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:
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- In 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.
- 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 and actions with the
undertaking contained in this Framework.
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 |