The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hosting 8 Palestinian mayors, Ezer Weizman promises reforms & increased financial aid. 1984 West Bank olive harvest reported 50% below last year. Educ. Min. bans use of book Central Issues in Recent History of the State of the Nation by Amnon Haver for its reference to "Palestinian nation."

Other Countries: George Habash (PFLP) & Nayef Hawatmeh (DFLP) meet with Soviet officials in Moscow to discuss PLO reunification. US Senate Foreign Relations Com. publishes pessimistic report on Israeli economy, stating without current US aid (12% of GNP), balance of payment problem "unmanageable," and increased US aid will not "significantly ameliorate" these problems posing serious security threat to Israel. At Israel Bonds dinner in Los Angeles, American-Jewish oilman Armand Hammer announces project to search for oil in Israel. In New York libel trial, Sharon claims COS Eitan ordered Phalangists into Sabra & Shatila camps (9/82).

Military Action

Arab World: Pentagon orders US carrier Eisenhower totake position within range of Lebanon for possible "retaliatory strikes" there.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jiftlik farmers refute DM Rabin's claim that demolition (11/11) there done for security reasons. Att. Gen. Zamir recommends Knesset to limit MK Kahane's Knesset privilege of movement throughout country. Transport Min. suspends sea capt. Gilad for 60 days for forcing Kenyan stowaway out to sea in 1982.

Arab World: Lebanese & Israeli delegations hold 3rd round of talks on IDF withdrawal; both sides report discussions had "positive elements."

Other Countries: 2 Israeli delegations begin talks with US officials in Washington on increasing aid to Israel.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade thrown at army guards at Ramallah municipality, but fails to explode. Israeli troops besiege Balata camp near Nablus as demonstrators raise Palestinian flags; residents repel troops by throwing rocks; curfew imposed.

Arab World: Grenade thrown at IDF patrol at al-Harib, S. Lebanon wounds 1 soldier.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Territories: "Civil administration" orders 6 Dheisheh shop owners to destroy their shops as "illegal" [shops rented from UNRWA].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Journalist Raymonda Tawil's car destroyed by arsonist [Tawil is vocal supporter of Chrmn. Arafat].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Refugees from Iqrit & Bir'im march to site of their villages to commemorate anniversary of their demolition (1951), and demand return.

Arab World: Shi'ite leader Mahmoud al-Faqih tells Beirut press conference of beating and mistreatment while held captive by IDF.

Other Countries: In US, Henry Kissinger tells 53rd Council of Jewish Federation's general assembly there is danger in seeking "comprehensive solution" in Middle East at this time.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza Islamic U. professor Ismail Katib shot dead by 2 gunmen; no suspects. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: MKs Miari & Peled petition DM Rabin to allow Palestinian delegates under occupation to attend PNC mtg. Central Bureau of Statistics reports annual inflation rate now 1, 260%. FM Shamir leaves for US to attend Israel Bonds event honoring oilman Armand Hammer.

Arab World: Lebanese & Israeli military delegations resume talks in Naquora; Lebanese propose Lebanese Army control S. Lebanon after IDF pull-out, and demand $8-10 billion in reparations.

Other Countries: 26 Lebanese women representing women's orgs. in Lebanon hold silent vigil at UN in New York, protesting Israeli occupation of their country.

Military Action

Arab World: In Beirut, US embassy guards fire on private Saudi aircraft over ambassador's residence.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Central Bureau of Statistics reports October inflation rate of 24.3%. No Confidence motions presented in Knesset by Mapam, Civil Rights Movement, Progressive List for Peace & Hadash.

Arab World: IDF release 3 of 4 Shi'ite leaders held since 11/8, but retain Mahmoud al-Faqih; with UN mediation, Lebanon's cabinet decides to resume talks with Israel.

Military Action

Arab World: Shi'ite Imam Abdulla alAmin assassinated in Tawana village, S. Lebanon; Nabih Berri blames Israel.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Energy Min. Shahal recommends suspending indefinitely Dead Sea canal project due to economic non-feasibility.

Arab World: Palestinian dissidents reportedly move into Sabra & Shatila camps to confront Arafat loyalists there. US envoy Murphy travels to Damascus to meet Pres. Assad in attempt and press for resumption of Israeli-Lebanese talks; Assad maintains support for Lebanon's refusal; Murphy flies to Tel Aviv.

