CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS- 1988-1992

1988
22 December	The Second National Unity Government is presented to the Knesset headed by Yitzhak Shamir. Yitzhak Rabin remains defense minister, Moshe Arens is appointed foreign minister and Shimon Peres vice premier and finance minister.
1989
1 January	15 Intifadah activists are expelled to Lebanon.
4 January	Israel and Egypt complete the marking of the border near Taba.
January	Foreign Minister Arens holds talks in Paris.
8 January	Israeli jets raid Abu Nidal terrorist organization bases north of Tyre.
16 January	Central African Republic announces restoration of diplomatic relations with Israel.
17 January	The Knesset unanimously adopts a resolution calling on President Bush to pardon Jonathan Pollard.
20 January	Defense Minister Rabin proposes a plan for autonomy in the areas, elections and negotiations.
27 January	The Soviet government allows the Israeli consular mission in Moscow to use the old embassy building.
1 February	Prime Minister Shamir proposes a two-stage peace plan.
17 February	Israel's minister for religious affairs visits Hungary, being the first Israeli minister on an official visit to that country.
19-20 February	President Herzog represents Israel at the funeral rites of the late Emperor Hirohito of Japan.
21-22 February	Prime Minister Shamir pays an official visit to France, meets with President Mitterand and key officials.
22 February	Foreign Minister Arens meets in Cairo with Soviet Foreign Minister Shevardnadze. Also holds talks with Egypt's leaders.
26 February	Israel and Egypt sign a protocol detailing the modalities of restoring Taba to Egypt.
2 March	Hungary and Israel sign a transportation agreement.
13-14 March	Foreign Minister Arens visits Washington and has talks with President Bush and Secretary of State Baker.
15 March	Taba is restored to Egyptian sovereignty.
20-22 March	Prime Minister's Conference on Jewish Solidarity is. held in Jerusalem.
27 March	El-Al Israel national airline inaugurates new lines to Warsaw and Budapest.
5-6 April	Prime Minister Shamir leaves for an unofficial visit to Washington, meets with President Bush and Secretary Baker.
17-18 April	Prime Minister Shamir accompanied by Justice Minister Meridor pay an official visit to Hungary at the invitation of Prime Minister Miklos Nemeth.
23-25 April	Italy's Prime Minister Andreotti and Foreign Minister De Michellis are in Israel on an official visit.
14 May	The government issues a peace initiative based on four points.
17 May	The Knesset endorses the government's peace initiative by 45 in favour, 15 against with 111 abstentions.
22 May	Prime Minister Shamir holds an official visit to Britain, meets with Prime Minister Thatcher and Foreign Secretary Howe.
23 May	Prime Minister Shamir visits Spain and meets with Premier Gonzales.
22 June	July President Herzog pays an official visit to Canada.
29 June	Eight Intifadah leaders are deported to Lebanon.
6 July	The Security Council condemns Israel for the deportation of eight Palestinians. An Arab terrorist comandeers a bus on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. The bus crashes into a ravine. 14 passengers are killed and 30 wounded.
23 July	The government reaffirms Israel's peace initiative of 14 May by a vote of 21 in favour, 4 against and I abstention.
25 July	Two ministers from the Georgian Republic visit Israel.
29 July	IDF commandos kidnap Sheikh Obeid, Hezbollah's spiritual leader, from his village in southern Lebanon.
30 July	Israel proposes an exchange of all prisoners and hostages held in Lebanon in return for all Shi'ites held in Israel.
18 August	Israel protests to Jordan over Iraqi reconnaissance flights near the Israeli border.
21 August	Israel's minister of energy visits Hungary.
24 August	Foreign Minister Arens visits Kenya and signs a cooperation agreement with Kenya in Nairobi.
1 September	The Soviet Government permits the opening of a Jewish school in Riga, the first in fifty years.
15 September	Egypt transmits to Israel a ten-point plan for elections in the areas.
18 September	Defense Minister Rabin visits Cairo for talks with President Mubarak on the Egyptian ten-point plan. Israel and Hungary restore full diplomatic relations during the visit of Foreign Minister Arens. Austria lowers the level of its diplomatic representation in Israel as long as Israel refrains from appointing an ambassador to Vienna.
