The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset votes to deny MK Kahane parliamentary immunity and freedom of movement [LAT 12/26]. Kahane later stopped by police from entering Arab town of Taibe [LAT 12/27]. After Police Min. Bar Lev refuses to ban march, several dozen Herut "Young Guards" converge on Iskal, village of MK Abd al-Wahab Darousha, to demand punishment for his attempt to attend PNC; villagers, Israeli activists form counter demonstration [JP 12/19]. WZO official says no new settlements will be built without "clear decision," funding by govt. [JP 12/19].

Arab World: Al-Qabas (Kuwait) reports US State Dept. official Murphy met with Palestinian "close to the PLO" during recent trip to Amman; urged "mutual recognition" between PLO, Israel as precondition for US recognitionf PLO [JP 12/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb defused opposite Israeli police HQ, E. Jerusalem [FJ 12/21].

Arab World: IDF arrests 21 villagers from Sarafand, 'Ain al-Hilweh, S. Lebanon. SLA position in Killa, S. Lebanon fired upon [JP 12/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: US State Dept. official Murphy arrives from Amman, meets with DM Rabin [JP 12/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade thrown at bus injures 3 in Tel Aviv [NYT 12/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: King Hussein denounces Camp David before Egyptian parliament; refuses to negotiate in place of PLO; calls for PLO role in peace talks [PI 12/3, NYT 12/3]. PLO announces move of formal PNC seat to Amman, PLO secretariat to Tunis, both from Damascus [JP 12/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Explosion at Qalandiya camp; no injuries [JP 12/3].

Arab World: IDF soldier wounded in ambush near Sidon, S. Lebanon. In Nabatiya, S. Lebanon, grenade injures 14 in market; bomb explodes near IDF convoy, no casualties [JP 12/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Anniversary of UN decision to partition Palestine; International Day in Solidarity with the Palestinian People. 2 petrol bombs hurled at Israeli bus near Qalandiya camp; no injuries. Police use tear gas against stonethrowing demonstrators at al-Amari camp on Jerusalem-Ramallah road. Police stations in Bethlehem & Dura (al-Khalil) pelted with stones, as was Israeli minibus in Nablus.

Arab World: 17th PNC adjourns in Amman. Lebanese & Israelis meet in 6th session in Naquora; Lebanese level further accusations; Israelis present more conditions for pull-out; no progress.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel closes all West Bank high learning institutions for duration of PNC mtg. 5 teenagers arrested for wearing T-shirts with PLO insignia. Settlers pass out leaflets at Dheisheh calling on residents to evacuate. Histadrut tacitly approves basic food price increases for December. Energy Min. spokesman claims Israeli-occupied Golan section of TAPline belongs to ministry.

Arab World: 120 delegates at PNC in Amman petition to expel Libyan-backed PFLP-GC's Ahmed Jibril for "high treason."

Other Countries: 26 US congressmen issue letter to Pope John Paul II calling for Vatican relations with Israel.

Military Action

Arab World: 2 al-Bas refugee camp (Tyre) residents, believed to be collaborators with IDF, killed by Lebanese resistance fighters. SLA soldier wounded by sniper fire near Nabatiya.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bethlehem & Bir Zeit U.s closed in mourning for death of Sharif Taibe (killed 1 1/21). Proceedings of PNC mtg. broadcast in Palestine via Jordanian TV.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat convenes 17th PNC with 257 delegates [251 needed for quorum] in Amman, evoking theme of "eternal continuity"; King Hussein gives opening speech urging Palestinian-jordanian initiative for peace talks based on "territory for peace." 41st anniversary of Lebanese Republic.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers shoot & kill Ramallah demonstrator Bakr Abdullah, wound another during stonethrowing incident there; officers refuse ambulance. Other stone-throwing incidents reported in Nablus & Jelaila camp (Gaza).

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: 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: Occupation authorities close al-Najah National U. for 4 mos. claiming "anti-Israeli material" found at Palestine Week Exhibit there; soldiers confiscate all material & artifacts displayed, arrest 10 students. Att. Gen. Zamir meets with senior police officers to discuss measures for dealing with Meir Kahane.

Military Action

Arab World: "TNT" sends letter to King Hussein via Amman Agence France Presse office, threatening death to him and family. 2 booby-trapped cars explode in Naqoura, S. Lebanon, IDF claims no casualties.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IS13 million exacted from Azza camp shopowner in 1st taxation of refugee camp shops. Qabatya youth sentenced to 2 mos. & charged IS100,000 for demonstrating. Jamal Awarneh gets life sentence for killing Jewish settler in Bethlehem (1982).

Arab World: In al-Ra'i (Amman) both Jordanian and PLO officials quoted saying Israeli election aided extremism and will lead to more Arab-Jewish violence in Palestine. Israeli liaison office in Dubayeh officially closed; Israel gov't. threatens closure "will necessarily cause great harm and suffering to the Lebanese people."

