The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres tells Knesset committee Israel has agreed to substitution by U.S. of condition that PLO recognize Israel's right to exist with the condition that PLO agree to direct negotiations with Israel (1 of 3 U.S. conditions for PLO participation in talks; others are renunciation of terrorism and acceptance of UN resolutions 242, 338) [JP 11/19]. P.M. Peres states Israel would agree to Soviet participation in intl. M.E. peace conference if Moscow would allow free emigration of Soviet Jews to Israel [CT 11/19]. Former head of Israeli civil administration on the West Bank Menachem Milsen urges U.S. Jewish groups to establish aid programs for West Bank Palestinians to encourage moderate leaders there [JTA 11/19]. Israeli High Court rejects petition by MK Meir Kahane that he be allowed to table two bills which would limit rights of non-Jews and ban sexual relations between Jews and non-Jews [JP 11/19].

Other Countries: Four Palestinians accused of hijacking Achille Lauro are convicted, along with 5th man arrested in Genoa before the ship sailed, on preliminary charges of illegal possession of weapons and explosives [WP, LAT 11/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres tells Knesset govt. will take speedy and unhesitating action against Israeli settlers in the West Bank who called for civil disobedience to oppose exchange of land for peace [NYT 11/7]. MK Muhammad Mi'ari appeals to High Court to overturn 10/15 Knesset decision to limit his parliamentary immunity [JP 11/7].

Other Countries: Italian P.M. Bettino Craxi defends right of PLO to "resort to arms," setting off uproar in parliament; he later wins vote of confidence [NYT 11/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Two Israelis are wounded by gunfire in Bidu village outside Jerusalem [JP 11/7].

Other Countries: Israeli and U.S. personnel stage mock evacuation of wounded U.S. troops as part of a medical cooperation agreement [JP 11/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yuval Ne'eman, head of the Tehiya party, claims to have seen and copied secret documents outlining power-sharing between Jordan and Israel over control of the West Bank; Ne'eman claims the working paper gives control of West Bank cities and the Old City of Jerusalem to Jordan. Peres denies existence of such a document [CT, LAT, JP 11/1]. Energy Min. Moshe Shahal of Labor party states Jordan has offered to supply electricity to the W. Bank, Israel is considering the proposal. Most of the area now is hooked up to the Israeli electric grid [CT, LAT 11/1]. High Court rules MK Meir Kahane may introduce bills containing racist language in the Knesset despite Knesset Presidium attempts to bar him. Kahane introduces 2 bills: one states only Jews may become citizens of Israel; other bans marriages between Jews and non-Jews [JTA 11/1; JWP 11/8].

Arab World: Der Spiegel reports PLO's financial assets top $6 billion, states PLO controls 70% of Jordan's economy [JP 10/31].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli warplanes stage mock raids over suspected Palestinian and Druze bases in Shuf Mountains east of Beirut, drawing heavy anti-aircraft fire but doing no damage [CT 11/1]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ha'Aretz reports P.M. Peres has made secret power-sharing arrangements with King Hussein over how they might jointly control the West Bank in the event of a peace settlement. Peres denies the existence of such an agreement [CT, LAT 11/1]. London Times reports Israeli disciplinary court has cleared 2 Shin Bet agents in the beating death of 2 Palestinians who hijacked a bus in the Gaza Strip last April; govt. inquiry said it could not establish who struck the fatal blows which killed the 2 during interrogation following their arrest [LT 10/29].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat holds press conference in midst of meetings with Jordanian officials, states Jordan and the PLO agree to set up permanent joint committee to coordinatefforts in M.E. peace efforts [LT 10/30]. Arafat rejects U.S. conditions for his participation in M.E. peace negotiations, defends armed resistance against Israel as legitimate activity against occupying power [NYT, BG 10/30]. Two top Fateh officials arrive in Cairo for talks aimed at healing rifts over Achille Lauro hijacking, prepare for upcoming visit by Yasir Arafat [FT 10/31].

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. announces Wat Cluverius, U.S. consul general in Jerusalem since 1983, has been named senior advisor to Asst. Sec. of State for M.E. Affairs Richard Murphy. Cluverius is replaced by Morris Draper, former deputy to former M.E. envoy Philip Habib [WP, LAT 10/30]. U.S. Sen. Appropriations Subcommittee approves fiscal foreign aid program which includes $531 million to ease high interest charges facing Israel on past U.S. loans [WSJ 10/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Post reports unidentified gunmen apparently infiltrated from Egyptian territory and attacked IDF patrol last week near moshav in the Negev; no injuries reported UP 10/29].

