway out to sea in 1982.

Arab World: Lebanese & Israeli delegations hold 3rd round of talks on IDF withdrawal; both sides report discussions had "positive elements."

Other Countries: 2 Israeli delegations begin talks with US officials in Washington on increasing aid to Israel.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade thrown at army guards at Ramallah municipality, but fails to explode. Israeli troops besiege Balata camp near Nablus as demonstrators raise Palestinian flags; residents repel troops by throwing rocks; curfew imposed.

Arab World: Grenade thrown at IDF patrol at al-Harib, S. Lebanon wounds 1 soldier.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Territories: "Civil administration" orders 6 Dheisheh shop owners to destroy their shops as "illegal" [shops rented from UNRWA].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Journalist Raymonda Tawil's car destroyed by arsonist [Tawil is vocal supporter of Chrmn. Arafat].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Refugees from Iqrit & Bir'im march to site of their villages to commemorate anniversary of their demolition (1951), and demand return.

Arab World: Shi'ite leader Mahmoud al-Faqih tells Beirut press conference of beating and mistreatment while held captive by IDF.

Other Countries: In US, Henry Kissinger tells 53rd Council of Jewish Federation's general assembly there is danger in seeking "comprehensive solution" in Middle East at this time.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza Islamic U. professor Ismail Katib shot dead by 2 gunmen; no suspects. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: MKs Miari & Peled petition DM Rabin to allow Palestinian delegates under occupation to attend PNC mtg. Central Bureau of Statistics reports annual inflation rate now 1, 260%. FM Shamir leaves for US to attend Israel Bonds event honoring oilman Armand Hammer.

Arab World: Lebanese & Israeli military delegations resume talks in Naquora; Lebanese propose Lebanese Army control S. Lebanon after IDF pull-out, and demand $8-10 billion in reparations.

Other Countries: 26 Lebanese women representing women's orgs. in Lebanon hold silent vigil at UN in New York, protesting Israeli occupation of their country.

Military Action

Arab World: In Beirut, US embassy guards fire on private Saudi aircraft over ambassador's residence.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Energy Min. Shahal recommends suspending indefinitely Dead Sea canal project due to economic non-feasibility.

Arab World: Palestinian dissidents reportedly move into Sabra & Shatila camps to confront Arafat loyalists there. US envoy Murphy travels to Damascus to meet Pres. Assad in attempt and press for resumption of Israeli-Lebanese talks; Assad maintains support for Lebanon's refusal; Murphy flies to Tel Aviv.

Other Countries: Ariel Sharon's $50 million libel suit vs. Time magazine opens in New York Federal Court. Meir Kahane denied entry into Canada for 2nd time. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gov't. orders Palestinian money-changers in Jerusalem stop trading in US dollars. Ramallah military court fines Fatmeh Ja'afari IS 20,000 for possessing "illegal literature" [purchased in Jerusalem]. DM Rabin meets with Mayor Freij, approves $700,000 Saudi grant for Bethlehem development projects. FM Shamir calls for creation of new UN including "only democratic countries." Nahal inaugurates 4 settlements: Rotem in Jordan Valley, Heahzut near Gush Etzion, Amitai & Ye'elon in Negev. Morechet Benyamin Co. dumps truckloads of rubble on jib village land, rendering it unusable for farming. FM Shamir expresses alarm to visiting US congressmen at apparent Jordanian-PLO rapprochement.

Arab World: PNC Chrmn. Khalid Fahoum declines to issue invitations to PNC mtg. called by Chrmn. Arafat pending further unity talks. Christians & Muslim unite in general strike through S. Lebanon to protest Israeli kidnapping of Amal Shi'ite leaders; Phalangist Joseph Ghanem sends letter of solidarity with demonstrators in Sidon.

Other Countries: 9th anniversary of UN resolution equating Zionism with racism. Special UN panel publicizes findings on Israeli activity in occupied territories; reports Israel continues to disregard Geneva Convention on civilian rights under occupation. In New York Federal Court, hearings begin for Ariel Sharon's libel suit against Time magazine.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew imposed on Dheisheh camp after Border Policeman hit with thrown rock; boys' school raided by Border Police; area declared closed military zone.