29 September	Foreign Minister Arens holds talks in Cairo with President Mubarak, Foreign Minister Meguid and together with Minister Meguid meets Secretary Baker.
4 October	Egypt and Israel sign a memorandum for the development of industrial and commercial ties.
5-6 October	The Israeli Inner Cabinet is stalemated on the issue of the Egyptian ten point plan. In effect it rejects the proposal.
6 October	Secretary of State Baker proposes five-point plan to Israel.
23 October	Israel requests modifications in Baker's five-point plan.
3 November	Israel and Ethiopia restore full diplomatic relations.
8-10 November	Foreign Minister Arens visits Tokyo, meets with Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu and Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama.
15 November	The Prime Minister meets in Washington with President Bush and Secretary of State Baker.
26-30 November	Vice Premier and Finance Minister Peres visits Poland.
3 December	President Herzog visits Spain as guest of King Juan Carlos, meets with Spain's leaders and Jewish community.
5 December	President Herzog starts an official visit to Argentina, meets President Menem and heads of the government.
6 December	An Israeli Academy of Science mission arrives in Beijing. China opens a tourism representation office in Tel Aviv.
8 December	President Herzog pays an official visit to Uruguay.
17-18 December	French Foreign Minister Rocard visits Jerusalem.
24 December	Israel greets the new government in Romania after the toppling of the Ceausescu regime.
26 December	Prime Minister Shamir congratulates President Bush for the U.S. military operation in Panama and the restoration of democracy to that country.
1990
7 January	Hungary's foreign minister visits Israel.
8 January	Israel and the U.S. sign a cooperation agreement on medicine.
11 January	Israel and the Soviet Union sign in Moscow a scientific cooperation memorandum of understanding.
17 January	Foreign Minister Arens visits Portugal, the first such visit of an Israeli minister.
21 January	Vice Premier and Finance Minister Peres visits Prague.
22 January	Israel reopens its embassy in Addis Ababa.
23 January	Vice Premier and Finance Minister Peres visits Cairo and meets with President Mubarak.
23 January	Foreign Minister Arens concludes a visit to Madrid. The E.E.C. rejects an Israeli request to broaden cooperation in the sphere of energy.
29 January	The Soviet Union asks Israel not to settle immigrants in the territories.
4 February	Nine Israelis are killed and 16 wounded in an attack on a tourist bus in Egypt.
9 February	Foreign Minister Arens signs a protocol in Prague renewing diplomatic relations between Israel and Czechoslovakia.
14 February	Israel and Kenya sign an aviation agreement.
22 February	Foreign Minister Arens meets Secretary of State Baker in Washington. Prime Minister Shamir, in a telephone conversation with President Bush promises not to settle immigrants in the territories.
27 February	Israel and Poland restore full diplomatic relations.
5 March	The Likud ministers decide to reject the involvement of the PLO and Arabs living in East Jerusalem in the peace process.
10 March	Sri Lanka suspends diplomatic ties with Israel claiming Israel failed to recognize the PLO.
15 March	The Government of National Unity falls following a vote of non confidence in the Knesset giving it only 55 votes against 60 for the opposition led by the Labour Party. The peace process is effectively in abeyance.
24 March	U.S. Senate adopts a resolution recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
25 March	Israel opens a Scientific Liaison office in Beijing.
3 April	Israel and Bulgaria sign a protocol to restore diplomatic relations.
24 April	President Havel of Czec hoslovakia visits Israel. The U.S. House of Representatives adopts a resolution recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
3 May	Israel and Bulgaria restore full diplomatic relations.
13 May	Visit to Israel of the Guatemalan foreign minister.
20 May	President Herzog starts an official visit to Sweden and Finland.
21 May	Greece grants a de jure recognition to Israel and establishes full diplomatic relations with Israel.
25 May	The Security Council meets in Geneva to hear Arafat request that it protect the Palestinians.
30 May	Two motorboats manned by PLO terrorists land in central Israel. IDF repulses the attackers. The Palestine Liberation Front assumes responsibility for the raid.