Other Countries: Ariel Sharon's $50 million libel suit vs. Time magazine opens in New York Federal Court. Meir Kahane denied entry into Canada for 2nd time. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gov't. orders Palestinian money-changers in Jerusalem stop trading in US dollars. Ramallah military court fines Fatmeh Ja'afari IS 20,000 for possessing "illegal literature" [purchased in Jerusalem]. DM Rabin meets with Mayor Freij, approves $700,000 Saudi grant for Bethlehem development projects. FM Shamir calls for creation of new UN including "only democratic countries." Nahal inaugurates 4 settlements: Rotem in Jordan Valley, Heahzut near Gush Etzion, Amitai & Ye'elon in Negev. Morechet Benyamin Co. dumps truckloads of rubble on jib village land, rendering it unusable for farming. FM Shamir expresses alarm to visiting US congressmen at apparent Jordanian-PLO rapprochement.

Arab World: PNC Chrmn. Khalid Fahoum declines to issue invitations to PNC mtg. called by Chrmn. Arafat pending further unity talks. Christians & Muslim unite in general strike through S. Lebanon to protest Israeli kidnapping of Amal Shi'ite leaders; Phalangist Joseph Ghanem sends letter of solidarity with demonstrators in Sidon.

Other Countries: 9th anniversary of UN resolution equating Zionism with racism. Special UN panel publicizes findings on Israeli activity in occupied territories; reports Israel continues to disregard Geneva Convention on civilian rights under occupation. In New York Federal Court, hearings begin for Ariel Sharon's libel suit against Time magazine.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew imposed on Dheisheh camp after Border Policeman hit with thrown rock; boys' school raided by Border Police; area declared closed military zone.

Arab World: 2 Israeli soldiers wounded by light arms fire in Jibsheet; 2 wounded by RPG fire in Ghaziya village, S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: Bomb explodes in El AL office, Vienna; no injuries.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Law student Aziza Kharaja sentenced to 5 mos. for membership in illegal organization [her 2 sisters held in Neve Tertza on similar charges]. PM Peres announces invitation to Egypt's Pres. Mubarak for talks on bilateral relations. After 2-yr. silence, crewman of M. S. Moran reveals to Hadashot that ship's Capt. Gilad set Tanzanian stowaway adrift on high seas (3/82).

Arab World: Israel proposes cease-fire to Amal forces in S. Lebanon, but refuse release of detained Amal leaders (arrested 11/9) in exchange for resumed talks with Lebanon.

Other Countries: Greek PM Papandreou ends visit to Syria & Jordan and agrees to promote their interests among fellow EEC members.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities demolish 33 homes of farmers in jiftlik (Ghor al-Fari'a). [Jiftlik produces 15% of West Bank GNP. Israelis demolished adjacent al-'Ajajreh, Sattariya & al-Mahrouq villages in 1967.] Haifa U. student Saour Saour attacked by Kach students while posting notice offering to help Palestinians enroll. Stone-throwing incidents reported in Jabal al-Muqabber (Jerusalem), Bethlehem & Ramallah; police respond with tear gas.

Arab World: IDF convoy ambushed near Sarafand; 1 Israeli seriously wounded, later dies.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: From Ramallah to Bethlehem, Palestinian shops, schools and public transport strike in non-violent protest at Israeli police occupying al-Haram al-Sharif. Israeli officials give amount of 1985 US-aid request as $5 billion.

Arab World: Fateh Central Com. announces PNC will convene in Amman 11/22; Syria criticizes move as divisive. In Damascus, Nayef Hawatmeh announces DFLP will attend 17th PNC session. Al-Saiqa spokesman denounces Arafat's call for PNC session as treasonous. Lebanese PM Karami suspends talks with Israel in response to Israel's detention of 4 Shi'ite leaders (since 11/8).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Kach-member Yehuda Richter gets 5-yr. prison term for attack on Palestinian bus (3/4/84). Jerusalem Mayor Kollek & police chief Bar Lev attempt compromise with Supreme Muslim Council to avoid strike in protest at presence of unruly border guards at al-Haram al-Sharif. Davar reports Israel negotiating to buy 1st nuclear reactor for energy use. [Israel already has at least 2 reactors; uses are not publicized.] Govt. bars 5 witnesses named by Time magazine from testifying in imminent Sharon libel case.

