Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron
January 17, 1997
In accordance with the provisions of the Interim Agreement and in particular of Article VII of Annex I to the Interim Agreement, both Parties have agreed on this Protocol for the implementation of the redeployment in Hebron.
Security Arrangements Regarding Redeployment in Hebron
1. Redeployment in Hebron
The redeployment of Israeli Military Forces in Hebron will be carried out in accordance with the Interim Agreement and this Protocol. This redeployment will be completed not later than ten days from the signing of this Protocol. During these ten days both sides will exert every possible effort to prevent friction and any action that would prevent the redeployment. This redeployment shall constitute full implementation of the provisions of the Interim Agreement with regard to the City of Hebron unless otherwise provided for in Article VII of Annex I to the Interim Agreement.
2. Security Powers and Responsibilities
a.
1. The Palestinian Police will assume responsibilities in Area H-1 similar to those in other cities in the West Bank; and
2. Israel will retain all powers and responsibilities for internal security and public order in Area H-2. In addition, Israel will continue to carry the responsibility for overall security of Israelis.
b.
In this context - both sides reaffirm their commitment to honor the relevant security provisions of the Interim Agreement, including the provisions regarding Arrangements for Security and Public Order (Article XII of the Interim Agreement); Prevention of Hostile Acts (Article XV of the Interim Agreement); Security Policy for the Prevention of Terrorism and Violence (Article II of Annex I to the Interim Agreement); Guidelines for Hebron (Article VII of Annex I to the Interim Agreement); and Rules of Conduct in Mutual Security Matters (Article XI of Annex I to the Interim Agreement).
3. Agreed Security Arrangements
a.
With a view to ensuring mutual security and stability in the City of Hebron, special security arrangements will apply adjacent to the areas under the security responsibility of Israel, in Area H-1, in the area between the Palestinian Police checkpoints delineated on the map attached to this Protocol as Appendix 1 (hereinafter referred to as "the attached map") and the areas under the security responsibility of Israel.
b.
The purpose of the above mentioned checkpoints will be to enable the Palestinian Police, exercising their responsibilities under the Interim Agreement, to prevent entry of armed persons and demonstrators or other people threatening security and public order, into the above mentioned area.
4. Joint Security Measures
a.
The DCO will establish a sub-office in the City of Hebron as indicated on the
attached map.
b.
JMU will operate in Area H-2 to handle incidents that involve Palestinians
only. The JMU movement will be detailed on the attached map. The DCO will
coordinate the JMU movement and activity.
c.
As part of the security arrangements in the area adjacent to the areas under the
security responsibility of Israel, as defined above, Joint Mobile Units will be
operating in this area, with special focus on the following places:
1. Abu Sneinah
2. Harat A-Sheikh
3. Sha'aba
4. The high ground overlooking new Route No. 35.
d. Two Joint Patrols will function in Area H-1:
1. A Joint Patrol which will operate on the road from Ras e-Jura to the
north of the Dura junction via E-Salaam Road, as indicated on the
attached map; and
2. A Joint Patrol which will operate on existing Route No. 35, including the
eastern part of existing Route No. 35, as indicated on the attached map.
e. The Palestinian and Israeli side of the Joint Mobile Units in the City of
Hebron will be armed with equivalent types of weapons (Mini-Ingraham
submachine guns for the Palestinian side and short M16s for the Israeli
side).
f. With a view to dealing with the special security situation in the City of
Hebron, a Joint Coordination Center (hereinafter the "JCC") headed by
senior officers of both sides, will be established in the DCO at Har
Manoah/Jabel Manoah. The purpose of the JCC will be to coordinate
the joint security measures in the City of Hebron. The JCC will be
guided by all the relevant provisions of the Interim Agreement, including
Annex I and this Protocol. In this context, each side will notify the JCC
of demonstrations and actions taken in respect of such demonstrations,
and of any security activity, close to the areas under the responsibility of
the other side, including in the area defined in Article 3(a) above. The
JCC shall be informed of activities in accordance with Article 5(d)(3) of
this Protocol.
5. The Palestinian Police
a. Palestinian police stations or posts will be established in Area H-1,
manned by a total of up to 400 policemen, equipped with 20 vehicles and armed with 200 pistols, and 100 rifles for the protection of the police stations.
b. Four designated Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) will be established and
stationed in Area H-1, one in each of the police stations, as delineated on
the attached map. The main task of the RRTs will be to handle special
security cases. Each RRT shall be comprised of up to 16 members.
c. The above mentioned rifles will be designated for the exclusive use of
the RRTs, to handle special cases.
d.
