The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Post reports IDF have increased wages and extended basic training for SLA recruits to "boost efficiency and bolster morale"; 35 SLA soldiers have been killed in last 6 months UPI 2/28].

Other Countries: French court finds Lebanese Georges 'Abdallah guilty of complicity in the murders of American and Israeli diplomats, sentences him to life imprisonment [BS 3/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Student demonstrators in Gaza throw stones, bum tires before protest is broken up by military water canon; authorities close Islamic University until 3/4. After stone-throwing demonstration, Hebron U. is closed until 3/15 [JPI 3/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Rabin denies White House allegations cited in Tower Commission report that Israel offered military advisers to Nicaraguan contras [NYT, WP 2/28].

Arab World: Israeli F. M. Peres ends 2-day visit to Egypt, issues joint statement with Egypt emphasizing support for 1987 international conference on Middle East peace. Reports indicate Egypt agreed during talks to exclude PLO from future peace talks [JP 3/7].

Other Countries: Convicted spy Jonathan Pollard states Israel provided highly detailed requests for documents and therefore doubts he was part of "renegade operation" [NYT 2/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military orders al-Falujah Secondary School in Jabaliyyah refugee camp and al-Manfaloti Secondary School for Girls in Dayr al-Balah closed indefinitely [FJ 3/6].

Arab World: Syrian commander in Beirut announces his forces have closed all 70 Muslim militia offices and would personally guarantee the safety of any foreign visitors to W. Beirut [LAT 2/27].

Other Countries: In U.S., Tower Commission issues Iran-contra affaireport highly critical of Pres. Reagan and his advisers, calls Israel's role "crucial" [CSM, WP 2/27].

Socia l/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Interior Ministry releases NIS 1.6 million to help Umm al-Fahm pay its debts [FJ 2/27]. Ahmad 'Awdah is convicted on 45 counts of fraud related to sale of Palestinian-owned lands in Nablus, Tulkarm, and Qalqiliyyah areas to Israelis [FJ 3/6].

Arab World: F. M. Peres, against wishes of P. M. Shamir, arrives in Cairo for talks with Pres. Mubarak and other government officials [LAT 2/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Washington Post reports Egypt's Pres. Mubarak and Jordan's King Hussein have canceled plans to visit U.S. because of arms sales to Iran [WP 2/24].

Military Action

Arab World: Beirut news sources report Syrian troops, estimated at 7,000, have arrested at least 50 militiamen, shot 12 others since entering the city 2/22 [CSM 2/25]. Syrian forces kill 22 Hizballah fighters, 3Druze in separate incidents. Two "ranking" communists are assassinated in Sidon [LAT 2/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Authorities close Hebron University for 3 days [FJ 2/27].

Arab World: Reports indicate PLO has received UAE permission to move Palestine National Fund from Amman to Abu Dhabi [FJ 2/27].

Other Countries: In report on human rights, U.S. State Dept. issues "generally mild critique" of Israel's treatment of Arabs in the occupied territories [CSM 2/24]. European Economic Community officially states support for international conference on Middle East peace [FJ 2/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military authorities order Gaza's Islamic University closed for 10 days [FJ 2/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade explodes during changing of Israeli border guard at Jerusalem's Damascus Gate, wounds 12 soldiers, at least 2 Israeli citizens, 3 Palestinians. PLO claims responsibility [FJ 2/27]. Explosion destroys soldiers' hitchhiking station at entrance to new Jewish settlement town of Efrat, midway between Jerusalem and Hebron [JP 2/27]. At Jalazun refugee camp near Ramallah troops use tear gas to disperse protestors who had blocked roads, thrown stones. Merchants strike in Gaza City to protest continued detention of over 135 university students [FJ 2/27].

Arab World: Syrian troops enter W. Beirut [BG 2/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Members of Gaza Trade Union of Carpenters and Construction Workers defy Israeli ban, vote in first union election in Gaza in 20 years [NYT 2/22; FJ 2/27]. Jerusalem Post cites reports Israel has doubled size of forces in Lebanon to almost 3,000 UPI 2/21]. Meir Ya'ari, one of the founders of Hashomer Hatzair Zionist youth movement and a long-time leader of Mapam party, dies at age 90 UPI 2/28].

Other Countries: Head of PLO Political Dept. Faruq al-Qaddumi ends 3-day official visit to Rome [FJ 2/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 200 students participate in protest in Ramallah, throw stones at Israeli soldiers [FJ 2/27].

