Timeline of Jewish History: Modern Israel & the Diaspora
(1990 - 1999)
Other Periods: 1940’s | 1950’s | 1960’s | 1970’s | 1980’s | 2000’s | 2010’s
1990
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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. |
1990
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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. |
1990
|
Persian Gulf War: 1990-1991 |
1990
|
About 200,000 Soviet immigrants arrive. |
1990
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Israel and the USSR sign a trade pact after a 23-year break. |
January 8 |
Israel and the U.S. sign a cooperation agreement on medicine. |
January 17
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Foreign Minister Arens visits Portugal, the first such visit of an Israeli minister. |
February 4
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Nine Israelis are killed and 16 wounded in an attack on a tourist bus in Egypt. |
February 9
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Foreign Minister Arens signs a protocol in Prague renewing diplomatic relations between Israel and Czechoslovakia. |
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Czechoslovakia restores diplomatic relations with Israel. |
February 11
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Nelson Mandela is freed from prison. A month later he meets with Yasser Arafat, who wishes him success in fighting apartheid. |
February 27
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Poland retores diplomatic relations with Israel. |
March 15
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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
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U.S. Senate adopts a resolution recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. |
April 3
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Israel and Bulgaria sign a protocol to restore diplomatic relations. |
April 23
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Israel launches the Ofek 2 satellite into space. |
April 24
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The U.S. House of Representatives adopts a resolution recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. |
May 3
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Israel and Bulgaria restore full diplomatic relations. |
May 20
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Ami Popper murders seven Arab workers at Vradim Junction in Rishon Lezion. |
May 21
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Greece grants a de jure recognition to Israel and establishes full diplomatic relations with Israel. |
May 30
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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
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The U.S. vetoes a draft resolution in the Security Council to send an observer to the territories. |
June 8
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Yitzhak Shamir presents his government to the Knesset. David Levy appointed foreign minister and Moshe Arens defense minister. |
June 20
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The U.S. suspends its dialogue with the PLO for its failure to condemn the May 30 attacks on Israel. |
August 2
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August 6
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The Security Council imposes economic sanctions on Iraq. |
August 7
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The U.S. begins to send troops to the Persian Gulf. |
August 8
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August 9
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Saddam Hussein says that military action against Iraq will be met with a strike on Israel. |
August 18
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Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz says Iraq will use chemical weapons if Israel uses nuclear arms. |
September 3
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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
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Saudi Arabia and USSR sign agreement in Moscow restoring diplomatic relations after 52-year hiatus. |
October 8
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Disturbances on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem kill 21 Arabs. |
October 9
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Saddam Hussein threatens Israel with new missiles “when the time comes.” |
October 12
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The Security Council adopts a resolution condemning Israel and sending a fact-finding mission to Jerusalem. |
October 24
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The Security Council unanimously deplores Israel’s refusal to permit a fact-finding mission. |
November 5
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Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of Jewish Defense League and Kach Party, assasinated in New York City. |
November 29
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The Security Council authorizes use of all necessary means against Iraq unless it withdrawls by January 15, 1991. |
December 11
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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
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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
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Saddam Hussein tells Spanish Television that Tel Aviv will be Iraq’s first target if war breaks out. |
December 24
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Prime Minister Shamir threatens retaliation if Israel is attacked. |
December 31
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Israeli jets strike PLO bases in Lebanon. |
January 10
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First Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries arrive in Israel. |
January 14
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Civil defense authorities instruct Israelis to begin preparing sealed rooms. |
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PLO’s second-ranking official Abu Iyad (Salah Khalaf) is assassinated in Tunis. |
January 15
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Beginning of the Gulf War. Israel goes into state of alert as war breaks out. |
January 18
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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
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Four Iraqi Scuds launched at Israel. |
January 22
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A Scud missile hits Ramat Gan. 96 are injured, 400 apartments are damaged. |
January 23
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A Scud missile is intercepted over Haifa; as it fell it shattered windows in the Haifa area. |
January 24
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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
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Four Scud missiles are fired at Israel. 3 are intercepted over Haifa and one over Tel Aviv. Slight damage is reported. |
January 28
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A Scud missile lands in the Galilee, causing no damage or injuries. |
January 31
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A Scud lands in the West Bank causing no injuries or damage. |
February 2
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A Scud missile lands in Israel causing no injury or damage. |
February 3
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A Scud missile lands in Israel causing no injuries or damage. |
February 8
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A Scud lands in the center of Israel. 25 civilians are injured, 400 apartments are damaged. |
February 11
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A Schud lands in the center of Israel causing no injury or damage. |
February 12
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A Scud missile lands near Tel Aviv injuring 6 residents and damaging dozens of homes. |
February 19
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2 Scuds are fired at Israel. One lands in the Negev, the other in the Galilee. Both cause no injuries or damage. |
February 20
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US releases $400 million loan guarentee to Israel for housing for Soviet Jewish immigrants. |
February 23
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A Scud lands in the center of Israel causing a fire to break out, but no injuries or damage are reported. |
February 25
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Two Scuds land in the Negev desert causing no injuries or damage. |
February 28
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Gulf War ends. |
February 28
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Israel congratulates President Bush as the Gulf War comes to an end. Israel demands the elimination of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. |
