1992

General Election in Israel. Labor Party elected with Yitzhak Rabin as Prime Minister.

1993

September 13 - Signing of The Declaration of Principles between Israel and the PLO.

The Peace Process With The Palestinians - 1993-

 

 

In 1992 when Yitzhak Rabin’s Labor Party came into power, it pledged to advance the peace process  which was set in motion by the Madrid Conference in 1991. Representatives of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) met secretly in Oslo. These talks, mediated by the Norwegians, resulted in an agreement whereby the Gaza Strip and the town of Jericho were turned over to the control of the Palestinian Authority. It was further agreed that the IDF would redeploy in the West Bank and evacuate large Palestinian towns. Arrangements were made to continue negotiations on the final status of the disputed territory. Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their achievements.

The Oslo Agreements sparked fierce controversy within Israel. Some people wholeheartedly supported the Government’s policy, while others saw it as an act of surrender and capitulation. The dispute reached its climax when, at the end of a peace rally, an extremist Jew shot and killed Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The assassination shocked Israel and the entire world.

1994

May 4 - "Gaza" and Jericho First Agreement signed between Israel and the PLO.

July 28 - The Washington Declaration announced between Israel and Jordan.

Oct. 26 - Peace With Jordan

An immediate result of the Oslo Accords was that some Arab countries established contacts with  Israel. Morocco, Tunisia and the Persian Gulf states forged economic ties and many countries renewed or elevated their diplomatic relations with Israel. Jordan embarked on a series of informal contacts with Israel which eventually brought about a peace treaty between the two states. The Jordan River and the Aravah were designated as the international borders. Agreements were signed on various subjects, including water allocation, and the normalization process: exchange of ambassadors, trade and tourism ties and coordination of positions on different issues.

In contrast to the Oslo Accords, the peace treaty with Jordan won wide support in Israel.

December 12 - Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat awarded Nobel Peace Prize.

1995

Sept. 28 - Israel Palestinian Interim Agreement is signed.

Nov. 4 - Prime Minister Rabin assassinated.

1996

March - Operation "Grapes of Wrath" launched against Hizbullah in S. Lebanon.

May 29 - Elections in Israel. Benjamin Netanyhu elected Prime Minister.

May 1999

General Elections: Ehud Barak elected Prime Minister

May 2000

Israeli Withdrawal from Lebanon (unilateral) [map link, Issues link]

Summer 2000

Camp David summit fails as Arafat rejects Barak offer on disputed territories, Jerusalem.

29th September 2000

Planned Palestinian terror attacks begin on roads, settlements and in Israeli towns - the Second Intifada, following Ariel Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount (http://www.jajz-ed.org.il/actual/conflict/oct2000.html ; vicious media campaigns against Israel in the media incite the Palestinian public to terror.

Number of Antisemitic incidents begin to rise in France, Germany, UK

October 2000

Israeli Arab riots, arson of forests major roads blocked; 13 Arabs killed in confrontation with Police - Orr Commission of Inquiry appointed.

Mitchell Report, Tenet document sets out provisions for restoring calm; both fail without a PA clampdown on terror.

The Second Intifada - Terror continues: sniping from Gilo, attacks on major roads, suicide bombings, car bombs; Israel lives under threat and Israel on high alert.

Worldwide Antisemitism begins escalating.

November 2000

Barak coalition government losing parliamentary majority - Barak calls Special Elections.

7 February 2001

Ariel Sharon ousts Ehud Barak in Special Elections for Prime Ministership, establishes National Unity Government.

August 2001

UN Third Conference on Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination in Durban becomes forum for virulent anti-Israel statements, such as Zionism=Racism and also spur further waves of antisemitic incidents in Europe.

11 September 2001

Al Qaeda hijacks 4 American airliners and blows them up on US civilian and government targets, including the WTC. President Bush launches an international coalition for a war on terror, initially in Afghanistan. Terrorist organizations (incl. Hamas) are outlawed and assets frozen.

2000-2002

Intifada Suicide bombing on Israeli streets, of leisure facilities, cafes and public transport, sharpshooting and attacks on private homes kill hundreds of innocent people (http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH0ia50 ) Media incitement against Israel and for terror continues.

Worldwide Antisemitism reaches new heights.