The Israel-jordan Negotiations This article is very pro-peace. It was apparently taken from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. If the Israeli government is proud of its peace agreement with jordan, then these are the facts that should be reported. However, I'm not a supporter of the Israel-jordan peace agreement, as the agreement extends beyond jordan's border. First of all, Israel is required to give jordan a tremendous amount of water, while Israel is already short on water. Second, Israel is required to give jordan authority over the arab holy sites in Jerusalem (which are actually Jewish holy sites, and are not so sacred to islam). But more than that, arab hostilities are initiated from these sites, as it is from their mosques and mausoleums that the arabs call out "death to Israel" and are incited against Israel. Furthermore, the Old City of Jerusalem is "polluted" by the cries of arabs over load-speakers, that emanate from these mausoleums at all hours of the day and night--even while people are trying to sleep. And worst of all, Jews are barred from the Temple Mount, which is not a problem at the moment, since the Temple has not been rebuilt, but it is clear to me that when the Temple is rebuilt, this peace with jordan will have faded away as if it never even existed. Peace with jordan is dependent upon a state of peace with the arabs in Israel. Which means, as long as Israel is willing to destroy itself by establishing an arab state in its place, then jordan is willing to have peace--since this type of peace is with its arab "neighbors." The arabs in Israel and the arabs in jordan are connected, and they are the same people, as they have been in the past and as they are this very day. The minute Israel wakes up and defends itself against this arab "invasion" of destructive negotiations, is the instant that peace with jordan will dissolve out of existence. For when Israel refuses to allow an arab state to be built in its place, jordan will simply refuse to have peace. The bilateral talks between Israel and jordan, initiated at the madrid conference, continued for almost two years in Washington until the signing of the Israeli-jordanian common agenda on September 14, 1993. The common agenda constituted the blueprint for the peace treaty, comprising the following components: security, water, refugees and displaced persons, borders, and territorial matters. The first public meeting between king hussein and prime minister Rabin took place in Washington, on July 25, 1994. Out of this meeting emerged The Washington declaration, signed by prime minister Rabin and king hussein, with president Clinton serving as a witness. The major achievements of the Washington Declaration were a series of agreements and concrete steps symbolizing the "new era": The state of belligerency between Jordan and Israel was terminated. Both states agreed to seek a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace based on un resolutions 242 and 338. Israel will respect the special role of the hashemite kingdom over muslim holy shrines in Jerusalem. Concrete steps included the establishment of direct telephone links, joint electricity grids, new border crossings, free access to third country tourists, and cooperation between the police forces in combating crime, with special emphasis on drug smuggling. It was also decided to continue negotiations on bilateral economic cooperation and abolishing economic boycotts, as well as on the opening of an international air corridor between the two countries. The first meeting in the region of the Israeli and jordanian bilateral delegations took place on July 18-19, 1994 at Ein Avrona, located in the boundary area north of aqaba and Eilat. The parties agreed to hold talks on a continuous basis, alternately on the Israeli and jordanian sides of the border. These talks culminated in the signing of a treaty of peace between Israel and jordan on October 26, 1994. With the ratification of the peace treaty, full diplomatic relations were established between Israel and jordan on November 27, 1994. Since that time, relations between Israel and jordan have been steadily progressing. The jordanian parliament's action in August 1995 to rescind its adherence to the arab boycott on Israel, as well as the regional economic conference in amman in November 1995, served as significant positive indicators for the future. The open border crossings between the two countries have facilitated the normalization of relations. Joint business ventures are being consistently initiated and the free movement of businessmen, by both land and air, has created an atmosphere of cooperation and open communication. Tourism between the two countries has been on the rise. The basis for the implementation of the peace treaty with jordan was set with the 15 bilateral agreements which have since been signed and ratified. These agreements cover the following areas: Environmental Protection, Commerce and