Arab World: 2 Israeli soldiers wounded by light arms fire in Jibsheet; 2 wounded by RPG fire in Ghaziya village, S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: Bomb explodes in El AL office, Vienna; no injuries.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Law student Aziza Kharaja sentenced to 5 mos. for membership in illegal organization [her 2 sisters held in Neve Tertza on similar charges]. PM Peres announces invitation to Egypt's Pres. Mubarak for talks on bilateral relations. After 2-yr. silence, crewman of M. S. Moran reveals to Hadashot that ship's Capt. Gilad set Tanzanian stowaway adrift on high seas (3/82).

Arab World: Israel proposes cease-fire to Amal forces in S. Lebanon, but refuse release of detained Amal leaders (arrested 11/9) in exchange for resumed talks with Lebanon.

Other Countries: Greek PM Papandreou ends visit to Syria & Jordan and agrees to promote their interests among fellow EEC members.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities demolish 33 homes of farmers in jiftlik (Ghor al-Fari'a). [Jiftlik produces 15% of West Bank GNP. Israelis demolished adjacent al-'Ajajreh, Sattariya & al-Mahrouq villages in 1967.] Haifa U. student Saour Saour attacked by Kach students while posting notice offering to help Palestinians enroll. Stone-throwing incidents reported in Jabal al-Muqabber (Jerusalem), Bethlehem & Ramallah; police respond with tear gas.

Arab World: IDF convoy ambushed near Sarafand; 1 Israeli seriously wounded, later dies.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: From Ramallah to Bethlehem, Palestinian shops, schools and public transport strike in non-violent protest at Israeli police occupying al-Haram al-Sharif. Israeli officials give amount of 1985 US-aid request as $5 billion.

Arab World: Fateh Central Com. announces PNC will convene in Amman 11/22; Syria criticizes move as divisive. In Damascus, Nayef Hawatmeh announces DFLP will attend 17th PNC session. Al-Saiqa spokesman denounces Arafat's call for PNC session as treasonous. Lebanese PM Karami suspends talks with Israel in response to Israel's detention of 4 Shi'ite leaders (since 11/8).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Kach-member Yehuda Richter gets 5-yr. prison term for attack on Palestinian bus (3/4/84). Jerusalem Mayor Kollek & police chief Bar Lev attempt compromise with Supreme Muslim Council to avoid strike in protest at presence of unruly border guards at al-Haram al-Sharif. Davar reports Israel negotiating to buy 1st nuclear reactor for energy use. [Israel already has at least 2 reactors; uses are not publicized.] Govt. bars 5 witnesses named by Time magazine from testifying in imminent Sharon libel case.

Arab World: Voice of PLO (Baghdad) condemns US policy, raps Arab-Americans for misguidedness inbelieving they can effect neutral US role in Arab-Zionist conflict.

Other Countries: US federal jury awards Vanessa Redgrave $100,000 in suit against Bostom Symphony canceling her performance on basis of her support for PLO.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Najah U. authorities circulate statemento foreign consulates calling for pressure on Israel to prevent future closures. Gaza youth dies from gunshot wound inflicted by Border Police as he ran from patrolman. Marine Officers' Union boycotts entry at Haifa & Ashdod of 2 foreign ships contracted by Agrexco, forcing co. to use Israeli ships.

Arab World: Lebanese & Israeli military delegations meet in Naqoura, Lebanon for UN-sponsored talks on IDF withdrawal terms; both sides agree to meet again 11/12. Israeli forces arrest 13 Shi'ite Amal militia leaders in Sidon, incl. Com. Mahmoud al-Faqih; later release 9. Syria rejects SLA role in S. Lebanon proposed by Israel as pre-requisite for pull-out. Israeli amb. to Cairo Sasson meets with Egyptian FM Ali.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Histadrut protests maximum price list issued by Industry & Trade Min. shows substantial increases over 11/2 prices, when freeze went into effect. Central Bureau of Statistics reveals exports for October down 11.5% from 10/83. 139th IDF reserve soldier refuses duty, gets 35-day sentence. CoS Levy says 2,000 IDF employees to be laid off as part of $80 million defense budget cut. Supreme Court rejects appeal request for convicted terrorist Yehuda Cohen.

