The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Soviet official Gennady Tarasov meets with senior PLO officials in Tunis to discuss U.S. plans for Israeli-Palestinian talks [MET 11/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians in Nablus kill 54-year-old suspected collaborator [MET 11/7]. General strike in Tulkarm. 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded by IDF forces in clashes in O.T. [FBIS 10/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Moshe Arens cables James Baker that Israel will accept Baker's 5-point plan if U.S. agrees to "minor" changes [NYT, WP 10/25]. Israeli officials claim having letter that shows PLO is hiring local Palestinians for assassinations and "terrorist actions" [NYT 10/ 24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike in Nablus and Tulkarm; 1 Palestinian is shot, killed, another is wounded by IDF gunfire. 2 Israeli cars are torched in E. Jerusalem [FBIS 10/25]

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: U.S. chides Shamir for "unhelpful and disappointing" comments on 10/17 [WP, LAT 10/19]. Baker receives letter from Shamir reaffirming Israel's refusal to deal with the PLO, but calling on the U.S. to continue peace efforts [WP 10/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops raid UN welfare depot in Gaza, arrest 3 staffers and confiscate UN documents. In coordinated effort, troops detain 4 Palestinian W. Bank employees of UNRWA and confiscate documents [WP 10/19; MET 10/ 31]. PFLP leader Asman Mara is sentenced to 27 years in Israeli prison for "terrorist attacks" [MET 10/31]. Army demolishes 3 Qalqilyah homes; at least 5 Palestinians are wounded in clashes [FBIS 10/25]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shamir accuses U.S. of trying to force Israel to negotiate with the PLO, says he will not compromise with Palestinians even if it means his govemment falls [LAT 10/18; NYT 10/ 19].

Other Countries: UN General Assembly rejects annual Arab motion-introduced this year by Libya-to unseat Israeli delegation; U.S.S.R. abstains for first time [NYT, WP, LAT 10/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army closes second school in E. Jerusalem as demonstrations continue. Arab resident of E. Jerusalem is stabbed. Settlers block W. Bank road, prevent Arabs from going to work in Israel. 6 Palestinians are arrested, 1 soldier wounded by thrown rock [FBIS 10/18]; at least 12 Palestinians are wounded throughout O.T. [FBIS 10/25]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO defers bid to become full member of UNESCO [NYT 10/12; JP 10/ 21]. Syrian pilot flies Soviet MiG-23 to Israel and asks for political asylum [WP 10/12; MET 10/24].

Other Countries: Roman Catholic archbishops John Cardinal O'Connor of New York, Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles, and William Keeler of Baltimore, draft policy statement for the church hierarchy calling for Palestinian "territorial and political sovereignty" [NYT, WP 10/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Dahayshah camp near Bethlehem, soldiers close school indefinitely, arrest 20 students, impose camp-wide curfew after petrol bomb is thrown at IDF vehicle. Gazans end 5-day general strike. 4 villagers from Bayt Sahur are arrested for not paying taxes. 5 Palestinians are wounded in Gaza during clashes [FBIS 10/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's inner cabinet postpones decision on Egypt's 10- point plan [NYT, LAT 10/6].

