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Camp David Accords
September 17, 1978
After twelve days of
secret negotiations at Camp David, the Israeli-Egyptian negotiations were
concluded by the signing at the White House of two agreements. The first
dealt with the future of the Sinai and peace between Israel and Egypt, to be
concluded within three months. The second was a framework agreement
establishing a format for the conduct of negotiations for the establishment
of an autonomy regime in the West Bank and Gaza. The Israel-Egypt agreement
clearly defined the future relations between the two countries, all aspects
of withdrawal from the Sinai, military arrangements in the peninsula such as
demilitarization and limitations, as well as the supervision mechanism. The
framework agreement regarding the future of Judea, Samaria and Gaza was less
clear and was later interpreted differently by Israel, Egypt, and the US.
President Carter witnessed the accords which were signed by Egyptian
President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Begin.
Text:
THE CAMP DAVID ACCORDS
The Framework for Peace in the Middle East
Muhammad Anwar al-Sadat,
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Menachem Begin, Prime Minister
of Israel, met with Jimmy Carter, President of the United States of America,
at Camp David
from September 5 to September 17, 1978, and have agreed on the following
framework for peace in the Middle East. They invite other parties to the
Arab-Israel conflict to adhere to it.
Preamble
The search for peace in the
Middle East must be guided by the following:
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The agreed basis for a
peaceful settlement of the conflict between Israel and its neighbors is
United Nations Security Council Resolution 242, in all its parts.
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After four wars during 30
years, despite intensive human efforts, the Middle East, which is the
cradle of civilization and the birthplace of three great religions, does
not enjoy the blessings of peace. The people of the
Middle East
yearn for peace so that the vast human and natural resources of the region
can be turned to the pursuits of peace and so that this area can become a
model for coexistence and cooperation among nations.
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The historic initiative of
President Sadat in visiting Jerusalem and the reception accorded to him by
the parliament, government and people of Israel, and the reciprocal visit
of Prime Minister Begin to Ismailia, the peace proposals made by both
leaders, as well as the warm reception of these missions by the peoples of
both countries, have created an unprecedented opportunity for peace which
must not be lost if this generation and future generations are to be
spared the tragedies of war.
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The provisions of the
Charter of the United Nations and the other accepted norms of
international law and legitimacy now provide accepted standards for the
conduct of relations among all states.
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To achieve a relationship
of peace, in the spirit of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, future
negotiations between Israel and any neighbor prepared to negotiate peace
and security with it are necessary for the purpose of carrying out all the
provisions and principles of Resolutions 242 and
338.
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Peace requires respect for
the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every
state in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and
recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force. Progress toward
that goal can accelerate movement toward a new era of reconciliation in
the Middle East marked by cooperation in promoting economic development,
in maintaining stability and in assuring security.
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Security is enhanced by a
relationship of peace and by cooperation between nations which enjoy
normal relations. In addition, under the terms of peace treaties, the
parties can, on the basis of reciprocity, agree to special security
arrangements such as demilitarized zones, limited armaments areas, early
warning stations, the presence of international forces, liaison, agreed
measures for monitoring and other arrangements that they agree are useful.
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Framework
Taking these factors into
account, the parties are determined to reach a just, comprehensive, and
durable settlement of the Middle East conflict through the conclusion of
peace treaties based on Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 in all
their parts. Their purpose is to achieve peace and good neighborly
relations. They recognize that for peace to endure, it must involve all
those who have been most deeply affected by the conflict. They therefore
agree that this framework, as appropriate, is intended by them to constitute
a basis for peace not only between Egypt and Israel, but also between Israel
and each of its other neighbors which is prepared to negotiate peace with
Israel on this basis. With that objective in mind, they have agreed to
proceed as follows:
A. West Bank and Gaza
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Egypt, Israel, Jordan and
the representatives of the Palestinian people should participate in
negotiations on the resolution of the Palestinian problem in all its
aspects. To achieve that objective, negotiations relating to the
West Bank
and Gaza should proceed in three stages:
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Egypt and Israel agree
that, in order to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of authority,
and taking into account the security concerns of all the parties, there
should be transitional arrangements for the West Bank and Gaza for a
period not exceeding five years. In order to provide full autonomy to
the inhabitants, under these arrangements the Israeli military
government and its civilian administration will be withdrawn as soon as
a self-governing authority has been freely elected by the inhabitants of
these areas to replace the existing military government. To negotiate
the details of a transitional arrangement, Jordan will be invited to
join the negotiations on the basis of this framework. These new
arrangements should give due consideration both to the principle of
self-government by the inhabitants of these territories and to the
legitimate security concerns of the parties involved.