Trade, Transportation, Air Transport, Water, Agriculture, Combating Crime and Illicit Drugs, Communications and Mail, Science and Culture, Education, Health, Borders, The Eilat-aqaba Region, Tourism and Energy. These treaties are to serve as the foundation of the peaceful, normal relationship between Israel and the hashemite kingdom. These are some of the recent highlights of activity: Commerce and Trade: Since trade began between jordan and Israel in July 1996, the figures indicate a steady growth in jordanian-Israeli commerce. In 1996 Israel exported some 9 million dollars' worth of goods to jordan, while importing products valued at 5 million dollars. In 1997 the value of exports rose to about 20 million dollars, and imports from jordan amounted to 12.5 million. Estimates for the period January-September 1998 alone show exports and imports at more than 29 million dollars. Economic Cooperation: An important part of the economic cooperation between jordan and Israel is taking place in the hassan industrial park in Irbid--the first area to be granted the status of duty-free export to the USA (QIZ). Cooperation in this region is mainly in the areas of textiles and the manufacture of jewelry and electronic equipment. Thousands of jordanians are employed in these industries, as well as in other industrial areas throughout the country. The success of the joint industrial park in Irbid has given rise to a decision reached by the ministers of industry and trade of the two countries with regard to the expansion of this move to additional industrial parks in the border area between jordan and Israel subject to approval by the United States. International Cooperation and Agriculture: In October 1995 an agreement on cooperation in these areas was signed between jordan and Israel. Under the terms of this agreement, the Israel Foreign Ministry's Center for International Cooperation (MASHAV) works together with several government ministries in jordan and with a number of non-governmental organizations for the promotion of economic and social development for the benefit of both peoples. The two countries have established a joint enterprise for the marketing of agricultural produce, with a view to developing new markets for the agricultural produce being grown in the eastern Jordan River Valley with the help of Israeli technologies. Air Transport: A "pilot project" has been activated involving the use of aqaba airport for flights from Europe bringing tourists to Eilat. With the completion of the new terminal on the Israeli side, all international flights currently landing at Ovda and Eilat Airports will be transferred to the aqaba-Eilat peace airport. Moreover, the number of flights between amman and Ben-Gurion Airport have been stepped up this year to 14, and a new line has been put in, linking amman with Haifa twice a week. Tourism: In 1996, and again in 1997, some 125,000 Israeli tourists visited jordan. The number of jordanian tourists visiting Israel came to about 50,000 annually (not counting family visits). There has been an increase in the level of cooperation between the tourist agencies of the two countries in the matter of marketing package tours for Israel and jordan. There [was] agreement, too, between the two countries concerning cooperation with the approach of the year 2000 and the expected stream of tourists to the Holy Land from all over the world. Water: Under the terms of the peace treaty, Israel today provides jordan with nearly 75 million cubic meters of water per year. Work is to begin soon on the erection of a dam designed to divert water from the Yarmouk River: another aspect of the cooperation between jordan and Israel in this domain. Trilateral Israel-jordan-U.S. Economic Committee A Trilateral Israel-jordan-U.S. Economic Committee was established at the October 1993 White House meeting between president Clinton, crown prince hassan, and Foreign Minister Peres to discuss economic cooperation and development. This forum first convened in Washington D.C. on November 30, 1993, and then periodically in the region. Sub-groups were established to discuss specific issues, such as: trade, finance and banking; Jordan Valley cooperative projects; and civil aviation. The outcome of these talks have been incorporated in the peace treaty between Israel and jordan. The convening of the fifth meeting of the Trilateral Economic Committee at the Dead Sea Spa Hotel in jordan on July 20-21, 1994 was the occasion for the first public meeting of Israeli and jordanian leaders in the region--jordanian prime minister majali and Israeli Foreign Minister Peres. Source: Israeli Foreign Ministry