Arab World: Voice of PLO (Baghdad) condemns US policy, raps Arab-Americans for misguidedness inbelieving they can effect neutral US role in Arab-Zionist conflict.

Other Countries: US federal jury awards Vanessa Redgrave $100,000 in suit against Bostom Symphony canceling her performance on basis of her support for PLO.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Najah U. authorities circulate statemento foreign consulates calling for pressure on Israel to prevent future closures. Gaza youth dies from gunshot wound inflicted by Border Police as he ran from patrolman. Marine Officers' Union boycotts entry at Haifa & Ashdod of 2 foreign ships contracted by Agrexco, forcing co. to use Israeli ships.

Arab World: Lebanese & Israeli military delegations meet in Naqoura, Lebanon for UN-sponsored talks on IDF withdrawal terms; both sides agree to meet again 11/12. Israeli forces arrest 13 Shi'ite Amal militia leaders in Sidon, incl. Com. Mahmoud al-Faqih; later release 9. Syria rejects SLA role in S. Lebanon proposed by Israel as pre-requisite for pull-out. Israeli amb. to Cairo Sasson meets with Egyptian FM Ali.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Histadrut protests maximum price list issued by Industry & Trade Min. shows substantial increases over 11/2 prices, when freeze went into effect. Central Bureau of Statistics reveals exports for October down 11.5% from 10/83. 139th IDF reserve soldier refuses duty, gets 35-day sentence. CoS Levy says 2,000 IDF employees to be laid off as part of $80 million defense budget cut. Supreme Court rejects appeal request for convicted terrorist Yehuda Cohen.

Other Countries: Chrmn. Arafat cables Pres. Chemenko on 68th anniversary of October Revolution.

Military Action

Arab World: Guerrillas ambush group of Israeli soldiers in Sidon, killing 1, wounding 4.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mossad ex-director Amit announces private project to launch Israeli communications satellite. DM Rabin tells Knesset Israel has abandoned idea of achieving political gains with IDF in Lebanon. Foreign Min. announces plan to send relief supplies to hunger-stricken Africa with financing by US Presidential Task Force on Intl. Private Enterprize.

Arab World: Rebel Palestinian guerrilla leader Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal) dies of heart attack in Baghdad. Palestine National Fund meets in San'a'. Egypt permits 1st nuclear-powered US Navy ship to pass through Suez Canal.

Other Countries: US Pres. Reagan wins reelection by landslide. Military Action: Lebanese & Palestinian fighters ambush "national guard" leader Mahmoud Tabajah in Ghassab Tadmin, S. Lebanon, killing him & 2 aides for working with IDF.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin rejects requests to allow West Bank & Gaza delegates to attend PNC mtg. in Amman and to early end to al-Najah U. closure. West Bank military govt. bans journalist Raymonda Tawil from leaving Palestine. S. African FM Botha meets FM Shamir; tells Jerusalem Post there are "striking comparisons" between problems faced by S. Africa and Israel.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 4-day curfew lifted in Dheisheh camp. Dheisheh resident Isa Abed Rabu formally charged with murder of 2 Israelis (10/22); defendant claims act of vengence for Shin Bet killing of his brother 2 yrs. ago. UNRWA closes Tira Teachers Seminary (al-Bireh) after 1-mo.-closure threat from authorities if student disturbances continue. Halhoul Local Council elects Hasan Hijazi as mayor. S. African FM Botha arrives in Tel Aviv for 3-day visit.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat speaks before 15th Arab Lawyer's Federation in Tunis.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Petrol bomb hurled at Israeli vehicle near Ramallah market; no damage.

