The Palestine Chronology

SOCIAL/POLITICAL: 

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Acting chrmn. of Israeli Cabinet Settlement Committee Yuval Ne'eman (Tehiya party), announces 2 new Jewish settlements in occupied Gaza. Jerusalem district attorney files charges against 6 Kiryat Arba settlers for rioting in Hebron market last July.

Other Countries: US House of Representatives Democrats agree on resolution for "(prompt and orderly withdrawal" of Marines from Lebanon.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF grenade bomb discovered in Jerusalem near Via Dolorosa; 3 found near Lions Gate.

Other Countries: Pentagon notifies US Congress of plan to sell 35 additional M48A5 tanks to Lebanon at cost of $28 million to total 137. Australian FM Bill Hayden urges freeze on settlements in occupied territories and Israel's recognition of Palestinian right to self-determination during talks with Shamir in Jerusalem. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli gov't. press office tries to rescind statement by PM office Dir.-Gen. Mattityahu Shmuelevitz that arms sales to Saudi Arabia might force Israel to launch "preemptive strike."

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jewish extremists, reportedly suspected "TNT" members, flee Jerusalem police after plot to blow up Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque with IDF explosives; four men apprehended and later released. 17 year-old Palestinian boy, Nasser al-Sarisi, killed by Israeli soldiers in Nablus when youths attack border patrol with stones; violent protests follow, resulting in 2 shot in legs when troops open fire on crowd.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Other Countries: Smithsonian Institution (Washington) cancels planned Israeli archaeological exhibit as Israel unable to verify ownership of artifacts. In letter to UN Sec. Gen. Perez de Cuellar, Israeli UN amb. Blum claims UN is largely responsible for worldwide resurgence of anti-Semitism.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli firm J.O.E.L. strikes oil in commercial quantities at Gurim in Negev.

Other Countries: Reagan administration informs Israeli gov't. of plans to renew efforts to supply Jordan with $220 million in military equipment for 8,000-man strike force for Gulf.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Israeli-backed militia leader in S. Lebanon, Mohammed Farhat, shot and killed by assailant in speeding car in Ramun village.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Representatives of 31 Palestinian institutions in West Bank meet at BZU to issue statement strongly rejecting moves by Jordan to recall National Assembly with Palestinian participation as conspiracy undermining PLO achievements. Israeli Cabinet approves 1984 budget of $20.1 billion providing for $169 million cut in military spending. Leader of "Sons of the Cedars" militia, Etienne Saqr (a.k.a. Abu Arz), meets with PM Shamir in Jerusalem.

Other Countries: US and Israeli officials meet for 2 days of talks in Washington on expanded military and political cooperation. Joseph Churba, Dir. of Center for International Security, NY, asserts Israel's military involvement with pro-Western Central American forces is part of Israeli state policy to prevent US becoming bogged down defending the western hemisphere.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yesh Gvul holds teach-in on war in Lebanon at Tel Aviv cinema.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Lebanese Shi'ite spiritual leader, Sheikh Abbas Harb, arrested in his Hallusiyeh home by IDF and whisked off by helicopter to unknown location; his home demolished in 30 mins. by IDF bulldozer. UNRWA Commissioner General Olof Rydbeck denounces increase in arrests, kidnappings, assassinations, injuries and disappearances of Palestinian refugees from S. Lebanon camps over past 2 months. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: As students escalate protests against Jordan's imposition of comprehensive exams, UNRWA-operated Ramallah Teachers Training Centers for men and women close for 8 days. Israeli police arrest Yonah Aburushmim in connection with last year's murder of Peace Now activist Emil Gruinzweig. Palestinian home in Ibtin village destroyed by Israeli police bulldozer on pretext that structure was unlicensed.

Other Countries: British PM Thatcher and US envoy Donald Rumsfeld meet in London to discuss alternatives to MNF in Lebanon.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli military court in Nablus sentences Nayef Sweitat to 9 mos. prison on charges of contact with PLO. Israeli National Insurance Institute releases figures indicating 10% of Israel's population lives below poverty level. Brigadier Shlomo Ilya, head of Israeli "civil administration" in West Bank, resigns in connection with military police investigation of corruption. Israel government workers stage warning strike in support of wage increases; public services, including radio and television broadcasts disrupted. High Court order nisi challenges Gaza military court decision to demolish 24 Palestinian homes in Jabaliya refugee camp.

