April
At the recommendation of the High Court of Justice, a military appeals court is founded and sits in Ramallah. Prior to establishment of the court, appeals of the decisions of military courts were referred to the military commander and almost always denied.
June
Palestinians from the Gaza Strip who work in Israel are required to have a magnetic card that contains updated information on their “security history” and on the payment of taxes and water and electric bills. The holder must renew the magnetic card yearly. The card will be used not only to regulate and monitor entry into Israel, but also as a means to pressure workers to collaborate with the Shabak. This is the first restriction placed on the general exit permit that was declared in 1972. The directive is later applied also in the West Bank and is made a condition for obtaining a work permit.
September 14
The army changes its open-fire regulations. Soldiers are allowed to fire at masked, unarmed persons.
September 28
Israel declares Hamas to be a terrorist organization and makes membership in it a crime. Previously, Israel was said to nurture the Islamic organizations, or at least to turn a blind eye to their growth, so as to provide a counterweight to the nationalist movements.