April 1
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Ehud Barak apointed twelfth IDF Chief-of-General Staff. |
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Middle East peace conference convened in Madrid. |
May 24-25
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Operation Solomon brings Jews from Ethiopia to Israel. About 14,500 Ethiopian Jews are rescued and airlifted to Israel with 24 hours, just hours before the Mengistu regimes collapse. |
July 14
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The Congo restores diplomatic relations with Israel. |
August 19
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Albania's foreign minister visits Israel. Diplomatic relations are established. |
September 4
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Israel recognizes the independence of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. |
September 13
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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. |
September 18
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Peace activist Abie Nathan is sentenced to 18 months in jail for contacts with the PLO. |
October 18
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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
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Soviet Union restores full diplomatic relations with Israel. |
October 24
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Israeli embassy in Moscow is rededicated. |
October 30-31
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October 31
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Bilateral talks are held in Madrid between Israel and Syria, Lebanon and a Palestinian-Jordanian delegation. |
November 3
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Israel ratifies UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. |
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Albania’s last 11 Jews arrive in Israel. |
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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
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Second round of the Middle East bilateral talks begins in Washington. |
December 16
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United Nations rescinds resolution equating Zionism with racism. |
December 23
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Soviet Ambassador Alexander Bovin presents his credentials to President Herzog. |
December 26
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Israel and Zambia restore diplomatic relations. |
1992
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Conservative synagogue arm, United Synagogue of America, changes its name to United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. |
January 3
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Israel decides to expel 12 Palestinians following the murder of an Israeli settler in the Gaza Strip. |
January 10
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Security Council condemns Israel for the expulsion of the Palestinians. |
January 18-22
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Another round of peace talks is held in Washington. |
January 24
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Israel and the People’s Republic of China establish diplomatic relations. |
January 28-29
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The multilateral Middle East peace talks are held in Moscow. |
January 29
|
Diplomatic relations established with India. |
February 16
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Hezbollah’s chief Abbas Musawi is killed in an Israeli air strike in Southern Lebanon. |
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Kiryat Shemona comes under heavy katyusha fire from Lebanon. |
February 27-March 4
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Another round of bilateral talks held in Washington ends inconclusively. |
March 10
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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
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Knesset passes law for direct election of the prime minister. |
March 20
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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
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Angola establishes diplomatic relations with Israel. |
April 26-29
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Another round of peace talks is held in Washington |
May 1-8
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Another round of peace talks is held in Washington |
May 4
|
Armenia establishes diplomatic relations with Israel. |
May 10
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King Hussein announces he will donate $8.25 million to restore Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem. |
June 8
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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
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A Memorandum of Understanding on trade, economic affairs and tourism is signed |
August 23
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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 |
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Prime Minister Rabin cancels 11 deportation orders against PLO activists. |
August 25
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Israel presents a detailed autonomy plan, defining the role of the Palestinian Administrative Council controlling civilian matters. |
September 10
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Rabin announces that Israel is ready to accept territorial compromise on the Golan Heights in return for peace. |
September 13
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Gambia restores diplomatic relations with Israel. |
September 14-24
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The second session of Round Six of the bilateral peace talks is held in Washington. |
September 15-17
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Round Two of the Arms Control and Regional Security multilateral talks is held in Moscow |
September 16-17
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Round Two of multilateral talks is held in Washington. |
September 26-27
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Round Two of the multilateral talks on Environment is held in The Hague |
October 5
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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
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Session One of Round Seven of the bilateral talks is held in Washington. |
October 28
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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
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Multilateral talks on Economic Development are held in Paris |
November 9-19
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Session Second of Round Seven of the bilateral peace talks is held in Washington |
November 11-12
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Multilateral talks on refugees are held in Ottawa. Syria and Lebanon boycott the talks. |
December 7-17
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Round Eight of the bilateral peace talks is held in Washington. |
December 13
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An Israeli Border Policeman is kidnapped and killed by Hamas terrorists. |
December 16
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The cabinet approves deportation of 415 Hamas activists. |
December 17
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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.” |
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The Arab delegations suspend the bilateral talks in Washington in protest over the Hamas deportations. |
December 18
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The Security Council adopts Resolution 799 which condemned Israel’s actions. |
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New Supreme Court building is opened. |
1993
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The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum opens in Washington, DC. |
1993
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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. |
January 13
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Israel ratifies an international convention banning chemical weapons. |
January 19
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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
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Jordan appoints Sheikh Sulayman al Jabari Mufti of Jerusalem. |
February 28
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Arrow missiles is successfully test-fired. |
March 13
