History - Timeline of Jewish History - Modern Israel - 1990-1999

1990

	Life magazine's list of the 100 most important Americans of the 20th century included 15 Jews: Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Dylan, Albert Einstein, Abraham Flexner, Betty Friedan, Milton Friedman, Edwin Land, William Levitt, Louis B. Mayer, J. Robert Oppenheimer, William Paley, Jonas Salk, Alfred Stiegitz, and Walter Winchell.
	Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), the rabbinical schools of the Reform movement, removes obstacles to ordination of gay and lesbian rabbis.
	Persian Gulf War to maintain stability: 1990-1991
January 8	Israel and the U.S. sign a cooperation agreement on medicine.
January 17	Foreign Minister Arens visits Portugal, the first such visit of an Israeli minister.
February 4	Nine Israelis are killed and 16 wounded in an attack on a tourist bus in Egypt.
February 9	Foreign Minister Arens signs a protocol in Prague renewing diplomatic relations between Israel and Czechoslovakia.
February 9	Czechoslovakia restores diplomatic relations with Israel.
February 27	Poland restores diplomatic relations with Israel.
March 15	Break-up of the national unity government following a vote of no-confidence in the Knesset. The peace process is effectively in abeyance.
March 24	U.S. Senate adopts a resolution recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
April 3	Israel and Bulgaria sign a protocol to restore diplomatic relations.
April 24	The U.S. House of Representatives adopts a resolution recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
May 3	Israel and Bulgaria restore full diplomatic relations.
May 20	Ami Popper murders seven Arab workers at Vradim Junction.
May 21	Greece grants a de jure recognition to Israel and establishes full diplomatic relations with Israel.
May 30	Two motorboats manned by PLO terrorists land in central Israel. IDF repulses the attackers. The Palestine Liberation Front assumes responsibility for the raid.
May 31	The U.S. vetoes a draft resolution in the Security Council to send an observer to the territories.
June 8	Yitzhak Shamir presents his government to the Knesset. David Levy appointed foreign minister and Moshe Arens defense minister.
June 20	The U.S. suspends its dialogue with the PLO for its failure to condemn the May 30 attacks on Israel.
August 2	Iraq invades Kuwait.
August 6	The Security Council imposes economic sanctions on Iraq.
August 7	The U.S. begins to send troops to the Persian Gulf.
August 8	Iraq annexes Kuwait.
August 9	Saddam Hussein says that military action against Iraq will be met with a strike on Israel.
August 18	Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz says Iraq will use chemical weapons if Israel uses nuclear arms.
September 3	Foreign Minister Levy visits Washington, meets with Secretary Baker. It is agreed that there be no linkage between the resolution of the Gulf crisis and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Agreement is reached on granting of U.S. loan guarantees of 400 million dollars.
September 17	Saudi Arabia and USSR sign agreement in Moscow restoring diplomatic relations after 52-year hiatus.
October 8	Disturbances on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem kill 21 Arabs.
October 9	Saddam Hussein threatens Israel with new missiles "when the time comes."
October 12	The Security Council adopts a resolution condemning Israel and sending a fact-finding mission to Jerusalem.
October 24	The Security Council unanimously deplores Israel's refusal to permit a fact-finding mission.
November 5	Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of Jewish Defense League and Kach Party, assassinated in New York City.
November 29	The Security Council authorizes use of all necessary means against Iraq unless it withdraws by January 15, 1991.
December 11	Following a meeting with President Bush in the White House, Prime Minister Shamir says that he was promised that there would be no deals at Israel's expense.
December 20	The Security Council approves a resolution condemning Israel's policy of expulsion calling lands occupied by Israel in 1967 including Jerusalem, Palestinian territories.
December 23	Saddam Hussein tells Spanish Television that Tel Aviv will be Iraq's first target if war breaks out.
December 24	Prime Minister Shamir threatens retaliation if Israel is attacked.
December 31	Israeli jets strike PLO bases in Lebanon.
	The first Israeli satellite, Ofek 2, is launched into space.
	Nelson Mandela is freed from prison. A month later he meets with Yasser Arafat, who wishes him success in fighting apartheid.
	Police arrest Roni Leibowitz, a motorbike bandit and millionaire's son, who robbed 22 banks.

