The Palestine Chronology

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: Abu Dis village mukhtar 'Issa Jaffal dismissed by occupation authorities for refusing to urge villagers to drop suit against confiscation of 2500 dunums of their land. Beitunia College students strike, hold peaceful march protesting Village League members vandalizing, firing and hurling stones at student dormitories over past week. Israel's foreign reserves fall $351 million in July to just over $2.6 billion. Ministerial Economic Committee decides to cut all gov't. contracts to 25% over next 3 mos. Pres. Herzog urges Shamir and Peres to meet to consider joint rule proposals. Herzog refuses to invite Meir Kahane for customary post-election consultations. Umm al-Fahm Village Council conference at Tel Aviv Press Club disrupted by Kach members.

Arab World: In Le Monde inteview, Syrian Pres. Assad rules out linkage between IDF withdrawal and removal of Syrian troops from Lebanon.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem municipal employees assault Palestinian women selling vegetables at Damascus Gate, then destroy produce. Arab World: Israeli helicopters, F-16s & gunboats shell and drop experimental phosphorous & helium bombs on Nahr al-Bared camp, N. Lebanon where 16,000 Palestine refugees live; [casualty figures unavailable]. IDF kill 2 suspected of planting roadside bomb near Sidon. Grenade tossed at SLA patrols in Tyre; no injuries reported; IDF close Tyre port.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Arab nurses fired from Tel Aviv hospital on charge of "using terrorist tactics" on Jewish patients. Police order 13 al-Shayah/Ras 'Amoud families to vacate in 21 days homes built on land claimed sold to Israel in 1928. Arab World: In Beirut mtg. with UN Sec. Gen. De Cuellar, Lebanese Pres. Gemayel and PM Karami urge Israel's speedy withdrawal from Lebanon; De Cuellar offers UN as mediating body in negotiations, but rejects Sharon's suggestion that UN troops act as buffer between Syria and IDF in Beqaa.

Other Countries: Demonstrators in Colombo protest presence of Mossad counterinsurgency advisors in Sri Ianka at Pres. Jayewardene's request.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF command post in Tyre comes under light arms fire; RPGs fired on IDF in N. Sidon. 

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: About 400 foreign business people attend Jerusalem Economic conference "Isratech '84" marketing Israeli high-tech goods and weaponry. Alternative Movement head Matti Peled demands gov't. explain disappearance of Saleh Baransi; police refuse to disclose any information.

Arab World: Arab League meet in Tunis, focusing on Iran-Iraq war; postpone till November discussion of Syrian complaint against Morocco for its official welcome to 35-member Israeli delegation to Rabat Jewish congress this mo.; ministers revise voting requirements from consensus to majority rule. Israeli occupiers deny journalists access to S. Lebanon except with IDF escort.

Other Countries: UN Security Council considers complaints of Israeli attacks on Palestine refugees in S. Lebanon. Yugoslav gov't. denies entry visas to Hapoel Israeli delegation to European Federation of Cooperative Sport in spite of efforts by Belgian representative. US AID issues report severely critical of Israeli economic policies. Confronted by American Jewish Committee delegation on stage mtg. in Washington with Pres. Reagan, Mexican Pres. de Madrid says Mexico is a "defender of Israel."

Military Action:

Arab World: In Lebanon: hand grenade attack on IDF in Sidon results in exchange of fire, 1 Lebanese civilian killed, 2 wounded, 1 IDF soldier wounded; Israeli planes bomb Shi'ite villages of Janta and Deir al-Ghazal in Beqaa Valley; inJanta, 4 wounded, 1 farmer killed while plowing his fields.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At news conference, Sheikh Saad al-Din al-Alami urges authorities to remove Israeli guards from al-Haram al-Sharif as they cannot offer security of the shrines in light of latest Israeli sabotage attempts.

Other Countries: Pennsylvania gubernatorial hopeful Lt. Gov. Scranton leaves on junket to Israel paid by its gov't.

Military Action:

Arab World: Just after midnight, IDF troops storm Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon with tanks and armored vehicles, set off explosion, wound 20 residents, demolish 8 to 20 homes, shoot 2 residents, arrest about 150 people. Lebanese Nationalist commandos attack Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army near Yater village, 1 SLA soldier killed, 1 wounded.