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Ezer Weizman is sworn in as President, succeeding Chaim Herzog. |
March 16
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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 indefinate period. Some 100,000 Palestinians are prevented from working in Israel. |
April 14
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Prime Minister Rabin and President Mubarak hold talks in Ismailiyah. |
April 27
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The suspended Eighth Round of bilateral peace talks is resumed in Washington, ends on May 13 |
April 28
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Israel to allow the return of 30 deportees, expelled between 1967-1987 for PLO membership. |
May 13
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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- |
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 Palestinean state. |
June 15
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Bilateral peace talks are resumed in Washington. This round lasts until July 1. |
June 30
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Prime Minister Rabin starts an official visit to France. That country announces an end of arms sales embargo on Israel. |
July 11-14
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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
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Israel launches “Operation Accountabity” with aerial strikes at Hizbollah and PFLP bases. Two Israeli civilians are killed in Hizballah shelling of Kiryat Shmonah. |
July 29
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The Supreme Court overturns the conviction of John Demjanjuk. |
July 31
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“Operation Accountability” ends with an understanding arranged by Secretary of State Christopher, Syria, and Lebanon to ensure that Hezbollah will not shell Israel. |
August
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The Supreme Court overturns the conviction of John Demjanjuk |
August 20
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Israel-PLO agreement is signed (in secrecy) in Oslo. |
August 30
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Announcement is made of an Israeli-PLO agreement. |
September 10
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Israel and the PLO exchange letters formally recognizing each other. |
September 11
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The U.S. resumes ties with the PLO suspended in 1990. |
September 12
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Sheik Ajlun, Gaza: Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) suicide bomber crashes car filled with explosives into a bus of soldiers. The car does not explode and only the driver dies. |
September 13
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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
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Israel and Jordan sign a formal “Common Agenda” for negotiations in Washington. |
September 19
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Prime Minister Rabin holds talks with President Mubarak in Cairo. |
September 19
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UEFA (the European football Union) grants Israel provisional membership. |
September 21
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Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau meets in Rome with Pope John Paul II. |
September 23
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Knesset ratifies the Oslo Agreeement 61-50 with 8 abstentations. |
September 29
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Gabon and Mautius re-establish full diplomatic ties with Israel. |
September 29
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Amitai Kapach killed by terrorist. |
October 4
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PIJ car bomb exploded next to bus on no. 173 line. Thirty people mildly injured. |
October 9
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Dror Forer and Aran Bachar are killed in Wadi Kelt by Islamic Jihad terrorists. |
October 13
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Israel-PLO talks for implementing the Declaration of Principles begin in Taba. |
October 24
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Two small bombs explode near the French Embassy in Tel Aviv. A member of the Jewish extremist Kahana Hay group claims responsibility, saying the explosions were in protest of PLO leader Yasser Arafats’s visit to France and agreements he signed there. |
October 26-28
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Multilateral talks on water are held in Beijing. |
October 30
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Bet El resident Chaim Mizrachi stabbed to death by Arab terrorists. |
November 2
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Local elections held. Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek ousted by Ehud Olmert. |
November 2-4
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Arms control multilateral talks are held in Moscow. |
November 8-9
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Economic development multilateral talks are held in Copenhagen. |
November 9
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Suleiman al-Hawashle is run over and killed by terrorists at Shagai Junction. |
November 11
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Ephraim Olevi killed by Hamas terrorists in Hebron. |
November 11-18
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Prime Minister Rabin visits the United States for talks with President Clinton and senior officials. |
November 15-16
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Multilateral talks on environment are held in Cairo. |
November 17
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Israel-PLO Economic Coordination Committee talks open in Cairo. |
November 17
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Sgt. Chaim Drina stabbed to death by Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza. |
December 1
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Shalva Ozana and Yitzchak Weinstock shot to death by Hamas terrorists in el-Bireh |
December 5
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IDF soldier David Masherti is shot to death by Islamic Jihad terrorists at Holom Junction. |
December 6
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Mordechai and Sholom Lapid are killed by Arab terrorists in Hebron. |
December 15
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Steven Spielberg releases Schindler’s List. |
December 15-17
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Meeting of Steering Committee on multilateral talks is held in Tokyo. |
December 22
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Eliyahu Levin and Mayer Mendolovitz are shot to death by Hamas terrorists in Betunia. |
December 23
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Anatoly Kolisnikov is stabbed to death in Ashdod by Fatah terrorist. |
Decmber 24
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Lt.-Col. Meir Mintz is killed by terrorists in Gaza. |
December 29
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Yuval Golan is killed by terrorists in Adorayeem |
December 30
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Israel and the Holy See sign a Fundamental Agreement in Jerusalem. |
December 31
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Chaim Weizman and David Booblil are killed by Fatah terrorists in Ramle. |
January 12
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OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Nechemia Tamari and three other officers are killed in a helicopter crash. |
January 14
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Gregory Izanov stabbed to death by Hamas terrorists at Erez crossing in Gaza |
January 16
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President Clinton meets with President Assad in Geneva. |
January 29
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A Jordanian diplomat was shot and killed outside his home in Beirut. Members of the Abu Nidal Organization (ANO) were arrested and prosecuted by Lebanese government. |
February 9
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Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and PLO Chairman Yaaser Arafat sign an agreement on security arrangements of Jericho and the Gaza Strip. |
February 25
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Baruch Goldstein kills 29 Muslim worshippers at the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron. |
February 27
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The Government appoints a Commission on Inquiry to investigate the events in Hebron. |
February 28
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Knesset votes 93-1-7 to condemn the Hebron massacre |
March 8
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State commission of inquiry into the Hebron massacre begins holding hearings. |