Arab World: IDF soldier wounded by light weapons fire on IDF outpost in S. Lebanon; 4 SLA wounded by light weapons fire near Nabatiya; grenade thrown at SLA patrol in Tyre, no injuries.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem police arrest 4 IDF soldiers suspected in 10/28 bus attack; main suspect (18-yr.-old American David Ben-Shimol) confesses to grenade attack on Palestinian cafe (9/22), claims acts in retaliation for killing Jews. Supreme Muslim Council calls for general strike to protest Israeli border police stationed in al-Haram al-Sharif.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Katyusha rockets fall near Kibbutz Yosef in Bisan Valley, presumably launched from Jordan.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 67th anniversary of Balfour Declaration. Govt. & labor agree to 3-mo. wage, tax and price freeze, causing 20% drop in workers' real wages. Council of Jewish Settlements issue manifesto calling on govt. to ban Palestinian newspapers. Jerusalem magistrate charges 2 Moshav Susia (Jabal al-Khalil) settlers with abducting al-Khalil school teacher Khalil Younis (11/83).

Arab World: Algerian & PDR Yemeni officials meet representatives ofrival PLO groups in attempt to reach reconciliation before upcoming PNC mtg.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bethlehem Press Office destroyed by arson.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Lydd military court convicts Palestinian Amjad Rabi'a & Lebanese Wafiq Tsalaha of entering Israel from Lebanon & staging attack on Jerusalem market (4/2/84), killing 1, wounding 47; sentencing postponed.

Other Countries: Though not mentioning Israel by name, US Sec. of State Shultz tells New York audience of need to ease Middle East tensions to prevent nuclear proliferation there.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: After closure of Bethlehem U., stone-throwing atIsraeli cars resumes around Bethlehem and Bir Zeit. 2 petrol bombs thrown at shops in Manger Square, Bethlehem.

Arab World: IDF soldier injured as light arms fire & RPGs hit outpost near Lake Karoun, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Justice Min. circulates draft bill banning racist incitement in Knesset. "Civil admin." orders 4-day closure of Bethlehem U. DM Rabin says he agrees "in principle" to establishment of bank by Palestinians in West Bank.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat heads Palestinian delegation to Algiers for anniversary celebration of Algerian Revolution.

Other Countries: US transfers $1.2 billion to Israel in largest single grant payment ever. Israel Bonds Pres. Halevy tells Jerusalem Post Bond sales dropped by 1/3 after US offered Israel moratorium on debt repayment.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset House Com. decides (8-5) to discuss MK Sarid's request to revoke Kach MK Kahane's parliamentary immunity. Caller claiming to be "Avenger" phones in death threat to Pres. Herzog. UK Foreign Sec. Howe meets with Elias Freij, Rashad Shawa, Gabi Baramki & Hikmat al-Masri in E. Jerusalem. Before Tel Aviv U. audience, US amb. to Israel Lewis criticizes Reagan peace plan, saying timing was "abysmal," tactics "worse," and results to date are "nil." Ciskei Pres. Lennox Sebe inaugurates "twinning" of Ariel settlement and Ciskei's capital, Bisho.

Arab World: In al-Sharq al-Awsat interview, King Hussein criticizes US role in Middle East and says he will buy Soviet weapons.

Other Countries: In global nuclear weapons survey, Carnegie Endowment for Intl. Peace reports Israel has capability to deploy 10-20 nuclear bombs. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Kafr Qasim residents commemorate 28th anniversary of massacre there, when Israeli troops murdered 48. IDF armored corps unveils new Merkava IItank. Safad hospital stops accepting S. Lebanese war victims.

Arab World: Lebanese Druze leader Junblatt summoned to Damascus as Beirut fighting flares. Lebanese civilian Ahmed Salem, detained at Mar Elias, tells press conf. of Israeli torture there.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Cabinet approves DM Rabin's plan for negotiated "political-military" solution & IDF withdrawal from Lebanon. 2nd Natl. Conference of Jewish-Arab Committee Against Racism meets at Nahmani Theater, Tel Aviv. Kahane pelted with tomatoes at speech in Bir al-Sab'a, praising "brave Jews" for rocket attack on Arab bus; Kach and Peace Now followers exchange blows; police intervene, arresting 1 Peace Now & 2 Kach members. MK Miari proposes national service program to counter discrimination against Palestinians for not serving in IDF. MK Peled calls for defense budget cuts & cancellation of Lavi program.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Arab bus attacked in S. Jerusalem with 66 mm anti-tank rocket; 1 Sa'ir man killed, 10 injured; attackers leave weapon with note identifying selves as "Avengers"; 3 Jews held for questioning. Students stone Israeli jeep from Bethlehem U. campus; troops disperse throng with tear gas, shoot 1 student in leg, continue siege till nightfall.