Arab World: Advance party of Syrian troops and tanks arrives in S. Beirut; 4,500 Syrian and Lebanese soldiers are expected to enter W. Beirut 2/22. Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil, returning from 10-day trip to European capitals, terms Syrian plan "illegal and unconstitutional" [WP 2/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Davar reports Israel needs 4 years to fulfill contracts with S. Africa and avoid losing minimum of $500 million [LAT 2/21].

Arab World: Lebanese P. M. Karami and House Speaker Husayni formally request Syrian intervention to end Beirut street battles [WP 2/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Two Muslim Americans in Beirut to negotiate for release of American hostages leave country after militiamen ransack, rob their hotel rooms [NYT 2/20]. SLA commander Lahad rejects plan to swap Arab prisoners for foreign hostages, states willingness to swap them for Israeli soldiers [WP 2/20].

Other Countries: Israeli P. M. Shamir, on visit to U.S., says he will accept an international Middle East peace conference if U.S.S.R. and "militant" Arab states are excluded [PI 2/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Troops use tear gas to break up group of stone-throwing demonstrators in Ramallah; use tear gas and live ammunition against protestors blockading streets in Rafah, Khan Yunis, and refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, wounding at least 3 [FJ 2/27].

Arab World: Police in S. Beirut report "de facto truce" around Burj al-Barajinah and Shatila refugee camps [LAT 2/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: During court hearing in case of Alternative Information Center Director Michael Warschawski, police prosecutor indicates arrest and closure of center were linked to plans to publish study on Israeli torture of Palestinian detainees [FJ 2/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Witnesses allege a taxi driver who was shot and killed after running his car into Israeli military patrol, injuring 2 soldiers, was trying to avoid stone-throwing youths. Military claims Palestinian driver intentionally ran into the soldiers [FJ 2/20]. Gaza City's Ansar II detention center reopens [FJ 2/20].

Arab World: Street battles continue in Beirut despite Syrian-proposed cease-fire, bringing casualties to at least 65 killed, 280 wounded since 2/15 [CSM 2/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset com. votes to deny Rabbi Kahane his free postal privileges after he sent "hate mail" to Israeli Arabs [WP 2/18].

Arab World: PLO delegation led by Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) ends talks with Minister of Occupied Territories Affairs Marwan Dudin and other Jordanian officials in Amman with agreement on how to distribute Saudi contribution to joint PLO-Jordanian fund [WP 2/18].

Other Countries: Israeli P. M. Shamir and U.S. Sec. of State Shultz meet in Washington, discuss disagreement over international Middle East peace conference [NYT, WP 2/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: One woman is shot by police during 9th day of demonstrations in Khan Yunis [BG 2/18]. Authorities order Bethlehem University closed for 4 days, Birzeit U. for 2 days following demonstrations at both campuses. Demonstrations are reported in Gaza City, Rafah, and several camps [FJ 2/20].

Arab World: Amal temporarily lifts siege of Shatila and Burj al-Barajinah camps after PLO fighters agree to withdraw from posts in Maghdushah [FJ 2/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Poice raid W. Jerusalem Alternative Information Center, confiscate material, arrest director, and order center closed for 6 months on charges center has been "rendering services" to PFLP [NYT 2/18; FJ 2/20]. Trial of John Demjanjuk, accused of being Treblinka concentration camp prison guard known as "Ivan the Terrible," opens in Jerusalem [GU 2/17].

Arab World: Washington Post describes Saudi Arabian arms build-up asresponse to Israeli military threat [WP 2/16]. Syria asks Amal to ease its siege of Burj al-Barajinah and Shatila refugee camps in Beirut and Rashidiyyah camp near Tyre [OB 2/17]. Kuwait announces plan to contribute $5 million to joint PLO-Jordanian fund [NYT 2/18].

Other Countries: Reports confirm U.S. has upgraded Israel's status to non-NATO ally [PI 2/16].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers shoot and wound 9 youths during 2 demonstrations in Gaza City. As punishment for campus demonstrations, military authorities order Islamic University of Gaza closed for 3 days. Demonstrations are also held in Khan Yunis and Rafah. Commercial strike closes most shops and students block roads in Jerusalem. Roger Heacock, American Birzeit University professor, isarrested on charges of incitement. Military attempto storm Ramallah's Teachers Training College and break up demonstration fails [FJ 2/20].

Arab World: At least 25 killed, 100 wounded in fierce street fighting between Amal, communist, Druze, Palestinian, and Murabitun forces in W. Beirut [BS 2/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Rabin defends Israel's involvement in Iran arm shipments, states Israel participated with U.S. encouragement and approval [WP 2/16].

