Question

Answer the following question.
The circumstances that led to the Oslo Peace Accords (1993), its terms and impact.

Answer 1

Camp David Accord (1979) was condemned by PLO and most of the Arab states except Sudan and Morocco.

President Sadat was assassinated by some extremist Muslim soldiers. They believed the Arabs had been betrayed by him by signing the Camp David Accord with Israel and trying to make peace with them. However, Sadat’s successor Hosni Mubarak also decided to continue with the Camp David Accord.

Iraq-Iran war occupied the Arabs for a few years and Arab-Israeli feud got overshadowed.

Tensions arose once again when there was a massive demonstration by the Palestinians who lived as refugees along Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They protested against repressive Israeli rules and policies and the brutal behavior of the Israeli army in the refugee camps in the occupied territories. Israelis tried to clamp down the unrest with tough measures but it earned them condemnation from the UN and the rest of the world.

America kept pressuring both the nations to settle for peace. Situations changed after
the election in Israel in June 1992. Yitzhak Rabin, the new Prime Minister of Israel and PLO leader Yasser Arafat both agreed for lasting peace.

This led to the Oslo Peace Accord of September 1993. The main terms of this treaty were: –

• Israel formally recognized PLO.
• PLO recognized Israel and committed, to give up terrorism.
• The Palestinians were to be given limited self-rule in Jericho, on the West Bank and in part of the Gaza Strip, areas that were occupied by Israel since the 1967 war. Israeli troops would be withdrawn from these areas. The areas would be ruled by a Parliament or Palestinian Council of 88 members that were to be elected in 1966 by all West Bankers and Arab residents of Jerusalem aged over 18.
• Around 6000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel were to be released in three phases.

The leaders of different countries welcomed this bold attempt and hoped that it would bring peace.

There were many extremists of both sides, who were ashamed of this treaty and claimed that the leaders were guilty of this surrender. Yitzhak Rabin, the Prime Minister of Israel was assassinated by a right-wing extremist.

King Hussein of Jordan made an official visit to Israel for the first time, 1200 Palestinian prisoners were released, and talks went on between Syria and Israel.

Elections were held as promised. Yasser Arafat became the Palestinian President with a huge majority.
However, tensions continue between the Arab states and Israel and there are often bomb shelling and attacks.