Israel-"palestinian" Negotiations Background - Israel-plo Recognition Recent years have witnessed a series of negotiations between Israel and the arabs. Following intense behind-the-scenes contacts between Israeli and arab negotiators in oslo, an agreement was achieved between foreign minister Shimon Peres and plo chairman yasser arafat. On September 9, 1993, chairman arafat sent a letter to prime minister Rabin, in which he stated [deceptively] that the plo: Recognizes the right of Israel to exist in peace and security; [although initiates hostilities against Israel] Accepts un security council resolutions 242 and 338; [which call for an immediate cease-fire and end of hostilities, and peace talks based upon Israel's surrender and withdrawal from its Land, to be inhabited by arab immigrants, so that Israel can live under a constant state of fear behind the narrow 1949 armisice lines] Commits itself to a peaceful resolution of the conflict; [although peace has been resolved with conflict] Renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of violence; [although arab terrorism has never ceased] Assumes responsibility over all plo elements to ensure their compliance, prevent violations, and discipline violators; [although this has not been done, and both the plo and pa are wrought with corruption] Affirms that those articles of the plo covenant which deny Israel's right to exist are now inoperative and no longer valid; [although they were never removed from the plo covenant] Undertakes to submit to the "palestinian" national council for formal approval the necessary changes to the covenant. [This was done, but the changes were never made.] In reply, Israel recognized the plo as the representative of the "palestinians" in the peace negotiations. On September 13, 1993, a joint Israeli-"palestinian" declaration of principles (dop), based on the agreement worked out in oslo, was signed by the two parties in Washington, outlining the proposed interim self-government arrangements, as envisioned and agreed by both sides. The arrangements contained in the dop include immediate arab self-rule in gaza and jericho, early empowerment for the arabs in the West Bank, and an agreement on self-government and the election of an arab council. Additionally, extensive economic cooperation between Israel and the arabs [of Israel] plays an important role in the dop. The interim agreement Shortly after the signing of the declaration of principles, negotiations commenced between Israeli and plo delegations on the implementation of the interim agreement, which was accomplished in three stages: 1. The gaza-jericho agreement was signed in cairo on May 4, 1994, and applies to the gaza strip and to a defined area of about 65 square kilometers including jericho and its environs. While the declaration of principles is a short document, consisting of approximately 20 pages, the gaza-jericho agreement is a document containing almost 300 pages (the agreement itself and four annexes) with six maps attached. The gaza-jericho agreement addresses four main issues--security arrangements, civil affairs, legal matters, and economic relations. The document includes an agreement to a withdrawal of Israeli military forces from gaza and jericho, a transfer of authority from the Israeli Civil Administration to a "palestinian" authority (pa), the structure and composition of the "palestinian" authority, its jurisdiction and legislative powers, a "palestinian" police force, and relations between Israel and the "palestinian" authority. 2. On August 29, 1994, the "agreement on preparatory transfer of powers and responsibilities" was signed by Israel and the arabs. The agreement puts into effect the next phase (early empowerment) of the declaration of principles. In accordance with the dop, the agreement provides for the transfer of powers to the "palestinian" authority within five specified spheres: Education & Culture (carried out on August 29, 1994); Social Welfare; Tourism (both carried out on November 13-14, 1994); Health; Taxation (both carried out on December 1, 1994). On August 27, 1995, a protocol was signed transferring additional spheres to the "palestinian" authority: labor, trade and industry, gas and gasoline, insurance, postal services, statistics, agriculture, and local government. 3. On September 28, 1995, the "Israeli-'palestinian' interim agreement on the West Bank and the gaza strip" was signed in Washington, D.C. This agreement, which marks the conclusion of the first stage in negotiations between Israel and the plo, incorporates and supersedes the gaza-jericho and early empowerment agreements. The main object of the interim agreement is to broaden arab self-government in the West Bank by means of an elected self-governing authority--the "palestinian" council--for an interim period not to exceed five years from the signing of the gaza-jericho agreement (i.e. no later than May 1999). This [is supposed to] allow the arabs to conduct their own internal affairs, reduce points of friction between Israelis and arabs, and open a new era of cooperation and co-existence based on common interest, dignity, and mutual respect. At the same time it's [supposed to] protect Israel's vital interests, and in particular its security interests, both with regard to external security as well as