Arab World: Representatives of PLO and Jordan meet in Amman to discuss reactivating joint committee for W. Bank and Gaza development [WP 2/16]. Kidnappers release advisor to Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil after 4days as hostage [BG 2/16].

Other Countries: Washington Post reports Jonathan Pollard supplied U.S. reconnaissance data on PLO headquarters in Tunisia, assessments of operations planned by the PLO, and related information to Israel [WP 2/15]. Jerusalem Post cites reports that Israel has doubled forces in Lebanon to nearly 3,000 in effort to support SLA [JP 2/15].

Military Action

Arab World: Police report at least 8 injured, 1 killed in heavy fighting near Beirut's Burj al-Barajinah and Shatila refugee camps. In W. Beirut, 4 are killed, 9 wounded in clash between Amal and Lebanese Communist party [BG 2/16]. Amal allows 30 families to leave Burj al-Barajinah; UN still unable to bring supplies into camp. Amal also allows some refugees to leave Tyre's Rashidiyyah camp and return with food and medicine [WP 2/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine withdraws offer to trade U.S. hostages for 400 Arab prisoners held in Israel [BS 2/15].

Other Countries: Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil arrives in London after EEC ministers deny his request for financial support [LT 2/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli patrols use tear gas, rubber bullets to break up demonstrations in Nablus and Ramallah, arrest 18 students during protest at Hebron University. In Majdal Shams, hundreds of Druze youths gather for rally marking 5th anniversary of imposition of Israeli law on Golan Heights; 13 are arrested following violent clashes with Israeli police, 5 Israeli police injured UP 2/21; SG 2/15].

Arab World: Amal temporarily halts siege of Rashidiyyah refugee camp, south of Tyre, to permit UNRWA food trucks and ambulance to enter camp [CSM 2/17; NYT 2/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: U.S. federal agents in Los Angeles arrest Jordanian student on immigration violations, charge youth is affiliated with PFLP [LAT 2/14].

Military Action

Arab World: Amal leader Nabih Berri reaches agreement with UN whereby Beirut's Palestinians and Shi'a will receive equal amounts of food. Shooting around Burj al-Barajinah prevents Iranian ambulances, UN food trucks from entering camp, kills Iranian embassy bodyguard. Amal and Palestinian fighters blame each other for starting today's fighting. Syrian military observers arrive in S. Lebanon in attempto arrange a cease-fire, relieve crisis in camps [NYT 2/13; WP 2/14]. Unidentified gunmen capture advisor to Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil [LAT 2/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Over 500 Birzeit University student marchers protest Amal and Syrian actions against Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and Israeli policies in occupied territories. Students in Ramallah boycott classes, attack Israeli troops with stones. Palestinian artists hold allnight vigil in Jerusalem theater in solidarity with besieged camps in Lebanon [FJ 2/13].

Arab World: Reports indicate Salah Khalaf (Abu lyad) intervened to urge kidnappers holding 4 professors in Beirut not to execute hostages, stressed U.S. would likely retaliate if any of 4 were killed [SG, WT 2/13].

Military Action

Arab World: Joint Syrian-Lebanese patrol kills Hizballah member at Beirut checkpoint. Hizballah responds by capturing 12 Syrian soldiers, 13 Lebanese policemen, burning patrol vehicles [JP 2/13]. Israeli air force jets strike Fateh base at Mieh Mieh refugee camp near Sidon, killing 3, wounding 12 [WT 2/13; BG 2/12]. In Damascus, Syrian troops raid offices of Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, arrest senior official [NYT 2/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P. M. Shamir reiterates his opposition to international Middle East peace conference [NYT 2/12]. Shamir also states U.S. should continue effortso reestablish contact with Iran, indicates disapproval of Israel's role in shipping U.S. arms to Iran [WP 2/12].

Other Countries: Two of the 6 Arabs arrested in Los Angeles 1/26 on charges of membership in PFLP claim prison officials are denying them basic rights [LAT 2/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops use tear gas and rubber bullets to break up group of approximately 120 women marching to Nablus. The women are relatives of Balatta camp youths arrested 1/20. Students at Nablus' al-Rawda College blockade campus-area roads, pelt Israeli soldiers with stones and empty bottles. Troops respond with tear gas and live ammunition; district military commander orders college closed for 2 weeks. Israeli troops arrest 30 Hebron University students after violent campus confrontation [FJ 2/13].

