Israel's History:
1990

1990:
by Rebecca Russo, 2003 USY Israel Affairs VP

From immigration to diplomacy to the conflict in the Gulf, this year in Israel's history was nothing short of interesting. Check it out:

• Immigration from USSR:
  Mass immigration of Jews from the Soviet Union begins; within several years, more than 700,000 immigrants arrive.
• Immigration from Ethiopia:
  Ethiopia's ruler, Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam, makes a public statement expressing desire to allow Ethiopian Jews to be reunited with family members in Israel. In November and December of 1990, increased numbers of Ethiopians left for Israel. This set a precedent for larger exodus movements to Israel from Ethiopia in years after, particularly later through Operation Solomon.
• National Unity Coalition Collapses:
  The national unity government falls after a no-confidence vote. Immediately thereafter, Labor party ministers resign and a new government of right-wing and religious elements is formed.
• Satellite:
  The Israeli satellite Ofek 2 is launched into space.
• Military:
  First successful test of the Arrow missile.
• Diplomacy:
  Israel's diplomatic relations with the USSR and other Eastern European countries are re-established.
• Terror Attack:
  A terror attack on Israeli tourists in Egypt kills 10.
• Economic Growth:
  Israel's GDP growth rises to some 6%. This economic growth in Israel continues throughout the early 1990s.
• Conflict in the Gulf:
  In August 1990, Iraq invaded the Gulf state of Kuwait, setting off a chain of events that led to a war with the West. This also led to heavy missile attacks on Israel during the early months of the next year (1991). Elements of the Palestinian leadership sided with Iraq in the Persian Gulf War, thus losing international leverage in the aftermath of the war. After the war, in 1991, Palestinian refugees from Kuwait returned to Jordan and the West Bank.
• UN Resolution 681:
  On December 20th, 1990, United Nations Resolution 681 was adopted regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The text of the resolution reads:

  The Security Council,

  1. .Expresses its grave concern over the rejection by Israel of Security Council resolutions 672 and 673.
  2. Deplores the decision of the government of Israel to resume deportations of Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories.
  3. Urges the government of Israel to accept de jure applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, to all the territories occupied by Israel since 1967, and to abide scrupulously by the provisions of the said convention.
  4. Calls on the high contracting parties to the Geneva Convention to ensure respect by Israel for its obligations under the convention.
  5. Requests the Secretary General, in co-operation with the International Committee of the Red Cross, to develop further the idea from his report of convening a meeting of the high contracting parties, to discuss possible measures that might be taken by them under the convention.
  6. Requests the Secretary General to monitor and observe the situation regarding Palestinian civilians under Israeli occupation, making new efforts in this regard on an urgent basis, and to utilize and designate or draw upon the United Nations and other personnel and resources present there in the area and elsewhere to accomplish this task, and to keep the Security Council regularly informed.
  7. Requests further the Secretary General to submit a first progress report to the Security Council by the first week of March, 1991, and every four months thereafter.
• President's statement on the resolution:
  The members of the Security Council reaffirm their determination to support an active negotiating process in which all relevant parties would participate leading to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace to the Arab-Israeli conflict. In this context they agree that an international conference should facilitate efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement.

  However, the members of the council are of the view that there is not unanimity as to when would be the appropriate time for such a conference.

  In the view of the members of the council, the Arab- Israeli conflict is important and unique and must be addressed independently on its own merits.