the personal security of its citizens in the West Bank. The interim agreement sets forth the future relations between Israel and the "palestinians." To the main body of the agreement are appended seven annexes dealing with: security arrangements, elections, civil affairs (transfer of powers), legal matters, economic relations, Israeli-"palestinian" cooperation, and the release of arab prisoners. Implementation of the interim agreement On January 20, 1996, following completion of the first stage of IDF redeployment [redeployment means "pullout" or "retreat"] (with the exception of Hebron), elections were held for the "palestinian" council and for the head of the "palestinian" authority. yasser arafat was elected ra'ees (head) of the authority. On April 24, 1996, the "palestinian" national council, convening in gaza, voted 504 to 54, with 14 abstentions, as follows: "The 'palestinian' national charter is hereby amended by canceling the articles that are contrary to the letters exchanged between the plo and the government of Israel 9-10 September 1993. Assigns its legal committee with the task of redrafting the 'palestinian' national charter in order to present it to the first session of the 'palestinian' central council." (4/24/96) On December 14, 1998, the "palestinian" national council, in accordance with the "wye river memorandum," convened in gaza in the presence of US president Clinton and voted to reaffirm this decision. An agreement on a temporary international presence in Hebron was signed on May 9, 1996. The "protocol concerning the redeployment in Hebron" was signed on January 17, 1997. The protocol was accompanied by a "note for the record" prepared by the US special middle east coordinator, confirming a series of agreements between the sides on non-Hebron issues and reaffirming their commitment to implement the interim agreement on the basis of reciprocity. On October 23, 1998, The "wye river memorandum" was signed at the White House, Washington D.C., between Israel and the plo, following a nine-day summit hosted by US president Bill Clinton in Wye Plantation, Maryland. On September 4, 1999, the "sharm el-sheikh memorandum" was signed by representatives of Israel and the plo. Restating the commitment of the two sides to full implementation of all agreements reached since September 1993, the memorandum sets out to resolve the outstanding issues of the present interim status, in particular those set out in the "wye river memorandum" of October 23, 1998. The sides also restated their commitment to the interim agreement's prohibition regarding initiating or taking any step that will change the status of the West Bank and the gaza strip prior to the conclusion of the permanent status agreement. Stages of Sharm el-Sheikh implementation: Release of prisoners: Sep 9, 1999; Oct 15, 1999. Additional prisoners released for ramadan: Dec 1999; Jan 2000. Further redeployments: Sep 10, 1999 (7%); Jan 5-7, 2000 (5%); Mar 21, 2000 (6.1%) Safe passage: southern route - Oct 25, 1999 Shuhada street opened: Oct 31, 1999 Displaced persons committee convenes: February 6, 2000 Permanent Status Negotiations Roads connecting gaza and the West Bank that are controlled and patrolled by arab police/soldiers, within the 1949 armistice lines (behind the "green line"). The negotiations on the permanent status arrangements commenced in Taba on May 5, 1996. These [future] negotiations will [never] deal with the remaining issues to be resolved, including Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, security arrangements, borders, relations, and cooperation with neighboring countries. In a joint communique issued on May 6 at the close of the first session of talks, the two sides reaffirmed the principles guiding these negotiations. In the "wye memorandum" of October 23, 1998, both sides agreed to immediately resume permanent status negotiations on an accelerated basis and to make a determined effort to reach agreement by May 4, 1999. A first meeting between Foreign Minister Sharon and abu mazen took place on November 18, 1998. Following the "sharm el-sheikh memorandum," the permanent status negotiations were formally resumed on September 13, 1999, at the Eretz checkpoint. Foreign Minister David Levy was appointed to head the Israeli negotiating team with the "palestinians," and abu-mazen headed the "palestinian" team. In his speech at the opening of the talks, Foreign Minister Levy summarized the basic principles by which Israel will be guided up in negotiating a permanent status agreement: we will not return to the 1967 lines; united Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel; settlement blocs in the territories will remain under Israeli sovereignty; there will be no foreign army west of the Jordan River. Talks between Israeli and arab negotiating teams, headed by Oded Eran and yasser abed rabbo, were resumed at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C. on March 21, 2000. Source: Israeli Foreign Ministry