Arab World: Amal forces refuse to allow trucks of food to enter Burj al-Barajinah refugee camp in Beirut [IN 2/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hundreds of W. Bank Jews and W. Bank Palestinians gather in Sur Bahir to protest Israeli government's plan to uproot Arab olive trees on government expropriated land [NYT 2/11; FJ 2/13]. Abba Eban, chair of Knesset panel investigating U.S.-Israel-Iran arms deals, acknowledges Israel first put U.S. in touch with Iranian radicals [WP 2/11]. Amal militia indicate negotiations with Israel are underway; P. M. Shamir says Israel would deal with terrorists in some cases if demands were made through official channels, not the media. Defense Minister Rabin indicates Israel may require the release of 6 Israeli servicemen missing in Lebanon [WP 2/11].

Other Countries: Christian Science Monitor reports W. Germany is likely to try Muhammad 'Ali Hamadi on explosives charges before formally deciding whether to extradite him to the U.S. [CSM 2/10]. Kenyan woman arrested in Los Angeles 15 days ago on charges of overstaying her visa is accused of subversive activities linked to PFLP [LAT 2/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-Najah U. students defy closure order, hold small demonstration on campus. Balatta curfew is lifted; residents gather to demonstrate but disperse peacefully when confronted by Israeli troops armed with tear gas and machine guns. Ramallah secondary school students march through city in support of those injured during 1/9 al-Najah and Balatta protests. Pres. of Hebron University receives official warning following student march outside campus. Secondary school students in Gaza City boycott classes, stone Israeli troops. Estimated 100 youths are taken into detention after late night raid by Israeli troops; military spokesman says youths are suspected of inciting demonstrations and threatening army collaborators [FJ 2/13]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Acknowledging pleas from families, Lebanese groups, and the Indian government and "positive" indications from Israeli government, Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine lets midnight deadline for release of 400 Arabs imprisoned in Israel pass "until further notice" [WP 2/10; MG 2/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers break up rally at Balatta refugee camp with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, wounding 4; impose curfew on camp. In response, demonstrators gather at alNajah University; Israeli troops injure 7 in attempt to disperse demonstration. University is ordered closed for one month [FJ 2/13]. Israeli army arrests members of 2 Palestinian cells in Tulkarm and Janin on suspicion of involvement in series of recent firebomb attacks [FJ 2/13].

Arab World: Amal officials accuse PLO of responsibility for Beirut car bomb which killed 15, wounded 80. Nearby battles between Palestinian forces and Amal for control of BurJ al-Barajinah and Shatila camps kill 4, wound 12. PLO blames Amal for food, medicine, and water shortages in camps [WP 2/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F. M. Peres indicates willingness to discuss exchange of 400 Palestinian prisoners for Israeli pilot but not publicly or under ultimatum. Kidnappers of 4 professors reiterate threat to kill their hostages if the Palestinians are not released by 2/9 [LAT, WP 2/9]. Four Israelis who met with PLO representatives in November are charged under controversial new law banning unofficial contacts with terrorist organizations [IN 2/9; FJ 2/13]. Israeli military court sentences 3 Palestinians to life imprisonment for October grenade attack on Israeli soldiers and their families in Jerusalem [IN, BG 2/9]. Estimated 150 landowners from 2 Tulkarm area villages file complaint with Israeli Military Objections Com. charging Arab dealers forged sales of their land [FJ 2/13]. Minister of Housing David Levy inaugurates new Jewish settlement in Hebron [FJ 2/13].

Arab World: Union of Palestinian Writers and Journalists opens 4-day unification conference in Algeria [FJ 2/13].

Other Countries: Report cites memos of meeting between U.S. Vice Pres. Bush and Amiram Nir, indicates U.S. knew arms deals were with Iranian radicals, Israel was "running the operation at the strategic, tactical, and logistic level" [WP 2/8]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 200 Palestinians gather in Jerusalem to protest Israeli policy preventing family reunification [WP 2/8; FJ 2/13]. Thousands of Umm alFahm residents rally to protest Israeli refusal to release funds for financially crippled town and plans to confiscate town's land [FJ 2/13].

Arab World: Revolutionary Justice Organization, captors of American and French hostages, issues statement warning against U.S. military attack on Lebanon [WP 2/7]. In Damascus, Amal leader Nabih Berri proposes to release Israeli pilot in exchange for freedom of 400 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel and 4 professors held hostage in Beirut, says Terry Waite will be freed "very soon" [WP 2/8].

