The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The West Bank Data Base Project releases 2 reports: One charges there is a double standard in the justice system of the occupied territories; the other argues the population of the occupied territoriess 1.7 million instead of the official Israeli figure of 1.4 million and that Palestinians in the occupied territories are worse off in terms of economic and social development than they were at the beginning of the occupation [WP, CSM 10/19]. Israel's Supreme Court rules that Kach cannot compete in upcoming Israeli elections, that the Progressive List for Peace can run. Kach leader Meir Kahane calls for Kach supporters to boycott the upcoming election [WP, NYT 10/19]. Report in Christian Science Monitor says that Palestinians living in the occupied territories and earning the equivalent of $16,000 per year are taxed at 55 percent, while Israeli settlers earning about $30,000 per year are taxed at 48 percent [CSM 10/ 19]. Police order Dar al-Tifl school in East Jerusalem closed for 10 days [FJ 10/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: During clashes in Nablus Israeli troops shoot, kill 2 Palestinian boys, wound 5 others including American press correspondent [WP 10/19, FJ 10/ 23]. Demonstrations occur throughout the occupied territories: in Gaza City 18-yearold Palestinian is shot, wounded; in Nusayrat 14-year-old Palestinian is shot, wounded; in Jerusalem 16-year-old Palestinian is shot, wounded [FJ 10/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: After 10 days Israeli authorities lift curfew on the village of Burqa; villagers are forbidden to harvest olive crop [FJ 10/23].

Arab World: Christian Science Monitor reports that Israel's Labor party asked PLO through the Soviets to calm the uprising in order to help with the election [CSM 10/ 17].

Other Countries: Leaders of the American Jewish Congress, the American Jewish Committee, and the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith declare that the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee is out of step with the feelings of the American Jewish community; the three groups have agreed to form a joint political committee to work on behalf of Israel [NYT 10/17]. UNRWA releases its annual report at UN headquarters. In 1987 it spent $207 million to help 2.3 million Palestinian refugees. UNRWA reports that 47 workers are being detained by Israeli authorities [NYT 10/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations erupt throughout the Gaza Strip: in Rafah 5 Palestinians are shot, injured; in Khan Yunis troops injure 4 people with plastic bullets; in Beach camp 3 Palestinians are injured by Israeli troops. In Salfit 4 Palestinians are wounded by soldiers. In Nablus troops wound 4 Palestinians. In Kufr Thulth troops arrest 15 Palestinians [FJ 10/ 23]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian general strike marking Day of the Land is nearly total inside the green line and in occupied territories [CSM 3/31]. Thousands of Palestinians inside the green line attend large rallies in northern Israel: estimated 40,000 Palestinians march in northern Israel town of Sakhnin. In Kafr Kanna, close to 6,000 chant slogans, march in streets. In Rahat, in Negev, several hundred rally. More than 5,000 carry signs, chant nationalist slogans in Taybah, in the Triangle [WP 3/31; FJ 4/3]. Israel closes Palestine Press Service for 6 months [WP 3/31]. Israeli High Court upholds army order banning media from occupied territories [CSM 3/31].

Other Countries: Benjamin Netanyahu resigns as Israeli ambassador to UN [WP 4/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Dayr Abu Mash'al, near Ramallah, villagers use rocks, bottles, iron bars, and axes to attack soldiers searching for alleged attackers; soldiers open fire, wounding 4, 1 of whom bleeds to death. In Hebron-area village of Shuyukh, troops open fire on Palestinian protesters blocking roads, throwing stones; at least 5 Palestinians are wounded by gunfire. Israel reports 2 other Palestinians killed in W. Bank, 1 in Yamun village and 1 in Burqa, village near Nablus; army also says 45 W. Bank Palestinians are injured (30 from live ammunition and 15 by tear gas or beatings) and 15 Gaza Strip refugees are injured by tear gas or beatings [WP 3/31]. Violent clashes are reported in Ramallah [CSM 3/31]. Palestinian sources report protester is killed by army gunfire in Dayr Ubzay', near Ramallah; 1 is shot, killed in Jenin clash [FJ 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army prevents attempt by Palestinian parents and teachers to reopen 6 schools in Ramallah [WP 3/25]. Mordechai Vanunu is found guilty of 1 count of treason and 2 counts of espionage for selling information about Israel's nuclear facility in Negev desert to Sunday Times (London) [CSM 3/25].

Arab World: Pres. Husni Mubarak sends message to Pres. Reagan protesting Israeli threat to attack Saudi Arabian missile sites [WP 3/25].