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. wams PLO delegation to the UN that taking part in a "speaking event" would be considered improper "political activity" and could lead to revocation of visas. U.S. wams UNESCO that it would object strongly if the body votes next week to admit PLO [WP 10/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army seals 2 houses in Gaza. 2 Palestinians from Burayj camp are killed in clash with soldiers. Army gives unit commanders power to close area of O.T. without explanation [FBIS 10/5]. At least 35 Palestinians are wounded throughout O.T. [FBIS 10/6]. Military court sentences 2 DFLP members to 30 years in prison for attempting to infiltrate Israel. 3 Gaza journalists are arrested for membership in Fateh [FBIS 10/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defending decisions not to negotiate with PLO, P.M. Shamir says "were we to sit together, it would not be for negotiations but surrender talks" [NYT, LAT 9/27]. Moshe Arens urges President Mubarak to meet with Shamir [WP 9/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nablus resident suspected of collaboration is killed [FBIS 9/26]. Soldier injured by rock in Gaza. General strike in Tulkarm [FBIS 9/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: President Mubarak says he will be carrying the proxy of the PLO during upcoming trip to Washington, and that Arafat has enough support in the PLO to accept Egypt's 10-point plan [WP 9/24]. Lebanon's warring factions put formal cease-fire into effect; thousands of people return to Beirut [WP, NYT 9/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military demolishes at least 3 houses built without licenses in Ramallah area. At least 4 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with IDF forces in Gaza Strip [FJ 10/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Rejecting President Mubarak's call to trade land for peace, Israeli P.M. Shamir says, "I don't think he meant it seriously. He was only joking . . . There is no element in the Arab world willing to give us peace." Shamir aides call on Mubarak to "stop preaching" [LAT, NYT 9/22].

Arab World: After meeting with President Mubarak, PLO leader Arafat says he endorses "open talks" with Israel, and urges citizens to help him resisthe controversial I. D. cards required of O.T. residents. [LAT, NYT 9/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians stone bus carrying West German tourists through Bethlehem, injuring two [LAT 9/22; MET 10/3].

Arab World: 16 pro-Iranian Shiite Kuwaitis are publicly beheaded in Saudi Arabia in connection with bombing during the annual pilgrimage in July [NYT, WP, LAT 9/22]. Lebanese Muslim member of parliament, Nazem Kaderi, 73, is assassinated in West Beirut [LAT, NYT 9/22]. Israeli troops attack Hizballah positions north of the "security zone" in Lebanon [MET 10/ 3]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO officials report Saudi Arabia gave the PLO $6 million in August to support the intifada; Riyadh has given $6 million a month since January [LAT 9/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army captures two guerrillas attempting to enter Israel from Jordan [MET 10/3]. At least 11 Nablus residents are beaten by IDF troops. W. Bank is placed under curfew. 3soldiers are injured by rocks thrown in Gaza [FBIS 9/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Switzerland decides it is unable to rule on PLO's request to join the 1949 Geneva Convention as a state [MET 9/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. diplomat's car is set on fire by Palestinians in E. Jerusalem [MET 9/26]. Israeli police drafts some 200 Israeli Arabs into O.T. service [FBIS 9/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In W.Bank, Palestinians refuse to set clocks back one hour, saying they would observe "Palestine time" for two more weeks; Israeli army threatens to detain students who go to private school on "Palestine time." Army chief of staff, Dan Shomron, says the army's new policy is to arrest about 700 Palestinians accused of "distributing underground leaflets, enforcing strikes, painting graffiti . . . and attacking suspected collaborators" [NYT 9/6]. In separate interviews, Labor leader Peres says granting a visa to Arafat would not affect U.S. -Israeli relations, while P.M. Shamir reaffirms opposition to Arafat's entry into the U.S. [FBIS 9/6].

Arab World: Libyan authorities have told dozens of rebel movements around the world, including PLO splinter groups, to expect a cutback in funding and to close their offices in Libya [WP 9/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Tel Aviv 12- year-old Palestinian boy dies of wounds received 8/31; 36-year-old Palestinian in Rafah accused of collaboration is killed, another severely beaten [NYT 9/6]. Army closes 8 W. Bank schools, blaming students for demonstrations and stone throwing [FBIS 9/5; NYT 9/6]. A cooperative effort between IDF and the Air Force will allow IDF to use helicopters to help fight the intifada [FBIS 9/6].

