Handshakes that shook the world

The handshake between the two leaders marked the latest milestone in a rapid rapprochement after months of global fears about a nuclear conflict. Here are some other handshakes that shook the world

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Arafat-Rabin, 1993

After months of secret negotiations in Norway, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat stood in the South Lawn of the White House on September 13, 1993 to witness the signing of the Oslo Accords. And then, in one of the most dramatic moments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with US President Bill Clinton’s arms stretched around both leaders, Arafat and Rabin shook hands.

Queen-McGuinness, 2012

In a landmark moment in the Northern Ireland peace process, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II met Martin McGuinness, a former top commander in the Irish Republican Army during the many years of bloody hostilities with British forces. The IRA wanted an end to British rule in the province, and for it to be merged with the Republic of Ireland. McGuinness later became one of the figures that helped negotiate an end to the violence.

Obama-Castro, 2013

At a memorial service for Nelson Mandela in 2013, US President Barack Obama made headlines when he shook hands with Cuba’s Raul Castro, the first such public greeting between leaders of the bitter neighbours after decades of enmity. Within months, there was a rapid thaw. Full diplomatic relations were restored in July 2015, followed by once-unthinkable steps to mend ties after more than half a century of enmity.

Xi-Ma, 2015

After decades of estrangement following a traumatic split at the end of a civil war in 1949, the presidents of China and Taiwan met for the first time ever in Singapore. In unprecedented scenes, China’s Xi Jinping and Taiwan’s Ma Ying-jeou shook hands for more than a minute and smiled for a mass of reporters before holding talks. The summit led to the setting up of a hotline between Beijing and Taipei.

COMMENTS

The UN chief applauds today’s truly historic summit. Guterres salutes the courage and leadership that resulted in the important commitments and agreed actions and counts on the parties to swiftly implement all agreed actions. He looks forward to these gains being consolidated and advanced at the summit between the leaders of the US and the DPRK expected to take place in the near future.

UN statement

After a furious year of missile launches and nuclear testing, a historic meeting between North and South Korea is now taking place. Good things are happening, but only time will tell! KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!

Donald Trump, US President

The North’s announcement of a moratorium on nuclear testing and long-range missile launches are very significant and an important step towards complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. 

Moon Jae-in, South Korean President

A new history starts now. An age of peace, from the starting point of history.

Kim Jong Un, North Korean Leader

This is a first step, it is encouraging, but we have to realise there is still a lot of hard work that lies ahead of us.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Chief