1984

1984

The government of national unity, presented to the Knesset in September 1984, was a unique political arrangement. The prime minister belonged to the Labour Party while the foreign minister was the leader of the Likud. They would rotate after two years of the government's term of office. The key body dealing with foreign affairs and security was the Inner Cabinet, a group of ten senior ministers.

Upon taking office, the prime minister announced a number of foreign policy initiatives. First among them was to end the Israeli presence in Lebanon and ensure security along Israel's northern borders. The second was to normalize relations with Egypt, the third to promote the peace process and the fourth to maintain and advance the special relationship between Israel and the United States.

Foreign policy considerations were also based on economic reality, with inflation soaring to unprecedented heights in late 1984. Therefore, the first few months of the existence of the government, were devoted to exploration of ways to bring about the realization of the key foreign policy goals. Contacts were established between the prime minister and the foreign minister with leaders of the fre world and new channels for communications with regional personalities were explored. Israel also sought ways to re-establish diplomatic ties with those countries who suspended them in 1967 (Eastern Europe) and the African nations (1973) Thus, it can be stated that the final months of 1984 were a period of exploration and preparation for meaningful initiatives.