The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military courts in Gaza and W. Bank begin hearing cases of Palestinians arrested during recent violent disturbances. Additional courts have been set up in Hebron, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. Military confirms that officer has been suspended after opening fire without adequate cause during W. Bank demonstration [WP 12/28]. W. Bank schools reopen; Gaza Strip's 92 schools remain closed [NYT 12/29]. Raja' Ighbariyyah and Raslan Mahajnah, members of Abna' al-Balad Movement from Umm al-Fahm, are placed under administrative detention [FJ 1/3]. Week-long curfew on Jabalya refugee camp is lifted [FJ 1/3].

Arab World: Amal releases 10 Palestinians [FBIS 12/30].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli navy attacks cargo ship sailing from Sidon, S. Lebanon [FJ 1/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli F. M. Peres calls for dismantling existing settlements, demilitarizing Gaza Strip [CSM 12/8]. Jabalya preparatory school reopens after military-ordered closure [FJ 12/13]. Administration of Tulkarm's Khadduri College closes school indefinitely pending resolution of dispute between students and administration [FJ 12/13]. Palestinian American activist Mubarak 'Awad requests meeting with P. M. Shamir [CSM 12/8].

Other Countries: UN Sec. Gen. Javier Perez de Cuellar and Arab representatives protest U.S. congressional attempt to close PLO observer mission to UN [NYT 12/8]. PLO envoy Khalil al-Wazir arrives in Warsaw for 3-day visit [FJ 12/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinian vehicle approaching check point near Dhahriyyah; 1 Palestinian is injured [FJ 12/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hilal jaradat, Palestinian from Yamun village, is sentenced to life imprisonment for fatal stabbing of Israeli reserve soldier [FJ 12/6]. Jerusalem district court sentences 2 Palestinians to 18 years and 7 years imprisonment for 1986 stabbing of Jewish settler [FJ 12/6]. Israeli High Court orders Jewish settlers to return 10 of 18 rooms in Jerusalem house leased by Zurba family [FJ 12/6]. Near Duhayshah refugee camp, 2 Israelis are injured when their car is stoned [FJ 12/6].

Arab World: PLO office in Cairo reopens [FJ 12/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus, 3 Palestinians are shot, wounded when Israeli soldiers open fire on demonstrators marking International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Balatah refugee camp is placed under curfew after violent demonstrations. In Hebron, many students are reported arrested after stone-throwing incident near the university. Military authorities order Agricultural Institute in Tulkarm closed for 1 week after student demonstration. In Rafah, teacher and 2 students are injured by Israeli army gunfire. Other violent demonstrations are reported in Gaza Strip [FJ 12/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus military court sentences 2 Palestinians to life imprisonment for murder of Nablus Mayor Zafir al-Masri [WP 10/22]. Tulkarm College is ordered closed until 10/26 [FJ 10/25]. Israeli sources report Israel, Jordan, and U.S. are discussing plan for peace conference under joint U.S.-U.S.S.R. auspices [NYT 10/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's Foreign Ministry announces it has granted permission to Soviet delegation to extend its stay for an additional 3 months [NYT 10/14]. Israeli security officials disclose arrest of about 50 suspected guerrillas in Gaza Strip [LAT 10/15]. Students at Birzeit University protest killing of Ramallah woman 10/12 [FJ 10/13]. Jerusalem Electric Company rejects Israeli cabinet decision to reduce utility's area of service [FJ 10/18]. Palestinian political prisoners in Asqalan Prison end strike against visits after meeting with prison officials [FJ 10/18]. Members of Kach movement atempt to set fire to Natanya apartment of 4 Arabs [FJ 10/18]. Mother of recently slain Gazan is being held in Asqalan Prison on charges of hiding her son [FJ 10/18]. W. Jerusalem municipality demolishes Arab-owned house in Walajah, near Bethlehem, charging house was built without license [FJ 10/18]. Khadduri College in Tulkarm is closed by school's administration for 1 week; students protest closure [FJ 10/18]. Residents of Kisan village, southeast of Bethlehem, hold sit-in at Bethlehem Red Cross offices to protest planned destruction of their village. Israel plans to erect settlement on the site [FJ 10/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops fire tear gas to disperse demonstrating schoolgirls in Ramallah. Soldiers clash with stone-throwing student demonstrators in E. Jerusalem [LAT 10/15; FJ 10/18]. Soldiers force some Ramallah shopkeepers to end commercial strike [FJ 10/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Body of missing Israeli soldier is discovered near kibbutz in W. Galilee [FJ 10/4]. Israeli police arrest 3 Jerusalem residents for allegedly plotting to bomb W. Jerusalem bus station [FJ 10/4]. Curfew on Jinsafut village is lifted [FJ 10/4]. Keren Keyemet official occupies Arab-owned house in Silwan, claiming building was bought by Jews in 1920 [FJ 10/4]. Residents of Tulkarm-district village of Bala'ah are ordered not to leave the country [FJ 10/4].