1991

January 10	First Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries arrive in Israel.
January 14	Civil defense authorities instruct Israelis to begin preparing sealed rooms.
	PLO's second-ranking official Abu Iyad (Salah Khalaf) is assassinated in Tunis.
January 15	Beginning of the Gulf War. Israel goes into state of alert as war breaks out.
January 18	Israel attacked by eight Iraqi Scud missiles during the Gulf War. Two missiles hit Tel Aviv and a third lands near Haifa, causing great damage in residential areas.
January 19	Four Iraqi Scuds launched at Israel.
January 22	A Scud missile hits Ramat Gan. 96 are injured, 400 apartments are damaged.
January 23	A Scud missile is intercepted over Haifa; as it fell it shattered windows in the Haifa area.
January 24	Eight Scuds are fired at Israel. One person is killed, 45 are injured in Ramat Gan, 144 apartments are heavily damaged, 400 other apartments are lightly damaged.
January 25	Four Scud missiles are fired at Israel. 3 are intercepted over Haifa and one over Tel Aviv. Slight damage is reported.
January 28	A Scud missile lands in the Galilee, causing no damage or injuries.
January 31	A Scud lands in the West Bank causing no injuries or damage.
February 2	A Scud missile lands in Israel causing no injury or damage.
February 3	A Scud missile lands in Israel causing no injuries or damage.
February 8	A Scud lands in the center of Israel. 25 civilians are injured, 400 apartments are damaged.
February 11	A Schud lands in the center of Israel causing no injury or damage.
February 12	A Scud missile lands near Tel Aviv injuring 6 residents and damaging dozens of homes.
February 19	2 Scuds are fired at Israel. One lands in the Negev, the other in the Galilee. Both cause no injuries or damage.
February 20	US releases $400 million loan guarentee to Israel for housing for Soviet Jewish immigrants.
February 23	A Scud lands in the center of Israel causing a fire to break out, but no injuries or damage are reported.
February 25	Two Scuds land in the Negev desert causing no injuries or damage.
February 28	Gulf War ends.
February 28	Israel congratulates President Bush as the Gulf War comes to an end. Israel demands the elimination of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
April 1	Ehud Barak appointed twelfth IDF Chief-of-General Staff.
	Middle East peace conference convened in Madrid.
May 24-25	Operation Solomon, airlift of Jews from Ethiopia. 14,420 Ethiopian Jews are rescued and airlifted to Israel hours before the Mengistu regimes collapse.
July 14	The Congo restores diplomatic relations with Israel.
August 19	Albania's foreign minister visits Israel. Diplomatic relations are established.
September 4	Israel recognizes the independence of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
September 13	U.S. President George Bush criticizes Israel's friends in the U.S. and asks Israel to delay its request for $10 billion loan guarantees.
October 18	Secretary of State Baker visits Israel and together with Soviet Foreign Minister Bessmertnykh delivers a letter of invitation to the Madrid Peace Conference.
October 18	Soviet Union restores full diplomatic relations with Israel.
October 24	Israeli embassy in Moscow is rededicated.
October 30-31	Madrid Peace Conference.
October 31	Bilateral talks are held in Madrid between Israel and Syria, Lebanon and a Palestinian-Jordanian delegation.
November 3	Israel ratifies UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
	Albania's last 11 Jews arrive in Israel.
	Riots break out in Crown Heights, NY after a seven-year old black boy is killed by a car driven by Hasidic Jews.
December 9	Second round of the Middle East bilateral talks begins in Washington.
December 16	United Nations rescinds resolution equating Zionism with racism.
December 23	Soviet Ambassador Alexander Bovin presents his credentials to President Herzog.
December 26	Israel and Zambia restore diplomatic relations.

1992

	Conservative synagogue arm, United Synagogue of America, changes its name to United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
January 3	Israel decides to expel 12 Palestinians following the murder of an Israeli settler in the Gaza Strip.
January 10	Security Council condemns Israel for the expulsion of the Palestinians.
January 18-22	Another round of peace talks is held in Washington.
January 24	Israel and the People's Republic of China establish diplomatic relations.
January 28-29	The multilateral Middle East peace talks are held in Moscow.
January 29	Diplomatic relations established with India.
February 15	Hezbollah's chief Abbas Musawi is killed in an Israeli air strike.
February 16	Kiryat Shemona comes under heavy katyusha fire from Lebanon.
February 27-March 4	Another round of bilateral talks held in Washington ends inconclusively
March 10	Islamic Jihad terrorists assassinate an Israeli security officer in Ankara.
March 17	Five killed and 106 wounded in attack on Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires.
March 18	Knesset passes law for direct election of the prime minister.
March 20	The U.S. accuses Israel of transferring to China information on the Patriot missile. Israel denies the charges.
April 12	Kazakhstan establishes diplomatic relations with Israel.
April 16	Angola establishes diplomatic relations with Israel.
April 26-29	Another round of peace talks is held in Washington
May 1-8	Another round of peace talks is held in Washington
May 4	Armenia establishes diplomatic relations with Israel.
May 10	King Hussein announces he will donate $8.25 million to restore Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem.
June 8	Acting PLO security head Atif Basaysu assassinated in Paris.
June 23	Elections for Thirteenth Knesset. Labor wins majority for the first time since 1977. Labor gains 44 seats, Likud 32, Meretz 12.
July 10	New government headed by Yitzhak Rabin of Labor party.
July 20	Israel formally requests loan guarantees from the U.S..
July 30 and 31	Israel wins first Olympic medals, silver and bronze in Judo.
August 21-23	A Memorandum of Understanding on trade, economic affairs and tourism is signed
August 23	Israel announces the release of 800 Palestinian prisoners. 280 houses sealed since 1987 in teh areas would be unsealed.
August 24	Round Six of the bilateral peace talks resumes in Washington until September 3
August 24	Prime Minister Rabin cancels 11 deportation orders against PLO activists.
August 25	Israel presents a detailed autonomy plan, defining the role of the Palestinian Administrative Council controlling civilian matters.
September 10	Rabin announces that Israel is ready to accept territorial compromise on the Golan Heights in return for peace.
September 13	Gambia restores diplomatic relations with Israel.
September 14-24	The second session of Round Six of the bilateral peace talks is held in Washington.
September 15-17	Round Two of the Arms Control and Regional Security multilateral talks is held in Moscow
September 16-17	Round Two of multilateral talks is held in Washington.
September 26-27	Round Two of the multilateral talks on Environment is held in The Hague
October 5	Nicaragua restores diplomatic relations with Israel.
October 5	U.S. Congress approves the foreign aide appropriations for fiscal 1993, including the annual $3-billion military and economic aid package and the $10-billion loan guarantees
October 21-29	Session One of Round Seven of the bilateral talks is held in Washington.
October 28	Israel and Jordan announce that they had almost completed a full agenda on peace treaty, water and land claims, arms control and Palestinian refugees in Jordan
October 29-30	Multilateral talks on Economic Development are held in Paris
November 9-19	Session Second of Round Seven of the bilateral peace talks is held in Washington
November 11-12	Multilateral talks on refugees are held in Ottawa. Syria and Lebanon boycott the talks.
December 7-17	Round Eight of the bilateral peace talks is held in Washington.
December 13	An Israeli Border Policeman is kidnapped and killed by Hamas terrorists.
December 16	The cabinet approves deportation of 415 Hamas activists.
December 17	Israel expels 415 Hamas activists, 251 from the West Bank, and 164 from Gaza to Lebanon. The US State Department "strongly condemns the action of deportation.
December 17	The Arab delegations suspend the bilateral talks in Washington in protest over the Hamas deportations.
December 18	The Security Council adopts Resolution 799 which condemned Israel's actions.
	New Supreme Court building is opened.

