The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: A letter signed by 51 U.S. senators calls upon State Dept. to deny Yasir Arafat a visa if he is invited to speak at the UN [NYT 9/30]. An intemational arbitration panel finds in favor of Egypt in its dispute with Israel conceming sovereignty over Taba, a resort on the Gulf of Aqaba [WP 9/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza troops use tear gas in confronting over 1,000 Palestinians attending the funeral of Rashad al-Shawwa. Troops shoot Palestinians in Bethlehem, Nablus, Artas, and al-Maghazi [FJ 10/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Former mayor of Gaza Rashad al-Shawwa dies from a heart attack [FJ 10/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: DM Rabin says that the use of plastic bullets is intended to increase the number of wounded among Palestinians in order to end the uprising. The army reports the death of a 17-yearold Palestinian from Khan Yunis who was hit by a plastic bullet [LAT, WP 9/28]. In Gaza City a 20-year-old. Palestinian dies from wounds received 9/26. In Nusayrat camp a 17-year-old Palestinian is shot dead by troops. In Gaza troops injure at least 25 during demonstrations [FJ 10/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Defense Minister Rabin rejects P.M. Thatcher's call for free elections in occupied territories, says EEC should contributeo material improvement of territories [BG, MG 5/27]. P.M. Thatcher later meets 8 Palestinian leaders at British consulate in Jerusalem [CT 5/27], including Bethlehem Mayor Ilyas Furayj, Rashad al-Shawwa, and Hanna Siniora [CT, LT 5/27], who give her memo. Israeli Attomey General Zamir asks police to examine evidence in case involving Shin Bet head [NYT 5/27]. Zamir will proceed with prosecution of Shin Bet head Avraham Shalom [MG 5/27].

Arab World: King Hussein travels to Baghdad to meet Iraqi President Sadam Husayn [LAT 5/27]. Al-Ahram reports Syrian plot to assassinate PLO Chairman Arafat [MG 5/27] and replace him with Syrian-backed Khalid al-Fahum, former chairman of PNC. PLO Chairman Arafat meets in Tunis with Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van den Broek, president of EEC Council of Ministers, despite Israeli protests. Hafiz al-Asad, on official visit to Greece, condemns terrorism.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Report on Gaza Strip, compiled by Meron Benvenisti's West Bank Date Base Project, is published, says "the situation is hopeless," calls territory "atime bomb" [LT 5/24].

Arab World: The New York Times reports President Mubarak and King Hussein met recently to discuss Egyptian-backed Palestinian self-rule in Gaza. Deposed Gaza Mayor Rashad al-Shawwa suggested idea, which would involve Egyptian consular services in East Jerusalem, Egyptian bank in Gaza, and legislative council [NYT 5/23]. Yasir Arafat declares to al-Bayan (Dubai) that PLO has decided to end its military presence in Tunisia.

Military Action

Arab World: New combat breaks out around Burj al-Barajinah, Sabra, and Shatila camps between Amal and Palestinians [OJ 5/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Rabin, in Knesset, says Wald report on condition of IDF distorts army's ability and performance [FT 5/21]. Colonel Emanuel Wald, former head of IDF planning, had accused the army on Israel TV of having buried his 700-page report on IDF weaknesses. Four men and 2 women, all of Nablus, are indicted by military court for kidnap-murder of Israeli soldier David Manos and membership in Fateh. Ibrahim 'Abdallah of Dayr Ballut is named ringleader [JP, JTA 5/21]. Italian Foreign Minister Andreotti meets deposed Hebron Deputy Mayor Mustafa Natshah, Gaza lawyer Fayez Abu Rahmah, deposed Gaza Mayor Rashad al-Shawwa, and al-Fajr editor Hanna Siniora [FJ 5/23].

Arab World: King Hussein orders arrest of leadership of Jordanian Communist party [NYT 5/21].

Military Action

Arab World: In suburban Beirut, Amal militiamen fight Palestinians for control of Burj al-Burajinah refugee camp, killing 2 and wounding 33. (Camp population: 11,000) [CSM 5/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy meets in Jerusalem with 9 leading Palestinians from the occupied territories in what is described as "routine" discussion of peace prospects. The 9 include Zafir al-Masri, Rashad al-Shawa, lliyas Furayj, and Hanna Siniora [JP, JTA 12/5; FJ 12/6]. Israeli authorities issue deportation order against Yunis Jabir Rajub from Dura village, near Hebron, stating he has been working for Abu Musa faction of Fateh since his release in 5/20 prisoner exchange [JP 12/5]. Avi Tzur and Claude Malka, former aides to former Agriculture Min. Michael Dekel, are arrested in connection with investigation into fraudulent West Bank land sales [JP 12/5]. Pres. Chaim Herzog addresses Israeli Communist party convention in Haifa, the first Israeli president to do so [LT 12/5].

