CHRONOLOGY #21: INTIFADA #1 WINDS DOWN; OSLO PEACE PROCESS OCCURS 1992-1995
NOTE 1: Although Intifada #1 was winding down, killings continued, instigated and carried out by “extremists” such as as Hamas on the Palestinian side, and Israelis belonging to settler movements. However, a new government was elected in Israel and Labour returned to power with Yitzhak Rabin as PM, a former general in the IDF and Minister of Defence, and generally regarded as a “hawk” on the issues of security and dealing with Palestinians and their leaders..
NOTE 2: Reasonably concise descriptions of the peace agreements signed during this period are found in Article #41 (to be posted next).
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Feb, 1992 IL killed Hezbollah leader Sheik Abbas al-Musawi after it had killed 3 IDF conscripts in one of IDF camps in IL
June, 1992 Yitzhak Rabin and the Labor Party are returned to power in IL. Settlement and Occupation support parties disappear. Rabin formed a centre-left government, described as “the most dovish and pragmatic government in IL history.”
July, 1992 US released funds earmarked to help with resettlement of Russian immigrants, held up under Shamir’s government because of it’s refusal to make any progress under the Madrid process.
Autumn, 1992, Hamas killed 5 IDF soldiers and kidnaped and killed and IL border policeman.
Dec, 1992 IL detained 1,600 Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists and deported 415 into South Lebanon. Hamas declared that all Zionists were now objects of attack, not just IDF soldiers and IL police.
Late fall, 1992 An IL deputy to Rabin met with a Norwegian NGO functionary who suggested secret talks begin between the PLO and IL. Rabin was receptive.
Dec, 1992 Knesset passed a bill permitting contact with PLO representatives
POPULATION NOTE: at end of 1992: Jewish settler population. outside Israel: West Bank: 101,100. (109 settlements) Gaza Strip: 4,300 (17 settlements). Golan Heights: 12,000 (38 settlements). East Jerusalem: 141,000. Total: 258,400
Mar, 1993 talks made progress and got a draft declaration of principles about interim status issues involving establishing Palestinian self government and withdrawal of troops by IL
March, 1993 15 IL soldiers and civilians were killed by Palestinians, most in stabbing attacks
IL hardened restrictions on Palestinian entry into IL; 17 Palestinians were killed by Israelis
May, 1993, IL introduced the idea of mutual recognition between IL and the PLO.
Aug19, 1993 The Declaration of Principles (DOP), OSLO 1, is signed in Oslo, Norway between the PLO and IL, but not made public as the 2 sides had still not publicly recognized each other.
Aug26, 1993 News finally leaked out that PLO and IL had negotiated some kind of agreement. As terms dribbled out, onslaught of criticism from both sides began.
Sept13, 1993 Oslo Accord 1 signed in Washington DC by Rabin and Arafat. Also, letters exchanged in which the PLO (signed by Arafat on it’s behalf, not as President of Palestine) recognizes Israel. Populaces on both sides greeted the agreement with enthusiasm and hopes for a peaceful future.
Sept, 1993 Fatah’s central committee approved the DOP;
Sept 23, 1993 Knesset approved the DOP
Oct, 1993, An agreement was reached on release of 12,000 Palestinian prisoners in IL jails
Nov, 1993 An agreement was reached with PLO on anti terror cooperation
Feb, 1994 An IL fanatic settler dressed in IDF uniform killed 29 worshippers in Hebron. This caused massive outbreaks of violence and another 11 Palestinians were killed in WB
Apr6, 1994, 8 Israelis killed and 44 injured by Hamas operatives in a car bomb attack at an Afula bus stop
May4, 1994 Rabin and Arafat signed in Cairo the Jericho-Gaza self rule accord calling for final peace agreement within 5 years
May, 1994 Gaza and Jericho were evacuated by IL
May, 1994 The Paris Protocol signed regulating economic relations between IL and the PLO on an interim basis
July1, 1994 Arafat returned to Palestine from Tunis where the PLO had situated itself since its expulsion from Beirut in 1982
Summer, 1994 Joint security patrols initiated to round up criminals and activists against the Accords. PA arrested whomever Arafat wanted, no actual laws governed these matters
Oct, 1994 Hamas kidnapped an IDF soldier, rescue operation killed him and 1 IDF officer and 3 Hamas kidnappers
Oct, 1994 A suicide bomber in Tel Aviv exploded a bomb on a bus and kills 22.
Oct, 1994 Jordan and IL sign their peace treaty. Jordan had relinquished any claims in 1988 to the West Bank except for governance of the Haram Al Sharif and all other holy places in East Jerusalem. Arafat not invited and unaware of the negotiations
Nov, 1994 PLO moved against Islamists, killing 14 in Gaza .
Jan, 1995 Islamic Jihad exploded a bomb at a bus stop in IL, killing 19 soldiers.
May, 1995 Hamas kills 7 IDF soldiers in Gaza
July, 1995 A bus bombing in IL killed 5 elderly Israelis, further restrictions were quickly placed on Palestinians
Sept, 1995 The Oslo II talks finalized in Taba in Egypt. Extensive agreement regulating relations between Palestinians and Israel in the interim. The Accord divided the West Bank into 3 sections, A (PA , most of the Palestinian cities and towns, 3% of the territory), B ( shared governance) small villages and empty spaces, 23%); C (full Israeli control, , Jewish settlements, Jordan Valley and water resources 74%)
Oct, 1995 Knesset approves Oslo II, 62-59 vote
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NEXT POSTING, ARTICLE #41, THE OSLO PROCESS AND AGREEMENTS ARISING FROM IT