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Egypt, Israel, and
Jordan will agree on the modalities for establishing elected
self-governing authority in the West Bank and Gaza. The delegations of
Egypt and Jordan may include Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza or
other Palestinians as mutually agreed. The parties will negotiate an
agreement which will define the powers and responsibilities of the
self-governing authority to be exercised in the West Bank and Gaza. A
withdrawal of Israeli armed forces will take place and there will be a
redeployment of the remaining Israeli forces into specified security
locations. The agreement will also include arrangements for assuring
internal and external security and public order. A strong local police
force will be established, which may include Jordanian citizens. In
addition, Israeli and Jordanian forces will participate in joint patrols
and in the manning of control posts to assure the security of the
borders.
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When the self-governing
authority (administrative council) in the West Bank and Gaza is
established and inaugurated, the transitional period of five years will
begin. As soon as possible, but not later than the third year after the
beginning of the transitional period, negotiations will take place to
determine the final status of the West Bank and Gaza and its
relationship with its neighbors and to conclude a peace treaty between
Israel and Jordan by the end of the transitional period. These
negotiations will be conducted among Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the
elected representatives of the inhabitants of the West Bank and Gaza.
Two separate but related committees will be convened, one committee,
consisting of representatives of the four parties which will negotiate
and agree on the final status of the West Bank and Gaza, and its
relationship with its neighbors, and the second committee, consisting of
representatives of Israel and representatives of Jordan to be joined by
the elected representatives of the inhabitants of the West Bank and
Gaza, to negotiate the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, taking
into account the agreement reached in the final status of the West Bank
and Gaza. The negotiations shall be based on all the provisions and
principles of UN Security Council Resolution 242. The negotiations will
resolve, among other matters, the location of the boundaries and the
nature of the security arrangements. The solution from the negotiations
must also recognize the legitimate right of the Palestinian peoples and
their just requirements. In this way, the Palestinians will participate
in the determination of their own future through:
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The negotiations among
Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the representatives of the inhabitants of
the West Bank and Gaza to agree on the final status of the West Bank
and Gaza and other outstanding issues by the end of the transitional
period.
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Submitting their
agreements to a vote by the elected representatives of the inhabitants
of the West Bank and Gaza.
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Providing for the
elected representatives of the inhabitants of the West Bank and Gaza
to decide how they shall govern themselves consistent with the
provisions of their agreement.
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Participating as
stated above in the work of the committee negotiating the peace treaty
between Israel and Jordan.
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All necessary measures
will be taken and provisions made to assure the security of Israel and
its neighbors during the transitional period and beyond. To assist in
providing such security, a strong local police force will be constituted
by the self-governing authority. It will be composed of inhabitants of
the West Bank and Gaza. The police will maintain liaison on internal
security matters with the designated Israeli, Jordanian, and Egyptian
officers.
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During the transitional
period, representatives of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and the self-governing
authority will constitute a continuing committee to decide by agreement
on the modalities of admission of persons displaced from the West Bank
and Gaza in 1967, together with necessary measures to prevent disruption
and disorder. Other matters of common concern may also be dealt with by
this committee.
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Egypt and Israel will
work with each other and with other interested parties to establish
agreed procedures for a prompt, just and permanent implementation of the
resolution of the refugee problem.
B. Egypt-Israel
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Egypt-Israel undertake not
to resort to the threat or the use of force to settle disputes. Any
disputes shall be settled by peaceful means in accordance with the
provisions of Article 33 of the U.N. Charter.
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n order to achieve peace
between them, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith with a goal of
concluding within three months from the signing of the Framework a peace
treaty between them while inviting the other parties to the conflict to
proceed simultaneously to negotiate and conclude similar peace treaties
with a view the achieving a comprehensive peace in the area. The Framework
for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty between
Egypt
and Israel will govern the peace negotiations between them. The parties
will agree on the modalities and the timetable for the implementation of
their obligations under the treaty.
C. Associated Principles
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Egypt and Israel state
that the principles and provisions described below should apply to peace
treaties between Israel and each of its neighbors - Egypt, Jordan, Syria
and Lebanon.