Other Countries: In Wall Street Journal interview, Israeli P. M. Yitzhak Shamir voices opposition to proposed U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia, says Arab states should look to Israel for military protection [WSJ 9/29]. Speaking before UN, Israeli F. M. Shimon Peres outlines proposal for Middle East peace conference [NYT 10/1]. After meeting with U.S. Sec. of State George Shultz in New York, Egypt's F.M. 'Ismat 'Abd al-Magid expresses support for Shultz's upcoming visit to Middle East [FBIS 10/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A-Sha'b editor Salah Zuhaykah begins 2d consecutive town arrest order [FJ 9/20]. Prisoners at Tulkarm Prison launch hunger strike, refuse to see visitors to protest harsh treatment [FJ 9/27]. Curfew on Dahayshah refugee camp is lifted [FJ 9/27]. Unidentified arsonists attempt to burn 27 Israeli cars in French Hill section of Jerusalem. Residents extinguish fires [FJ 9/27]. Body of murdered Nadir al-Zu'bi is found in Nazareth [FJ 9/27]. U.S. company negotiating to drill new well near Bethlehem withdraws from project [FJ 9/27]. U.S. consul in Jerusalem visits home of Walid Zurba [FJ 9/27]. Israeli crews bulldoze 120 dunams of grapevines and fig trees on Arab-owned land in Gaza's al-Zaytun quarter [FJ 9/27]. Israeli court decides in favor of Mahmud Jarallah in 10-year-long dispute with Israeli company over ownership of 1,000 dunams of land in Yallo, near Ramallah [FJ 9/27]. Mustafa 'Abd al-Nabi Natshah, former mayor of Hebron, is prevented from traveling to Britain [FJ 9/27].

Arab World: Businesses throughout Lebanon close in 1-day strike to demand government take action to stabilize economy [CSM 9/23]. Dr. Nabil al-Ja'bari, chairman of board of trustees of Hebron U., and Mukhlis al-Hamuri, director of public relations, arrive in Amman [FJ 9/27].

Other Countries: Accused hijacker Fawwaz Yunis is denied bail in U.S. court [WP, NYT 9/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Moshe Arens, minister without portfolio, resigns from Israeli cabinet [WP 9/3]. Residents of Hebron-district town of Dura hold sit-in at Dura municipal building to protest Israeli plan to expropriate 3,000 dunams of land [FJ 9/6]. Reports indicate Gaza Strip govemnment schools have ordered many students convicted of political charges not to return to school this year [FJ 9/6]. David Levy presides at inauguration of new Jewish settlement south of Tulkarm [FJ 9/6].

Arab World: U.S. Ambassador William Eagleton returns to Damascus after 11 months [WP 9/3]. PLO spokesman in Tunis says PLO is willing to accept Amal plan to end fighting in S. Lebanon [NYT 9/3].

Other Countries: U.S. Sen. Albert Gore, Jr. states intention to become "personally involved" in negotiations between Israel and Arab states if he is elected president [LAT 9/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Israeli border guards injure at least 2 people in attack on a Dhahriyyah restaurant [FJ 9/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Marches in W. Bank and Gaza Strip celebrate Islamic New Year [FJ 8/30]. Estimated 10,000 Orthodox demonstrators pray at Jerusalem's Wailing Wall for end to Friday-night screenings of films in Jerusalem [NYT 8/25]. Knesset begins discussion of plan to limit concession areas of Jerusalem Electric Company [FJ 8/30]. Israeli crews demolish 3 houses built without licenses in Jeninarea villages [FJ 8/30]. Israeli and Jordanian officials approve making Khadduri Agricultural Institute in Tulkarm a university affiliated with Jordan University [FJ 8/30].

Military Action

Arab World: Syria fires 2 SAM-6 missiles at Israeli planes flying over Biqa' Valley [FJ 8/30].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. State Dept. official Charles Hill meets with F. M. Peres in Israel [LAT 8/13]. In 4-hour speech at Tel Aviv University, Ariel Sharon, former defense minister, argues that then-P.M. Menahem Begin and the entire cabinet approved all decisions made during the 1982 invasion of Lebanon [JP, NYT 8/13]. Reports indicate 60 youths are participating in Kach movement military training camp [FJ 8/16]. Israeli military governor of Tulkarm area designates 500 dunams of Yasuf and Jama'in village land as closed military area [FJ 8/16]. Arab woman is kidnapped in Lydda [FJ 8/16]. Gaza fishermen are fined between IS 400-800 for fishing in restricted area [FJ 8/16].

Other Countries: U.S. government urges Israel to cancel production of Lavi warplane [WP 8/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military seizes nearly 1,000 dunums of land owned by Arab residents of Dayr Istya, village in Tulkarm district [FJ 4/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew is imposed on Ramallah after student protesters throw stones, molotov cocktail at troops. Curfew also ordered for Balatah and Tulkarm camps [FJ 4/12].

Arab World: Reports charge Jordanian Minister of Occupied Territories Affairs Marwan Dudin was involved in disappearance of funds [FJ 4/12].

