AP News, December 11th, 2007
Some key events in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts:
_ Oct. 30, 1991: Israel and Arab nations join world powers at Madrid Conference, first time all sit down at same table for peace talks.
_ Sept. 13, 1993: Israel and Palestinians sign first interim peace accord at White House.
_ May 4, 1994: Agreement turning control of Jericho and Gaza over to Palestinians.
_ Sept. 25, 1995: Interim accord turning control of additional West Bank towns and villages over to Palestinian Authority.
_ Sept. 4, 1999: Sharm el-Sheik memorandum on implementing previous accords, signed by Israel, Palestinians, Egypt and Jordan and witnessed by U.S.
_ July 2000: President Clinton hosts summit with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat seeking to finalize peace deal. Summit fails, violence erupts.
_ March 2002: Arab League approves Saudi Arabian initiative offering peace to Israel in return for withdrawal from all lands captured in 1967 war and "just solution" for Palestinian refugees.
_ June 2003: President Bush presents internationally backed "road map" plan for creating Palestinian state in three stages by 2005. Plan stalls in first phase.
_ September 2005: Israeli dismantles 21 settlements in Gaza Strip and withdraws from territory. Four settlements in West Bank also dismantled.
_ January 2006: Militant Hamas wins Palestinian elections and sets up government, replacing more moderate Fatah. Western powers cut off aid and Israel withholds tax revenues.
_ June 2007: Hamas fighters overrun Gaza, expelling Fatah forces.
_ Nov. 27, 2007: President Bush sponsors Mideast summit where Israeli and Palestinian leaders agree to resume formal peace negotiations Dec. 12, aiming for accord by end of 2008.