March 13
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“Kach” and “Kahane Chai” are outlawed by the Government. |
March 15-19
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Prime Minister Rabin holds talks in Washington with President Clinton and senior U.S. officials. |
March 18
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The Security Council adopts a resolution condemning the Hebron massacre and calling for an international presence in that city. |
March 31
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Israel-PLO agreeement on Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) is reached. 160 observers (35 Danish, 35 Italian, 90 Norwegian) are deployed to Hebron for three months. |
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IDF cadet Shachar Simoni kidnapped and killed in Jerusalem by Hamas terrorists. |
April 6
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9 Israelis killed and 45 wounded in car explosion next to a bus in the northern city of Afula. Hamas claims responsibility. |
April 13
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Hamas claims responsibility for suicide bomber blowing up a bus in Hadera, in central Israel in which 6 Israelis were killed and 45 wounded. |
April 16
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At a roadside block at Mehola, Israel in the Jordan valley, a car bomb claimed by Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement) denotes, killing one and wounding nine. |
April 25
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Reflooding of 6,000 dunams of Lake Hula- dried up in the 1950’s- is begun. |
April 29
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Israel and the PLO sign an Economic Agreement in Paris. |
May 4
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Israel and the PLO sign an agreement giving autonomy to Jericho and the Gaza Strip. |
May 8
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A 160-member Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) begins its mission. |
May 10
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An independent list headed by Labor MK Chaim Ramon wins the Histadrut elections. |
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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
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Israel hands over the Jericho area to Palestinian police. |
May 18
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Israel completes its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip |
May 19
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Prime Minister Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan hold secret talks in London. |
May 20
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IDF commandos kidnap Hizballah leader Mustafa Dirani, who in 1988 sold Navigator Ron Arad to the Iranians for $300,000. |
May 26
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Britain lifts its 12 year old embargo on arms sales to Israel. |
June 15
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Vatican and Israel establish first ever diplomatic relations |
June 26
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State commission of inquiry into Hebron massacre releases its report. |
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David Mishali killed by Fatah terrorists in Tel Aviv. |
July 1
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Yoram Skori was killed by Hamas terrorist in Netafim. |
July 1-4
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Arafat visits Gaza |
July 5
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Arafat visits Jericho and swears in the Palestinian Council. |
July 6
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Premier Rabin and Foreign Minister Peres receive the UNESCO Peace Prize in Paris. They also meet with Arafat. |
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IDF soldier Aryeh Frankental killed in Beersheba by Hamas terrorist. |
July 7
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Sarit Prigal killed in Harsina by Hamas terrorists |
July 17
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Border Policeman Jacques Atias killed at Erez Checkpoint by PA police. |
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Israel and Cape Verde establish diplomatic relations. |
July 18
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Israel and Jordan start talks in the Arava. |
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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
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A commuter plane explodes over the Santa Rita Mountains in Panama, killing 21 persons, including Israelis, dual Israeli-Panamanian citizens, three Americans, and 12 Jews. |
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Lt. Guy Ovadia shot to death in Rafiach by Hamas terrorists. |
July 20
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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. |
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Implementation of Palestinian self-government in Gaza Strip and Jericho area. |
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Full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. |
July 23
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Two unknown Palestinians escape after stabbing and seriously injuring an American woman in the Arab quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City. |
July 25
|
Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty signed. |
July 25-26
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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
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In two car bomb explosions in London, the Israeli Embassy and the offices of the Joint Israel Appeal are damaged. |
July 27
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Five are injured when a car bomb detonates in front of a building that houses Jewish Attackers in London. |
July 30
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Uganda and Israel re-establish diplomatic relations severed in 1972. |
August 3
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The Knesset ratifies the Washington Declaration, 91-3-2. |
August 4
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Israel and Senegal restore diplomatic relations, suspended in 1973. |
August 8
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Israel and Jordan open a border crossing post north of Eilat. King Hussein and Prime Minister Rabin meet in Aqaba. |
August 9
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Israel and Ghana restore diplomatic relations. |
August 14
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Ron Sobel shot and killed by Hamas terrorists in Kissufim. |
August 24
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Agreement between Israel and the PLO on Early Empowerment in the West Bank initialed in Cairo. |
September 1
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Israel and Morocco announce the opening of interest offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv. |
September 8
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Rabin tells the Cabinet of a plan for limited withdrawal on the Golan over a three-year period. |
September 25
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Rabin and Arafat meet at Erez checkpoint and agree to start preliminary talks on Palestinian elections and IDF re-deployment. |
September 30
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Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States announce lifting of Secondary and Tertiary Economic Boycotts against Israel. |
October 1
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Tunisia interest offices set up. |
October 9
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Two Hamas terrorists began shooting with automatic weapons in Jerusalem’s Nahalat Shiva’a business district. Fourteen were injured, and an off-duty Israeli soldier and Israeli Arab were killed in the attack. One gunman was shot by bystanders and the other was captured. |
October 9
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An Israeli soldier is abducted by Hamas terrorists. Two Israelis are killed in Jerusalem by Hamas. |
October 10
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Israel and Rwanda resume diplomatic relations. |
October 13
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An IDF attempt to free abducted soldier fails. |
October 14
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Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres and Yassir Arafat are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. |
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Cpl. Nachshon Wachsman and Captain Nir Poraz are killed by terrorists in Bir Naballah. |
October 17
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Israeli and Jordanian negotiators initial a peace treaty, which is unanimously approved by the government. |