Arab World: Israeli border troops clash with 3 Arab guerrillas in South Lebanon, 1 guerrilla killed [NYT 9/6]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: According to press reports, Sweden has begun mediation efforts designed to overcome the impasse in the U.S.-PLO dialogue [FBIS 9/5]. The spiritual leader of Lebanon's Shiite Muslim fundamentalists, Shaykh Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, says President Bush will have to make the good will gesture toward Iran before Iran will work to free American hostages held in Lebanon [WP 9/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldier is killed, 2 are wounded, in clash with gunmen near the Jordanian border [LAT 9/4; FBIS 9/5; MET 9/11]. In Nablus, IDF forces shoot, kill 2 Palestinians, wound 3 suspected of murdering accused Palestinian collaborators, sparking demonstrations in which a young Arab girl is killed, 8 others are wounded [FBIS 9/5; MET 9/11]. Forces kill 3, wound 11 Palestinians in Nablus [WP 9/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Algeria blocks Israel's admission to international conference in Geneva negotiating ban on chemical weapons in response to U.S. opposition to admitting PLO into the UN [NYT 8/30]. The World Tourism Organization's congress rejects PLO's request to join under the name Palestine. In a secret ballot 40 countries rejected the motion, 34 supported it, and 6 abstained [FBIS 8/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 26-year-old intifada leader in Gaza is shot, killed by troops; news of his death sparks demonstrations throughout Gaza [NYT 8/30]. Israeli security forces demolish two houses and seal five others [FBIS 8/30]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel deports five Palestinians accused of leading the intifada in the W. Bank. 4 are deported to Lebanon, while the fifth, Dr. Taysir Aruri, is expelled to France [NYT, LAT 8/28; MET 9/5].

Other Countries: PLO spokesman in Washington says Arafat is "seriously considering" coming to New York in September for the UN General Assembly, and that the purpose of the visit "would not be to challenge the United States . . . [but] to facilitate and encourage the peacemaking process" [NYT 8/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 14 Gaza residents are detained after Molotov cocktail is thrown at army post. Petrol bombs are thrown at soldiers in Gaza and Jabaliyyah. Curfews on Rafah and Jabaliyyah lifted, curfew imposed on 'Ayn 'Arik near Ramallah after stonethrowing incident. At least 18 Palestinians wounded in clashes with IDF forces throughout the O.T.; two children from Kafr Ni'mah are injured when a suspicious object explodes in their faces. Military court sentences 17-year-old Palestinian woman to 13 months in prison for attacking an IDF officer with a knife [FBIS 8/28].

Arab World: Israeli Air Force fighters bomb Hizballah camps in South Lebanon, killing 2 and wounding at least 10 [NYT 8/28]. At least 7 others are killed, 15 wounded in further Israeli raids on South Lebanon Hizballah bases [WP, LAT 8/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO asks UN Security Council to intervene and stop the expulsion of five Palestinians, including Dr. Taysir Aruri. Egypt denounces the deportations saying they violate "international law and the Geneva Convention" [FBIS 8/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian accused of collaboration is killed in Qalqiliyyah. Army places curfew on Jabaliyyah after 8/25 shooting of masked youth. Guards use tear gas and fire shots to quell riots at Junayd prison near Nablus. In at-Tall near Tulkarm, 14-year-old Palestinian is wounded in clash with troops. In Dayr al-Sudan near Ramallah, troops shoot, kill Palestinian teenager during a stonethrowing incident [FBIS 8/28]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Laflets distributed in E. Jerusalem announce birth of Hizballah in Palestine, declare jihad against Israel and U.S. [FBIS 8/28].

Arab World: In Aden for visit, Arafat says latest round of U.S.-PLO talks did not go as they should have, blames U.S. intransigence [FBIS 8/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 46-year-old Israeli is found in a W. Bank village after reportedly being kidnapped on 8/24 by masked Palestinians [FBIS 8/25; NYT 8/26; MET 9/5]. Israeli figures say 13 Palestinians have been killed in the O.T. in the past eight days; that the violence has increased because Palestinian leaders have vowed to step up the intifada [WP 8/26]. Acting under new regulation that allows troops to shoot at masked Palestinians, soldiers shoot, wound one of several masked youths who clashed with IDF patrol in Jabaliyyah [FBIS 8/28].