Other Countries: Confirming longstanding Iraqi claims, MK Sharon tells Connecticut synogogue audience Israel has been supplying Iran arms with US knowledge.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset Settlement Committee approves 5 new settlements in West Bank. Bodies of 2 commandos killed by Shin Bet (4/12/84) exhumed for 2nd autopsy under inquiry commission order.

Arab World: Morocco hosts conference of Jews of Moroccan origin, including 35 Israeli delegates at Rabat Hilton; Crown Prince Mohammed and cabinet members attend. In BBC interview, King Hussein accuses US of providing material help to Israel for West Bank settlements.

Other Countries: Former Nazi Walter Rauff, subject of Israeli attempts to obtain unprecedented extradition arrangements with Chile [where 350,000 Palestinians live], dies in Santiago.

Military Action:

Arab World: Grenade explodes near Israeli patrol in Sidon, no damage.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Pal. Women's Work Committee holds 3rd annual conference in Jerusalem under slogan "Toward a Unified Popular Women's Movement." Gush Emunim's Rabbi Levinger justifies Jewish terror by blaming gov't. for weakness. 200 Palestinian Christian Labor Party members protest for better position for their candidate Tawfiq Toubi on election slate.

Other Countries: Before Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement mtg., Chrmn. Arafat endorses UN-sponsored conference toward settling Palestine-Israel conflict. US House of Representatives defeats amendment sponsored by Rep. Rahall to eliminate US funding of Israeli's Lavi aircraft.

Military Action:

Arab World: In S. Lebanon: Sidon resident drives car through downtown roadblock, killing 1 IDF soldier; IDF kills driver; 1 Israeli soldier killed in grenade attack on IDF patrol near Nabatiya; IDF raid Ma'arakeh village south of Tyre, villagers respond with hail of stones, IDF opens fire, injuring at least 1.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: WZO completes placement of 30 buildings on hilltop S.E. of Nablus to form Tel Haim settlement [adjacent to former Elon Moreh, ordered dismantled in 1979]. Jerusalem mayor Kollek's spokesman confirms plan for 75-acre Jewish cemetery east of city, saying it "will increase our hold" on West Bank. Report issued by "West Bank Data Project" concludes US funds intended for economic projects in occupied territories diverted by Israeli gov't. for its own use. Labor Party unanimously nominates Shimon Peres as PM candidate for 7/23 elections.

Other Countries: Zehdi Terzi speaks before Canadian Senate Foreign Affairs Com. as final witness in 2-yr. review of Canadian policy toward Middle East. US Pres. Reagan tells Jewish Community Relations Council in private New York mtg. that if Israel expelled from UN, "We will walk out with her."

Military Action:

Arab World: IDF shoots and wounds 7 Lebanese civilians in Sidon after grenade thrown at Israeli patrol on main street.

Other Countries: Bomb explodes in Israel Aircraft Industries' Manhattan offices; "Red Guerrilla Resistance" claims responsibility. 

Social Economic/Political:

Arab World: Haaretz reports 1/3 [$16 million of $49 million] of Israel's fresh vegetable exports sent to Lebanon by Agrexco.

Other Countries: Koteret Rashit publishes Tel Aviv U. Institute of Strategic Studies' report findings that Israel recently sold arms to Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Morocco.

Military Action:

Arab World: Israeli-appointed Gen. Antoine Lahad officially replaces Saad Haddad as head of S. Lebanon Army. Limited exchanges of fire between Israeli and Syrian positions in Beqaa Valley reported. Lebanese National Resistance Forces strike IDF vehicle on Ghassaniyaal-Kawassariya road. IDF sets up checkpoints at approaches to Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp; shoot and wound 2 passengers in car approaching checkpoint. Israeli border policeman injured in grenade attack on IDF patrol in central Sidon. 

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF spokesman says 6,000 technicians needed to man increasingly sophisticated war equipment. Despite agreement with Gaza Islamic U. officials that no arrest be made if students dispersed peacefully, 10 students given 1-3 mos. prison sentences and IS35,000- 50,000 fines by military court for participation in Land Day demonstrations. Tehiya and Rafael Eitan's Tzomet decide to run jointly in July elections.

Other Countries: Soviet CP officials begin talks with Lebanese Muslim leaders in Beirut. Canadian Progressive Conservative leader Mulroney tells Israel Bonds audience Israel must help solve the Palestinians' plight.

Military Action:

Arab World: Israeli artillery units shell Bar Elias area of N. Beqaa. At least 2 Israeli patrolmen injured in roadside bomb explosion in Sidon. IDF outpost near Baalul in Beqaa Valley attacked by automatic weapon fire.