October 19
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Twenty-two Israelis and one Dutch citizen are murdered and 48 injured when a suicide bomber strikes on the No. 5 bus in Tel Aviv. |
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Israel announces completion of Jewish immigration from Syria. |
October 23
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The Cabinet unanimously approves the Israel-Jordan peace treaty. |
October 24
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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
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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
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Visit to Israel of President Clinton. He addresses the Knesset, holds talks with President Weizman, Prime Minister Rabin and Foreign Minister Peres. |
November 1
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Israel opens a liaison office in Morocco. |
November 7
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The Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron reopens. |
November 8
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Israel ratifies the peace treaty with Jordan. |
November 9
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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
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King Hussein of Jordan makes his first public visit to Israel. |
November 11
|
Palestinian Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for an attack by a Palestinian suicide bomber on a bike in the Gaza Strip which killed three Israeli soldiers. |
November 21-22
|
Prime Minister Rabin holds talks in the White House with Clinton. |
December 1
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Israel transfers authority to the Palestinians in the fields of health and taxation, completing the process of early empowerment. |
December 10
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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
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Israel and Jordan open embassies in each other’s counties. |
December 19
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The European Union announces finalization of principles of the new Israel-EU agreement. |
December 25
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A Palestinian suicide bomber kills 12 Israelis in a bus bombing in Jerusalem. Hamas claims responsibility. |
December 26
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Prime Minister Rabin visits Oman. |
January 2
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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
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The government votes to establish a state commission of inquiry into the disappearance of Yemenite immigrant children between 1948-1954. |
January 15
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Prime Minister Rabin orders construction of bypass roads in the West Bank. |
January 22
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PIJ claims responsibility for a bombing in Beit Lid junction in central Israeli by two Palestinian suicide bombers in which 21 Israelis were killed. |
February 2
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Mubarak, Rabin and Yasser Arafat meet in a Cairo summit to promote Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on the Interim Agreement. |
February 23
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Tanzania restores diplomatic relations with Israel. |
February 24
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Israel and Burundi resume diplomatic relations. |
March 21
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Rabin reiterates the separation plan through a fence manned by IDF and dogs. |
April 6
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Israel launches its first spy satellite into orbit. |
April 9
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Two Palestinian suicide bombers set off bombs outside two Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip and kill 7 Israeli soldiers and one American. Hamas and PIJ claim responsibility. |
April 27
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Israel confirms its intention to confiscate 130 acres of land in East Jerusalem. |
May 18
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U.S. vetoes a Security Council draft resolution condemning Israeli seizure of land in East Jerusalem. |
May 22
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The government suspends its plan to confiscate land in East Jerusalem. |
May 24
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Israel and Syria make small progress in talks on future security arrangements. |
June 9
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Prime Minister Rabin holds talks in Cairo with President Mubarak. |
June 25
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A PIJ member detonates cart filled with explosives near an I.D.F. vehicle, wounding three soldiers. |
July 2
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Worst fire in Israeli history hits Jerusalem, near Shoresh and Neve Ilan. |
July 24
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Hamas claims responsibility for Palestinian suicide bus bombing in Tel Aviv in which 6 Israelis were killed and 28 injured. |
August 11
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Israel and the PLO reach an agreement on redeployment of forces in the West Bank. |
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Broadened Palestinian self-government implemented in West Bank and Gaza Strip; Palestinian Council elected. |
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Shimon Peres becomes Prime Minister. |
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Treaty of Association is signed with the EU. |
August 21
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A Palestinian suicide bomber blows up a bus in Jerusalem, killing 4 Israeli soldiers and 1 American, and wounding over 100 Israelis. Hamas claims responsibility. |
September 4
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Jerusalem 3000 celebrations begin. |
September 24
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Israeli and Palestinian negotiators intial the Oslo II agreement in Taba, Egypt. |
September 27
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The government approves the Oslo II agreement 18-0-2. |
September 28
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Oslo II signed in Washington. |
October 6
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The Knesset approves the Olso II agreement 61-59. |
October 24
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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
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The second Middle East North Africa Economic summit is held in Amman. |
November 4
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Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin assassinated by Yigal Amir at a peace rally in Tel Aviv. |
November 6
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Representatives and heads of state from all over the world , including King Hussein and President Mubarak attend Rabin’s funeral in Jerusalem. |
November 8
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High Court of Justice rules that the air force cannot bar Alice Miller from its combat pilots’ course based on her gender. |
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The PA takes over Jenin, and deploys forces to surrounding villages. |
November 19
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The state commission of inquiry into the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin begins. |
November 20
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Israel and the EU sign a trade agreement in Brussels. |
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The IDF withdraws from six West Bank towns. |
November 22
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The Knesset votes confidence in Shimon Peres’ new government. |
December 5
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Yigal Amir indicted for murdering Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin. |
December 9
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A Jewish vehicle is fired upon by terrorists in Gush Etzion. One girl is shot in the back. |
December 11
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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
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Prime Minister Peres holds talks in Washington with President Clinton. |
December 19
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Trial of Yigal Amir begins. |
December 21
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Israel evacuates Bethlehem, Palestinean police enter. |
December 26