1. The Palestinian Police shall operate freely in Area H-1.
2. Activities of the RRTs armed with rifles in the Agreed Adjacent Area, as defined in Appendix 2, shall require the agreement of the JCC.
3. The RRTs will use the rifles in the rest of Area H-1 to fulfil their above
mentioned tasks.
e. The Palestinian Police will ensure that all Palestinian policemen, prior to
their deployment in the City of Hebron, will pass a security check in
order to verify their suitability for service, taking into account the
sensitivity of the area.
6. Holy Sites
a. Paragraphs 2 and 3(a) of Article 32 of Appendix 1 to Annex III of the
Interim Agreement will be applicable to the following Holy Sites in Area H-1:
1. The Cave of Othniel Ben Knaz/El-Khalil;
2. Elonei Mamre/Haram Er-Rameh;
3. Eshel Avraham/Balotat Ibrahim; and
4. Maayan Sarah/Ein Sarah.
b. The Palestinian Police will be responsible for the protection of the above
Jewish Holy Sites. Without derogating from the above responsibility of
the Palestinian Police, visits to the above Holy Sites by worshippers or
other visitors shall be accompanied by a Joint Mobile Unit, which will
ensure free, unimpeded and secure access to the Holy Sites, as well as
their peaceful use.
7. Normalization of Life in the Old City
a. Both sides reiterate their commitment to maintain normal life throughout
the City of Hebron and to prevent any provocation or friction that may
affect the normal life in the city.
b. In this context, both sides are committed to take all steps and measures
necessary for the normalization of life in Hebron, including:
1. The wholesale market - Hasbahe - will be opened as a retail market in
which goods will be sold directly to consumers from within the existing
shops.
2. The movement of vehicles on the Shuhada Road will be gradually
returned, within 4 months, to the same situation which existed prior to February 1994.
8. The Imara
The Imara will be turned over to the Palestinian side upon the completion of the redeployment and will become the headquarters of the Palestinian Police in the City of Hebron.
9. City of Hebron
Both sides reiterate their commitment to the unity of the City of Hebron, and their understanding that the division of security responsibility will not divide the city. In this context, and without derogating from the security powers and responsibilities of either side, both sides share the mutual goal that movement of people, goods and vehicles within and in and out of the city will be smooth and normal, without obstacles or barriers.
Civil Arrangements Regarding the Redeployment in Hebron
10. Transfer of Civil Powers and Responsibilities
a. The transfer of civil powers and responsibilities that have yet to be transferred to
the Palestinian side in the city of Hebron (12 spheres) in accordance with Article
VII of Annex I to the Interim Agreement shall be conducted concurrently with
the beginning of the redeployment of Israeli military forces in Hebron.
b. In Area H-2, the civil powers and responsibilities will be transferred to the
Palestinian side, except for those relating to Israelis and their property, which shall continue to be exercised by the Israeli Military Government.
11. Planning, Zoning and Building
a. The two parties are equally committed to preserve and protect the historic
character of the city in a way which does not harm or change that character in any part of the city.
b. The Palestinian side has informed the Israeli side that in exercising its powers and
responsibilities, taking into account the existing municipal regulations, it has
undertaken to implement the following provisions:
1. Proposed construction of buildings above two floors (6 meters) within 50 meters of the external boundaries of the locations specified in the list attached to this Protocol as Appendix 3 (hereinafter referred to as "the attached list") will be coordinated through the DCL.
2. Proposed construction of buildings above three floors (9 meters) between 50 and 100 meters of the external boundaries of the locations specified in the attached list will be coordinated through the DCL.
3. Proposed construction of non-residential, non-commercial buildings within 100 meters of the external boundaries of the locations specified in the attached list that are designed for uses that may adversely affect the environment (such as industrial factories) or buildings and institutions in which more that 50 persons are expected to gather together will be coordinated through the DCL.
4. Proposed construction of buildings above two floors (6 meters) within 50 meters from each side of the road specified in the attached list will be coordinated through the DCL.
5. The necessary enforcement measures will be taken to ensure compliance on the ground with the preceding provisions.
6. This Article does not apply to existing buildings or to new construction or renovation for which fully approved permits were issued by the Municipality prior to January 15th, 1997.