Other Countries: Chrmn. Arafat received by Malaysia's Sultan Iskandar in Kuala Lumpur for 3-day visit. US State Dep't. study possibility of revoking Meir Kahane's US citizenship for allegiance to foreign gov't.; officials say official action against him unlikely. Reagan aides meet Antiochian Orthodox and national Council of Churches leaders, reaffirm US stand against embassy transfer to Jerusalem. US Asst. Undersec. of State testifies before House Foreign Affairs Subcom. that, with outcome of Israel's elections, its economic situation is much worse than earlier suspected, and that US will resuscitate Reagan peace initiative.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Molotov cocktail hurled at IDF soldier patroling al-Ibrahimi Mosque, Hebron; curfew imposed, several passersby arrested & searched.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli squatters pitch tents on Abu Dis village land (6 km S. of Jerusalem) secretly declared closed; local landowners present written protest to authorities. Beit Sahour Arab Women's Union issues statement negating recent meeting with "civil admin." representative, and pledges to abide by boycott of "civil admin." Jerusalem police arrest Waqf official for allowing funeral with coffin draped with Palestinian flag.

Arab World: Beirut protesters end 4-day blockade of West Beirut and Beirut Airport after Pres. Gemayel promises to place issue of prisoners at top of cabinet agenda. French Pres. Mitterrand in Amman endorses King Hussein's call for UN-sponsored peace negotiations, including 15 members of Security Council and confronting Middle East states.

Other Countries: Chrmn. Arafat meets UN Sec. Gen. De Cuellar in Geneva to discuss proposed UN-sponsored peace negotiations.

Military Action

Arab World: Pro-Israel mayor Jawad Khalifa of Sarafand, S. Lebanon killed by car bomb.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus prisoners' families stage sit-in at Nablus ICRC office in solidarity with prisoners protesting maltreatment in new Nablus prison. Israel discloses hopes to exchange 120 Palestinian soldiers for 3 Israelis captured by PFLP-General Command. After IDF accuses PFLP of responsibility, Druze Initiative Com. issues counter-statement that Israel is to blame for death of Druze IDF soldier Samir As'ad killed in S. Lebanon, calls for Israel to exchange corpse for Palestinian prisoners held. About 35 prominent national figures from West Bank/Gaza issue statement of support for Democratic Front for Peace and Equality in July elections.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat meets briefly with King Hussein in Amman to discuss PLO reconciliation.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: About 15 Israeli settler families pitch tents near Bethlehem, declaring new settlement named Naot Adumim.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 1st Jewish suspect in 4/26/84 bus bombing plot admits membership in Jewish "terrorist organization." One suspect in Aisha Bahash murder (2/8/84) released on bail. 13,464 West Bank students take tawjihi exams; only 54% pass. Jurists' Union calls 2-day warning strike. Agricultural com. formed in Gaza to assist farmers with licenses for growing their crops. Israel prevents Hebron soccer team from attending Amman tournament.

Other Countries: Attending Italian CP chief Berlinguer's funeral in Rome, Chrmn. Arafat meets Italy's FM Andreotti. On pastoral visit to Switzerland, Pope John-Paul II meets Swiss Jewish leaders in Freibourg who urge Vatican relations with Israel.

Military Action

Arab World: 6 IDF troops injured in bomb blast near Bazuriya, E. of Tyre. IDF conducts campaign of arrests in Arab Salim, S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Due to pressure from civilian sector, IDF cuts reservist service to 50 days per year. Elaborating on new Yahad Party platform, Ezer Weizman says "it's not our job to chuck the Syrians out of Lebanon" before Israel withdraws. Political prisoner Mike Mansour, denied his medication in prison, suffers heart attack; prison authorities deny him prescribed drugs. Advocate Felicia Langer demands military authorities investigate murder of Bilal Najjar (found 3/23/84) and that military advisor disclose to family the cause of death.

Arab World: King Hussein tells US Congressmen visiting Amman there can be no peace with Israel until it pulls out of Arab lands, and this condition is not negotiable. Syrian DM Tlas warns Syria will hit Israeli settlements if Israel attacks camps in Syria.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 200-400 Palestinians and Jews gather at Kerem Shalom settlement to protest detention of Abu Ali Shahin in nearby Dahniya village, Gaza.

Arab World: Lebanese police take over positions vacated by French MNF pullout.

Military Action:

Arab World: Abu Nidal group claims responsibility for bomb blast outside Intercontinental Hotel, Amman.

Social Economic/Political:

Arab World: Participants in Lebanon reconciliation talks agree all political prisoners of Lebanon's warring factions be released. IDF reopens Sidon port after 10-day closure.