Other Countries: Chrmn. Arafat cables Pres. Chemenko on 68th anniversary of October Revolution.

Military Action

Arab World: Guerrillas ambush group of Israeli soldiers in Sidon, killing 1, wounding 4.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mossad ex-director Amit announces private project to launch Israeli communications satellite. DM Rabin tells Knesset Israel has abandoned idea of achieving political gains with IDF in Lebanon. Foreign Min. announces plan to send relief supplies to hunger-stricken Africa with financing by US Presidential Task Force on Intl. Private Enterprize.

Arab World: Rebel Palestinian guerrilla leader Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal) dies of heart attack in Baghdad. Palestine National Fund meets in San'a'. Egypt permits 1st nuclear-powered US Navy ship to pass through Suez Canal.

Other Countries: US Pres. Reagan wins reelection by landslide. Military Action: Lebanese & Palestinian fighters ambush "national guard" leader Mahmoud Tabajah in Ghassab Tadmin, S. Lebanon, killing him & 2 aides for working with IDF.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin rejects requests to allow West Bank & Gaza delegates to attend PNC mtg. in Amman and to early end to al-Najah U. closure. West Bank military govt. bans journalist Raymonda Tawil from leaving Palestine. S. African FM Botha meets FM Shamir; tells Jerusalem Post there are "striking comparisons" between problems faced by S. Africa and Israel.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 4-day curfew lifted in Dheisheh camp. Dheisheh resident Isa Abed Rabu formally charged with murder of 2 Israelis (10/22); defendant claims act of vengence for Shin Bet killing of his brother 2 yrs. ago. UNRWA closes Tira Teachers Seminary (al-Bireh) after 1-mo.-closure threat from authorities if student disturbances continue. Halhoul Local Council elects Hasan Hijazi as mayor. S. African FM Botha arrives in Tel Aviv for 3-day visit.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat speaks before 15th Arab Lawyer's Federation in Tunis.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Petrol bomb hurled at Israeli vehicle near Ramallah market; no damage.

Arab World: IDF soldier wounded by light weapons fire on IDF outpost in S. Lebanon; 4 SLA wounded by light weapons fire near Nabatiya; grenade thrown at SLA patrol in Tyre, no injuries.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem police arrest 4 IDF soldiers suspected in 10/28 bus attack; main suspect (18-yr.-old American David Ben-Shimol) confesses to grenade attack on Palestinian cafe (9/22), claims acts in retaliation for killing Jews. Supreme Muslim Council calls for general strike to protest Israeli border police stationed in al-Haram al-Sharif.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Katyusha rockets fall near Kibbutz Yosef in Bisan Valley, presumably launched from Jordan.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 67th anniversary of Balfour Declaration. Govt. & labor agree to 3-mo. wage, tax and price freeze, causing 20% drop in workers' real wages. Council of Jewish Settlements issue manifesto calling on govt. to ban Palestinian newspapers. Jerusalem magistrate charges 2 Moshav Susia (Jabal al-Khalil) settlers with abducting al-Khalil school teacher Khalil Younis (11/83).

Arab World: Algerian & PDR Yemeni officials meet representatives ofrival PLO groups in attempt to reach reconciliation before upcoming PNC mtg.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bethlehem Press Office destroyed by arson.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Lydd military court convicts Palestinian Amjad Rabi'a & Lebanese Wafiq Tsalaha of entering Israel from Lebanon & staging attack on Jerusalem market (4/2/84), killing 1, wounding 47; sentencing postponed.

Other Countries: Though not mentioning Israel by name, US Sec. of State Shultz tells New York audience of need to ease Middle East tensions to prevent nuclear proliferation there.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: After closure of Bethlehem U., stone-throwing atIsraeli cars resumes around Bethlehem and Bir Zeit. 2 petrol bombs thrown at shops in Manger Square, Bethlehem.

Arab World: IDF soldier injured as light arms fire & RPGs hit outpost near Lake Karoun, S. Lebanon.