September 9, 1993 -- the date that the PLO officially and formally recognized Israel's right to exist in peace and security, and in return Israel recognized the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people -- is a day that stands out in my memory. As a US Foreign Service officer serving in Jerusalem during that period, I will never forget the palpable feeling of hope and anticipation that was in the air.
What is entirely absent from my memory is the recollection of any Israeli narrative at the time saying: "Sorry Mr. Arafat, but this recognition isn't good enough. What we actually need is your formal endorsement of Israel as a Jewish state. If you can't do that, then your recognition of Israel doesn't count."
It is absent not because my memory is faulty, but because this narrative simply didn't exist. Yitzhak Rabin did not say "thanks, but no thanks;" nor did Israelis. Everyone understood that the demand of the Palestinians was and had always been: recognize Israel's right to exist (or some slight variation thereof). The historic September 9th declaration achieved exactly that. The demand that the Palestinians "recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state" - or what hereafter will be known as "recognition-plus" - came much later.