Arab World: Jordanian jets accidentally overfly Israel and Syria, drawing Syrian missile fire, return unharmed. Israeli military describes it as "a local incident, simply a mistake" [WP 10/30].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli High Court issues interim injunction ordering defense minister to refrain from deporting Khalil Abu Ziad and to show, within 3 days, why order should not be cancelled [MG 8/12]. The Israeli coordinator of govemment activities in the occupied territories, Shlomo Goren, advises Israelis to be armed and accompanied whenever entering heavily populated Palestinian areas [JP 8/12]. Jerusalem Post reports Israeli Ministry of Labor has asked IDF civil administration in south Lebanon to find Lebanese workers for manual labor in the Galilee for fruit picking and hotel jobs during high tourist season. Few Lebanese have responded. IDF reports estimate 550 Lebanese come into Israel every day to work. Some stay overnight [JP 8/11]. Israeli High Court upholds the right of a Lebanese to appeal to it for redress for the Israeli army's seizure of property during the invasion of Lebanon [JP 8/12]. The Israeli Cabinet officially and "unconditionally" condemns apartheid for the first time, but ministersay the government will make no move to end the commercial and arms trade with South Africa [WP, JP 8/12]. Absorption Minister Ya'acov Tsur presents "Master Plan for Ethiopian Jewish Absorption" to Prime Minister Peres; 84 housing units have been made available to Ethiopian Jews in West Bank; Tsur says no immigrants will be forced to relocate there [JP 8/12].

Other Countries: U.S. Sen Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) says he will initiate adefense agreement between Israel and the U.S. to include air strips, joint research and development, and cooperation in other fields. Helms is on a private visit to Israel, along with Sen. Chick Hecht of Nevada [JP 8/12]. Members of the Hispanic Caucus of the U.S. Congress leave Jerusalem for Madrid to urge government there to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. The thirteen-member caucus was visiting Israel as guests of the Anti-Defamation League UP 8/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Fighting continues in Beirut; 6 are killed, more than 47 wounded. The 7/16 Syrian-backed security plan fails to halt the fighting [NYT 8/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. gives Israel list of 7 Palestinians being considered for talks with U.S. Israeli P. M. Peres, speaking on Israel TV, rejects list on grounds that no residents of West Bank or Gaza are on it, all but one are members of PNC [NYT, WP 7/18]. Peres rejects idea of prior U.S. negotiations with Palestinian-Jordanian delegation before direct negotiations with Israel. Israel's chief rabbis insist Ethiopian immigrants must go through ritual conversion process [LAT, BG 7/18].

Arab World: Kuwaiti Parliament cancels $194 million in military aid earmarked for Syria, and $146 million for Jordan and the PLO because it is "being misused" [WP 7/18, LM 7/19].

Other Countries: The Daily Telegraph reports U.S. gives $8 million to UNRWA, more than 50 percent of the budget [DT 7/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prime Minister Peres announces last stage of IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon will be completed by 6 June; but unspecified number of soldiers will remain in "security zone" [NYT 6/3]. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Samuel Lewis ends 8-year tour of duty [JTA 6/3]. Council of Jewish Settlements in West Bank calls for official action to deport Palestinians released 20 May [JTA 6/3]. Council Chair Yisrael Har'el says harassment tactics used againsthem by settlers igenerating sympathy for Palestinians among some Israelis. Wives of Jewish underground defendants end 13-day hunger strike after receiving order from rabbi to desist and assurances Knesset bill will be introduced to grant defendants clemency. Defendants tell court attempted Temple Mount sabotage was intended only "to frighten," not kill. Summer visiting season for relatives to West Bank residents begins. 2,500 visitors will be allowed to cross Allenby Bridge per day, up from 1,250; 1,100 over Damiya Bridge, up from 800 [JP 6/3]. Israeli settlers in West Bank and Gaza meet at Pesagot near Ramallah to discuss how to torpedo the envisaged peace talks with Jordan and how to force out of the country Arabs freed May 20 [JP 6/3]. Rejecting Hussein Plan and U.S. overtures, Shamir and Likud want direct talks with non-PLO/PNC-Jordanian or Jordanian-Palestinian delegation. Peres and Labor party take "wait and see" position on delegation that includes PNC members.

Arab Countries: Red Cross evacuates 29 from Burj al-Barajinah [FT 6/3]. 93 Palestinians taken to hospitals in Druze-held mountain town of Shuwayfat. Shi'a militiamen take 5 Palestinians from ambulances, later let them be evacuated.

Other Countries: Sec. of State Shultz sends message to P. M. Peres seeking Israeli backing for projected American talks with Jordanian-Palestinian delegation as step toward direct talks with Israel [NYT 6/3]. U.S. accepts PNC representation idelegation. Shultz says he is glad PLO has accepted UN resolutions 242 and 338 but says U.S. needs public statement before considering talking to PLO [JTA 6/3]. He opposes Hussein's proposal of Soviet participation in peace talks.