Other Countries: U.S. def. sec. Frank Carlucci and Egyptian def. min. 'Abd al-Halim Abu Ghazalah sign agreement allowing Egypt to bid on U.S. weapons contracts [WP 3/25]. U.S. officials report Israel has been conducting unusually intensive low-level bombing practice runs [WP 3/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At Balatah refugee camp in Nablus, Israeli soldiers open fire after demonstrators attack military vehicles with stones and iron bars; 2 Palestinians are killed and 3 soldiers are injured. Curfew is imposed. At least 100 Palestinians have been killed by soldiers since uprising began [NYT 3/25; FJ 3/27]. Protesters set fire to Israeli bus in Hebron-area village of Shuyukh [FJ 3/27].

Arab World: IDF planes attack Palestinian targets near Sidon, S. Lebanon; 5 are killed or wounded [NYT 3/25]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in most of the occupied territories [WP, NYT 2/17]. Occupied territories' civil administration lowers limit on amount of money that can be brought into W. Bank from Jordan [NYT 2/17]. Maj. Gen. Ehud Barak, Israel's deputy chief of staff and Def. Min. Rabin confirm soldiers buried 4 Palestinians alive 2/5 [WP 2/17]. Rabin announces his intention to establish military appeals court in occupied territories [CSM 2/17]. In Tel Aviv, 800 attend conference organized by Israeli intellectuals demanding Israeli government begin peace talks with Palestinians [NYT 2/18]. Israeli High Court upholds army order banning distribution of al-Quds newspaper in occupied territories [FJ 2/21]. Jewish settlers raid 'Azzah refugee camp near Bethlehem, shoot and wound 1 youth [FJ 2/21].

Arab World: UNRWA announces the suspension of all activities in Lebanon requiring intemational staff, and transfer of operations from Lebanon to Syria [FJ 2/21].

Other Countries: Israeli P.M. Shamir ends 2-day visit to Italy [WP 2/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli riot police halt bus carrying Palestinian high school students from Haifa to Umm al-Fahm; several students are beaten. At least 1 Palestinian is shot, wounded during clash with Israeli soldiers in Jenin. In Qabatiyyah, 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded when soldiers open fire on demonstrators [WP 2/17]. Army seizes 3 school buildings for military posts in Nablus [FJ 2/21]. Palestinian demonstrators bum tires and throw stones at entrance to Gush Qatif settlement in Gaza. In Rafah camp 4 are wounded in clash with soldiers [FJ 2/21]. In Sura and Majd villages, near Hebron, protesters bum Israeli buses. Soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets to break up demonstration in Fawwar refugee camp, wounding 9. Protests are held in Jenin refugee camp, Duhayshah camp and Bani Na'im village [FJ 2/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nazareth, more than 7,000 Israeli Palestinians demonstrate peacefully in solidarity with Palestinians in occupied territories. MK 'Abd al-Wahab Darawshah announces at demonstration that he is resigning from Labor party to protest army's policy of beating Palestinians in W. Bank and Gaza Strip [WP 1/24; CSM 1/25]. Between 30,000 and 50,000 Israeli Jews participate in Peace Now-organized rally in Tel Aviv [WP 1/24; NYT 1/25]. Curfew on Jerusalem's al-Tur neighborhood is lifted after all male residents are rounded up, interrogated; 4 are arrested [WP 1/24]. Commercial strike continues in W. Bank despite army policy of breaking locks to force merchants to open [FJ 1/24].

Other Countries: Morris Abram, head of Conference of Presidents of Am. Jewish Organizations, criticizes Israel's policy of beating demonstrators [WP 1/25]. Asst. Sec. of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Richard Murphy meets with Arab League representative Clovis Maksoud and diplomats from Jordan, Tunisia, and Kuwait to discuss U.S. role in Middle East peace process [NYT 1/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Israel says it will increase supervision of soldiers in the field after charges of excessive brutality. Soldiers raid Am'ari refugee camp near Ramallah, arresting at least 11 [NYT 1/24]. Scattered demonstrations occur in Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem areas. Most curfews remain in effect [FJ 1/24].

