Introduction

Volumes thirteen and fourteen in the series Israel's Foreign Relations cover the period June 1992 to December 1994, encompassing the first two years of the second Rabin government. This collection of unclassified documents focuses on the peace process, started at the Madrid Peace Conference of October 1991, which eventually led to the historic breakthrough resulting in the signing of the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles (13 September 1993) and the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty (26 October 1994). Also included are other Israel-PLO agreements, notably the one on Gaza and Jericho (4 May 1994).

The main difficulty in trying to provide documentary foundations for the understanding of this crucial period in Israel's foreign relations, lies in the fact that the negotiations which resulted in the signing of the above-mentioned agreements were in the main secret. Under Israeli practice secret documents can be released only after a thirty-year period.

However, there is enough material to guide students of history and diplomacy and all others interested in the evolution of Israel's external relations. Parallel to the talks with the Palestinians and the Jordanians, and to some extent with the Syrians, there has been a spectacular improvement in Israel's international position and standing, a process that became accelerated after the Madrid Peace Conference. This can be seen by the resumption of diplomatic ties with many nations which have, for various reasons, suspended them in the past. Diplomatic ties were also established with countries that have in the past declined to do so. At the end of 1994 Israel had diplomatic relations with 146 nations and maintained diplomatic and/or consular or interest offices with over 100 nations.

The sources of the documents vary. They are derived from Knesset debates and the bureaus of Prime Minister and Defense Minister Rabin and Foreign Minister Peres, which supplied texts of speeches and interviews, announcements and special communiques. UN documentation was provided by the UN Affairs Library of the Foreign Ministry. American material was culled from publications supplied by the American Cultural Center in Jerusalem. Those who helped in obtaining documents are too numerous to be formally thanked. Special mention must be made of the Government Press Office which is responsible for the translation of many of the documents reproduced in these volumes.

Once again, according to previous usage in this series, there has been no attempt to provide uniform spelling or style or to edit the texts in such a way as to interrupt the flow and flavour of the intent of the speaker or interviewee. As usual each document is preceded by an editorial note that seeks to place it in proper historic context. There are also larger editorial notes preceding each year under review which provide the highlights of that year. The order of the documents remains the same as in the past - chronological. .4 list of selected bibliography is also designed to provide users of this series with additional sources and viewpoints. This series is now in its twentieth year. Growing interest required the reprinting of additional copies of past volumes. The series is designed for the use of diplomats, journalists, students, teachers and researchers in the field of modern Israeli history, the Arab-Israel conflict and Middle Eastern history.