1993

January 13	Israel ratifies an international convention banning chemical weapons.
January 19	The Knesset repeals a 1986 law banning meetings between Israelis and members of terrorist organizations, opening the way for talks with the PLO.
January 28	In a unanimous decision, the Israeli High Court of Justice rules that the Hamas deportations were legal.
February 16	Jordan appoints Sheikh Sulayman al Jabari Mufti of Jerusalem.
February 28	Arrow missiles is successfully test-fired.
March 13	Ezer Weizman is sworn in as President, succeeding Chaim Herzog.
March 16	Prime Minister Rabin visits Washington for talks with President Clinton and other political and religious leaders.
March 30	Israel's Inner Cabinet decides to seal off the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria for an indefinite period. Some 100,000 Palestinians are prevented from working in Israel.
April 14	Prime Minister Rabin and President Mubarak hold talks in Ismailiyah.
April 27	The suspended Eighth Round of bilateral peace talks is resumed in Washington, ends on May 13
April 28	Israel to allow the return of 30 deportees, expelled between 1967-1987 for PLO membership.
May 13	The Eighth Round of talks in Washington ends in deadlock when Israeli and Palestinian negotiators fail to reach an agreement on Statement of Principles.
May 30-June1	Some 200 Libyans arrive in Jerusalem for three day visit to holy sites. Pilgrims call on Muslims to "topple Zionist entity" and establish Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.
June 15	Bilateral peace talks are resumed in Washington. This round lasts until July 1.
June 30	Prime Minister Rabin starts an official visit to France. That country announces an end of arms sales embargo on Israel.
July 11-14	Visit to Israel of the deputy foreign minister of Vietnam. During his visit Israel and Vietnam sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of diplomatic relations.
July 25	Israel launches "Operation Accountability" with aerial strikes at Hizbollah and PFLP bases. Two Israeli civilians are killed in Hizballah shelling of Kiryat Shmonah.
July 29	The Supreme Court overturns the conviction of John Demjanjuk.
July 31	Operation Accountability" ends with an understanding arranged by Secretary of State Christopher, Syria, and Lebanon to ensure that Hizballah will not shell Israel.
August 20	Israel-PLO agreement is signed (in secrecy) in Oslo.
August 30	Announcement is made of an Israeli-PLO agreement.
September 10	Israel and the PLO exchange letters formally recognizing each other.
September 11	The U.S. resumes ties with the PLO suspended in 1990.
September 13	Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements for the Palestinians signed by Israel and PLO, as representative of the Palestinian people. A historic handshake is made between Prime Minister Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat.
September 14	Israel and Jordan sign a formal "Common Agenda" for negotiations in Washington.
September 19	Prime Minister Rabin holds talks with President Mubarak in Cairo.
September 19	UEFA (the European football Union) grants Israel provisional membership.
September 21	Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau meets in Rome with Pope John Paul II.
September 23	Knesset ratifies the Oslo Agreeement 61-50 with 8 abstentations.
September 29	Gabon and Mautius re-establish full diplomatic ties with Israel.
September 29	Amitai Kapach killed by terrorist.
October 9	Dror Forer and Aran Bachar are killed in Wadi Kelt by Islamic Jihad terrorists.
October 13	Israel-PLO talks for implementing the Declaration of Principles begin in Taba
October 26-28	Multilateral talks on water are held in Beijing.
October 30	Bet El resident Chaim Mizrachi stabbed to death by Arab terrorists.
November 2	Local elections held. Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek ousted by Ehud Olmert.
November 2-4	Arms control multilateral talks are held in Moscow.
November 8-9	Economic development multilateral talks are held in Copenhagen.
November 9	Suleiman al-Hawashle is run over and killed by terrorists at Shagai Junction.
November 11	Ephraim Olevi killed by Hamas terrorists in Hebron.
November 11-18	Prime Minister Rabin visits the United States for talks with President Clinton and senior officials.
November 15-16	Multilateral talks on environment are held in Cairo.
November 17	Israel-PLO Economic Coordination Committee talks open in Cairo.
November 17	Sgt. Chaim Drina stabbed to death by Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza.
December 1	Shalva Ozana and Yitzchak Weinstock shot to death by Hamas terrorists in el-Bireh
December 5	IDF soldier David Masherti is shot to death by Islamic Jihad terrorists at Holom Junction.
December 6	Mordechai and Sholom Lapid are killed by Arab terrorists in Hebron.
December 15-17	Meeting of Steering Committee on multilateral talks is held in Tokyo.
December 22	Eliyahu Levin and Mayer Mendolovitz are shot to death by Hamas terrorists in Betunia.
December 23	Anatoly Kolisnikov is stabbed to death in Ashdod by Fatah terrorist.
Decmber 24	Lt.-Col. Meir Mintz is killed by terrorists in Gaza.
December 29	Yuval Golan is killed by terrorists in Adorayeem
December 30	Israel and the Holy See sign a Fundamental Agreement in Jerusalem.
December 31	Chaim Weizman and David Booblil are killed by Fatah terrorists in Ramle.
	The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum opens in Washington, DC.
	Steven Spielberg releases Schindler's List.
	Avraham Biram finds ancient inscription in Tel Dan about the dynasty of King David; it is the first time his name appears outside the Bible.

