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: Elected Ramallah mayor Khalaf released from town arrest imposed in March 1982. Returning from US visit, Finance Min. Cohen-Orgad warns dollarization would have dangerous consequences, and refutespeculation he promised US to cut settlement budget.

Arab World: IDF lifts 2-day curfew on Arab Salim village in S. Lebanon after 2 Israelis killed in ambush (2/28/84).

Other Countries: USSR withdraws support from French proposal for UN force in Lebanon. Canadian MP Watson rejects Jewish community's protest at his mtg. with Chrmn. Arafat on recent Middle East tour. Int'l. Olympic Com. pres. Samaranch pledges to try to satisfy Israel's request to be included with European sports groupings. Int'l. Labor Org. votes to admit Israel to its Asian Regional Conference. US Senate Foreign Rel. Com. begins hearings on Sen. Moynihan's bill to transfer US embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. After attending brother's funeral, Israeli DM Arens meets with US Sec. of State Shultz to stress "common goals" and need for closer cooperation in Lebanon.