Madrid Conference of 1991

In October 1991, a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy occurred when US President George H. W. Bush and Soviet Union Premier Mikhail Gorbachev convened the Madrid Conference. This historic meeting brought together leaders from Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine, marking a significant step towards regional peace following the coalition's victory in the Gulf War. The conference aimed to address long-standing conflicts and foster dialogue among the involved parties. Despite initial resistance from Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, who opposed the idea of negotiations with Palestinian representatives, he ultimately agreed to participate in exchange for loan guarantees to assist in the absorption of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union. This decision, however, led to the collapse of his right-wing coalition government, highlighting the complex interplay between domestic politics and international diplomacy. The Madrid Conference set the stage for future peace talks and remains a landmark event in the quest for stability in the region.