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Israeli army pulls out from 5 villages near Hebron: Dura, Yat-ta, Bani Naim, Thahariyeh, and Nuba. |
December 27
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IDF leaves Ramallah. |
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Israeli and Syrian negotiators meet at Wye Planation near Washington. |
January 6
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Hamas master bomb-maker, Yihya Ayash (the Engineer), is killed in Gaza by a booby-trapped cell phone. |
January 10
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King Hussein of Jordan visits Tel Aviv, holds talks with Prime Minister Peres. |
January 17
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Israel redeploys from Abu-Dis. Ahmed Qur’ei raises the Palestinean flag, and declares the city free. |
January 20
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First election of Palestinian Council, Arafat becomes president with 90% of the vote. |
January 28
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Israel and Oman issue a joint statement. |
February 5
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Prime Minister Peres decides to call early elections for the 14th Knesset to be held on May 29. |
February 12
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Yasser Arafat sworn in as first elected President of Palestine. |
February 25
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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 26
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An American Arab drives a rental car into a Jerusalem bus stop, killing one Israeli and injuring 23. The driver is shot and killed. Hamas claims responsibility, though the man seems to have acted on his own. |
February 28
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Peres warns Israel may delay its redeployment in Hebron as a result of the wave of suicide bombings. |
March 2
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Hamas suicide bomber blows up a bus in Jerusalem killing 20 Israels. |
March 3
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Palestinian suicide bomber blows up bus stop in Jerusalem, killing 8 Israelis and wounding 10. The Students of Yehiye Ayyash, a breakaway group of Hamas, claims responsibility. |
March 4
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A Palestinian suicide bomber blows himself up in the midst of a holiday shopping crowd in a Tel Aviv mall killing 14, wounding 130. Both Hamas and PIJ claim responsibility for the attack. |
March 5
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President Clinton pledges to help Israel with high technology bomb detection devices. |
March 13
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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
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President Clinton visits Israel. |
March 27
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Yigal Amir convincted for the assasination of Yitzchak Rabin. He received life and six additional years. |
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Fundamentalist Arab terrorism against Israel escalates. |
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Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox wage battle against Shabbat traffic on Bar Ilan Street, Jerusalem. |
April 11
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Israel lanuches “Operation Grapes of Wrath,” retaliation against Lebanon for Hizbullah terrorists’ attacks on northern Israel. |
April 18
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A stray Israeli shell kills 100 Lebanese at Kafr Qana. |
April 22
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Palestine National Council (PNC) meets for first time since 1964 in Gaza. |
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PNC votes to amend the PLO Covenant by 504 votes to 54, with 14 abstentions. |
April 28
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A cease fire in Lebanon is arranged by the U.S.. |
April 30
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President Clinton and Prime Minister Peres issue a joint statement at the conclusion of talks in Washington. |
May 3
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Israel decides to postpone redeployment in Hebron. |
May 4
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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 |
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Yeshiva student David Reuvein Boim shot and killed by terrorists near Bet El. |
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Jerusalem celebrates its 3,000th anniversary as the capital of the Jewish state. |
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Israeli trade representation offices set up in Oman and Qatar. |
May 5
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Final Status Talks between the PA and Israel begin in Taba. |
May 13
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Near the Beth El settlement, a Hamas shooter opens fire on a bus and a group of Yeshiva students, killing a dual US/Isaeli citizen and injuring 3 Israelis. Hamas is suspected to be responsible but has not confirmed it. |
May 29
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Benjamin Netanyahu wins the first direct election for Prime Minister. |
May 30
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Likud forms government after elections for the Fourteenth Knesset. |
June 2
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President Arafat’s plane inaugurates Gaza International Airport, coming from Sinai |
June 9
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A dual US/Israeli citizen and an Israeli are killed by an unidentified gunman while in their car near Zekharya. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) is suspected to be responsible. |
June 9
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Efrat and Yaron Unger shot to death by arab terrorists near Bet Shemesh. |
June 22-23
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Egypt host the first Arab League Summit in six years |
Summer
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Israeli wins bronze medal in windsurfing competition at the Atlanta Summer Olympics. |
July 2
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Israeli jets bomb a base of Abu Moussa’s Palestinian National Liberation Movement in Lebanon. |
July 3
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Israel eases the closure on the territories. |
July 9
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Prime Minister Netanyahu holds talks in Washington with President Clinton. |
July 10
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Prime Minister Netanyahu addresses the U.S. Congress, saying Israel will gradually ease its dependence on U.S. economic aid. |
July 21
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The bodies of two IDF soldiers missing since the 1982 war in Lebanon are returned to Israel. Israel and the SLA release 45 Hezbollah prisoners and return the bodies of 123 terrorists killed by the IDF over the years. |
July 26
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President Clinton denies clemency to Jonathan Pollard. |
August 2
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The cabinet decides to terminate the freeze on construction in Judea-Samaria and GAza placed by the previous government. |
August 8
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The five-nation committee monitoring the Israel-Hizbullah cease-fire in Lebanon holds its first meeting in Naqura. |
August 11
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Oman opens a trade office in Tel Aviv, becoming the seventh Arab state to have an official presence in Israel. |
August 14
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Talks between Israel and the PA resume after eight months’ suspension. |
August 20
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In a test, an Arrow 2 missile successfully intercepts and destroys a target missile. |
September 4
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Netanyahu and Yasser Arafat meet for the first time at Erez Checkpoint. Both reiterate their committment to implementing the 1995 Interim Agreement. |
September 9
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Sgt. Sharon Edri kidnapped and shot to death by Hamas terrorists. |
September 22
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Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs says his country postponed its decision to open a trade office in Israel. |
September 23
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Israel opens a new exit to the Western Wall tunnel. Prime Minister Netanyahu announces this in London. |
September 23-27
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In a wave of violence 14 Israelis and 56 Palestinians are killed in clashes |
September 25
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Violence erupts after the opening of Hasmonean Tunnel alongside the Temple Mount and Western Wall. |
