Until Return - Issue 6

Important Dates in Palestinian Arab History
Compiled by Nader Abuljebain
Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition

The following is a compilation of important dates and events in Palestinian Arab History for the month of September. For entire year, please see this page

SEPTEMBER

1919 The Versailles Treaty puts Syria and Lebanon under the French Mandate, Iraq, Jordan and Palestine under the British Mandate conditional on implementing the Balfour declaration. A controversial Agreement signed between King Faisal, and Haiem Wiseman.(September)

1922 Removing the area of Trans-Jordan from the Balfour Declaration (16 September). US Congress endorses the Balfour Declaration. First British census of Palestine shows population of 757,182, with 78% Muslim, 11% Jewish and 9.6% Christian.

1932 A Political Conference of the Orthodox Clergy held in Ramallah on 13 September.

1948 A Report by UN mediator Count Bernadotte, rejected by both the Arab League and Israel, proposed new partition of Palestine: 1- That a Palestinian state to be annexed to TransJordan to include Negev, al-Ramla and Lydda; 2- A Jewish state in all of Galilee; 3- The Internationalization of Jerusalem; return or compensation of refugees (September 16). Count Bernadotte murdered in Jerusalem on 17 September by Stern Gang. On 14 September 1988, new information published in the Israeli press confirming Lehi underground responsible for murder of Swedish UN mediator Count Folke Bernadotte in 1948. Sweden demands Israel issue an apology. Count Bernadotte replaced by his American deputy Ralph Bunche (September 17). The General Popular Conference was held in Gaza on 23 September after call of Arab Higher Committee, conference concluded 1 October 1 forming the “All Palestine Government”, under presidency of Ahmad Hilmi Abdul Baqi.

1950 Israeli massacre against Arab Al Azzazmeh in Sinai and Naqab (Negev)

1952 Arab League dissolves “All Palestine Government”, replacing representation of the Palestinian issue by the Arab governments.

1953 The American Johnston Project calls for diverting the Jordan River, and the redistribution of the waters in the region. Israel illegally begins diverting waters of Jordan River in September. Israel Demolishes village of Kufur Burum 16 September.

1963 Ahmad Al-Shuqairy appointed Palestinian representative at the Arab League 19 September following death of the former representative, Ahmad Hilmi Abdul Baqi.

1964 Formation of Palestinian Liberation Army-PLA (Jaish Al Tahreer Al Filasteeni), in 3 localities: Ein Jalout forces in Gaza and Egypt, Hittin forces in Syria, and Al Qadisiah forces in Iraq, under the command of Wajih Al Madani on 15 September. The Second Arab Summit Conference held in Alexandria, 5 September 1964 endorses PLO as the representative of the will of the Palestinian people. Establishes the Palestine Liberation Army. Launches counter-diversionary scheme for tributaries of River Jordan.

1967 West Bank leaders establish the Islamic Board in Jerusalem, under Shaykh ‘Abd al-Hamid al-Sa’ih. Makes first major West Bank declaration against the occupation (24 July). Board to administer Muslim affairs in West Bank; retains close ties with Jordan. Sa’ih deported to Jordan with Hilmi Muhtasib taking over as head of the Board. (23 September)

1968 Founding of Palestinian Planning Center on 18 September.

1969 The 6th Palestinian National Council convenes in Cairo on 1 September, after Israeli arsonist sets fire to Al-Aqsa Mosque. UNSC resolution # 271- 15 September condemns Israel’s failure to obey U.N. resolutions on Jerusalem (US abstained).

1970 UNSC resolution # 285 on 5 September, demands immediate Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon (US abstained). Civil war erupts in Jordan between Jordanian army and Palestinian forces, ending in evacuation of Palestinian forces to Lebanon (September 1970 & July 1971). Jordanian Army Massacre against Palestinian Refugee Camps 17 September. Irregular Emergency Arab Summit Conference held in Cairo, on 27 September, ends first round of fighting, followed by Amman agreement, and death of Gamal Abdel Nasser 28 September.

1971 Black September Organization (Aylol Al Aswad) formed. UNSC resolution # 298 25 September deploring Israel’s changing status of Jerusalem.

1972 The Founding conference of the General Union of Palestinian Writers and Journalists held in Beirut on 6 September. The US vetoes UNSC (#?) resolution on 10 September condemning Israel’s attacks against southern Lebanon, and Syria. (Vote: 13 to 1 with 1 abstention). President Anwar Sadat proposes the formation of a Palestinian government in exile. (28 September)

1974 September U.N. General Assembly places “Question of Palestine” on agenda after 22 years at request of 55 members. Israel commits air raid/massacre against civilians in Lebanese village of Yarin. UNGR Res. 3210 (UN General Assembly) recognizes PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people and given UN observership status. The Rejection Front (Jabhat Al Rafd) formed from Palestinian organizations (PFLP, PFLP-G.C., PSLP, and AFLP) opposing the capitulative resolutions (the 10 points program) declared by the P.L.O. leadership (29 September).