1994

January 12	OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Nechemia Tamari and three other officers are killed in a helicopter crash.
January 14	Gregory Izanov stabbed to death by Hamas terrorists at Erez crossing in Gaza
January 16	President Clinton meets with President Assad in Geneva.
February 9	Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and PLO Chairman Yaaser Arafat sign an agreement on security arrangements of Jericho and the Gaza Strip.
February 25	Baruch Goldstein kills 29 Muslim worshippers at the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron.
February 27	The Government appoints a Commission on Inquiry to investigate the events in Hebron.
February 28	Knesset votes 93-1-7 to condemn the Hebron massacre
March 8	State commission of inquiry into the Hebron massacre begins holding hearings.
March 13	"Kach" and "Kahane Chai" are outlawed by the Government.
March 15-19	Prime Minister Rabin holds talks in Washington with President Clinton and senior U.S. officials.
March 18	The Security Council adopts a resolution condemning the Hebron massacre and calling for an international presence in that city.
March 31	Israel-PLO agreement on Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) is reached. 160 observers (35 Danish, 35 Italian, 90 Norwegian) are deployed to Hebron for three months.
	IDF cadet Shachar Simoni kidnapped and killed in Jerusalem by Hamas terrorists.
April 25	Reflooding of 6,000 dunams of Lake Hula- dried up in the 1950's- is begun.
April 29	Israel and the PLO sign an Economic Agreement in Paris.
May 4	Israel and the PLO sign an agreement giving autonomy to Jericho and the Gaza Strip.
May 8	A 160-member Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) begins its mission.
May 10	An independent list headed by Labor MK Chaim Ramon wins the Histadrut elections.
	Knesset approves Gaza-Jericho Agreement by a vote of 52-0. In a speech in a mosque in Johannesburg, Arafat calls for a jihad to liberate Jerusalem; compares Gaza-Jericho Agreement to a temporary agreement made by Mohammad with the tribe of Kuraish. After Israel protests, Yasser Arafat says he had referred to a religious jihad, which has no military significance.
May 13	Israel hands over the Jericho area to Palestinian police.
May 18	Israel completes its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip
May 19	Prime Minister Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan hold secret talks in London.
May 20	IDF commandos kidnap Hizballah leader Mustafa Dirani, who in 1988 sold Navigator Ron Arad to the Iranians for $300,000.
May 26	Britain lifts its 12 year old embargo on arms sales to Israel.
June 15	Vatican and Israel establish first ever diplomatic relations
June 26	State commission of inquiry into Hebron massacre releases its report.
June 26	David Mishali killed by Fatah terrorists in Tel Aviv.
July 1	Yoram Skori was killed by Hamas terrorist in Netafim.
July 1-4	Arafat visits Gaza
July 5	Arafat visits Jericho and swears in the Palestinian Council.
July 6	Premier Rabin and Foreign Minister Peres receive the UNESCO Peace Prize in Paris. They also meet with Arafat.
July 6	IDF soldier Aryeh Frankental killed in Beersheba by Hamas terrorist.
July 7	Sarit Prigal killed in Harsina by Hamas terrorists
July 17	Border Policeman Jacques Atias killed at Erez Checkpoint by PA police.
July 17	Israel and Cape Verde establish diplomatic relations.
July 18	Israel and Jordan start talks in the Arava.
July 18	A car bomb destroys the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, killing 102 and wounding others. A radical Moslem organization linked to Iran claims responsibility.
July 19	Lt. Guy Ovadia shot to death in Rafiach by Hamas terrorists.
July 20	Foreign Minister Peres, Secretary of State Christopher and Jordan's Prime Minister Majali meet on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea to launch the Israel-Jordan talks.
	Implementation of Palestinian self-government in Gaza Strip and Jericho area.
	Full diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
July 25	Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty signed.
July 25-26	Prime Minister Rabin and King Hussein meet at the White House; they sign the Washington Declaration ending the state of war between Israel and Jordan.
July 26	In two car bomb explosions in London, the Israeli Embassy and the offices of the Joint Israel Appeal are damaged.
July 30	Uganda and Israel re-establish diplomatic relations severed in 1972.
August 3	The Knesset ratifies the Washington Declaration, 91-3-2.
August 4	Israel and Senegal restore diplomatic relations, suspended in 1973.
August 8	Israel and Jordan open a border crossing post north of Eilat. King Hussein and Prime Minister Rabin meet in Aqaba.
August 9	Israel and Ghana restore diplomatic relations.
August 14	Ron Sobel shot and killed by Hamas terrorists in Kissufim.
August 24	Agreement between Israel and the PLO on Early Empowerment in the West Bank initialed in Cairo.
September 1	Israel and Morocco announce the opening of interest offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv.
September 8	Rabin tells the Cabinet of a plan for limited withdrawal on the Golan over a three-year period.
September 25	Rabin and Arafat meet at Erez checkpoint and agree to start preliminary talks on Palestinian elections and IDF re-deployment.
September 30	Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States announce lifting of Secondary and Tertiary Economic Boycotts against Israel.
October 1	Tunisia interest offices set up.
October 9	An Israeli soldier is abducted by Hamas terrorists. Two Israelis are killed in Jerusalem by Hamas.
October 10	Israel and Rwanda resume diplomatic relations.
October 13	An IDF attempt to free abducted soldier fails.
October 14	Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres and Yassir Arafat are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
October 14	Cpl. Nachshon Wachsman and Captain Nir Poraz are killed by terrorists in Bir Naballah.
October 17	Israeli and Jordanian negotiators initial a peace treaty, which is unanimously approved by the government.
October 19	Twenty-one Israelis and one Dutch citizen are murdered when a suicide bomber strikes on the #5 bus in Tel Aviv.
October 19	Israel announces completion of Jewish immigration from Syria.
October 23	The Cabinet unanimously approves the Israel-Jordan peace treaty.
October 24	Sgt. Ehud Roth and Sgt. Ilan Levy are kidnapped and shot to death by terrorists in Khan Yunis
October 25-27	President Clinton visits Israel.
October 25	The Knesset ratifies the peace treaty with Jordan, 105-3.
October 26	The Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty is signed in the Arava in the presence of President Clinton.
October 27-28	Visit to Israel of President Clinton. He addresses the Knesset, holds talks with President Weizman, Prime Minister Rabin and Foreign Minister Peres.
November 1	Israel opens a liaison office in Morocco.
November 7	The Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron reopens.
November 8	Israel ratifies the peace treaty with Jordan.
November 9	In a meeting between Rabin and Yasser Arafat at the Erez checkpoint, it is decided that the Palestinian Authority will assume additional responsibilities in the civilian sphere.
November 10	King Hussein of Jordan makes his first public visit to Israel.
November 21-22	Prime Minister Rabin holds talks in the White House with Clinton.
December 1	Israel transfers authority to the Palestinians in the fields of health and taxation, completing the process of early empowerment.
December 10	Prime Minister Rabin, Foreign Minister Peres, and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization Yasser Arafat are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.
December 11	Israel and Jordan open embassies in each other's counties.
December 19	The European Union announces finalization of principles of the new Israel-EU agreement.
December 26	Prime Minister Rabin visits Oman.

