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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)
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- 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)