The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's High Court upholds the deportation orders against 11 West Bank Palestinians on the grounds they failed to prove residency. The 11 were among 600 prisoners released in the West Bank in the 5/20 prisoner exchange [NYT 9/13]. Administrative detention orders are issued against 7 more Palestinians, bringing the total to 70 [JP 9/13]. Two-week-old curfew on Hebron marketplace is lifted [JP 9/13]. The Palestinian who sold the apartment to Israeli settlers in Hebron's old market where MKs recently squatted has asked the military governor of Hebron to have his flat returned if the settlers' ownership is not recognized. The Palestinian, Muhammad Yunis Ja'abari, has been hiding in Rabbi Moshe Levinger's home to avoid retaliation [JP 9/13].

Other Countries: Sec. of State Shultz tells group of Jewish congressmen the administration plans to go ahead with projected arms sale to Jordan. Jabotinsky Foundation announces former U.S. Amb. to the UN Jeane Kirkpatrick and "Operation Moses," which brought 10,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel, are corecipients of the 1985 Jabotinsky Prize-Defender of Jerusalem Award, worth $100,000 [JTA 9/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Rafat Subuh, 20, and Muhammad Rimawi, 20, both from Gaza, are shot by army patrol [FJ 9/20]. Israeli soldier opens fire on Palestinian bus north of Jerusalem wounding 5 passengers. Police question the soldier [JP 9/13; FJ 9/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Cabinet approves series of harsh security measures in the occupied territories, capital punishment not among them. Measures include deportation of "persons who constitute a security risk," indefinite "administrative detention" without charges for Palestinians suspected of security offenses, an increase in prison capacity in the West Bank, and closing Palestinian newspapers that violate censorship regulations [LAT 8/5]. Forty-three Palestinian local councils in Israel and their employees hold rally outside Israeli prime minister's office to protest government failure to provide promised funds to alleviate their financial difficulties. They demand budgets equal to those of Israeli local councils. The 43 councils have an accumulated debt of $10 million; some have not been able to pay employees for 3 months [FJ 8/2, 8/9]. Public opinion poll by Pori Research Institute published in Ha'Aretz shows 10.6 percent of those who voted for Likud in last Knesset elections would now vote for Kach. Another poll by the Modi'in Ezrachi Institute shows Kahane would increase his Knesset seats to 5 if elections were held now [JTA 8/5].

Arab World:The Sunday Times reports testimony of British doctor on conditions in the 3 Beirut refugee camps besieged 2 months ago. According to Dr. Swee Chai Ang, over 1,500 Palestinians are missing, feared to have been kidnapped or killed. Palestinians are still being killed, although war of the camps technically ended in June and the camps of Sabra, Shatila, and Burj al-Barajinah are now protected by Lebanese army and internal security forces [LT 8/4]. Libya, which had threatened toboycott Arab summit, sends senior official [WSJ 8/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Petrol bomb hurled at a border police patrol outside 'Ain Beit al-Ma', near Nablus injures 2 policemen. Curfew is imposed [JP 8/5]. Another petrol bomb incident is reported in Azzariya, near Jerusalem; no injuries reported [JP 8/6]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ziad Abu 'Ain is rearrested and held in solitary confinement in Hebron prison without charges under six-month administrative dtention order. Abu 'Ain begins a hunger strike [WP 8/2]. Nablus remains under curfew as search continues for killer of Albert Buchris. Residents are allowed two-hour reprieve to shop [JTA 8/2]. Israeli military censor orders printing press of al-Sha'ab newspaper closed for 3 days for publishing stories 7/30 on the death of 2 Nablus residents; censor said stories harmed investigation [JP 8/2]. Arab Journalists Association in the West Bank and the International Association of Journalists condemned closure order. Israel Press Association did not comment [FJ 8/9]. Israeli police break into site of planned Palestinian heritage festival in Tireh, confiscate IDs of 5 volunteers [FJ 8/9]. Arab local councils in Israel and their employees go on a one-day warning strike to protest government failure to provide promised funds to ease their financial problems [FJ 8/2, 8/9]. Jewish Press reports Egypt will lower the price of fuel sold to Israel by up to $2 a barrel, a savings of $100 million annually for Israel [JP 8/1]. The Washington Post reports Israeli government plans to entice estimated 175,000 Israeli emigrants living abroad back to the country by offering lucrative job contracts to the highly skilled, free shipping of household goods, and free air fares to Israel [WP 8/1].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Administrative detention order is issued against ex-political prisoner Ziad Abu 'Ain, for allegedly planning to hijack Israeli bus. (Abu 'Ain spent less than 3 months at home following his release in the 5/20 prisoner exchange) [FJ 8/9]. Nablus remains under curfew following 7/30 murder of Albert Buchris. Five hundred police and a helicopter monitor his funeral [JTA 8/1]. Army enters al-Najah University and raids student council offices; preparations had been underway for student elections [JP 8/2]. Knesset passes bill requiring anyone running for Knesset to give up second citizenship [WP, PI, JTA 8/1]. Israeli police break into the site of preparations for the second annual Palestinian heritage festival in Tireh, order volunteers to stop work on the basis they do not have building permits [FJ 8/9]. Funeral is held in Afula for Israeli shot to death in West Bank. Riot police disperse crowd outside police station [PI 8/1]. Mayor Shalom Wach of Kiryat Arba cancels plan to dismiss all Palestinian workers employed by the municipality following Attorney General Zamir's ruling the plan is illegal UTA 8/1]. New American Ambassador to Israel Thomas Pickering assures P. M. Peres there has been no change in U.S. policy towards the PLO; U.S. will engage in talks with a Palestinian-Jordanian delegation only if convinced it will lead to direct talks with Israel; U.S. is ready, if requested, to help Israel and Egypt resolve Taba dispute [JTA 8/1]. The Jerusalem Post reports charges of corruption have been made against several Israeli companies and individuals operating in the black "homeland" of Ciskei; contracts with the trade commissioners in Israel have been terminated; all commercial relations with Israel have been cut [JP 7/31, JTA 8/5].