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/POLITICAL:

Arab World: General strike from Tyre to Sidon to protest Israeli-backed death-squad killing of Shi'ite leader Raghib Harb (2/16/84).

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: LAF officials say "at least 3,000 Palestinian fighters" in Bhamdoun; Israel F-15s bomb Bhamdoun, Mansuriya and Rweisat; Syrian gunners repell attackers. Ambush on Israeli patrol claims 1. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: Lebanese Shi'ite and Druze leaders call for Pres. Gemayel's resignation.

Other Countries: US Senate Finance Committee begins hearings on issue of establishing free trade relations with Israel. US Sec. of State Shultz, in Brazilia, accuses Syria of "trying to dominate Lebanon by force." Pres. Reagan orders use of air and naval forces against anti-gov't. positions around Beirut. Late American journalist Fred Sparks' $25,000 bequest to PLO diverted to Red Cross for work with Palestinians; decision results from protest suit taken up by 3 American Zionist organizations. Speaking in Melbourne, former Pres. Carter calls for US withdrawal from Lebanon. European Parliament Pres. Dankert criticizes Israeli policy in Middle East before Knesset and in mtg. with PM Shamir.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nisreen Ahmed Shrouf, 5 years old, killed, 2 brothers and 2 sisters wounded in Bethlehem when grenade explodes in hand; grenade suspected planted by "TNT."

Arab World: Shi'ite and Druze forces take over most of West Beirut from LAF/Phalange; demand Gemayel's resignation. 2 Israelis wounded when grenades hit IDF patrols south of Zahrani River; grenade attacks on IDF patrols in Sidon and Nabatiya market. US gunships Garcia and JF Kennedy and A-6 Intruder bombers pound mountain positions near Beirut.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 40,000 join Peace Now demonstration in Tel Aviv against Israel's occupation of Lebanon.

Arab World: Lebanese Shi'ite leader, Nabih Berri, calls on Muslim cabinet ministers to resign and Muslim LAF soldiers to quit army.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: IDF position at Sidon port and patrol 8 miles north of Tyre subject to light weapons ambushes. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Military court sentences 6 young Aida refugee camp residents to 5-9-year jail terms for throwing petrol bombs at military vehicles.

Arab World: Egypt readmitted to Islamic Conference Organization by majority vote; Syrian, Libyan and PDRY delegations walk out in protest.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Light arms fire directed at IDF troops at Sidon port; no injuries reported. Bomb explodes at home of Abed Kabub, chairman of Islamic Waqf, Jaffa; local leaders suspect "TNT."

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 500 settlers from southern kibbutzim demonstrate before PM's office in Jerusalem for immediate IDF withdrawal from Lebanon. Occupation authorities ban Al-Fajr journalist from entering West Bank for 1 year and Gaza for 6 months; no explanation given. [The journalist recently served 4 mos. in jail for possession of "banned printed material."]

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: 2 grenades thrown at IDF patrols in central Sidon; 1 in Nabitiya; roadside bomb explodes by remote control as IDF passes near Ansar. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: Sheikh Jalaleddin, Mufti of Sidon, issues statement accusing Israel of arbitrary and repressive measures designed to terrorize Sidon population. With MNF withdrawn, LAF conduct new round of mass arrests in Sabra refugee camp. 

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Water mains connecting Esh'ar Israeli Army post blown up with make-shift bomb.

Arab World: Israeli Merkava tanks and armored vehicles spray Sidon streets with machine-gun fire three times; 3 wounded, cars and shops damaged.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel civil servants stop work over new austerity measures, including 15% increases in staple food prices as subsidies cut. Knesset Finance Committee approves 14% increase in electricty costs, retroactive to 12/1/83. Social Workers Union members demonstrate before Labor and Social Affairs Ministry to protest recent sanctions.

Arab World: Syria releases US airman to Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Other Countries: Before American Jewish Committee in NY, Israel's former advisor on Arab affairs Menahem Milson says Palestinians should be granted right organize politically (provided they recognize Israel and reject PLO). Britain declassifies 1953 secret memorandum outlining early plans to arm Israel.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Israeli Kfir bombers launch 2 attacks on suspected Palestinian positions in Bhamdoun, Lebanon. Some non-essential IDF personnel withdrawn from Sidon.