1995

January 2	Prime Minister Rabin halts new construction in a West Bank settlement, stating that Israel's future lies in territorial compromise with the Palestinians.
January 8	The government votes to establish a state commission of inquiry into the disappearance of Yemenite immigrant children between 1948-1954.
January 15	Prime Minister Rabin orders construction of bypass roads in the West Bank.
February 2	Mubarak, Rabin and Yasser Arafat meet in a Cairo summit to promote Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on the Interim Agreement.
February 23	Tanzania restores diplomatic relations with Israel.
February 24	Israel and Burundi resume diplomatic relations.
March 21	Rabin reiterates the separation plan through a fence manned by IDF and dogs.
April 6	Israel launches its first spy satellite into orbit.
April 27	Israel confirms its intention to confiscate 130 acres of land in East Jerusalem.
May 18	U.S. vetoes a Security Council draft resolution condemning Israeli seizure of land in East Jerusalem.
May 22	The government suspends its plan to confiscate land in East Jerusalem.
May 24	Israel and Syria make small progress in talks on future security arrangements.
June 9	Prime Minister Rabin holds talks in Cairo with President Mubarak.
July 2	Worst fire in Israeli history hits Jerusalem, near Shoresh and Neve Ilan.
August 11	Israel and the PLO reach an agreement on redeployment of forces in the West Bank.
	Broadened Palestinian self-government implemented in West Bank and Gaza Strip; Palestinian Council elected.
	Shimon Peres becomes Prime Minister.
	Treaty of Association is signed with the EU.
September 4	Jerusalem 3000 celebrations begin.
September 24	Israeli and Palestinian negotiators intial the "Oslo II" agreement in Taba, Egypt.
September 27	The government approves the "Oslo II" agreement 18-0-2.
September 28	"Oslo II" signed in Washington.
October 6	The Knesset approves the "Olso II" agreement 61-59.
October 24	U.S. Congress approves a bill calling for the transfer of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem no later than 1999.
October 29-30	The second Middle East North Africa Economic summit is held in Amman.
November 4	Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin assassinated at peace rally.
November 6	Representatives and heads of state from all over the world , including King Hussein and President Mubarak attend Rabin's funeral in Jerusalem.
November 8	High Court of Justice rules that the air force cannot bar Alice Miller from its combat pilots' course based on her gender.
	The PA takes over Jenin, and deploys forces to surrounding villages.
November 19	The state commission of inquiry into the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin begins.
November 20	Israel and the EU sign a trade agreement in Brussels.
November 20	The IDF withdraws from six West Bank towns.
November 22	The Knesset votes confidence in Shimon Peres' new government.
December 5	Yigal Amir indicted for murdering Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin.
December 9	A Jewish vehicle is fired upon by terrorists in Gush Etzion. One girl is shot in the back.
December 11	IDF pulls out of Nablus a day earlier than scheduled. Palestinean forces arrive in Ramallah. Samiha Khalil announces her candidacy for presidency.
December 12-13	Prime Minister Peres holds talks in Washington with President Clinton.
December 19	Trial of Yigal Amir begins.
December 21	Israel evacuates Bethlehem, Palestinian police enter.
December 26	Israeli army pulls out from 5 villages near Hebron: Dura, Yat-ta, Bani Naim, Thahariyeh, and Nuba.
December 27	IDF leaves Ramallah.
December 27	Israeli and Syrian negotiators meet at Wye Planation near Washington.