Military Action

Arab World: Suicide car bomb attack against an Israeli armored patrol in the security zone kills at least 3 Lebanese, including the driver, wounds unknown number of others, including Israeli soldiers. Syrian Social Nationalist party claims responsibility, saying its member, 'Ali Ghazi Talib, 22, carried out the attack [NYT 8/1]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Knesset passes, by vote of 60-0, law banning future election lists that advocate racism [FJ 8/9]. Clause proposed by Justice Minister Moshe Nissim bans election lists which reject the legitimacy of Israel as the "state of the Jewish people." Progressive List for Peace and the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Israeli Communist party) abstained in Knesset vote; PLP spokesman Kamil Dahir submits resignation in protest of abstention vote. Two Palestinians are found dead near car in West Bank village of Tubas, in what police say was apparently an accidental detonation of a car bomb [WP 7/31]. Palestinian sources speculate they may have been murdered [FJ 8/2]. U. S. Asst. Defense Sec. Richard Perle announces Israel agrees to participate in Strategic Defense Initiative research [BG 7/31]. Jane's Defence Weekly reports that Israel's clandestine arms sales to China have bolstered its international weapons trade to $1.2 billion annually [MJ 8/16].

Arab World: Jordanian and PLO officials say 2 Palestinians acceptable to Israel - Hanna Siniora and Fayez Abu Rahmeh - are intended only as "consultants" to joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation [WP 7/31]. Al-Fajr English newspaper reports sources in Tunis say PLO condemns new West Bank committee set up by local pro-Jordanian figures to lobby for joint Jordanian-Palestinian moves [FJ 8/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Albert Buchris, 32, from Afula, shot to death in Nablus market. Nablus and 2 nearby refugee camps put under curfew; residents are teargassed, house-to-house searches are conducted for the weapon used in the killing. Al-Najah University is closed [WP, LAT 7/31, JTA 8/1].

Arab World: Syria delivers 50 Soviet-made T-54 tanks to Amal in south Beirut [DT 7/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P. M. Peres opposes "preliminary talks" between U.S. and joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation [JP 6/10]. Eleven Palestinian women political prisoners at Neve Tertza prison near Ramleh begin work strike to protest decision to integrate them with criminal prisoners [FJ 6/14]. Women punished by being held in cells 23 hours a day. Israeli military officials announce that starting 6/10 no joumalists will be permitted to enter southern Lebanon from Israel [WP 6/10]. IDF declare Hebron village of Raq'ah closed military area; impose curfew after 6/4 grenade attack on military vehicle [FJ 6/14].

Arab World: At urging of PLO Chairman Arafat, Arab League meets in Tunis to discuss three-week-old crisis [NYT 6/10]; declines to conduct inquiry into massacres of Palestinians in camps [LT 6/10]. Syrian-sponsored peace talks are deadlocked: Palestinians refuse to surrender arms to Amal [LAT 6/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Petrol bomb is thrown into Israeli bus in Nablus, West Bank; no injuries. Tourist bus stoned near Hebron. Shots fired at IDF truck in Gaza [JP 6/10].

Arab World: Palestinian fighters in Druzec-ontrolled hills east of Beirut bombard Shi'ite militia attacking three Palestinian camps [NYT 6/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: According to report issued by West Bank Data Base Project, 41% of W. Bank under direct Israeli govt. control, 11% under indirect control (due to development restrictions); remaining available growth areas specified for solely Jewish development [NYT, WP 4/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Sttler shot and killed in Ramallah; 24-hr. curfew imposed on Ramallah, al-Bireh; DFLP claims responsibility [LAT, JP 4/1; LAT 4/6].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: Lebanese Forces continue fighting Muslim militias, Palestinian fighters, Lebanese Army units in 'Ain al-Hilweh, Sidon area [NYT 4/1]. RPGs fired at IDF positions in Tyre, Qasmiya, Jwaiyeh; no injuries. Landmine defused by IDF near Lake Karoun [JP 4/1].