31 May	The U.S. vetoes a draft resolution in the Security Council to send an observer to the territories.
8 June	Yitzhak Shamir presents his government to the Knesset. David Levy appointed foreign minister and Moshe Arens defense minister.
20 June	The U.S. suspends its dialogue with the PLO for its failure to condemn the 30 May attack on Israel.
22 June	Israel and Latvia sign an economic cooperation agreement.
27 June	Finland's foreign minister visits Israel.
12 July	The Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Powell, visits Israel.
14 July	After talks with President Mubarak in Egypt, President Assad declares that Syria is ready to join the Arab-Israel peace process.
19 July	Defense Minister Arens visits Washington and holds talks with Defense Secretary Chaney.
2 August	Iraq invades Kuwait.
6 August	The Security Council imposes economic sanctions on Iraq.
7 August	The U.S. begins to send troops to the Persian Gulf.
8 August	Iraq annexes Kuwait. Israel denies an Iraqi claim that it is painting U.S. insignia on its planes.
9 August	Saddam Hussein says that military action against Iraq will be met with a strike on Israel.
11 August	Egyptjoins the U.S.-led coalition and starts sending troops to the Persian Gulf.
12 August	Saddam Hussein says that he will withdraw from Kuwait in return for an Israeli withdrawal from the areas. Israel calls this "cheap propaganda."
18 August	Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz says Iraq will use chemical weapons if Israel uses nuclear arms.
20 August	Iraq begins to move Scud missiles to Western Iraq, closer to Israel.
22 August	Prime Minister Shamir warns that Iraq will pay a "terrible price" if it attacks Israel.
3 September	Foreign Minister Levy visits Washington, meets with Secretary Baker. It is agreed that there be no linkage between the resolution of the Gulf crisis and the Arab-Israel conflict. Agreement is reached on granting of U.S. loan guarantee of 400 million dollars.
14 September	Ministers Modai and Neeman meet in Moscow with President Gorbachev.
24 September	Foreign Minister Levy meets with German Foreign Minister Genscher.
28 September	The Soviet Union grants permission for direct Moscow-Tel Aviv flights. The five permanent members of the Security Council call for direct Arab-Israel negotiations and reject linkage between these talks and the resolution of the Gulf crisis.
30 September	In a meeting between Foreign Minister Levy and Soviet Foreign Minister Shevardnadze it is agreed to elevate the ties between Israel and the USSR to full consular relations.
1 October	The IDF announces plans to distribute gas masks to all Israelis.
2 October	In return for a 400 million dollar loan guarantee, Israel tells the U.S. that it will not settle new immigrants in the areas.
8 October	In a serious incident on Temple Mount in Jerusalem, 21 Arabs are killed and scores injured by the Israeli police.
9 October	Saddam Hussein threatens Israel with new missiles "when the time comes."
11 October	Prime Minister Shamir appoints a commission of inquiry to investigate the Temple Mount events. Israel is condemned by the European Parliament.
12 October	The Security Council adopts a resolution condemning Israel and sending a fact-finding mission to Jerusalem.
14 October	The Israel cabinet rejects the Security Council resolution saying Israel will not admit a fact-finding mission.
18 October	British Secretary Hurd visits Israel.
24 October	The Security Council unanimously deplores Israel's refusal to permit a fact-finding mission.
28 October	Foreign Minister David Levy is in Paris on a working visit.
29 November	The Security Council authorizes use of all necessary means against Iraq unless it withdraws by 15 January 1991.