Arab World: Syrian troops detain 3 Palestinians leaving Shatila camp [FBIS 1/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In W. Bank town of Baytin, 2 prominent Jewish settlers open fire on demonstrators whose barricade blocks road, killing 1 and wounding another [CSM, WP 1/12]. F. M. Shimon Peres meets with UN Undersec. Gen. Marrack Goulding [WP 1/12]. Rafah resident shot 1/8 and Khan Yunis resident also wounded in earlier clash die in Israeli hospital [FJ 1/17]. General strike is observed in E. Jerusalem, W. Bank, and Gaza Strip [FJ 1/17]. Reports indicate 4 Palestinians ordered deported have withdrawn their appeals because their lawyers have been denied access to files [FJ 1/17]. Heads of private schools decide to remain closed until 1/18 [FJ 1/17].

Other Countries: Abraham Sofaer, legal adviser to U.S. State Dept., says closing PLO's UN observer mission would violate international law [NYT 1/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops clash with 20 Palestinian women protest ng in front of Qalandiya refugee camp UN office [CSM 1/12]. Khan Yunis demonstrator who allegedly tried to grab soldier's gun is shot dead [WP 1/12]. Balatah refugee camp and Nablus-area village of Bayt Hilma are placed under curfew. Soldiers use tear gas and rubber bullets against crowds waving Palestinian flag at Qalandiya refugee camp. Clashes are also reported in Duhayshah and Tulkarm camps, Bethlehem and 'Azzariyyah (Bethany) [WP 1/12; FJ 1/17]. Palestinian sources report a Khan Yunis resident is beaten to death. Demonstrations are reported in Gaza City, Bayt Hanun, and Jabalya camp. Curfews are imposed on 5 Gaza Strip refugee camps: Khan Yunis, Dayr al-Balah, Maghazi, Nusayrat, and Burayj. Strip is declared closed military zone [FJ 1/17]. Military imposes curfew on 'Askar camp [FJ 1/17]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Koteret Rashit, Israeli weekly, reports police investigators have written report on circumstances surrounding death while under custody of Salam Hamdan to enable attorney general to close case withoutrial [NYT 1/10]. Total commercial strike closes shops in E. Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem [FJ 1/10]. General Federation of Labor Unions in the W. Bank issues statement condemning Israeli threats to prevent striking Palestinian workers from entering Israel and to hire foreigners to replace strikers [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: PLO leaders call for UN force to protect Palestinians in Israelioccupied W. Bank and Gaza Strip [NYT 1/10].

Other Countries: Spanish officials returning from visit to occupied territories condemn military trials of Palestinians accused of demonstrating [CSM 1/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to break up march from Bani Suhayla to Khan Yunis; at least 1 protester iskilled, 4 others wounded [NYT 1/10]. Numerous clashes between demonstrators and Israeli troops are reported throughout W. Bank and Gaza zones [WP 1/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs David Mellor meets with P. M. Shamir [WP 1/6]. Journalist Hanna Siniora, Birzeit U. Prof. Sari Nusaybah, Nablus attorney Ghassan Shaka'ah, and nonviolent activist Mubarak 'Awad announce nonviolent civil disobedience campaign against Israel, call for boycott of Israeli products [CSM, NYT 1/6].

Arab World: In Cairo, about 200 Egyptian lawyers burn Israeli flag; 'Ayn Shams University students demonstrate against Israeli tactics in occupied territories [LAT 1/6].

Other Countries: UN Security Council unanimously approves resolution condemning Israel's plan to deport 9 Palestinians from occupied territories [WP, NYT 1/6]. In Pakistan, 5 Palestinians on trial for hijacking Pan American airliner in 1986 state they intended to release passengers, blow up plane over Israel after securing release of Palestinian prisoners [WP, LAT 1/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Khan Yunis, supporters of Hasan Ghanim Abu Shaqra, Muslim leader ordered deported by Israel, throw stones, burn tires. Israeli troops respond with water cannon, tear gas, then open fire when demonstrators try to march from Abu Shaqra's home to mosque; 1 demonstrator is killed, 4 others wounded. In separate Khan Yunis clash, soldiers shoot, wound 3 protesters; 1 other is wounded in Gaza City confrontation. Palestine Press Service reports another Palestinian killed in the Khan Yunis clashes. Scattered violence is reported in East Jerusalem and W. Bank towns of Bethlehem, Bir Zeit, Tulkarm, and Qalqiliyyah [NYT, WP 1/6]. Tulkarm and 'Azzah refugee camps are placed under curfew following protests. Women demonstrating in front of Nablus military court are attacked by Israeli soldiers [FJ 1/10].

Arab World: In Cairo, students at 'Ayn Shams University stage anti-Israel demonstration. Lawyers burn Stars of David in front of Egyptian bar association [WSJ 1/8].