The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli High Court orders investigation into death of Palestinian who is believed to have wounded an Israeli soldier in Rafah stabbing incident [NYT 12/20]. Large demonstrations are reported in Nazareth [FJ 12/20]. Israel orders Gaza's Islamic U. and Palestine Religious Institute closed for 1 month [FJ 12/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian protesters attack Israeli-owned banks, barricade streets in Arab E. Jerusalem with burning tires and roadblocks; 6 policemen are injured, 33 protesters arrested. On W. Bank, disturbances break out in Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, Bethlehem, and other towns. Army imposes curfews on Balatah and 'Askar refugee camps, uses tear gas to disperse demonstrators. Palestine Press Service reports 2 Arabs are shot, wounded near Bethlehem [NYT 12/20]. Hebron U. is ordered closed following campus protests against Israeli use of force in occupied territories; Palestinian student is wounded by army gunfire during demonstration [FJ 12/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-Haq calls for international intervention, protests Israel's "uncensured and indiscriminate use of live ammunition" against Palestinian demonstrators in occupied territories [LAT 12/14]. No one is injured by Molotov cocktails thrown into courtyard of U.S. consulate in E. Jerusalem; more than 20 Palestinians are arrested in connection with the incident. Israeli cabinet discusses violence in occupied territories [WP 12/14; FJ 12/20]. Israel orders 1-month closure of Graduate Association's high school in Hebron because of recent protests [FJ 12/20]. Lydda military court sentences 4th Palestinian captured in international waters aboard the Maria R. to 6 years imprisonment on charges of Fateh membership. [FJ 12/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 5 Palestinians are wounded when Israeli forces open fire on rock-throwing demonstrators in several clashes in Gaza Strip. Palestine Press Service reports 24 wounded in Gaza violence [CSM, WP 12/14]. In Hebron, 2 Islamic College students are wounded after bus-stoning incident. Israel reports 6 soldiers wounded in the clashes [LAT, NYT 12/14]. Demonstrations are reported in Jerusalem. Commercial strike is observed in Nablus. Curfew is imposed on 'Askar and Balatah refugee camps after demonstrations, clashes with Israeli soldiers [FJ 12/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Plestinians call for total commercial strike in E. Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus, and other W. Bank towns [FJ 12/13].

Arab World: Egypt condemns Israel's use of live ammunition in occupied territories [NYT 12/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel reports 5 Palestinians wounded by gunfire, 2 critically, in Gaza Strip clashes; Palestine Press Service estimates at least 25 shot in the day's disturbances. Army imposes curfews on Balatah and 'Askar refugee camps in the West Bank. Rock-throwing, tirebombing crowds are reported throughout the territories; a Palestinian is shot, wounded in Hebron [NYT 12/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jerusalem, 31st World Zionist Congress ends 5-day meeting after fight between American Jews and Likud supporters over control of Jewish Agency [WP 12/13]. Israel imposes 10-day distribution ban on al-Fajr in Gaza Strip and W. Bank, charging newspaper violated censorship rules. Newspaper's editorial board votes to cease publication until ban is lifted [FJ 12/13].

Arab World: Hizballah claims responsibility for attack on Israeli patrol boat 12/10, says Israeli boat was sunk, 35 sailors killed [NYT 12/12].

Other Countries: UN General Assembly's Com. on International Legal Matters votes 100 to 1 on resolution affirming PLO's right to maintain observer mission [NYT 12/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: During demonstrations after noon prayers at Balatah refugee camp, at least 3 Palestinians are shot dead by Israeli troops; at least 7 others shot, wounded. Palestine Press Service reports 4 dead, at least 11 injured. Israel reports 3 police injured in day's fighting. Balatah sources charge Druze border guards have been harrassing, beating camp residents and today shot at Palestinians leaving mosque. Demonstrations are also reported in 'Askar and 'Ayn Bitilma refugee camps, Nablus, and Bayt Furik village. Balatah and 'Askar refugee camps are placed under curfew [WP 12/12; FJ 12/13]. In Gaza Strip's Jabalya refugee camp, 3 Palestinians are wounded by army gunfire [LAT 12/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike marking 70th anniversary of Balfour Declaration is observed in E. Jerusalem, W. Bank, and Gaza Strip. Soldiers force shopkeepers in Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Nazareth to open their stores. Demonstrations continue on Gaza Strip. Curfews are imposed on 'Askar and Balatah refugee camps after demonstrators burn tires and stone Israeli vehicles [FJ 11/8]. Al-Fajr resumes distribution in occupied territories after 4-day ban [FJ 11/8].

Arab World: Sec. Gen. for Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine Nayif Hawatimah and Amal leader Nabih Birri hold talks in Algiers, reach cease-fire agreement [NYT 11/5].

Other Countries: Rabbi Alexander Schindler, leader of American Reform Jews, urges Israeli participation in international peace conference [NYT 11/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus, 1 student is injured when Israeli soldiers use live ammunition to disperse demonstrators. In Jerusalem, soldiers raid Ummah Secondary School, attack student demonstrators [Fl 11/8].