Israel's History:
1993

1993:
by Jackie Silbermann, 2002-2003 EPA Israel Affairs VP

• Population: 4,748,060
• January 19th:
  The Knesset lifts the 1986 ban on P.L.O. contact.
• April 27th - May 13th:
  The 9th round of peace talks between Israel and Jordan opens on a good note as Israel allows the participation of a key East Jerusalem PLO activist, Faisal Husseini, but the talks end poorly.
• June 15th - July 1st:
  Washington offers a document during the 10th round of talks which designates differences between Israelis and Palestinians. Both sides reject it.
• August 26th:
  The PLO claims a provisional agreement has been reached by means of secret talks with Israel, based on partial autonomy in occupied territories.
• August 29th:
  Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres informs his cabinet that he has reached an agreement with the PLO on autonomy for the Palestinians in Gaza and Jericho.
• August 31st:
  The 11th round of talks begin and the Israelis announce secret peace talks with the PLO in Oslo.
• September 9th:
  After 45 years of conflict, Israel and the PLO agree to recognize each other, including a previously-made pact stating Palestinian autonomy in Gaza and Jericho. Yasser Arafat signs a letter recognizing Israel and renouncing violence.
• September 10th:
  Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin signs a document recognizing the PLO. President Clinton calls the Oslo agreement a "shining breakthrough."
• September 14th:
  In Washington DC, the Israel-Jordan common agenda is agreed upon. This ended the state of war between the two countries, and started them both down the path to peace.