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Signatories shall
establish among themselves relationships normal to states at peace with
one another. To this end, they should undertake to abide by all the
provisions of the U.N. Charter. Steps to be taken in this respect include:
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full recognition;
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abolishing economic
boycotts;
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guaranteeing that under
their jurisdiction the citizens of the other parties shall enjoy the
protection of the due process of law.
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Signatories should explore
possibilities for economic development in the context of final peace
treaties, with the objective of contributing to the atmosphere of peace,
cooperation and friendship which is their common goal.
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Claims commissions may be
established for the mutual settlement of all financial claims.
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The United States shall be
invited to participated in the talks on matters related to the modalities
of the implementation of the agreements and working out the timetable for
the carrying out of the obligations of the parties.
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The United Nations
Security Council shall be requested to endorse the peace treaties and
ensure that their provisions shall not be violated. The permanent members
of the Security Council shall be requested to underwrite the peace
treaties and ensure respect or the provisions. They shall be requested to
conform their policies an actions with the undertaking contained in this
Framework.
For the Government of
Israel:
Menachem Begin
For the Government of
the Arab Republic of Egypt
Muhammed Anwar al-Sadat
Witnessed by
Jimmy Carter,
President of the United States of America
Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty
between
Egypt and Israel
In order to achieve peace between them, Israel and Egypt agree to negotiate
in good faith with a goal of concluding within three months of the signing
of this framework a peace treaty between them:
It is agreed that:
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The site of the
negotiations will be under a United Nations flag at a location or
locations to be mutually agreed.
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All of the principles of
U.N. Resolution 242 will apply in this resolution of the dispute between
Israel and Egypt. |
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Unless otherwise mutually
agreed, terms of the peace treaty will be implemented between two and
three years after the peace treaty is signed.
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The following matters are
agreed between the parties:
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the full exercise of
Egyptian sovereignty up to the internationally recognized border between
Egypt
and mandated Palestine;
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the withdrawal of Israeli
armed forces from the Sinai;
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the use of airfields left
by the Israelis near al-Arish, Rafah, Ras en-Naqb, and Sharm el-Sheikh for
civilian purposes only, including possible commercial use only by all
nations;
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the right of free passage
by ships of Israel through the Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal on the
basis of the Constantinople Convention of 1888 applying to all nations;
the Strait of Tiran and Gulf of Aqaba are international waterways to be
open to all nations for unimpeded and nonsuspendable freedom of navigation
and overflight;
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the construction of a
highway between the Sinai and Jordan near Eilat with guaranteed free and
peaceful passage by Egypt and Jordan; and
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the stationing of military
forces listed below.
Stationing of Forces
No more than one division
(mechanized or infantry) of Egyptian armed forces will be stationed within
an area lying approximately 50 km. (30 miles) east of the Gulf of Suez and
the Suez Canal.
Only United Nations forces
and civil police equipped with light weapons to perform normal police
functions will be stationed within an area lying west of the international
border and the Gulf of Aqaba, varying in width from 20 km. (12 miles) to 40
km. (24 miles).
In the area within 3 km.
(1.8 miles) east of the international border there will be Israeli limited
military forces not to exceed four infantry battalions and United Nations
observers.
Border patrol units not to
exceed three battalions will supplement the civil police in maintaining
order in the area not included above.
The exact demarcation of the
above areas will be as decided during the peace negotiations.
Early warning stations may
exist to insure compliance with the terms of the agreement.
United Nations forces will
be stationed:
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in part of the area in the
Sinai lying within about 20 km. of the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent to
the international border, and
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in the Sharm el-Sheikh
area to insure freedom of passage through the Strait of Tiran; and these
forces will not be removed unless such removal is approved by the Security
Council of the United Nations with a unanimous vote of the five permanent
members.
After a peace treaty is
signed, and after the interim withdrawal is complete, normal relations will
be established between Egypt and Israel, including full recognition,
including diplomatic, economic and cultural relations; termination of
economic boycotts and barriers to the free movement of goods and people; and
mutual protection of citizens by the due process of law.
Interim Withdrawal
Between three months and
nine months after the signing of the peace treaty, all Israeli forces will
withdraw east of a line extending from a point east of El-Arish to Ras
Muhammad, the exact location of this line to be determined by mutual
agreement.
For the Government of
the Arab Republic of Egypt:
Muhammed Anwar al-Sadat
For the Government of
Israel:
Menachem Begin
Witnessed by:
Jimmy Carter,
President of the United States of America
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