The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bidya and Kafr Haris villages, settlers uproot 30 olive trees [FJ 2/21].

Other Countries: Explosion in Limassol, Cyprus seriously damages Sol Phryne (dubbed 'Awdah), Cypriot ferry chartered by PLO to carry 131 Palestinian deportees to Haifa. Caller allegedly from Jewish Defense League claims responsibility [WP, NYT 2/16]. Israeli P. M. Shamir meets with Italian Jewish leaders during 3-day visit to Rome [NYT 2/16].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army announces arrest of 2 soldiers on charges of burying 4 Palestinians alive 2/5 [WP, NYT 2/16]. Police raid E. Jerusalem's Sur Bahir neighborhood after violent demonstrations there; close to 40 Palestinians are arrested in Jerusalem crackdowns [WP 2/16]. Soldiers arrest at least 18 in Abu Dis following demonstration, impose curfew on village [NYT 2/16; FJ 2/21]. Curfews remain in force in Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta, Jalazun camp, Bayt Ummar, Dayr al-Balah camp, and Beach camp; 2-week-old curfew on 'Anabta village is lifted [FJ 2/21]. Scattered demonstrations are reported in W. Bank and Gaza Strip cities, towns, and camps [FJ 2/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstration in Gaza City condemns 'Abd al-'Aziz 'Awdah's expulsion order [FJ 11/22]. Gaza military objections com. postpones decision on deportation of 'Abd al-'Aziz 'Awdah [FJ 11/22]. Israel demolishes Yatta house, charging it was built without license [FJ 11/22]. EEC team arrives in occupied territories for discussions on exporting Palestinian products [FJ 11/22]. W. Bank citrus growers begin exporting their produce to Amman [FJ 11/22]. In Kafr Yuna Prison, police reinforcements are called in to stop fighting between political prisoners and prison guards [FJ 11/22]. Political prisoners injure warden, 4 guards during violent clash at Bayt Lid prison [FJ 11/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrators in al-Birah throw stones, block roads. Israeli troops use live ammunition, tear gas against separate al-Birah demonstration [FJ 11/22].

Other Countries: U.S. sources report Israeli government is refusing tocooperate with FBI investigation of Jewish Defense League involvement inseries of bomb attacks, including explosion that killed Alexander Odeh [WP 11/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset approves measure giving concession for Jewish settlements to Israel Electric Company, restricting concession of JEC [FJ 11/1]. Israeli authorities lift Gaza Strip travel ban [FJ 11/1].

Other Counties: In New York, 2 Jewish Defense League members are sentenced for their roles in 1984-86 bombings [WP 10/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shortly after curfew is lifted at Dahayshah refugee camp, soldiers again raid camp [FJ 11/1].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In New York, 3 former leaders of the Jewish Defense League plead guilty to racketeering charges related to bomb attacks against Soviet targets in New York [WP 8/14]. Labor party ministers decide to abandon push for early elections [JPI 8/15]. Birzeit University reopens after 4-month closure [CSM 8/14; FJ 8/16]. At least 4 foreign students are arrested, 2 injured in clash between demonstrating students and Israeli soldiers in front of U.S. Consulate in East Jerusalem [CSM 8/14; FJ 8/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli officials dismiss Arafat's Cairo Declaration as having no significance [BG 11/9]. Jewish Press cites poll in Hadashot which finds nearly 75% of all Israelis favor capital punishment for Palestinians found guilty of politically motivated murder [JWP 11/8]. Israeli officials state Israel has no intention of pulling remaining forces out of security zone or turning protection of border over to UNIFIL troops [MG 11/9].

Arab World: King Hussein praises Yasir Arafat's "Cairo Declaration" on the use of violence, saying move will enhance prospects for peace [PI, WP 11/9].

Other Countries: FBI states Jewish Defense League is "possible responsible group" in recent bomb attacks against ADC office in Santa Ana and two East Coast men purported to have Nazi ties; 2 of the attacks resulted in deaths [NYT, WP 11/9]. Leader of JDL threatens to sue FBI for slander [BG 11/10].

Military Action

Other Countries: Car bomb explodes in Nicosia killing manager of Iraqi Airlines' Cyprus branch moments after another bomb explodes inside airline's office there; phone caller claims responsibility on behalf of pro-Syrian Eagles of the Revolution Organization, states attack is first in series of operations against Iraqi govt. in retaliation for its support of Yasir Arafat, states organization isPalestinian [LT 11/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli officials state that during his upcoming visit to Washington, P.M. Peres will seek to use the publicity of the Achille Lauro affair to exclude the PLO from the M.E. peace process [WP 10/14]. P.M. Peres denies he notified the Soviets he might be willing to return the Golan Heights in exchange for an increase in Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union and restoration of diplomatic ties [JP 10/14].

Arab World: Muhammad 'Abbas states 4 hijackers told him they did not kill anyone, that Leon Klinghoffer probably died of a heart attack [NYT 10/14]. 'Abbas is quoted as saying the original destination of the hijackers was "the Israeli port of Ashdod for the purpose of carrying out a suicide mission inside the occupied territory" [MG 10/14].