Other Countries: In response to remarks by King Hussein, Reagan admin. says "there is no possibility of progress toward peace" unless Jordan and other Arab countries change their attitude and agree to negotiate with Israel; White House sends cable to US amb. Viets in Amman, demanding explanation why Washington not alerted to Hussein's seeming abrupt loss of confidence; State Dep't. suggests Syrian-backed extremism provoked his rejection of Reagan "peace initiatives."

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Home-made bomb hurled at IDF patrol near Gaza; no casualties.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel-sponsored Federation of Village Leagues formally dissolved.

Arab World: Lebanese rival leaders arrive in Lausanne for reconciliation talks. Soviet 1st dep. premier Aliyev begins 3- day talks with Syrian leaders in Damascus.

Other Countries: Arafat meets with Chinese Pres. Li Xiannian in Amman, accepting invitation to visit China in April. PLO sports and youth organization in Tunis announces hopes for Palestinian team participation in Los Angeles Olympics.

Military Action:

Arab World: Israeli public works engineer dies of injuries suffered in ambush while working for IDF in S. Lebanon.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine! Israel: Central Bureau of Statistics reports overall imports for Jan.-Feb., 1984 down 11% compared with same period in 1983; fuel imports down 9%, private car imports down 57%, diamonds up by 21%. On Israeli TV Sharon presents himself as candidate for premiership. 8 Arab men arrested in connection with Ashdod bus bombing (3/7/84).

Arab World: Chinese Pres. Li Xiannian meets King Hussein in Amman. Egypt's FM Ghali in Jerusalem Post interview reveals his delegation mtg. with Israeli Labor leaders (May 1982) was assured Labor would only support surgical strike in S. Lebanon along lines of 1978 Litani campaign.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestinle/Israel:Unknown dawn attackers fire at Umm al-Fahm homes for 3rd time in four weeks; no casualties. Arab World: 2 hand grenades thrown at IDF convoy outside Nabatiya; no casualties reported.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Cabinet approves "secret instructions" to deal with 42 West Bankers who met recently with Arafat in Amman; Cabinet Sec. Meridor maintains instructions consistent with gov't. policy prohibiting mtgs. between residents of territories and "terrorist leaders." [Israeli leftists meeting Arafat not to be prosecuted; Meridor affirms that laws applying to residents of occupied territories are different.] Gush Etzion Regional Council initiates new settlement Eruvin (near Ain Arube and Arube refugee camp); Palestinian residents protest over 6 dunums of their land expropriated for road to settlement.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Masked Israeli men ambush bus carrying 60 laborers and students from al-Mizra'a al-Sharqiya to Jerusalem, injuring 7; Shlomo Ben-Yosef Brigade of "TNT" claims responsibility.

Arab World: 15 IDF soldiers wounded, 1 Lebanese civilian killed in explosions at Sidon port; IDF closes area. 4 Israelis wounded in bazooka attack on personnel carrier at Baalul near Karoun Lake.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset passes 8th Basic Law (Justice System); Justice Minister Nissim speculates Israel will have a constitution of 11 Basic Laws within next 10 years.

Other Countries: 7 Canadian MPs meet Arafat in Amman while on Middle East tour sponsored by Arab League. Reagan admin. turns down appeal from Gemayel for increased use of US air and naval power in direct support of Beirut government.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 grenades explode in West Jerusalem, injuring 21; in Damascus, PFLP claims responsibility as retaliation for recent raids by Zionist settlers on Muslim shrines.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 1,000 kibbutzniks and 35 IDF reservists deonstrate at PM's office urging IDF withdrawal from Lebanon.

Arab World: Over 1,000 Egyptian lawyers demonstrate in Cairo, burning Israeli and US flags, on 4th anniversary of normalization of Israeli-Egyptian relations. Chairman Arafat and King Hussein hold secret session in Amman to discuss common approach to future of occupied territories.

Other Countries: Soviet FM Gromyko accuses US of blocking settlement in Lebanon; reaffirms Soviet offer to help set up international conference. Security Council vote on French proposal for UN force in Beirut delayed by Soviet objections to wording.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yaacov Levinson, long-time chairman of Bank Hapoalim, commits suicide after investigations into financial misdealings involving Labor Party institutions.

Arab Countries: Lebanese opposition leaders confer in Damascus. King Hussein returns to Amman after visit to US.

Other Countries: Israeli PM Shamir begins 3-days with EEC FMs in Brussels, lobbying for favorable trade treatment. Reagan admin. claims no knowledge of contact over past 9 mos. between State Dep't. and PLO via intermediary, John Mroz.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Israelis bomb positions at Hammana, Bhamdoun and Damour alleging rebel Palestinian bases there; local residents insist no Palestinians in area; Souq al-Gharb and Aley also hit.