Israel's History:
1992

1992:
by Jackie Silbermann, 2002-2003 EPA Israel Affairs VP

• In 1992, domestic politics made a bigger scene than that of foreign politics and diplomacy. Tehiyah, a partner of the Shamir party in the government, decided to leave the government. This caused the prime minister to call for early elections. The 13th knesset was elected some time later in 1992 with Yitzhak Rabin (Labor) as the Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu, being elected the chairman of Likud, was Rabin's prime opposition in the knesset. Peace talks continued as Arab parties had their turn in Washington, though the deadlock of the Israeli government until the election caused talks to move fairly slowly.
• Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Israel underwent periods of mistrust as Bush refused to grant Israel the requested 10 billion dollar loan (requested in 1991) to ease the economic strain of immense flow of Russian Olim.
• Early in the year, Israel also established full diplomatic relations with India and China. This changed the face of Israel's presence in Asia.
• The Knesset passed a law for the direct election of the Prime Minister which would then go into effect for the 14th Knesset.
• Israel's Embassy in Buenos Aires was attacked, leaving 29 dead and many more wounded.
• The new supreme court building is opened.
• Israel wins its first olympic medals (silver and bronze) in Judo.