Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements

September 13, 1993

The “Oslo Accords” (the “DOP”) represented an historic agreement to negotiate successive interim measures, described as a “peace process”, with the aim of reaching a “final status agreement” for a permanent end to the conflict. As part of the interim regime the DOP provided that in Gaza and Jericho there would be a “withdrawal” of military forces, but that elsewhere in the Territories there would be a “redeployment” in stages out of “populated areas”.

The Government of the State of Israel and the P.L.O. team in the Jordanian-Palestinian delegation to the Middle East Peace Conference (the “Palestinian Delegation”), representing the Palestinian people, agree that it is time to put an end to decades of confrontation and conflict, recognize their mutual legitimate and political rights, and strive to live in peaceful coexistence and mutual dignity and security and achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement and historic reconciliation through the agreed political process. Accordingly, the, two sides agree to the following principles:

ARTICLE I
AIM OF THE NEGOTIATIONS

The aim of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations within the current Middle East peace process is, among other things, to establish a Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, the elected Council (the “Council”), for the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, for a transitional period not exceeding five years, leading to a permanent settlement based on Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.

ARTICLE XIII
REDEPLOYMENT OF ISRAELI FORCES

1. After the entry into force of this Declaration of Principles, and not later than the eve of elections for the Council, a redeployment of Israeli military forces in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will take place, in addition to withdrawal of Israeli forces [from Jericho and specified parts of the Gaza Strip.]
2. In redeploying its military forces, Israel will be guided by the principle that its military forces should be redeployed outside populated areas.
3. Further redeployments to specified locations will be gradually implemented commensurate with the assumption of responsibility for public order and internal security by the Palestinian police force…

A summary of the Oslo Accords
The English translation of the Declaration of Principles consists of some seventeen typewritten pages of Articles, Protocols, Minutes and Annexes. It is, in effect, a detailed program for the establishment of a Palestinian Interim Self-Governing Authority in the West Bank and Gaza, as an interim measure for a term of up to five years, as originally contemplated by the Camp David Accords in 1978.

The basic terms included the following:

The Timetable

13 October 1993:
Authority over Gaza and the “Jericho area” to be transferred from Israel to the “authorised Palestinians for this task”.

December 1993 – January 1994:
Israeli military forces to be withdrawn from Gaza and Jericho.

A Palestinian police force “recruited locally and from abroad” to assume responsibility for internal security and public order.

A temporary international or foreign presence in Gaza and Jericho “as agreed upon”.

October 1993 – July 1994:
Israeli forces in West Bank (and Gaza?) to be re-deployed outside populated areas as Palestinian police assume responsibility.

13 July 1994:
The self-governing Council for the whole of the West Bank and Gaza is to elected. The election will be under agreed international supervision with order ensured by the Palestinian police. Jerusalem residents may vote outside Jerusalem.

General provisions

1. The permanent status of the territories will be negotiated “as soon as possible”. Negotiations will commence within two years, and will be completed within five years. Subjects to be discussed will include Jerusalem, refugees, settlements and boundaries.

2. The Palestinian Interim Council will have no authority over Jerusalem, settlements, military locations or Israelis.

3. The Council will have jurisdiction, including legislative power, over education, culture, health, welfare, direct taxation and tourism. Separate Palestinian “Authorities” will act in co-ordination with Israel to deal with water, environment, electricity, ports, banking etc.

4. Israel will retain jurisdiction over external security, foreign affairs and Israeli citizens, as well as all other powers not specifically transferred to the Council.

5. Israeli-Palestinian liaison committees will be established, and co-operation and assistance will be sought from Jordan and Egypt.

6. Detailed provisions were made for economic development programs, including finance by the major economic powers, and by Arab sources, for joint Jordanian-Israeli development of the Dead Sea and a possible Mediterranean-Dead Sea Canal, the development of a major port in Gaza, and general infra-structure, including roads, railways, communication lines etc.