Other Countries: U.S. delivers "firm and severe" protest over Italy's decision to let 'Abbas and another PLO official leave for Yugoslavia [WP 10/14]. FBI Dir. William Webster states Yugoslavia has turned down U. S. request to detain 'Abbas [LAT 10/14]. FBI head William Webster states bombing of Santa Ana office of ADC "corresponds to some bombings on the East Coast, directed at people believed to be hostile to Israel," implies the Jewish Defense League is under suspicion [MG 10/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian attacks an Israeli with a hatchet in the town of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, wounding him slightly. Part of the town is placed under curfew [TS, MG 10/14]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres praises U.S. interception of plane carrying 4 hijackers [BG 10/12].

Arab World: PLO officials in Tunis condemn U.S. interception of Egyptian plane carrying 4 hijackers; PLO officials in Tunis say Tunisia had refused entry to an Egyptian airplane thought to be carrying the 4 hijackers before the plane left Egypt [NYT 10/11]. Anonymous telephone caller to Beirut newspaper threatens to strike at "U.S. interests" throughout the world if the 4 hijackers are hurt in prison [LT 10/12]. Egypt condemns the U.S. interception of plane carrying 4 hijackers, expresses "deep regret" at "surprising" American action [WP, NYT 10/12].

Other Countries: Bomb in office kills regional executive director of American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Santa Ana, Califomia, Alex Odeh, 37, and injures 7 others. Odeh had appeared on TV the night before and called Yasir Arafat "a man of peace." No one claims responsibility; Jewish Defense League praises the action [NYT, WP 10/12]. Public prosecutor in Italy charges 4 hijackers with murder, kidnapping, hijacking of a ship, and possession of arms and explosives. Uncertainty remains over how 2 other senior Palestinian officials also taken into custody when the plane carrying them was intercepted will be treated; they are Abu al-'Abbas, head of the faction of the Palestine Liberation Front which allegedly carried out the hijacking, and another unidentified PLO official [NYT, WP 10/12]. U.S. agrees to let Italians prosecute hijackers but will maintain extradition request [NYT 10/13]. Jewish Press reports House Ways and Means Committee has adopted legislation to exempt Israel Bonds from a 1984 provision which increases taxes on loans made at below market level interest rates. Israel Bonds, at interest rates of 4%, are far below market level [JWP 10/11]. Harvard U. announces Prof. Nadav Safran "erred" in not reporting use of CIA funds to organize conference on fundamentalist Islam and to write book on Saudi Arabian security; Safran will not be disciplined [NYT, WP 10/12]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin fails to persuade 3 MKs occupying apartment in Hebron to end illegal sit-in [WP 8/20]. Peres says govemment will remain sole body to authorize timing and location of settlement in occupied territories. Four more MKs join the protest sit-in: Yuval Ne'eman, Tehiya; Haim Druckman, Morasha; Benny Shalita and Dov Shilansky, Likud [JP 8/20]. Reports indicate Fara'a prison near Nablus has stepped up use of torture and intimidation. Water is often cut and quality of food is deteriorating. Overcrowding continues [FJ 8/23]. West Bank land dealer Moshe Zar submits defense in 9-month-old suit brought against him by 9 Beersheba residents who say he failed to deliver on IS 54 million of land purchases [JP 8/20]. Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of Jewish Defense League, states he has resigned as group's leader, in move to save chances of getting visa to the U.S. since Knesset passed bill 7/31 outlawing MKs from having dual citizenship, which Kahane now has. Irv Rubin, 40, is appointed new leader [NYT 8/20].

Other Countries: Pope John Paul II, speaking in Casablanca, Morocco during an unprecedented visit to a Muslim country, states the status of Jerusalem, now under Israeli control, should be reviewed [WP 8/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb is thrown at Israeli military vehicle in Gaza Strip between Gaza City and Jabalya refugee camp. No casualties reported [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: SLA militia, trying to retaliate against Shi'ite attacks, mistakenly shell Irish UNIFIL post, narrowly miss killing troops [FT 8/20].

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied PalestinelIsrael: Police announce 4 JDL members arrested for attack on Arab bus (3/4/84) were under surveillance for past year, background information on suspects requested from Los Angeles and NY police. Labor's hawkish Ben Gurion Circle quits Rafael Eitan's Tzomet movement in party loyalty ultimatum.

Arab World: Pres. Mubarak on US television pledges not to abrogate Camp David peace treaty as condition for joining ArabLeague; reiterates Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and progress on Palestinian autonomy conditions for returning Egypt's amb. to Tel Aviv. Syrian Pres. Assad names 3 vice-Presidents: Rifa'at Assad for defense and security, Abdul Halim Khaddam for political and foreign affairs, and Mohammed Masharqa for party affairs.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 7-yr.-old Palestinian boy shot and wounded by Israeli troops at Balata refugee camp demonstration.

Arab World: IDF soldier dies from wound sustained in Sidon harbor explosions (3/4/84).

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 suspects in attempt to blow up Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque, Meir Liebowitz of Brooklyn and Bart Silverman of New Jersey, arrested by Jerusalem police while attending JDL rally. Over 300 leading Palestinian personalities attend arba'in memorial for Dr. Khalil Dudeiri at Women's Union HQ in Jerusalem.