The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres states Israel has engaged in "quiet diplomacy" with Jordan since King Hussein's break with the PLO in February [BG, WP 4/29]. Syrian army deserter captured by Israeli army in S. Lebanon says on Israel TV that he and 2 other Syrian deserters were recruited and paid by Fateh to infiltrate Israel, take hostages at Kibbutz Manara, take the French ambassador to Israel hostage, and demand safe passage out of the country to Jordan, Egypt, or Tunisia; he states Fateh has many Syrian, Pakistani, and Iraqi recruits for similar missions [JP 4/29].

Arab World: Spokespersons for Yasir Arafat's Fateh, the DFLP, and the PFLP denounce Jordanian regime for secret contacts with Israeli government officials [FJ 5/2]. Abu Nidal's Fateh Revolutionary Council claims responsibility for 4/27 shooting of British tourist in East Jerusalem, states it was in reprisal for U.S. air raid on Libyand British "collusion" in the attack, states Briton shot was an intelligence agent [WP, PI 4/29]. Egypt, which supplies Israel with one quarter of its oil, has reduced prices by approximately 25%, saving Israeli Treasury over $50 million a year [JTA 4/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Some 50 Palestinians held in detention for suspected antiIsrael activities have been released because of overcrowding; some 200 Palestinians were arrested following assassination of Zafir al-Masri; 20 are still being held on suspicion of links with the PFLP. Over 60 Golan Heights Druze have been arrested following P.M. Peres' visit to the area [LT 3/10]. Five leading black American university officials visit Israel in pilot project aimed at creating an academic bond between their institutions in the American south and Hebrew University in Jerusalem [JTA 3/11]. Violence breaks out between participants at Herut party convention over struggle for chairmanship of the party [BG 3/11].

Arab World: An Iraqi deputy foreign minister reportedly recently met with Israeli Ambassador to the UN Binyamin Netanyahu, on Iraq's initiative, to seek advice on Iranian army's capabilities and intentions; Israeli Foreign Ministry officials deny the reports [JP 3/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian resident of Balata refugee camp is shot and killed after he refused to stop and identify himself, military spokesman says [LAT 3/11; LT 3/12].