September 28
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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
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Clinton holds bilateral talks with Netanyahu, Yasser Arafat, and King Hussein. |
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Arafat secretly marries Suha Tawil in Tunis. Their daughter Zahwa is born July 24, 1995, in Paris. |
November 6
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Azzam Azzam, an Israeli Druze working in an Israeli-Egyptian plant in Cairo, is arrested and charged with spying for Israel. |
December 13
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The Governmnent reinstates financial subsidies to all settlements in the territories. |
December 24
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Prime Minister Netenyahu and Yasser Arafat hold talks in Erez. |
1997
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Agreement Between the State of Israel and the Holy See. |
January 5
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Netenyahu and Yasser Arafat meet again in Erez. |
January 12
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King Hussein visits Gaza and Tel Aviv for talks with Yasser Arafat and Netanyahu |
January 14-15
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Hebron Agreement signed by Netenyahu and Arafat. |
January 14
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Christoph Meili, a guard for Switzerland’s largest bank, reveals documents of transactions with the Nazis. |
January 15
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Israel redeploys troops in Hebron. |
January 16
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The Knesset approves the Hebron Protocol by 87 to 17 (one abstentation). The IDF completes its redeployment in Hebron. |
February 4
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Helicopter crash kills 73 Israeli soldiers. |
February 11
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Israel releases 30 Palestinian women prisoners. |
February 13
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Prime Minister Netenyahu and President Clinton meet in the White House. |
February 23
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Prime Minister Netenyahu meets King Hussein in Amman. |
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A Palestinian gunman opens fire on tourists visiting the Empire State Building in New York City, killing a Dane and injuring tourists from the United States, Argentina, Switzerland, and France. He then shoots himself, leaving a note saying that the attack was to punish the ‘enemies of Palestine.’ |
February 28
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Ministerial Committee on Jerusalem approves construction in Har Homa. |
March 13
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Seven school girls are murdered by Jordanian soldier at Naharayim |
March 16
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King Hussein pays condolence call to families. |
March 21
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Suicide bombers kill 24 people in three separate attacks, one in Tel Aviv and two in Jerusalem. |
April 1
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An Arab League meeting calls on the Arab states to freeze ties with Israel. |
April 7
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Prime Minister Netenyahu meets with President Clinton at the White House. |
May 27
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Israel and Jordan sign a water agreement |
Summer
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Israeli wins silver medal at European Swimming Championship. |
July 30
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Two consecutive suicide bombings in the Mahane Yehuda market on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem kill 16 people and wound 178 wounded. Hamas claims responsibility. |
August 21
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Israel and Croatia establish diplomatic relations. |
September 4
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Three Palestinian suicide bombers set off explosions on Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall in Jerusalem, killing 4 Israelis and injuring nearly 200. Hamas claims responsibility. |
September 24
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Mossad agents botch an assassination attempt on Khaled Mashaal, a Hamas official, in Jordan. Israel releases Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in return for its agents. |
November 10
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Israel and the Holy See sign a Legal Personality Agreement. |
November 16
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Israel and Jordan sign an agreement on Irbid Industrial Zone. |
November 16-18
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Prime Minister Netenyahu visits the United States. |
November 20
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A Hungarian Yeshiva student is killed and an Israeli student is injured by an unknown gunman in Jerusalem’s Old City. No one claims responsibility. |
1998
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Israel celebrates its 50th anniversary. |
January 7
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Israel, Turkey, and the U.S. begin joint naval maneuvers in the Eastern Mediterranean. Jordan sends an observer. |
January 14
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A booby-trapped videocassette explodes at the Israel-Lebanon border near Metulla, injuring 3 Israelis and 3 Lebanese. The intended target was a senior Israeli intelligence officer. Al-amal claims responsibility. |
January 20
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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
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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
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Finance Minister Neeman holds talks in Washington on phasing down the $1.2 billion of America’s economic aid to Israel |
January 29
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In view of mounting tension over Iraq, Israel and the U.S. Defense Department inaugurate an emergency hot line. |
January 31
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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 annuled. |
February 8
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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 |
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The U.S. offers Israel defense weapons and says it will provide Israel with an early warning sytem in case of an attack on Iraq. |
February 19
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The U.S. sends 10 Patriot missile batteries to Israel. |
February 27
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Israel apologizes to the Swiss government for the incident involving its agents. Mossad head Danny Yatom resigns. |
March 1
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Netenyahu offers Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in return for adequate Lebanese security guarantees. Lebanon rejects the proposal. |
March 4
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Ezer Weizman is re-elected for a second term as Israel’s president. |
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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
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Israel and Turkey sign a trade protocol in Ankara. |
April 2
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An Israeli vehicle is shot at near Telem, Israel. There were no casualties. |
April 3
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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
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Prime Minister Netenyahu holds talks in Caito with President Mubarak - their first meeting since May 27, 1997. |
April 30
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In Amman, Jordan, a firebomb is thrown at the Jerusalem Hotel’s parking lot. The Jordanian authorities arrest 8 members of a foreign-financed Islamic group accused of being behind a number of arson attacks. |
May 3
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A pipe bomb causes a fire in the stairwell in the apartment building of three Arab students in the Massrara neighborhood of Jerusalem. There is little damage and right-wing extremists are suspected. |
May 6
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21 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives call on Clinton not to pressure Israel on the FRD plan. |
June 1
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Two Palestinians ambush and fire 6 bullets at an Israeli vehicle. No casualties were reported. |
July 22
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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