Arab World: 1 IDF soldier wounded by land mine near Amik, E. Lebanon; another in shoot-out near Lake Karoun.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 800 students representing all 4 West Bank groups (Student Action Front (SAF), Progressive Students Union Bloc (PSUB), Student Youth Movement (SYM) & Student Unity Bloc (SYB)), meet at Bethlehem U. to protest renewed Jordanian-Egyptian relations. Ramallah military court sentences 7 Azeh & Aida camp youths to 1-3-yr. terms for throwing petrol bombs at Israeli cars and forming a hostile organization.

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Jordan agrees to host 17th Palestine National Council mtg. in Amman.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel announces capture of Fateh leader Ali Khalil Riba'i at Dura, south of al-Khalil (Hebron). Gaza man Abulrahman Darabiya shot & wounded by unknown gunman; later, PFLP (in Damascus) claims victim is Israeli agent.

Arab World: 3 commandos killed, 3 Israelis wounded in clash along Awali River; 4 more commandos reported killed by IDF in Jabal Baroukh area.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Peres rejects recovery plan of dollarizing economy.

Other Countries: Intl. Commission of Jurists (Geneva) & World University Service (London) publish report on Israeli harassment of West Bank universities. Greek Supreme Court rules in favor of extraditing Palestinian Abdel Osama al-Zomor held for smuggling explosives to Italy where suspected in 1982 Rome synagogue blast. New York Zionists announce formation of "Israel National Fund" for Jewish investment in occupied territories. Amnesty Int'l. report publishes criticism of Israel imprisoning Palestinians for PLO membership.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nuseirat camp (Gaza) man sentenced to 5 1/2 yrs. for selling weapons. 1st Palestinian judge appointed to "Judea & Samaria" Judicial Appointments Com. Histadrut Exec. Com. mtg. turns into brawl as MK Ran Cohen calls MK Sharon "criminal." PM Peres says he will decline US offer to defer for 90 days $500 million loan now due. US and Israeli officials discuss joint Central America & Third World development & other programs.

Arab World: In special session, Lebanese cabinet meets to discuss deteriorating economic situation. Lebanese Pres. Gemayel flies to Libya for mtg. with Col. Qadhafi.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Israelis found slain in valley between Bethlehem & Jerusalem; Dheisheh resident held suspect.

Arab World: Lebanese Army 6th Brigade surrounds Bourj al-Barajneh camp, Beirut in response to reported PFLP-DFLP shoot-out there.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Herut Executive mtg., FM Shamir says Reagan plan no longer exists.

Arab World: To avoid Arab criticism that they are upgrading relations with Israel, Lebanese cabinet proposes direct talks with UN-sponsored Lebanese-Israeli Mixed Armistice Commission framework; Israel refuses. Popular Palestinian Committees of al-Yarmouk camp (Damascus) cable Syrian gov't. to protest arrest campaign of camp residents in past week. Morocco refuses entry to 2 Israelis invited to attend World Conference on Poetry in Marrakesh.

Other Countries: French chrmn. of World Jewish Congress named by France to its UN delegation.

Military Action

Arab World: 3 guerrillas reported killed, 1 captured by IDF near Bater al-Chouf, Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Israel Radio interview, Industry & Commerce Min. Sharon denounces Israeli govt. proposals to withdraw from Lebanon & improve "quality of life" for West Bank Palestinians.

Other Countries: Vatican denies NBC report that Pope John Paul II decided "in principle" to establish relations with Israel. In Tokyo, Tunisian PM Mzali warns new Egypt-Jordan relations may divide Arab world.

Military Action

Arab World: 600th IDF soldier killed in Lebanon by RPG attack on patrol at Zahrani River bridge.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 4,000 armed settlers, incl. 6 MKs, hold parade through al-Khalil (Hebron) streets, celebrating Simhat Torah. 77 Palestinian lawyers meet in Jerusalem to discuss forming their own local union.

Arab World: Speaking to Palestinians in Qatar, Chrmn. Arafat says PLO will get closer to Egypt "as it moves away from the policies of Camp David." US embassy in Beirut begins evacuating "non-essential" personnel.