The Palestine Chronology

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: Min.of Police Bar Lev refuses Jewish terror suspects' request for prison leave over Jewish holidays.

Arab World: In Damascus, Democratic Alliance calls for convening PNC.

Other Countries: US envoy Murphy arrives in Tel Aviv to discuss with PM Peres possible mediation between Israel and Syria over IDF withdrawal from Lebanon. Israeli FM Shamir meets Egyptian FM Abd al-Meguid in New York. US threatens withdrawal from Intl. Atomic Energy Agency if it does not recognize Israel.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF and SLA patrols come under light arms fire near Jezzine and in Tyre, S. Lebanon. 1 IDF soldier & 1 Shin Bet agent killed, 1 soldier wounded in ambush near Mishki village, eastern Beqaa.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestine Women's Union holds 1 st annual conference in Jerusalem, issuing statement supporting PLO unity. US-born Kach member gets 4-yr. term (with portion suspended) for raids on Arab property and arson. Hasim Abu Hamad placed under town arrest in Abasan al-Kabirah, Gaza, for membership in Palestinian organization.

Arab World: 3 Ansar escapees hold press conference in Beirut, urging Lebanese gov't. and ICRC to intervene to improve conditions of those imprisoned by Israel.

Military Action

Arab World: Various sources report Shin Bet arrests Rushdi Nahhas in his Bidyas, S. Lebanon bicycle shop, executing him in front of his wife & mother.

Other Countries: Scotland Yard's Anti-Terrorist authorities arrest 3 Mossad-linked Israelis in attempted kidnapping of Nigerian opposition figure Umaru Dikko, found in Lagos-bound crate.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Kotoret Rashit reports 3 men responsible for beating deaths of 2 commandos (4/12/84) from army, border police and Shin Bet, and reveals censored details of mutilation of the bodies.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset Settlement Committee approves 5 new settlements in West Bank. Bodies of 2 commandos killed by Shin Bet (4/12/84) exhumed for 2nd autopsy under inquiry commission order.

Arab World: Morocco hosts conference of Jews of Moroccan origin, including 35 Israeli delegates at Rabat Hilton; Crown Prince Mohammed and cabinet members attend. In BBC interview, King Hussein accuses US of providing material help to Israel for West Bank settlements.

Other Countries: Former Nazi Walter Rauff, subject of Israeli attempts to obtain unprecedented extradition arrangements with Chile [where 350,000 Palestinians live], dies in Santiago.

Military Action:

Arab World: Grenade explodes near Israeli patrol in Sidon, no damage.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: After lawyer's insistance, Israeli police begin investigation into charges of torture of political prisoner Saleh Zbeidat arrested 4/13/84. Shin Bet chief briefs Israeli cabinet on Jewish terrorist underground; Jewish terror suspect signs confession to role in 1980 car bomb maiming of West Bank mayors; 2 IDF majors arrested in connection with "TNT" activities; Supreme Court rebukes police for leaking information to media about recent arrests of suspected "TNT" terrorists. Central Bureau of Statistics issues findings that 83% of Israel's 3.452 million population are Jews. 5 IDF reserve officers demand inquiry into MK Sharon's role in 2 battles in S. Lebanon (1982), waged without cabinet approval.

Other Countries: New York-based firm Research & Forecasts, Inc. reports findings that top US executives view Israel as role model for US business. Israel embassies to US and UN celebrate 36th anniversary of Israeli claim to statehood; Egyptian ambassadors join reception guests.

Military Action:

Arab World: Lebanese radio reports Israeli gunships approach N. Lebanese coast, drawing Syrian gunfire.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In special session, military court considers charge that confession of Abd al-Aziz Qablawi, 16, to stone-throwing at IDF vehicles was untrue and extracted by torture at Fara'a prison.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 4 Arab men demanding release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons commandeer Egged bus from Tel Aviv to Gaza with about 10 hostages; Shin Bet storms bus, kill commandos Jamal Qablan & Mohammed Barakeh (1 passenger killed and 7 wounded by stray gunfire), take Ahmed & Subhi Abu Jama'a into custody, bludgeoning them to death later; DM Arens on scene confirms only 2 killed in operation. IDF then destroys Gaza home of the 4, orders their families not to rebuild, places home villages under curfew. Arab World: Suicide car-bomber hits IDF armored personnel carrier, wounding at least 4 troops near Deir Qanoun.