The Palestine Chronology

Israel’s Bank Hapoalim and Discount Bank announce plans to terminate all dealings with banks in Gaza, fearing prosecution in light of Israel’s 9/19 declaration of Gaza as “hostile territory”; at Israel’s request, the suspensions are delayed until Israel’s Postal Bank can expand operations to assume sole control of clearing international financial transactions with Gaza. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh (raiding the home of Palestinian Council [PC] mbr. Maryam Saleh [Change and Reform], confiscating a computer and documents, arresting her son), Nablus and nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah. Jewish settlers and right-wing activists announce plans to set up 5 new unauthorized outposts in the West Bank; 1,000s of activists are expected to take part in the effort during the upcoming week-long Sukkoth holiday 9/27–10/2. (NYT 9/26; OCHA 9/26; PCHR 9/27)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli magistrate's court in Haifa remands 10 Palestinians from inside the Green Line who are alleged to have been organized in the Palestinian resistance movement and to have killed an Israeli soldier in August 1984; some of the detainees have travelled to Cyprus and are alleged to have continued on to Syria for military training, as well as being members of the PFLP [FJ 4/25]. Yesh Gvul (There Is a Limit) organization holds press conference in West Jerusalem announcing their refusal to serve in the occupied territories [FJ 5/2]. Moshe Mendelbaum, governor of the Bank of Israel, states he will resign within 30 days; Giora Gazit, chairman of Bank Hapoalim, announces his resignation [WSJ, MG 4/22]. The number of West Bankers working inside the Green Line declined slightly last year to 47,000 each week, down from 50,000 weekly during the previous year; the number of Gazans working inside the Green Line increased from 41,000 to 42,000 weekly; the work force in the occupied territories reached 251,000 weekly last year, a 2% rise from 1984 [JP 4/21].

Arab World: PFLP announces 13 guerrilla organizations held a secret conference in Damascus last week and decided to escalate attacks against U.S. targets to avenge air strikes on Libya; the groups included the 6 Palestinian factions making up the Palestine National Salvation Front, as well as 7 unidentified "liberation movements," according to the source [JP 4/22]. Druze leader Walid Jumblatt denies meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin in Geneva in February, as was reported by Agence France Presse [JP 4/22].

Other Countries: P.M. Peres meets in Paris with French Pres. Francois Mitterrand and P.M. Jacques Chirac for talks on terrorism and Peres' proposal for a M. E. Marshall Plan [JP 4/22]. U.S. Justice Dept. notifies Congress it does not plan to seek prosecution of Yasir Arafat for the murders of 2 U.S. diplomats on 5/2/73 [WP, BG 4/22]. U.S. State Dept. has appealed ruling by U.S. district judge allowing PLO Permanent Observer to the UN Zuhdi Tarzi to travel to Cambridge, Mass. for a debate despite State's travel ban on Tarzi, on grounds it would lend legitimacy to the PLO [BG 4/22].

Socia/lEconomic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike observed in E. Jerusalem in solidarity with Jnaid prison inmates' protest against deplorable conditions; prisoners suspend strike after police chief Bar Lev visits, promising improved conditions. 3-day curfew lifted at Dheisheh camp. Israel gov't. bans import of cars and 50 other luxury items for 6 mos. Bank Leumi reports $55 million profit for 1st half of 1984, but assets dropped $70 million; Bank Hapoalim reports $36 million profit, $1 billion drop in assets; Discount Bank gains $2.6 million profit, loses $70 million in assets United Mizrachi gains $1.58 million, largely by sale of assets, which rose by $400 million in Jan.-June 1984.

Other Countries: Austrian FM Gratz's courtesy visit to New York Mayor Koch reportedly turns into debate over policy toward PLO.

Military Action

Arab World: Roadside bomb discovered near SLA Gen. Lahd's HQ.

Other Countries: Bomb-laden car explodes near Israeli embassy housing in Nicosia; 1 injured; 1 Iraqi & 1 Yemeni arrested as suspects.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha. Renewed talks produce basic agreement on bipartisan Israeli government. High Court refuses to make public Zorea Com. report regarding killing of Palestinian commandos in Gaza (4/12/84). Shattah prison (Nazareth) inmates find worms in food, stage hunger strike. Jnaid prison (Nablus) inmates strike after guards attack prisoners with tear gas in their cells, hospitalizing 4. Bank Hapoalim announces $8.2 million profit for 1st half of 1984.

Other Countries: In New York pre-trial hearing in his $50 million suit against Time, Ariel Sharon castigates its 2/21/83 issue's implication that he encouraged Sabra & Shatila massacres (9/82) as "blood libel."

Military Action

Arab World: IDF transfers responsibility for security in Nabatiya to South Lebanon Army; sends patrols north of Awali River. Israeli DM Arens meets SLA Gen. Lahd, expresses satisfaction with SLA performance. Former Lebanese PM Selim al-Hoss escapes remote-control bomb blast; 4 killed, 25 wounded.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Shamir insists reaction to settler-terrorist bomb plot (4/27/84) should not hinder further settlement, calling settlers "pioneers" who create historical facts that will last for generations. Sakhnin prisoner Zbeidat released to house arrest on lawyer's petition for medical treatment of injuries suffered during torture in Acre and Jalameh prisons. Supreme Court upholds military censorship of newspaper Hadashot. Bank Leumi group reports 1983 loss of IS7,748 million ($71.9 million) after taxes. Bank Hapoalim's losses reported at $101 million.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yaacov Levinson, long-time chairman of Bank Hapoalim, commits suicide after investigations into financial misdealings involving Labor Party institutions.

Arab Countries: Lebanese opposition leaders confer in Damascus. King Hussein returns to Amman after visit to US.

Other Countries: Israeli PM Shamir begins 3-days with EEC FMs in Brussels, lobbying for favorable trade treatment. Reagan admin. claims no knowledge of contact over past 9 mos. between State Dep't. and PLO via intermediary, John Mroz.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Israelis bomb positions at Hammana, Bhamdoun and Damour alleging rebel Palestinian bases there; local residents insist no Palestinians in area; Souq al-Gharb and Aley also hit.