1996

January 6	Hamas master bomb-maker, Yihya Ayyash (the Engineer), is killed in Gaza by booby-trapped telephone.
January 10	King Hussein of Jordan visits Tel Aviv, holds talks with Prime Minister Peres.
January 17	Israel redeploys from Abu-Dis. Ahmed Qur'ei raises the Palestinean flag, and declares the city free.
January 20	First election of Palestinian Council, Arafat becomes president with 90% of the vote.
January 28	Israel and Oman issue a joint statement.
February 5	Prime Minister Peres decides to call early elections for the 14th Knesset to be held on May 29.
February 12	Yasser Arafat sworn in as first elected President of Palestine.
February 25	Twenty-five killed and about 90 wounded when Hamas suicide bombers attacks the #18 bus in Jerusalem and the hiking post at Ashkelon Junction
February 28	Peres warns Israel may delay its redeployment in Hebron as a result of the wave of suicide bombings.
March 2	Hamas suicide bomber blows up a bus in Jerusalem killing 20 Israels.
March 4	A Palestinian suicide bomber blows himself up in the midst of a holiday shopping crowd in a Tel Aviv mall killing 14, wounding 130.
March 5	President Clinton pledges to help Israel with high technology bomb detection devices.
March 13	An anti-terrorist summit conference, called the Summit of the Peace Makers is held in Sharm-el-Sheikh, attended by 25 world leaders. Syria boycotts the summit
March 14-15	President Clinton visits Israel.
March 27	Yigal Amir convincted for the assasination of Yitzchak Rabin. He received life and six additional years.
	Fundamentalist Arab terrorism against Israel escalates.
	Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox wage battle against Shabbat traffic on Bar Ilan Street, Jerusalem.
April 11	Operation Grapes of Wrath, retaliation against Lebanon for Hizbullah terrorists' attacks on northern Israel.
April 22	Palestine National Council (PNC) meets for first time since 1964 in Gaza.
	PNC votes to amend the PLO Covenant by 504 votes to 54, with 14 abstentions.
April 28	A cease fire in Lebanon is arranged by the U.S..
April 30	President Clinton and Prime Minister Peres issue a joint statement at the conclusion of talks in Washington.
May 3	Israel decides to postpone redeployment in Hebron.
May 4	The PLO announces it amended its National Covenent to remove anti-Israel sections. PLO refuses to announce changes and no changes appear on PLO website
	Yeshiva student David Reuvein Boim shot and killed by terrorists near Bet El.
	Jerusalem celebrates its 3,000th anniversary as the capital of the Jewish state.
	Israeli trade representation offices set up in Oman and Qatar.
May 5	Final Status Talks between the PA and Israel begin in Taba.
May 29	Benjamin Netanyahu wins the first direct election for Prime Minister.
May 30	Likud forms government after elections for the Fourteenth Knesset.
June 2	President Arafat's plane inaugurates Gaza International Airport, coming from Sinai
June 9	Efrat and Yaron Unger shot to death by Arab terrorists near Bet Shemesh.
June 22-23	Egypt host the first Arab League Summit in six years
July 2	Israeli jets bomb a base of Abu Moussa's Palestinian National Liberation Movement in Lebanon.
July 3	Israel eases the closure on the territories.
July 9	Prime Minister Netanyahu holds talks in Washington with President Clinton.
July 10	Prime Minister Netanyahu addresses the U.S. Congress, saying Israel will gradually ease its dependence on U.S. economic aid.
July 21	The bodies of two IDF soldiers missing since the 1982 war in Lebanon are returned to Israel. Israel and the SLA release 45 Hizbollah prisoners and return the bodies of 123 terrorists killed by the IDF over the years.
July 26	President Clinton denies clemency to Jonathan Pollard.
August 2	The cabinet decides to terminate the freeze on construction in Judea-Samaria and GAza placed by the previous government.
August 8	The five-nation committee monitoring the Israel-Hizbullah cease-fire in Lebanon holds its first meeting in Naqura.
August 11	Oman opens a trade office in Tel Aviv, becoming the seventh Arab state to have an official presence in Israel.
August 14	Talks between Israel and the PA resume after eight months' suspension.
August 20	In a test, an Arrow 2 missile successfully intercepts and destroys a target missile.
September 4	Netanyahu and Yasser Arafat meet for the first time at Erez Checkpoint. Both reiterate their commitment to implementing the 1995 Interim Agreement.
September 9	Sgt. Sharon Edri kidnapped and shot to death by Hamas terrorists.
September 22	Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs says his country postponed its decision to open a trade office in Israel.
September 23	Israel opens a new exit to the Western Wall tunnel. Prime Minister Netenyahu announces this in London. This triggers off a wave of Palestinian violence in the territories and Jerusalem.
September 23-27	In a wave of violence 14 Israelis and 56 Palestinians are killed in clashes
September 25	Violence erupts after the opening of Hasmonean Tunnel alongside the Temple Mount and Western Wall.
September 28	The UN Security Council adopts a resolution condemning Israel for opening the tunnel. The U.S. abstained in the vote, which was carried by 14-0.
October 1-2	Clinton holds bilateral talks with Netanyahu, Yasser Arafat, and King Hussein.
	Arafat secretly marries Suha Tawil in Tunis. Their daughter Zahwa is born July 24, 1995, in Paris.
November 6	Azzam Azzam, an Israeli Druze working in an Israeli-Egyptian plant in Cairo, is arrested and charged with spying for Israel.
December 13	The Governmnent reinstates financial subsidies to all settlements in the territories.
December 24	Prime Minister Netenyahu and Yasser Arafat hold talks in Erez.
	Israeli wins bronze medal in windsurfing competition at the Atlanta Summer Olympics.

