The Oslo Accords; A History of Peace Negotiation Between PLO, Israel and Its Aftermath

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Oslo Accords were a crucial momentum in pursuit of peace in the Middle East. Citing History, the Oslo Accords was ratified in Washington, D.C. by the Palestine Liberation Organization or PLO and Israel. PLO, led by Yasser Arafat, agreed to recognize the state of Israel. Meanwhile, represented by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Israel allowed Palestine to form a limited self-governance in the Occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Based on the Camp David Accords

The negotiations between Israel and the PLO began in secret, based on the 1978 Camp David Accords inked by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. 

The agreement formed the "Framework for Peace in the Middle East" and fostered the end of the simmering conflict between Egypt and Israel. It also called for the formation of a Palestinian State in Gaza and the West Bank. However, the lack of any Palestinian voice in the Camp David Accords caused the resulting agreement not to be formally recognized by the United Nations.

The PLO and Israel Negotiated in Norway

The Camp David Accords became the model and starting point for the negotiations between the PLO and Israel 15 years later. the ultimate goal was to build a framework for the creation of an independent Palestinian state. In addition to PLO's Yasser Arafat and the Israeli Prime Minister, a Norwegian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Egeland also participated as a mediator.

Days prior, both sides signed a "Letter of Mutual Recognition" to recognize their respective existence. One of the agreed points in the Oslo Accords was the establishment of the “Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements,” which established the Palestinian Legislative Council and set the parameters for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza over five years.

The Oslo Accords II

The Oslo Accords also set up the agenda for the follow-up agreement known as the Oslo Accords II. The agreement includes the discussion of the future governance of Jerusalem, issues of border, security, and the rights, if any, of Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

A protocol for free elections for Palestinian Authority leadership was also established. The Oslo Accords II, which was signed two years later, gave the Palestinian Authority, limited control over parts of Gaza and the West Bank. While Israel was allowed to annex much of the West Bank, and established parameters for economic and political cooperation between the two sides. 

As part of the treaty, both sides were prohibited from inciting violence or conflict against the other. According to History, Israel also collects taxes from Palestinians who work in Israel but live in the Occupied Territories, distributing the revenue to the Palestinian Authority. Israel also oversees the trade of goods and services into and out of Gaza and the West Bank.

Aftermath of the Oslo Accords

Unfortunately, the ratification of the Oslo Accords was short-lived. In 1998, Israel was accused of failing to withdraw its troops from Gaza and Hebron. Israel also began to ramp up the building of new housing for Israeli settlers in the 2000s at the request of the United States.

On the other hand, History mentioned that Israel accused the Palestinian Authorities of failing to adequately police Gaza and the West Bank. 

Escalation of hostilities made both parties convene once again at Camp David, but the effort for a comprehensive peace treaty was snubbed by the US’ key roles in the negotiation.

In September 2000, Palestinians declared “The Second Intifada” to resist Israeli occupation. Al Jazeera reported that the uprising was sparked when former Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound with more than 1,000 heavily armed police and soldiers.

Refusal to abide by the Oslo Accords and escalation of hostilities diminishes hope for more substantive peace negotiations. As recent as October 2023, hostilities escalated yet again as increased Israeli violence sparked an attack by the Gaza-based resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7. In response, Israel has decimated most of North Gaza, killing more than 25,000 Palestinians and displacing millions from their homes. 

Israel has been brought to the International Court of Justice on account of the genocide in Gaza by South Africa in December 2023.

HATTA MUARABAGJA

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