Other Countries: Five-vessel French Navy task force remains off the Lebanese coast [NYT 8/26]; the French are joined by eight U.S. ships, including the battleship Iowa. Soviet guided missile cruiser Kirov is also there [FBIS 8/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palesine/lsrael: In a test of magnetic ID system that becomes mandatory on 8/18, Israeli civil administration prevents hundreds of Gaza Strip Palestinians without the IDs from entering Israel [FBIS 8/18].

Arab World: PLO leader Salah Khalaf has said 4th round of U.S.-PLO talks "was very bad" and that the only new things were "the tough U.S. tone and the threats" [FBIS 8/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF soldier in Gaza is injured by rock. Army reports soldiers manning an outpost in Nablus come under gunfire. 6 Palestinians wounded by IDF gunfire in West Bank [FBIS 8/181.

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: U.S., PLO start 4th round of talks in Tunis; PLO gives U.S. memo criticizing U.S. slowness [FBIS 8/14].

Other Countries: U. S. Defense Department announces that Kuwait will purchase 40 FA-18 warplanes; planes will cost $389 million [MET 8/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Asirah troops injure 5 Palestinians during demonstrations [FJ 8/21]. Firebomb injures 4 Israeli tax collectors in Ramallah [FBIS 8/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Palestine National Fund announces that Jordanian government has authorized it to move back to Amman after 3 years in Abu Dhabi [MET 8/15].

Other Countries: PLO is seeking to sign Geneva Convention, 3 other UN treaties on war; U.S. lobbys Switzerland, which is responsible for texts, to stop move [NYT 8/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Buruqin soldiers shoot, kill 18-year-old Palestinian. In Gaza Strip soldiers shoot, wound 10 Palestinians [FBIS 8/9, FJ 8/14]. Several dozen Druze demonstrate at 'Atlit prison to protest incarceration of Druze soldiers for refusing to serve in O.T. [FBIS 8/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U. S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near East and South Asia John Kelly meets with 13 Palestinians from O.T.; Palestinians give Kelly letter stating that meeting is part of PLO-U.S. dialogue, rejects election proposal under Shamir's terms, demand that Israel accept territory for peace [FBIS 8/3].

Arab World: In Tunis Fateh opens 5th General Congress [FBIS 8/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade thrown at Israeli patrol in Khan Yunis injures 3 Palestinians, 3 soldiers; troops respond by opening fire injuring 14 Palestinians [FJ 8/7, MET 8/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO lists conditions under which it would approve elections in O.T.: residents of E. Jerusalem must participate, freedom of speech and immunity from prosecution must be ensured, army must withdraw from population centers on election day, Egyptians and Americans would serve as election monitors, Israel must agree to principle of land-for-peace [WP 7/27]. Jordanian branch of PFLP dissolves, forms New Jordanian People's Democratic Party to participate in Jordanian politics [MET 8/8].

Other Countries: Soviet Union starts issuing tourist visas to Israelis for 1st time since 1967 War [NYT 7/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: In Gaza Strip 16 Palestinians are wounded during clashes with Israeli troops. At least 4 Palestinians are shot in W. Bank [FJ 7/31]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian lawyer Jamil Tarifi admits meeting with Shamir and informing PLO leadership in Tunis of details of meeting [NYT 7/26].

Arab World: PLO Executive Committee member Mahmud Abbas tells Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, al-Bayan, that PLO accepts elections in O.T. as part of comprehensive settlement [FJ 7/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza 20- year-old Palestinian from Shabura camp dies from wounds received 7/23. In Ramallah troops shoot 2 Palestinians. In Gaza Strip 7 Palestinians are shot during demonstrations [FJ 7/31]. Israeli court imprisons 4 soldiers for stealing from Palestinians from Gaza while on duty [NYT 7/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians observe general strike to protest Israel's proposal for elections in O.T. [FJ 7/24].