1997

	Agreement Between the State of Israel and the Holy See.
January 5	Netenyahu and Yasser Arafat meet again in Erez.
January 12	King Hussein visits Gaza and Tel Aviv for talks with Yasser Arafat and Netanyahu
January 14-15	Hebron Agreement signed by Netenyahu and Arafat.
January 15	Israel redeploys troops in Hebron.
January 16	The Knesset approves the Hebron Protocol by 87 to 17 (one abstentation). The IDF completes its redeployment in Hebron.
February 4	Helicopter crash kills 73 Israeli soldiers.
February 11	Israel releases 30 Palestinian women prisoners.
February 13	Prime Minister Netenyahu and President Clinton meet in the White House.
February 23	Prime Minister Netenyahu meets King Hussein in Amman.
February 28	Ministerial Committee on Jerusalem approves construction in Har Homa.
March 13	Seven school girls are murdered by Jordanian soldier at Naharayim
March 16	King Hussein pays condolence call to families.
March 21	Suicide bombers kill 24 people in three separate attacks, one in Tel Aviv and two in Jerusalem.
April 1	An Arab League meeting calls on the Arab states to freeze ties with Israel.
April 7	Prime Minister Netenyahu meets with President Clinton at the White House.
May 27	Israel and Jordan sign a water agreement
July 30	Two consecutive suicide bombings in the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem kill 16 people and wound 178 wounded:
August 21	Israel and Croatia establish diplomatic relations.
September 24	Mossad agents botch an assassination attempt on Khaled Mashal, a Hamas official, in Jordan. Israel releases Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in return for its agents.
November 10	Israel and the Holy See sign a Legal Personality Agreement.
November 16	Israel and Jordan sign an agreement on Irbid Industrial Zone.
November 16-18	Prime Minister Netenyahu visits the United States.
	Israeli wins silver medal at European Swimming Championship.
	Christoph Meili, a guard for Switzerland's largest bank, reveals documents of transactions with the Nazis.