Arab World: Boston Globe reports PLO leadership decided in last week's meeting that fighting units must now seek approval from PLO military council before conducting any operations; attacks will only be carried out in Israel and occupied territories [BG 12/4].

Other Countries: World Jewish Congress launches global campaign to persuade Vatican to give formal diplomatic recognition to Israel [JTA 12/5; WP 12/7]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin threatens to use "all forms" of punishment allowable against W. Bank residents in wake of attacks against Israelis, including expulsion, administrative arrest, destruction & sealing of homes [LAT 2/9]. 2 Jewish squatters at Tal Rumeida, Hebron, charged with 2/3 vandalizing of Arab-owned trees [JP 2/10]. IDF warns W. Bank leaders Bassam al-Shak'a, Karim Khalaf, Elias Freij, Abd al-Nabi Natshe, Rashad al-Shawwa and others not to attend memorial service for Fahd Qawasmeh scheduled 2/9 in Nazareth [JP 2/10]. Jerusalem Grand Mufti Sheikh Saad al-Din al-Alami threatens Muslims who sell land to Jews with excommunication [JP 2/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: SLA base fired upon near Tyre; no injuries. RPG, shots directed at IDF outposts in Rashidieh, Ansar; no injuries. One SLA soldier injured by roadside bomb, unreported location [JP 2/10].

Military Action:

Syrian troops and Lebanese militia exchange gunfire in Tripoli, 1 killed, 2 injured.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Police arrest 45 Jews, including 16 soldiers, armed with guns and grenades, as they prepare to seize Jerusalem's Temple Mount, site of al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock; 200 olive trees uprooted in orchard in Kafr Kassem, representatives of Lands Administration suspected; WZO Settlement Department proposes new West Bank settlement, Upper Nablus, as nucleus of future city, large tracts of land in area reportedly already seized by IDF for military outpost; Israeli police say hundreds of kilos of drugs, especially hashish, have been smuggled from Lebanon since the war; former President Carter receives honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University, says his deep religious belief is that God has ordered and ordained the existence of the state of Israel as a permanent homeland of the Jews, adds that right of Palestinians to have a voice in shaping their destiny is essential; protests in Gaza and West Bank against Carter visit to Gaza, where slogans appear on walls condemning Carter and deposed Mayor Rashad al-Shawa; IDF closes schools in Beit Sahur, Halhul, Yatta and Dheisheh, Bethlehem and Islamic Universities; iron bars thrown at IDF patrol in Ramallah, 1 soldier injured; demonstrations in Hebron, Bethlehem and Nablus; curfews imposed on Kalandia, Jalazon, al-Aroub, Ein Beit Alma and Dheisheh camps; settlers fire at protesters near Dura.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Foreign Minister Salem says there will be no political or economic relations with Israel, and no residual Israeli military presence on Lebanese territory.

Casualties:

UNRWA Field Director in Sidon says Palestinians in Akbieh village near Sidon being harassed by armed men demanding that they leave.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Knesset confirms Arens as Defense Minister by 61 to 51 vote; Meir Rosenne, Israel's ambassador to France, leading candidate to replace Arens as ambassador to US; Begin tells war veterans Israel will not deviate from Camp David formula, which does not provide for an independent state or for self-determination, which means the same thing; Defense Ministry exhibits Israeli-built Python 3 air-to-air missile, tested effectively in Lebanon air war, and said to be equal to US Sidewinder 9L; a West Bank civil administrator sentenced to 9 months in prison for accepting bribes to carry out residents' requests; 4 Druze residents of Golan Heights convicted of spying for Syria; Air Force Commander Lapidot says Israel needs Lavi fighter, US is witholding technological assistance.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Rashad al-Shawa, deposed mayor of Gaza, says PNC indirectly delegated Jordan to proceed with talks with Israel.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says that resolution of the Palestinian issue will require providing something in the nature of a homeland for the Palestinians, but not creating a nation, that the greatest security for Israel is to create new Egypts, more nations, more neighbors that are willing to sign peace treaties with them.