Arab World: Several leaders of Palestine Liberation Front in Damascus reportedly kidnapped by rival members of PLF.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Villages from Iqlim al- Kharrub to Souq al-Gharb resist LAF mass arrests and imposition of "mourning curfew" by IDF forces after Saad Haddad's death. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Other Countries: British Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe rejects Israeli argument that PLO has no role in Middle East settlement and Israeli amb. Yehuda Avner's censure of Howe's statement from Riyadh, urging Israel's recognition of Palestinian rights to self-determination, criticizing West Bank settlement policy and calling for PLO involvement in peace talks. Italian gov't. rejects Gemayel's demand that its MNF contingent withdraw from Palestinian refugee camps and concentrate on protection of Beirut commercial establishments and government buildings. US amb. to UN Kirkpatrick rejects Sec. Gen. Perez de Cuellar's Middle East peace conference proposal as "ill-considered and harmful." 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 homes in Marj al-Dudeh near Yatta demolished without warning by Israeli military bulldozers, claiming buildings were not licensed; residents expelled. Nablus military court issues prison sentences of 2.5 to 4.4 years to 5 youths from Bidya villages believed to have thrown Molotov cocktails at Israeli and collaborators' cars. MK Shulamit Aloni discloses secret military document recommending Israeli withdrawal of IDF from Lebanon. Settlers from Ofra go on window-smashing rampage, damaging 10 cars belonging to Palestinians. 2 IDF grenade bombs discovered in Hebron synagogue by Arab workers doing repairs there; investigation directed to Israeli vigilante group, "TNT."

Other Countries: Int'l. Commission of Jurists (Geneva) accuses Israeli authorities of arresting Palestinian students without charge to prevent them from taking important exams. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 500 industrial, service & gov't. workers protest at Finance Ministry against yesterday's work sanctions. 2 Likud MKs present urgent agenda for freeze on new settlements in occupied territories. 15 Bedouin sheikhs present PM Shamir with complaints of deteriorating conditions as Israeli military continue to expropriate grazing and watering lands in Negev and Galilee; Shamir says the issue will be turned over to Agriculture Ministry. Mapam MK Elazar Granot proposes Alignment table bill abolishing state of emergency in effect in Israel since 1948.

Arab World: Jordanian Parliament meets for first time since 1976; amends constitution to permit Palestinians from Israeli-occupied West Bank to be appointed as members. Former Lebanese PM Saeb Salam protests to LAF commander Gen. Ibrahim Tannous recent LAF mass arrests of civilians carried out in Sabra and Shatila camps.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Grenade thrown under IDF patrol vehicle explodes without injury in Jericho.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: Sheikh Jalaleddin, Mufti of Sidon, issues statement accusing Israel of arbitrary and repressive measures designed to terrorize Sidon population. With MNF withdrawn, LAF conduct new round of mass arrests in Sabra refugee camp. 

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Water mains connecting Esh'ar Israeli Army post blown up with make-shift bomb.

Arab World: Israeli Merkava tanks and armored vehicles spray Sidon streets with machine-gun fire three times; 3 wounded, cars and shops damaged.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel civil servants stop work over new austerity measures, including 15% increases in staple food prices as subsidies cut. Knesset Finance Committee approves 14% increase in electricty costs, retroactive to 12/1/83. Social Workers Union members demonstrate before Labor and Social Affairs Ministry to protest recent sanctions.

Arab World: Syria releases US airman to Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Other Countries: Before American Jewish Committee in NY, Israel's former advisor on Arab affairs Menahem Milson says Palestinians should be granted right organize politically (provided they recognize Israel and reject PLO). Britain declassifies 1953 secret memorandum outlining early plans to arm Israel.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Israeli Kfir bombers launch 2 attacks on suspected Palestinian positions in Bhamdoun, Lebanon. Some non-essential IDF personnel withdrawn from Sidon. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 3 Galilee youths held since 9/27/83 sentenced to 6-15 mos. prison for participation in 1983 Land Day demonstration; lawyer says youths subjected to physical and psychological torture while in Jalameh and Akka prisons. Israeli Ministerial Economic Committee sets Friday deadline for gov't. dep'ts. to present budget proposals with 9% overall spending cut; DM Arens rejects notion of cutting budget for development of Lavi bomber. Jerusalem Post poll reports 72% favor cut in spending for West Bank settlements. Settlers from Yakir and Kedumim, bitter over arrest of 3 Israelis suspected of Nablus killings (12/8/83), return IDF-issued weapons to Israeli authorities.

Arab World: Rev. Jesse Jackson meets Pres. Assad in Damascus, appeals release of US airman downed 12/4/83.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Incendiary bomb thrown at Israeli military patrol at Balata refugee camp; no casualties.

Arab World: Israelis reopen Awali River crossings after 3 days.

SOCIAL POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Dep. Cabinet Min. warns 50-100,000 Israelis may emigrate in 1984. Israeli police report material evidence links shooting of Nablus girls (12/8/83) to Yosef Harnoi (of Tel Aviv & Elon Moreh); Pinhas Mahrabi and Ephraim Segal as accomplices. 19th anniversary of establishment of PLO. Hanna Nakkara distinguished Palestinian advocate, well-known for his work in defense of Bedouin rights and against land confiscation, dies in Haifa.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Rida Hashem Zeid Keelani of Jenin shot dead by Israeli patrol at Jalazoun refugee camp for failing to stop for identity check; occupation authorities force family to bury body at night to avoid attention; IDF later announces victim listed as suspected terrorist. Central Nablus placed under curfew after petrol bomb attack on IDF foot patrol; later, petrol bomb hurled at patrol in Balata refugee camp; petrol bomb attack reported in Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza Strip.