1976 Palestine becomes a permanent member of the Arab League on 6 September.

1978 September 17, Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin sign US-sponsored Camp David peace accords.

1982 UNSC resolution # 520 on 17 September condemning Israeli attack into West Beirut. US vetoes three attempted resolutions against Israeli attacks on Lebanon: 8 June urged sanctions against Israel if it did not withdraw from its invasion of Lebanon. (Vote: 14 to 1), 26 June urged sanctions against Israel if it did not withdraw from its invasion of Beirut, Lebanon. (Vote: 14 to 1), 6 August urged cut-off economic aid to Israel if it refused to withdraw from its occupation of Lebanon (Vote: 11 to 1 with 3 abstentions). The resumed (Second session) Arab Summit Conference held in Fez, on 6 September, endorses the Prince Fahd Plan. Palestinian refugee camps in Sabra and Shatila, suffer massacre of all 2,500 inhabitants (official estimated number) and destruction of those camps. These massacres of un-armed men, women and children, commanded by Ariel Sharon, at that time defense minister of "Israel", 17 September .

1984 US vetoes a UNSCR on 6 September deploring Israel’s brutal massacre of Arabs in Lebanon and urges its withdrawal. (Vote: 14 to 1)

1985 US vetoes a UNSCR on 13 September denouncing Israel’s violations of human rights in the occupied territories. (Vote: 10 to 1 with 4 abstentions)

1986 UNSC resolution # 587 on 23 September taking note of previous calls on Israel to withdraw it’s forces from Lebanon and urges all parties to withdraw. US abstains.

1987 Israeli Air Raid kills civilians at Ain Al-Hillweh (Palestinian Camp).

1990 Israeli troops committ a massacre against Palestinians in Ayoun Qara.

1992 Ten Palestinian groups - PFLP, DFLP, PLFP-GC, PPSF, PLF, Fatah-Uprising, PRCP, al-Sa‘iqa, Hamas & Islamic Jihad (‘the Damascus 10’) - form National Democratic & Islamic Front in Damascus to oppose Madrid talks. Significant for cooperation between secularists & Islamists.

1993 September 13, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat sign "Declaration of Principles," also known as Oslo I agreement, in Washington providing for a five-year transition towards talks on final peace settlement.

1995 September 28, Further interim accord, dubbed Oslo II provides for phased Israeli withdrawal from West Bank starting with major towns.

1996 The Israeli Government opens entrance of a tunnel passing under wall of Al-Haram Al Sharif, in October, process temporarily suspended due to huge Palestinian resistance. UNSC issues R #1073, (with US abstention) 28 September. Calls for immediate cessation and reversal of all acts for the opening of tunnel in vicinity of Al Haram Al Sharif. US vetoes 28 September UNSCR condemning Israeli settlements in Ras Al Amud in Jerusalem. (Vote: 14 to 1 )

2000 Camp David ll, meeting of Arafat, and Palestinians, Barak, and Israelis, Clinton, and US, at Camp David, Md. fails to iron out problems of borders, refugees, and Jerusalem. 28 September, 2000 (Intifadat Al Aqsa). The Intifada begins after Arial Sharon trespassed into Al Haram Al Sharief (The Holy Sanctuary)-that includes Al Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock Mosques-in Jerusalem. New Intifada starts in the 1967, and 1948 areas of Palestine, hundreds of Palestinians killed, and thousands injured, at Al Haram Al Shareif in Jerusalem and at Refugee Camps in Gaza. The UNSC issues resolution # 1322 7 October, deploring provocation at Al Haram Al Sharif, condemns use of excessive force against Palestinians, and calls upon Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention, with the US abstaining. Cold blooded murder of 12 year old child Mohammad Jamal Al Dura, under the exposed protection of his father, shows the real humanity of the Zionists, of the Israeli Army and Police, on 30 September. This atrocity caught on TV and seen around the world.

2002 September 19, Israeli forces destroy Arafat's entire compound in Ramallah except for his office and maintain siege and curfew tactics. Mass Street protests in West Bank on 21 September. UNSC resolution #1435 (24September; 14-0-US abstaining) demands Israel end the siege. Compound siege is lifted on 29 September, though curfews remain in force. Israeli attacks on Gaza city (23 September). Attack on Kiryat Arba colony kills 12 Israeli soldiers and militiamen, including area commander Dror Weinberg; in response to assassination of regional commander Iyad Sawalha in Jenin. Sharon declares 1997 Hebron protocol null and void, Israel to expand its Hebron settlements.

2003 The US vetoes a proposed UNSC resolution 16 September that would have condemned Israeli proposal to expel or assassinate the Palestinian Chairman/President Yaser Arafat. (Vote: 11 for, 3 abstentions, 1 veto)

2005 After 38 years of military presence in the Gaza Strip, Israel leaves but resumes bombing of Gaza areas in September.

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