Back to the video list: Israeli History

 

Israel and the PLO surprised the world by signing the so-called Oslo I treaty in 1993. For the first time Israel and a Palestinian organisation were in direct talks. The following years saw further negotiations and treaties but also an increase in violence.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: 1993 – 2000
  • Location: Norway, USA & Israel
  • Start: Secret negotiations between Israel & the PLO
  • End: Begin of the second Intifada

 

Parties & Persons Involved

  • Israel
    • Yitzhak Rabin (1922 – 1995), prime minister (1992-95)
    • Shimon Peres (1923 – ), foreign minister (1992-95)
  • PLO
    • Yasser Arafat (1929 – 2004), chairman of the PLO (until 2004)
  • Norway as mediator
  • USA as mediator

 

Background

Main Issues of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

  • Emotions on both sides
  • Status of Jerusalem
  • Territorial aspects
  • Israeli settlements
  • Palestinians demand “right to return“
  • Security of the State of Israel & her right to exist

 

Israeli Positions

  • Official position:
    • A swap of control over the West Bank & Gaza in exchange for an end of the violence & security
  • Right-wing position:
    • Complete annexation of the West Bank (& Gaza) against the background of continuous terrorist attacks

 

Palestinian Positions

  • Extreme position
    • “Right to return“
    • Extinction of Israel
  • Moderate position
    • Two State Solution

 

History

  • 17 Sep 1978: Camp David Accords – Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty & the concept of Palestinian self-government
  • 30 Oct – 01 Nov 1991: Madrid Conference with Israel & her Arab neighbours produces near to no results
  • Jan – Aug 1993: Covert negotiations between Israel & the PLO
  • 13 Sep 1993: Signing of Oslo I (Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements)
    • Withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of the West Bank & the Gaza Strip
    • Palestinian self-government in these areas
    • Israel recognises the PLO as representative of the Palestinian people
    • PLO recognises Israel’s right to exist & condemns violence, terrorism & the goal to extinct Israel
  • Israeli reaction to Oslo I:
    • Knesset ratifies the agreement
    • Settlers & right-wing politicians oppose
  • Palestinian reaction to Oslo I:
    • Fatah accepts the agreement
    • Hamas, Islamic Jihad & Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine reject the agreement
  • From Sep 1993: Hamas increases its terrorist attacks on Israel, esp. a wave of suicide attacks
  • 24 Sep 1995: Signing of Oslo II in Taba
  • 04 Nov 1995: Assassination of Rabin by a right-wing student in Tel Aviv
  • May 1996: Israel begins a “tit for tat policy“ because of the Palestinian “revolving door policy“
  • 23 Nov 1998: Confirmation of Oslo II in Wye River
  • 2000/2001: Negotiations in Camp David & Taba concerning territorial restructuring fail
  • Sep 2000 (-2005): Outbreak of the 2nd Intifada

 

Consequences & Impact

  • It is widely regarded that the Oslo Peace Process fails with the outbreak of the 2nd Intifada
  • Division of the Palestinian people
  • Hamas intensifies its terrorist attacks against Israel

But keep in mind:

  • Dialogue between Israel & the PLO
  • Palestinian self-government in parts of the West Bank & the Gaza Strip
  • Possible basis for a sustainable & peaceful solution of the Palestine Problem (Middle East Conflict)