11 December	Following a meeting with President Bush in the White House, Prime Minister Shamir says that he was promised there would be no deals at Israel's expense.
16 December	Israel resumes deportation of Palestinian terrorist leaders.
20 December	The Security Council approves a resolution condemning Israel's policy of expulsion calling lands occupied by Israel in 1967 including Jerusalem, Palestinian territories.
21 December	Israel test-fires a missile into the Eastern Mediterranean.
23 December	Saddam Hussein tells Spanish Television that Tel Aviv will be Iraqs first target if war breaks out.
24 December	Prime Minister Shamir threatens retaliation if Israel is attacked.
31 December	Israeli jets strike PLO bases in Lebanon.
1991
15 January	Israel goes into a state of alert as war breaks out in the Persian Gulf.
18 January	Eight Scuds are fired at Israel, two hit Tel Aviv and a third lands near Haifa. Much damage is caused in residential areas.
19 January	Three Scud missiles hit the greater Tel Aviv area, causing extensive damage but no injuries.
22 January	A Scud missile hits Ramat Gan. 96 are injured, 400 apartments are damaged.
23 January	A Scud missile is intercepted over Haifa; as it fell it shattered windows in the Haifa area. Germany's Foreign Minister Genscher visits Israel, views the damage in Ramat Gan, meets with Prime Minister Shamir and Foreign Minister Levy.
24 January	Eight Scuds are fired at Israel. One person is killed, 45 are injured in Ramat Gan, 144 apartments are heavily damaged, 400 other apartments are lightly damaged.
25 January	Four Scud missiles are fired at Israel. 3 are intercepted over Haifa and one over Tel Aviv. Slight damage is reported.
26 January	At the conclusion of a meeting in Washington between the U.S. secretary of state and Soviet foreign minister call for joint U.S.-Soviet efforts to promote Arab-Israel peace and regional stability.
28 January	A Scud missile lands in Galilee, causing no damage or injuries.
31 January	A Scud lands in the West Bank causing no injuries or damage.
2 February	A Scud missile lands in Israel causing no injuries or damage.
3 February	A Scud missile lands in Israel causing no injuries or damage.
4 February	In a speech to the Knesset, Prime Minister Shamir explains the reasons for Israel's policy of restraint.
8 February	A Scud lands in the center of Israel. 25 civilians are injured, 400 apartments are damaged.
9 February	In a meeting with the leader of the Danish Social-Democratic party, Prime Minister Shamir says that "Saddam Hussein must be taken off the map."
11 February	A Scud lands in the center of Israel causing no injuries or damage.
12 February	A Scud missile lands near Tel Aviv injuring 6 residents and damaging dozens of homes.
16 February	2 Scuds are fired at Israel. One lands in the Negev, the other in the Galilee. Both cause no injuries or damage.
19 February	A Scud lands in the center of Israel causing no injuries or damage.
23 February	A Scud lands in the center of Israel causing a fire to break out, but no injuries or damage are reported.
25 February	Two Scuds land in the Negev desert causing no injuries or damage.
28 February	Israel congratulates President Bush as the Gulf War comes to an end. Israel demands the elimination of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
7 March	An E.E.C. Ministerial delegation headed by Luxembourg Foreign Minister Poos holds talks in Jerusalem with Israeli leaders.
12 March	Secretary of State Baker visits Israel to promote the peace process. Israel adheres to its May 1989 peace initiative.
30 April	Danish Foreign Minister Uffe Ellemann-Jensen visits Israel.
6-8 May	Czechoslovak Prime Minister Calfa visits Israel.
14-16 May	Hungarian Prime Minister Nemeth visits Israel.
19-21 May	Poland's President Lech Walesa visits Israel.
23-25 May	Portugal's Foreign Minister Deus Pinheiro visits Israel.
25 May	Israel completes "Operation Solomon" in the course of which 14,420 Ethiopian Jews are rescued and airlifted to Israel hours before the Mengistu regime collapses.
