Oslo Accords

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== Oslo Accords ==

The Oslo Accords are a series of agreements between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The first of these agreements, known as Oslo I, was signed in Washington, D.C., in 1993, while the second, known as Oslo II, was signed in Taba, Egypt in 1995. These accords marked the first time that the two parties officially recognized each other and committed to a process aimed at achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Background

The Oslo Accords were the result of secret negotiations facilitated by Norway, which began in 1992. The negotiations aimed to address the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and to lay the groundwork for future peace talks.

Oslo I

The first agreement, Oslo I, also known as the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, was signed on September 13, 1993. Key elements of Oslo I included mutual recognition between Israel and the PLO, the establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA), and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Oslo II

The second agreement, Oslo II, also known as the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, was signed on September 28, 1995. This agreement expanded on the principles established in Oslo I and included provisions for the election of a Palestinian Council, further Israeli withdrawals from the West Bank, and the division of the West Bank into three administrative divisions: Areas A, B, and C.

Key Provisions

• **Mutual Recognition**: Israel recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and the PLO recognized the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and security.
• **Palestinian Authority**: The PA was established to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• **Territorial Withdrawals**: Israeli military forces were to withdraw from certain areas, allowing for Palestinian self-governance.
• **Elections**: Provisions were made for the election of a Palestinian Council to govern the autonomous areas.

Impact and Legacy

The Oslo Accords were seen as a significant step towards peace, but they also faced criticism and challenges. While they established a framework for future negotiations, many issues remained unresolved, including the status of Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and the borders of a future Palestinian state. The accords also faced opposition from various groups within both Israeli and Palestinian societies.

Related Pages

• Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• Palestinian Authority
• Gaza Strip
• West Bank
• Two-state solution
• Yitzhak Rabin
• Yasser Arafat
• Bill Clinton