Military Action

Arab World: Amal fighters shoot and kill 3 Palestinians attempting tobring a truckload of flour through Amal positions to Beirut's Burj al-Barajinah refugee camp [FJ 2/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Al-Fajr reports the Merkovitch Committee, formed to investigate issue of unlicensed construction in the occupied territories, recommends that, of 5,400 unlicensed Arab homes currently scheduled for demolition, 2,600 be given legal status, 300 be destroyed immediately, and 2,500 be scheduled for demolition at a later date [FJ 2/6]. Israeli military authorities order al-Najah University closed for 1 day to prevent possible campus protests [FJ 2/13].

Arab World: Starving residents of Beirut's Burj al-Barajinah refugee camp ask religious leaders for dispensation to eat human flesh [IN 2/7].

Other Countries: Arab-American groups charge 1/27 arrests of Palestinians in Los Angeles are beginning of U.S. plan to round up and deport Arabs [WP 2/7]. Amnesty International spokesman reports Arab prisoners held in S. Lebanon's SLArun al-Khiyam Detention Camp were tortured with electrical shockwaves [FJ 2/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Two Israeli soldiers are injured by stones thrown at them while they patrolled Balatta refugee camp [FJ 2/13].

Arab World: Israeli navy stops Maria R., freighter enroute from Cyprus to Lebanon, arrests 8 Egyptian crewmen, 50 unarmed Palestinians [LM 2/10; WP 2/8]. SLA and Israeli forces engage in heavy fighting with Hizballah forces in Israel's "security zone" in S. Lebanon. At least 8 Hizballah, 1 SLA fighters are killed [IN 2/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P. M. Shamir says releasing Arab prisoners in accord with demands of Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine is "out of the question." Other Israeli officials said SLA may release some of its prisoners [PI 2/6].

Other Countries: Italian officials end year-long investigation of terrorist attack at Rome's' Leonardo Da Vinci airport and request indictment of Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal) and 2 other Palestinians [WP, NYT 2/6]. U.S. announces abandonment of plans for meeting on counterterrorism strategy. U.S. also announces reduction in naval force in Mediterranean [WP 2/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hebrew University suspends and fines 5 Arab and Jewish students for their roles in organizing demonstrations protesting December shooting of 2 Palestinian students [FJ 2/6]. Minister of Religious Affairs orders resumption of excavations under Jerusalem's Western Wall. Digging was halted by former minister because it threatens Arab houses in the area [FJ 2/6].

Arab World: Jordan bars head of W. Bank Dentists' Union from traveling to conference in Jordan [FJ 2/6].

Other Countries: Washington Post reports England, France, and W. Germany oppose U.S.-planned summit on terrorism and have warned U.S. against military attack on Lebanon [WP 2/5]. U.S. officials disclaim reports of imminent atack on Lebanon while U.S. naval force remains off Lebanon and Iran [WP 2/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Three Palestinians are wounded when Israeli troops fire at their car at military checkpost near Jizzin village, in Nablus region. Israeli army claims soldiers shot after car refused to stop [FJ 2/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Rafah, Israeli settler shoots at stone throwers, wounding construction worker. Israeli settlers injure 3 during attack on al-Maghazi refugee camp [FJ 2/6]. Israeli police raid office of Islamic magazine in Umm al-Fahm, confiscate magazines and books [FJ 2/6]. Head of Union of Charitable Societies for Nablus and Janin area says funds allocated by Jordan for several charities were never received, demands investigations [FJ 2/6]. Ya'acov Nimrodi says he gave list of 90 Iranian "pragmatists" to U.S. officials. List was originally drafted by deputy speaker of Iranian parliament [WT 2/5].

Arab World: Islamic Jihad warns it will kill American hostages and attack American targets if U.S. tries military attack against Muslims in the region. Jordan announces Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) will be allowed to attend meeting of Joint Palestinian-jordanian Com. in Amman [FJ 2/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Rabin, responding to demands that Israel release 400 prisoners within a week in exchange for 4 university professors held in Lebanon, says Israel will not become "an international bank of prisoners" [NYT 2/2]. Israel announces Maj. Gen. Dan Shomron will be next Chief of Staff of IDF [FT 2/3]. Bomb explodes on Egged bus on route from Haifa to Jerusalem, injuring 9 Israelis [FJ 2/6; JP 2/7]. Twelve students suffer acid burns during demonstrations in Jabaliyyah refugee camp [FJ 2/6].