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Netanyahu says that Israel is now proposing a new FRD proposal based on 10% + 3% nature preserve in the Judean desert. |
July 30
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Israel transfers to Jordan the $50 million it owes under the Peace and Stability Fund agreement |
August 7
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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. |
August 20
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Rabbi Shlomo Raanan is stabbed to death in his Tel Rumeiyda home by a Hamas terrorist who came in through a window and escaped after setting fire to the house with a Molotov cocktail. |
September 4
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Larry Page and Sergey Brin file papers with the State of California to start a company called Google |
September 24
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Hamas blows up a bus station near Hebrew University in Jerusalem. An IDF soldier is injured and the station is destroyed. |
September 28
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Netenyahu, Clinton and Yasser Arafat hold a meeting in the White House clearing the way for summit talks in October. |
September 30
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A Hamas terrorist throws two grenades at a border police jeep in Hebron and injures 14 IDF soldiers and 11 Palestinians. He is shot in the leg and pursued by the patrol into the Palestinian-control area of Hebron, but escapes. |
October 1
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A Hamas grenade attack in Hebron injures 13 soldiers and 5 Palestinians. The Palestinian terrorist from the Palestinian-controlled H-1 area threw two grenades at IDF soldiers. One injured several Palestinian bystanders, soldiers, and border policemen. The other hit two parked cars and hurt several Palestinians. Two policemen and one soldier were moderately wounded and 10 others were only slightly injured. Five Palestinians were taken to Hebron hospitals. The attacker managed to escape to the H-1 area despite being chased by soldiers and shot in the leg. |
October 15-23
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Israel and the PA negotiate an agreement at the Wye River Plantation. |
October 19
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During rush hour at Central Bus Station in Be’er Sheva, two grenades are thrown into a crowd of civilians. At least 59 Israelis are wounded, two of whom seriously. The terrorist is captured and turned over by a number of bystanders to civil guard policemen. Hamas claims responsibility. |
October 23
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Netanyahu and Yasser Arafat sign the Wye River Memorandum in the White House in the presense of President Clinton and King Hussein. |
October 27
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Mohmoud Majzoub, a senior member of the Islamic Jihad Attacker in Lebanon, survives an Israeli car bomb assassination attempt. He is seriously woundedand his wife, 9 month-old son, and a Syrian pedestrian are also hurt. |
October 29
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A Hamas suicide bomber attempts to collide head-on with a school bus of children from the community of Kfar Darom going to a school near the Gush Katif Junction. The bus is being escorted by army jeeps, and the lead jeep cuts off the terrorist’s car to block him from reaching the bus. The bomber then detonates the explosives near the jeep, killing at least one of the soldiers and himself. Two passengers of the jeep are seriously injured and six people have light-to-moderate injuries, including three young people and three children. |
October 31
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Khaled Kurdiyeh, a Fatah activist, survives an assassination attempt in Lebanon. The car bomb goes off at a Palestinian refugee camp and no one is hurt. |
November 6
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Two suicide bombers drive a car bomb inot the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem and injur 20 people. Palestinian Islamic Jihad claims responsibility. |
November 14
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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
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The Knesset adops the Wye River Memorandum by 75 in favor, 19 against, nine abstentions and 13 absent. |
November 20
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The IDF carries out the first of the three FRDs outlined in the Wye agreement. Israel releases 250 Palestinian prisoners. |
November 24
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Israel allows the opening of Gaza International Airport. |
December 14
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The Palestinian National Council in Gaza reaffirms the annullment of the anti-Israel provisions of the PLO Covenant, in the presence of President Clinton. |
December 21
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The Knesset votes 81-30, four abstentions and five absent, to dissolve itself. Next elections to be held on May 17, 1999. |
1999
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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. |
1999
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Fifteenth Knesset elections. |
February 7
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Death of King Hussein of Jordan |
May 17
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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
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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
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King Hassan of Morocco dies and is succeeded by his son King Mohammed VI. Barak attends his funeral on 25 July. |
July 27
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Israel and the Republic of Georgia sign a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation. Israel and Uganda sign an agreement to expand economic ties. |
August 10
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At about 7:55 a.m. a driver, inspired by Hamas literature, drove twice into a group of civilians and soldiers at a bus stop in Central Israel. He injured 6 people before police shot and killed him. |
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A gunman goes on a shooting rampage at a Jewish community center in Los Angeles, injuring five. |
August 30
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Sharon Steinmetz, 21, and Yehezkel Shai Pinpater, 26 were hiking several kilometers from the autonomous Palestinian town of Jenin when they were murdered by two Israeli Arabs. The two Islamist group members were later arrested. |
September 4
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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 5
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Less than 24 hours after the signing of the Sharm el-Sheik Memorandum, two car-bombs went off at around 5:30 in Tiberias and Haifa. The blasts killed three terrorist bombers and seriously injured a 73-year-old woman. |
September 9
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Israel releases 199 of 350 Palestinian prisoners in the framework of the Wye II Accords. |
September 10
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Israel transfers 7% of the West Bank land from Area C to Area B. |
October 5
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Israel and the PA sign the Gaza-West Bank Safe Passage Protocol. |
October 12
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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
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Israel releases additional 151 Palestinian prisoners. |
October 18
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Former South African President Nelson Mandela holds talks in Jerusalem with Israel’s leaders. |
October 25
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Israel opens the safe passage road from Gaza to the West Bank. |
October 28
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Israel and Mauritania raise their missions to embassies. |
November 1
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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
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Yasser Arafat refuses to sign the map for the next FRD. |
November 11
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Journalist Jacobo Timmerman dies |
November 14
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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
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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
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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
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Israel-Syria talks end in Washington, DC. They will resume near Washington in early January. |