31 May	Japan's Foreign Minister Nakayama visits Israel.
11-15 June	President Herzog pays an official visit to Hungary.
14-16 July	Belgium's Foreign Minister Eyskens visits Israel.
24 July	President Assad accepts the U.S. ideas on the peace conference.
24 July	Secretary of State Baker holds talks in Israel after Syria's positive reply.
31 July	Secretary of State Baker continues his talks in Jerusalem.
19 August	Albania's foreign minister visits Israel. Diplomatic relations are established.
3-5 September	Romania's President Jon Iliescu visits Israel.
12 September	Prime Minister Shamir is in Paris, addresses the conference of the European Democratic Union, meets with President Mitterand.
13 September	U.S. President George Bush criticizes Israel's friends in the U.S. and asks Israel to delay its request for $10 billion loan guarantees.
1-3 October	Argentina's President Carlos Menem pays an official visit to Israel.
18 October	Secretary of State Baker visits Israel, and together with Soviet Foreign Minister Bessmertnykh delivers a letter of invitation to the Madrid Peace Conference. Israel and the Soviet Union restore diplomatic relations. The U.S. delivers a letter of assurances to the Palestinians.
30-31 October	The Middle East peace conference is held in Madrid. Israel is represented by Prime Minister Shamir.
31 October	Bilateral talks are held in Madrid between Israel and Syria, Lebanon and a Palestinian-Jordanian delegation.
27 November	Israel asks that the next round of Middle East talks be postponed to 9 December.
2-4 December	Spain's Prime Minister Gonzalez visits Israel.
9 December	Second round of the Middle East bilateral talks begins in Washington.
11 December	Germany's President von Weizsaecker pays a one-day visit to Israel.
16 December	The UN General Assembly repeals resolution 3379.
1992
3 January	Israel decides to expel 12 Palestinians following the murder of an Israeli settler in the Gaza Strip.
10 January	Security Council condemns Israel for the expulsion of the Palestinians.
24 January	During an official visit to Beijing of Foreign Minister Levy, Israel and China establish diplomatic relations at an ambassadorial level.
18-22 January	Another round of peace talks is held in Washington.
25 January	India announces its intention to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel.
28-29 January	The multilateral Middle East peace talks are held in Moscow. Israel is represented by Foreign Minister Levy.
14 February	The Prime Minister of Iceland visits Israel.
15 February	Hezbollah's chief Abbas Musawi is killed in an Israeli air strike.
16 February	Kiryat Shemona comes under heavy katyusha fire from Lebanon.
18-19 February	An Israeli task force operates in three Shiite villages in southern Lebanon.
27 February - 4 March	Another round of bilateral talks held in Washington ends inconclusively.
10 March	Islamic Jihad terrorists assassinate an Israeli security officer in Ankara.
17 March	Five are killed and 106 wounded when a bomb destroys the Israeli embassy building in Buenos Aires.
18 March	The Prime minister of Bulgaria visits Israel.
20 March	The U.S. accuses Israel of transferring to China information on the Patriot missile. Israel denies the charges.
13-15 April	Visit to Israel of the president of Uruguay.
14-15 April	Visit to Israel of the foreign minister of Sweden.
26-29 April	Another round of peace talks is held in Washington.
28-29 April	Visit to Israel of Russian Vice President Rutskoy.
1-8 May	Another round of peace talks is held in Washington.
19-20 May	Visit to Israel of the prime minister of Greece.
24-25 May	Heavy artillery duel between the IDF and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
26-28 May	Visit to Israel of the prime minister of the Belarus Republic.
15-18 June	Visit to Israel of former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.
23 June	In the elections to the 13th Knesset, Labour gains 44 seats, Likud 32, Meretz 12, Tsomet 8, Mafdal and Shas 6 each, Torah Party 4, Moledet 3, Hadash 3, Democratic List 2.
10 July	Yitzhak Rabin presents his government to the Knesset, wins a vote of confidence.