12. Infrastructure
a. The Palestinian side shall inform the Israeli side, through the DCL, 48 hours in advance of any anticipated activity regarding infrastructure which may disturb the regular flow of traffic on roads in Area H-2 or which may affect infrastructure (such as water, sewage, electricity and communications) serving Area H-2.
b. The Israeli side may request, through the DCL, that the Municipality carry out works regarding the roads or other infrastructure required for the well being of the Israelis in Area H-2. If the Israeli side offers to cover the costs of these works, the Palestinian side will ensure that these works are carried out as a top priority.
c. The above does not prejudice the provisions of the Interim Agreement regarding the access to infrastructure, facilities and installations located in the city of Hebron, such as the electricity grid.
13. Transportation
The Palestinian side shall have the power to determine bus stops, traffic arrangements and traffic signalization in the city of Hebron. Traffic signalization, traffic arrangements and the location of bus stops in Area H-2 will remain as they are on the date of the redeployment in Hebron. Any subsequent change in these arrangements in Area H-2 will be done in cooperation between the two sides in the transportation sub-committee.
14. Municipal Inspectors
a. In accordance with paragraph 4.c of Article VII of Annex I of the Interim Agreement, plainclothes unarmed municipal inspectors will operate in Area H-2. The number of these inspectors shall not exceed 50.
b. The inspectors shall carry official identification cards with a photograph issued by the Municipality.
c. The Palestinian side may request the assistance of the Israel Police, through the DCLof Hebron, in order to carry out its enforcement activities in Area H-2.
15. Location of Offices of the Palestinian Council
The Palestinian side, when operating new offices in Area H-2, will take into consideration the need to avoid provocation and friction. Where establishing such offices might affect public order or security the two sides will cooperate to find a suitable solution.
16. Municipal Services
In accordance with paragraph 5 of Article VII of Annex I of the Interim Agreement, municipal services shall be provided regularly and continuously to all parts of the city of Hebron, at the same quality and cost. The cost shall be determined by the Palestinian side with respect to work done and materials consumed, without discrimination.
Miscellaneous
17. Temporary International Presence
There will be a Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH). Both sides will agree on the modalities of the TIPH, including the number of its members and its area of operation.
18. Annex I
Nothing in this Protocol will derogate from the security powers and responsibilities of either side in accordance with Annex I to the Interim Agreement.
19. Attached Appendices
The appendices attached to this Protocol shall constitute an integral part hereof.
Done at Jerusalem, this 17th day of January 1997.
D. Shomrom For the Government of the State of Israel
S. Erakat For the PLO
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Appendix 1
Hebron Redeployment Map
Appendix 2
(Article 5)
Agreed Adjacent Area
The Agreed Adjacent Area ("AAA") shall include the following:
1. An area defined by a line commencing from AAA Reference Point (RP) 100, proceeding along old Route No. 35 until RP 101, continuing by a straight line to RP 102, and from there connected by a straight line to RP 103.
2. An area defined by a line commencing at RP 104, following a straight line to RP 105, from there following a line immediately westward of checkpoints 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, and from there connected by a straight line to RP 106.
3. An area defined by a line connecting RPs 107 and 108, passing immediately northward of checkpoint 15.
Appendix 3
(Article 12)
List of Locations
The area of Al Haram Al Ibrahimi/the Tomb of the Patriarchs (including the military and police installations in its vicinity)
Al Hisba/Abraham Avinu
Osama School/Beit Romano (including the military location in its vicinity)
Al Daboya/Beit Hadasseh
Jabla Al Rahama/Tel Rumeida
The Jewish Cemeteries
Dir Al Arbein/the Tomb of Ruth and Yishai
Tel Al Jaabra/Givaat Avot Neighborhood (including the police station in its vicinity)
The Road connecting Al Haram Al Ibrahimi/the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Qiryat Arba
NOTE FOR THE RECORD
The two leaders met on January 15, 1997, in the presence of the U.S. Special Middle East
Coordinator. They requested him to prepare this Note for the Record to summarize what they agreed upon at their meeting.
Mutual Undertakings
The two leaders agreed that the Oslo peace process must move forward to succeed. Both parties to the Interim Agreement have concerns and obligations. Accordingly, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to implement the Interim Agreement on the basis of reciprocity and, in this context,conveyed the following undertakings to each other:
Israeli Responsibilities
The Israeli side reaffirms its commitments to the following measures and principles in accordance with the Interim Agreement:
Issues for Implementation
1. Further Redeployment Phases
The first phase of further redeployments will be carried out during the first week of March.