Other Countries: U.S. Senate defeats attempt to prohibit U.S. contact with PLO officials responsible for acts of terrorism against Americans; passes watered-down version [NYT, LAT 7/21]. Senate also passes bill making it easier for Soviet Jewish refugees to enter U.S. [LAT 7/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Burin troops shoot, kill 17-year-old Palestinian. At least 18 Palestinians are injured in W. Bank. Israeli troops shoot, wound 59 Palestinians in Gaza Strip [FJ 7/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Bush calls Senate proposal to limit U.S. contacts with PLO "a big step backwards" [NYT 7/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bayt Lid 17- year-old Palestinian is shot, killed by Israeli troops. In Jenin 22-year-old Palestinian dies after being shot by Israeli soldiers. In Tel Aviv 12-year-old Palestinian from Rafah dies from wounds received 7/8. At least 17 Palestinians are shot, wounded in Gaza Strip [FJ 7/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli workers stage 2-hour strike to oppose high unemployment rate [MET 7/25].

Other Countries: At President Bush's request Senate postpones vote on proposal to limit U.S. contact with PLO [NYT 7/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Khan Yunis 16-year-old Palestinian is killed during clash with Israeli troops. At least 27 Palestinians are shot, wounded in Gaza Strip. In W. Bank at least 10 Palestinians are injured confronting Israeli troops [FJ 7/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ariel Sharon, minister of industry, states that Israel must "eliminate the heads of the terrorist organizations, first of all Arafat" [WP 7/18]. Palestinians observe general strike throughout O.T. [FJ 7/24]. F. M. Arens states that it is impossible to hold free elections in O.T., while U.S. is holding talks with PLO [WP 7/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Gaza City. At least 35 Palestinians are reported injured in O.T. [FJ 7/24]. Al-Fajr cites army sources as saying it costs Israel $500,000 per day to fight intifadah [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: SLA shells Palestinian positions near Sidon [FJ 7/24]. Israeli tanks fire on Sunni villages near Tyre, killing 1, wounding 10 [MET 7/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics states that 600 more people left Israel than arrived in 1988; overall population increasing at 1.6% per year; Jewish population at 1.3%; Muslim population at 3.7%; total population is 4,476,800; 82% of population is Jewish; 14% Muslim [FBIS 7/13]. Yossi Beilin, aide to Labor leader Peres, states that Israel holds indirectalks with PLO [FBIS 7/13, LAT 7/14].

Arab World: PLO officials state that PLO and Israel have held indirect talks [LAT 7/14].

Other Countries: British F. M. Geoffrey Howe meets with Bassam Abu Sharif, aide to Arafat [FJ 7/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Stone throwing Palestinian from Hebron is shot, killed. In Khan Yunis soldiershoot, kill 18-year-old Palestinian [FBIS 7/13, FJ 7/17].

Other Countries: Land mine kills SLA soldier in Israeli-imposed "security zone" in south Lebanon [MET 7/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed throughout O.T. [FJ 7/17].

Arab World: Arafat states that PLO would no longer consider supporting Israel's plan for elections in O.T. [NYT 7/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Ramin Israeli troops open fire, kill 20-year-old Palestinian. In Madma 21-year-old Palestinian is killed during clash with army troops. At least 15 Palestinians are shot throughout O.T. [FBIS 7/10, FJ 7/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Survey of Israeli Jews (except those living in O.T., kibbutzim) shows that 60% favor elections in O.T. Second survey shows that 46% of Israeli Jews believe that Israel is "too democratic": 74% think that tougher policy is needed to put down intifadah [FBIS 7/7].

Arab World: Fateh announces it will hold conference near end of July. Saudi Arabia gives $6 million to PLO's Intifadah Support Fund [FBIS 7/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers shoot, kill 18-year-old Palestinian in Nusayrat camp [FBIS 7/7, FJ 7/10]. At least 58 Palestinians are injured in clashes throughout O.T. [FJ 7/10]. Israeli troops arrest 200 Palestinians; over 13,000 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli prisons [WP, FBIS 7/5].