Other Countries: Christian Science Monitor reports American Civil Liberties Union has filed lawsuit challenging use of McCarran-Walter Act in case of 7 Palestinians arrested by INS 1/26 [CSM 4/9]. Israeli F. M. Peres concludes 3 days of talks with Soviet representatives in Rome [NYT 4/10]. King Hussein and members of Jordanian government meet with British P. M. Thatcher to discuss possibility of Middle East peace conference [IN 4/10]. Israeli Pres. Herzog on state visit to W. Germany asks Bonn not to sell submarines to Saudi Arabia [LAT 4/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military authorities impose curfews on 2 towns and 2 refugee camps on W. Bank after demonstrations in support of prison hunger strike [CSM 4/10].

Arab World: Four Israeli helicopters attack PLO positions in 'Ayn al-Hilwah in S. Lebanon, killing 2 and wounding 6 [NYT 4/10]. Syrian troops reinforce their posts around Beirut's Shatila and Burj al-Barajinah refugee camps; 47 wounded Palestinians are evacuated from Burj al-Barajinah [NYT, IN 4/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prison Authority director reports there are 4,000 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails, 82% of whom are serving life sentences; also discusses problem of over-crowded prisons [FJ 3/13]. In Halhul near Hebron, Jewish settlers vandalize 20 cars in retaliation for stones thrown at Israeli bus [FJ 3/13]. Authorities seal off 6 Tulkarm and Dhannabah homes because residents of the houses have been convicted of involvement in molotov cocktail attacks against military patrols and stations [FJ 3/13]. Former Gaza Mayor Rashad Shawwa returns from 3-week stay in Amman where he discussed Jordanian development plan with government officials [FJ 3/13].

Other Countries: Canadian government announces it has refused to accept Maj. Gen. Amos Yaron, implicated in the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacres, as Israel's defense attache in Ottawa [NYT 3/6].

Socia l/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Interior Ministry releases NIS 1.6 million to help Umm al-Fahm pay its debts [FJ 2/27]. Ahmad 'Awdah is convicted on 45 counts of fraud related to sale of Palestinian-owned lands in Nablus, Tulkarm, and Qalqiliyyah areas to Israelis [FJ 3/6].

Arab World: F. M. Peres, against wishes of P. M. Shamir, arrives in Cairo for talks with Pres. Mubarak and other government officials [LAT 2/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Acknowledging pleas from families, Lebanese groups, and the Indian government and "positive" indications from Israeli government, Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine lets midnight deadline for release of 400 Arabs imprisoned in Israel pass "until further notice" [WP 2/10; MG 2/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers break up rally at Balatta refugee camp with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, wounding 4; impose curfew on camp. In response, demonstrators gather at alNajah University; Israeli troops injure 7 in attempt to disperse demonstration. University is ordered closed for one month [FJ 2/13]. Israeli army arrests members of 2 Palestinian cells in Tulkarm and Janin on suspicion of involvement in series of recent firebomb attacks [FJ 2/13].

Arab World: Amal officials accuse PLO of responsibility for Beirut car bomb which killed 15, wounded 80. Nearby battles between Palestinian forces and Amal for control of BurJ al-Barajinah and Shatila camps kill 4, wound 12. PLO blames Amal for food, medicine, and water shortages in camps [WP 2/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F. M. Peres indicates willingness to discuss exchange of 400 Palestinian prisoners for Israeli pilot but not publicly or under ultimatum. Kidnappers of 4 professors reiterate threat to kill their hostages if the Palestinians are not released by 2/9 [LAT, WP 2/9]. Four Israelis who met with PLO representatives in November are charged under controversial new law banning unofficial contacts with terrorist organizations [IN 2/9; FJ 2/13]. Israeli military court sentences 3 Palestinians to life imprisonment for October grenade attack on Israeli soldiers and their families in Jerusalem [IN, BG 2/9]. Estimated 150 landowners from 2 Tulkarm area villages file complaint with Israeli Military Objections Com. charging Arab dealers forged sales of their land [FJ 2/13]. Minister of Housing David Levy inaugurates new Jewish settlement in Hebron [FJ 2/13].

Arab World: Union of Palestinian Writers and Journalists opens 4-day unification conference in Algeria [FJ 2/13].

Other Countries: Report cites memos of meeting between U.S. Vice Pres. Bush and Amiram Nir, indicates U.S. knew arms deals were with Iranian radicals, Israel was "running the operation at the strategic, tactical, and logistic level" [WP 2/8]. 

ocial/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Interior Ministry approves proposal to dissolve Umm al-Fahm township, which faces serious fiscal crisis. Umm al-Fahm officials are fighting the decision [FJ 1/23] 'Al Hamishmar reveals Israeli and Jordanian representatives have drafted a pact of economic cooperation [Fl 1/23]. Estimated 150 Tulkarm area landowners protest confiscation of 10,000 dunums of their land [FJ 1/30]. Gush Emunim leaders accuse P. M. Shamir of aiding "Jordanization and Palestinization" of occupied territories UP 1/22].

Arab World: Reports indicate Jordanian military court sentenced 4 Palestinians to death for 1984 murder of Hebron's mayorelect Fahd al-Qawasmi. Six others were sentenced to life in prison [FJ 1/30].