The Palestine Chronology

The IDF fires on Palestinians in Jenin, killing 1 Palestinian vendor in the central market; conducts arrest raids in Satar al-Gharbiyya. Palestinians fire on workers building Israeli security fence nr. Baqa` al-Gharbiyya, killing 1 Israeli Arab laborer. Nr. Hebron, Jewish peace activists, local Palestinians attempt to harvest Palestinian olive groves, keep Jewish settlers away (see 10/2); when settlers become increasingly hostile, the IDF intervenes, ordering peace activists, Palestinians to leave, then leaving the area themselves, allowing settlers to move in. Jewish settlers also confiscate a Palestinian home in Hebron's old city. (HA, JTA, NYT, PM 10/3; MA 10/3 in WNC 10/4; AP 10/4; PCHR, PR 10/9)

An Israeli security delegation (comprising DMin. dir. gen. Amos Yaron, IDF policy planning head Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland) arrives in Washington to consulted with U.S. officials (including Dep. Defense Secy. Paul Wolfowitz, Dep. Secy. of State Richard Armitage) ahead of a possible attack on Iraq. (HA 10/3; MM 10/4; HA 10/8)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli border guards arrest 8-year-old and 9-year-old Palestinian children on charges of throwing bombs. Children are released after 1 hour [FJ 8/30]. Israeli authorities expropriate more than 3,000 dunams of agricultural land near Dura [FJ 8/30]. Israel reports discovery and arrest of 3 Fateh cells in Jenin area involved in 11 military attacks on Israeli targets [FJ 8/30]. Israel submits chronology of its involvement in Irancontraffair during 1986 to U.S. congressional panel [WP 8/29].

Arab World: Shi'i protesters in S. Beirut attack food stores and money-changing booths, chant slogans, and burn tires in demonstrations against rising prices [LAT 8/29].

Other Countries: U.S. federal court upholds diplomatic immunity of Major Gen. Amos Yaron in suit brought by ADC for Yaron's role in Sabra and Shatila massacres [WJW 10/1].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Gush Emunim march in Qalqiliyyah marks Israelindependence day [FJ 5/10]. Jericho's mayor charges provocation after similar march by settlers in that city [FJ 5/10]. Israeli soldier is slightly injured in stone-throwing incident near Balatah refugee camp; camp is placed under curfew [FJ 5/10]. Military releases 12 secondary school students held in detention for 18 days [FJ 5/10].

Arab World: King Hussein of Jordan says he will only negotiate with Israel in an international conference that includes the PLO [BG 5/5]. Lebanon's P. M. Rashid Karami resigns [LAT 5/5; CSM 5/6]. Libya permits reopening of PLO office in Tripoli after 4-year closure [NYT 5/6]. George Habash arrives in Damascus, meets with Pres. al-Asad for 3 hours [FJ 5/10].

Other Countries: Three survivors of the Sabra and Shatila massacre file suit in U. S. court against Major-General Amos Yaron, now serving as military attache to U.S. [FJ 5/10].

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].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Maj. Gen. Amos Yaron, on "study leave" since being criticized for not alerting his superiors to the Sabra and Shatila massacres 4 years ago, has been appointed Israel's military attache to the U.S., the Israeli army announces [WP 8/2]. Rev. Riah Abu al- 'Assal, of Nazareth, secretary of the Progressive List for Peace, is banned from leaving the country for one year [FJ 8/8].

Arab World: Lebanese President Jumayyil proposes emergency parliamentary session, calls for Syrian help in Lebanon [LT, PI 8/2].

Military Action

Arab World: Car bomb explodes in East Beirut, kills one, injures 30 [NYT 8/2].

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: IDF Brigadier-General Amos Yaron, criticized in March 1983 report for role in Sabra and Shatila massacres, promoted to full general in spite of recommendation that "no command be given to him for three years." Karam Saleh Karam of Bethlehem fined IS50,000 and given suspended sentence of 3 years prison for demonstrating and throwing stones at Israeli border guards last year. 30 Dheisheh camp residents summoned to Bethlehem military governor's office and told to create council of camp residents to coordinate with "civil administration;" proposal rejected by refugees citing "lack of faith" in military gov't. Political prisoner, Nabil shawkeh, sentenced (November 1982) to 7 years prison for membership in "hostile organization," deported to Jordan following drastic deterioration of health and subsequent repeated request by his lawyer for release.