2. Prisoner Release Issues
Prisoner release issues will be dealt with in accordance with the Interim Agreement's
Provisions and procedures, including Annex VII.
Issues for Negotiation
3. Outstanding Interim Agreement Issues
Negotiations on the following outstanding issues from the Interim Agreement will be
immediately resumed. Negotiations on these issues will be conducted in parallel:
a. Safe Passage
b. Gaza Airport
c. Gaza port
d. Passages
e. Economic, financial, civilian and security issues
f. People-to-people
4. Permanent Status Negotiations
Permanent status negotiations will be resumed within two months after implementation of the Hebron Protocol.
Palestinian Responsibilities
The Palestinian side reaffirms its commitments to the following measures and principles in accordance with the Interim Agreement:
1. Complete the process of revising the Palestinian National Charter
2. Fighting terror and preventing violence
a. Strengthening security cooperation
b. Preventing incitement and hostile propaganda, as specified in Article XXII of the Interim Agreement
c. Combat systematically and effectively terrorist organizations and infrastructure
d. Apprehension, prosecution and punishment of terrorists
e. Requests for transfer of suspects and defendants will be acted upon in accordance
with Article II(7)(f) of Annex IV to the Interim Agreement
f. Confiscation of illegal firearms
3. Size of Palestinian Police will be pursuant to the Interim Agreement.
4. Exercise of Palestinian governmental activity, and location of Palestinian governmental
offices will be as specified in the Interim Agreement.
The aforementioned commitments will be dealt with immediately and in parallel.
Other Issues
Either party is free to raise other issues not specified above related to implementation of the Interim Agreement and obligations of both sides arising from the Interim Agreement.
Prepared by Ambassador Dennis Ross
At the request of Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and Ra’ees Yasser Arafat
Agreed Minute
(Article 7)
The leaders agreed that the process of reopening the Shuhada Road will begin immediately, and will be fully completed within four months based on the premise that the preparations agreed between the two sides have been completed in accordance with the American plan.
AMERICAN PLAN ON AL-SHUHADA STREET
January 7, 1997
As part of its ongoing support for the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, the United States intends to finance and supervise preparations to improve and facilitate the complete reopening of al-Shuhada Street in the City of Hebron. This work will take place in conjunction with the implementation of the "Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron" concluded between the two sides.
Description of Activity:
USAID intends to fund and manage the upgrading of utilities, primarily potable water lines and sanitary sewers, in the area of al-Shuhada Street to improve access to service. In conjunction with these improvements to utilities, USAID will direct renovation of the area within al-Shuhada Street to provide a safe and attractive environment for local businesses, pedestrians and vehicular traffic. The existing street will be completely reconstructed for a distance of approximately 700 meters including Gross square and also along a 200 meter spur of Rahme Road and a 100 meter spur leading to the Old City Gate. Major elements of this proposed activity as currently envisaged include:
Reconstruction of water distribution mains, sanitary sewers and electrical lines
Installation of a new water transmission line
Installation of a new storm drain system (if appropriate)
Paving of street with asphalt (typically, width varies from 6 to 9 meters)
Construction of concrete brick sidewalks (typically, 2 to 3 meters in width on each side
of the street) with precast concrete curbs
Construction of concrete brick median strips with precuts concrete curbs in the street
Installation of lampposts
Erection of safety barriers at selected locations
Sandblasting of stone exteriors of streetfront shops, stone fences and stone masonry
retaining walls
Painting of shop doors
Installation of awnings along streetfront shops and residences
Installation of cast iron fencing along curbs
Installation of litter baskets
Installation of planters
Installation of new traffic signs
Painting of curbs
Planting of small trees, shrubs and flowers.
This plan also includes the widening of the al-Shuhada Street in the vicinity of Beit Hadassah and Beit Schnerson. The details of this aspect of the plan include the following elements: the road in front of Beit Hadassah and Beit Schnerson will be widened to 13 meters; there will be sidewalks on each side of the street; each sidewalk will be separated from the street by a low stone wall with iron railings, no more than 1.25 meters high and 30 meters long; there will be equal roadways 3.55 meters wide in each direction; the two roadways will be divided by a security wall no more than 0.40 meters wide, 1.50 meters high and 30 meters long; there will be ten parking spaces on the northeast side of the street.
USAID expects that the renovation of al-Shuhada Street will commence in mid-January 1997 and will be completed as quickly as technical considerations permit. All activities will be subject to applicable laws and regulations. Continuing consultation will be held to address technical issues that may arise during the implementation of this plan.
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