1998

	Israel celebrates its 50th anniversary.
January 7	Israel, Turkey, and the U.S. begin joint naval maneuvers in the Eastern Mediterranean. Jordan sends an observer.
January 20	Prime Minister Netenyahu meets President Clinton in the White House. The U.S. presents a plan for a three stage FRD of at least 10% of the West Bank. Netanyahu also meets twice with Secretary of State Albright.
January 22	Yasser Arafat holds talks with President Clinton. He rejects the 10% FRD plan. In a letter to Clinton he states which PLO Covenant clauses were annuled in May 1996. He also demands time out on Israel settlement expansion
January 27-28	Finance Minister Neeman holds talks in Washington on phasing down the $1.2 billion of America's economic aid to Israel
January 29	In view of mounting tension over Iraq, Israel and the U.S. Defense Department inaugurate an emergency hot line.
January 31	The PLO Executive Committee claims to approve by voice vote the annulment of offensive PLO Covenant clauses given to President Clinton. In 2004, PLO Foreign Minister Farouk Kaddoumi denied that the charter was ever annulled.
February 8	King Hussein sends President Weizman a check for $1 million for compensation to families of seven girls slain by a Jordanian soldier in Naharayim in 1997
February 8	The U.S. offers Israel defense weapons and says it will provide Israel with an early warning system in case of an attack on Iraq.
February 19	The U.S. sends 10 Patriot missile batteries to Israel.
February 27	Israel apologizes to the Swiss government for the incident involving its agents. Mossad head Danny Yatom resigns.
March 1	Netenyahu offers Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in return for adequate Lebanese security guarantees. Lebanon rejects the proposal.
March 4	Ezer Weizman is re-elected for a second term as Israel's president.
	The UN General Assembly, in an emergency session on the Har Homa issue, condemns Israel by a vote of 120 for, three against, five abstentions.
March 24	Israel and Turkey sign a trade protocol in Ankara.
April 3	In a letter to Clinton, 81 senators urge him not to issue the FRD plan. The PA announces acceptance of the U.S. proposal for 13% FRD
April 28	Prime Minister Netenyahu holds talks in Caito with President Mubarak - their first meeting since May 27, 1997.
May 6	21 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives call on Clinton not to pressure Israel on the FRD plan.
July 22	The Knesset adopts a bill requiring an absolute majority of Knesset members, and referendum majority before any territorial concessions are made on the Golan Heights. The bill won final approval on January 26, 1999.
July 27	Netanyahu says that Israel is now proposing a new FRD proposal based on 10% + 3% nature preserve in the Judean desert.
July 30	Israel transfers to Jordan the $50 million it owes under the Peace and Stability Fund agreement
August 7	The U.S. embassies in Nairovi and Dar es Salaam are destroyed leaving 256 dead and thousands wounded. The IDF dispatches a drescue team to Nairobi.
September 28	Netenyahu, Clinton and Yasser Arafat hold a meeting in the White House clearing the way for summit talks in October.
October 15-23	Israel and the PA negotiate an agreement at the Wye River Plantation.
October 23	Netanyahu and Yasser Arafat sign the Wye River Memorandum in the White House in the presense of President Clinton and King Hussein.
November 14	In a speech in Nablus, Yasser Arafat calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on May 4, 1999.
November 17	The Knesset adops the Wye River Memorandum by 75 in favor, 19 against, nine abstentions and 13 absent.
November 20	The IDF carries out the first of the three FRDs outlined in the Wye agreement. Israel releases 250 Palestinian prisoners.
November 24	Israel allows the opening of Gaza International Airport
December 14	The Palestinian National Council in Gaza reaffirms the annulment of the anti-Israel provisions of the PLO Covenant, in the presence of President Clinton.
December 21	The Knesset votes 81-30, four abstentions and five absent, to dissolve itself. Next elections to be held on May 17, 1999

1999

	Reform Movement's rabbinical body (CCAR) adopts new platform of principles which shows some openness to Jewish ritual, while reaffirming Reform's ideology of personal autonomy.
	Fifteenth Knesset elections.
February 7	Death of King Hussein of Jordan
May 17	Ehud Barak is elected Prime Minister. One Israel party wins 26 seats, Likud - 19, Shas - 17, Meretz - 10, Shinui, Merkaz and Yisrael b'Aliya - 6 each. Arab parties win 10, the NRP - 5, UTJ - 5, National Union and Yisrael Beitenu - 4 each, and Am Ehad - 2
June 24	After Hizbullah fires rockets into Israel, the IDF strikes bridges and power stations nearand in Beirut. Hizbullah fires 36 rockets into Israel killing two civilians.
July 23	King Hassan of Morocco dies and is succeeded by his son King Mohammed VI. Barak attends his funeral on 25 July.
July 27	Israel and the Republic of Georgia sign a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation. Israel and Uganda sign an agreement to expand economic ties.
Agust 10	A gunman goes on a shooting rampage at a Jewish community center in Los Angeles, injuring five
September 4	Barak and Yasser Arafat sign the second Wye Accord in Sharm el-Sheikh. Secretary Albright, President Mubarak and King Abdullah also sign as witnesses.
September 9	Israel releases 199 of 350 Palestinian prisoners in the framework of the Wye II Accords
September 10	Israel transfers 7% of the West Bank land from Area C to Area B
October 5	Israel and the PA sign the Gaza-West Bank Safe Passage Protocol
October 12	Barak orders dismantling of 15 of 42 unauthorized settlements built since October 1998. Eleven are to remain; in 16, no new buildings are to be allowed.
October 15	Israel releases additional 151 Palestinian prisoners
October 18	Former South African President Nelson Mandela holds talks in Jerusalem with Israel's leaders
October 25	Israel opens the safe passage road from Gaza to the West Bank
October 28	Israel and Mauritania raise their missions to embassies
November 1	President Clinton holds talks in Oslo with Barak and Yasser Arafat on final status negotiations. Barak and Yasser Arafat also have a private meeting. Clinton meets with both the next day
November 11	Yasser Arafat refuses to sign the map for the next FRD
November 14	Barak and Yasser Arafat meet but fail to reach an understanding on the next FRD. Israel decides to delay the second stage of the Wye II FRD
December 13	Barak tells the cabinet that an Israel-Syria agreement is possible within a few weeks. Addressing the Knesset, Barak says Israel may have to pay a "heavy territorial price" for peace with Syria. He wins a vote of confidence 47 for, 31 against, 24 abstentations and 18 absent.
December 15	Israel and Syria resume talks in Washington, DC. Barak, Clinton, and Syrian Foreign Minister Shara hold an opening ceremony at the White House.
December 16	Israel-Syria talks end in Washington, DC. They will resume near Washington in early January

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