Arab World: US envoy Rumsfeld arrives in Damascus for talks with Syrian officials.

Other Countries: 9 children wounded in Israeli invasion of Lebanon arrive in NY for medical treatment sponsored by "Save Lebanon" project of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; 40 have already been treated under this project.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: IDF convoy ambushed near Zahrani River, 3 soldiers wounded.

Military Action:

Artillery, rocket clashes in IDF-controlled towns of Khalde, Aramun, Kfarshima and Shuweifat, south of Beirut as Gemayel holds consultations there on negotiating IDF pullback, following discovery of bodies of 5 Phalangists; IDF reports a bomb exploded south of Beirut airport as IDF vehicle passed by, two other bombs found in area; fighting continues in Tripoli where gunmen open fire on Syrian army truck.

Casualties:

7-story apartment building, damaged by IDF bombardment, collapses while being repaired, 5 feared dead, several others injured; Lebanese Army tries to rescue hundreds of schoolchildren trapped in schools in towns south of Beirut; 6 killed in fighting in that area; 1 killed, 3 wounded in Tripoli.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel and Lebanon agree to start face-to-face talks on troop withdrawal in few days; Sharon says Israel will not compromise on Taba; attorney for General Amos Yaron, in memo to Commission of Inquiry, defends his client's not passing on unsubstantiated rumors of a massacre.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese officials will seek, in negotiations with Israel, troop pull-back by all forces by February 15.

Arab Governments: King Hussein, in Washington, discusses military requests with pentagon officials, meets Joint Chiefs of Staff, later gives Reagan list of seven preconditions for Jordanian participation in Mideast peace process.

US and other Countries: Habib, after reporting to Reagan, announces agreement on talks (locale as yet undetermined); Belgium and Portugal indicate willingness to send peace-keeping troops but, because of economic troubles, can only do so if US pays for them.

Military Action:

Renewed fighting between Phalange and Druze villagers in Chouf, and spate of kidnappings following battles in and near Aley, raise tensions before release of about 50 from each side eases situation; Syrian missile fired at IDF positions in Bekaa.

Casualties:

Mother and three sons killed when bomb demolishes house in Muslim area of Haret Hreik; several tents put up in Ain el-Hilweh are found slashed, only 5 families have moved into tents, and children stone UNRWA workers and Border Police patrol; small Cyprus freighter is first ship to enter Tyre harbor since June 6; hundreds of Ansar detainees riot to protest inadequate protection against winter weather, guards fire in air to stop protest; IDF plans to investigate irregularities in issuing permits to Israeli Palestinians to visit Lebanese relatives (some permits sold to Lebanese Palestinians).

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF Beirut commander Amos Yaron tells Commission of Inquiry that he heard of civilian killings T1hursday, talked to Drori, but only knew full extent of killings Monday, that Phalange were allowed to replenish ammunition and rotate troops, contradicting earlier Sharon testimony, that he thought most civilians had fled area, and that Eitan praised Phalange performance in extending their stay in the camps and that they were withdrawn September 18 due to US pressure; 7 IDF soldiers go on trial for assaulting Palestinians on the West Bank; Israeli Cabinet rejects US criticism of settlement policy, pledges to continue policy, Begin asks Arens to formally protest US statements; Labor Party leader Peres urges Begin to move toward negotiations on basis of Reagan plan, but rejects Shunui Party call for end to all settlement activity; 1 Palestinian killed, 4 wounded in attack on Israeli army vehicle in Gaza Strip; Hebron mayor asks for UN intervention to halt destruction of Arab homes and establishment of old Jewish quarter in central Hebron.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Government asks Britain, South Korea, Sweden and the Netherlands to contribute troops to peace-keeping force.

Arab Governments: Egyptian Foreign Minister Hassan Ali says Egypt is trying to arrange a dialogue between the PLO and US and to ensure PLO participation in new peace talks.