The Gaza-Jericho Agreement: A Brief Overview
In 1993, the Gaza-Jericho Agreement, also known as the Oslo II Accord, was signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This historic agreement was the second phase of the Oslo peace process, which aimed to establish a permanent peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Gaza-Jericho Agreement was named after the two territories involved – the Gaza Strip and Jericho, a city in the West Bank. The agreement granted limited self-government to Palestinians in these areas, allowing them to establish their own police force, hold elections, and administer their own affairs.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel withdrew its troops from Gaza and Jericho, while also transferring authority over water and other natural resources to the Palestinian Authority (PA). In exchange, the PLO recognized Israel`s right to exist and renounced violence as a means of achieving its goals.
The Gaza-Jericho Agreement was a significant step towards achieving peace in the region, although it faced many challenges and was ultimately unsuccessful in achieving its goals. Nevertheless, it laid the foundation for future negotiations and agreements between Israelis and Palestinians.
One major challenge faced by the agreement was the ongoing settlement construction by Israel in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These settlements serve as a major obstacle to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state and have been a major point of contention in negotiations.
Moreover, the agreement did not address key issues such as the status of Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and the borders of a future Palestinian state. These issues continue to be major obstacles in the peace process, with both sides holding firmly to their respective positions.
Despite the challenges faced by the Gaza-Jericho Agreement, it remains a significant milestone in the history of Israeli-Palestinian relations. It demonstrated a willingness by both sides to engage in dialogue and negotiate a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
As the search for peace in the region continues, it is important to remember the lessons learned from the Gaza-Jericho Agreement and continue to work towards a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
