Camp David Accords
September 17, 1978
Preamble
The search for peace in the Middle East must be guided by the following:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
Submitting their agreements to a vote by the elected representatives of the inhabitants
of the West Bank and Gaza.
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.
Participating as stated above in the work of the committee negotiating the peace
treaty between Israel and Jordan.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
- 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.
- 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:
- full recognition;
- abolishing economic boycotts;
- guaranteeing that under their jurisdiction the citizens of the other parties
shall enjoy the protection of the due process of law.
- 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.
- Claims commissions may be established for the mutual settlement of all financial
claims.
- 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.
- 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:
- The site of the negotiations will be under a United Nations flag at a location
or locations to be mutually agreed.
- All of the principles of U.N. Resolution 242 will apply in this resolution
of the dispute between Israel and Egypt.
- Unless otherwise mutually agreed, terms of the peace treaty will be implemented
between two and three years after the peace treaty is signed.
The following matters are agreed between the parties:
- the full exercise of Egyptian sovereignty up to the internationally recognized
border between Egypt and mandated Palestine;
- the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from the Sinai;
- 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;
- 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;
- the construction of a highway between the Sinai and Jordan near Eilat with
guaranteed free and peaceful passage by Egypt and Jordan; and 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:
- in part of the area in the Sinai lying within about 20 km. of the Mediterranean
Sea and adjacent to the international border, and
- 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
Copyright (c)1999 The State of Israel
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