September 13, 1993
The Government of the State of Israel and the PLO 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 to 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 Negotiation
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 permanent settlement based on
Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
It is understood that the interim arrangements are an integral
part of the whole peace process and that the negotiations on
the permanent status will lead to the implementation of
Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
Article II: Framework for the Interim Period
The agreed framework for the interim period is set forth in
this Declaration of Principles.
Article III: Elections
1. In order that the Palestinian people in the West Bank and
Gaza Strip may govern themselves according to democratic
principles, direct, free and general political elections will
be held for the council under agreed supervision and
international observations, while the Palestinian police will
ensure public order.
2. An agreement will be concluded on the exact mode and
conditions of the elections in accordance with the protocol
attached as Annex 1, with the goal of holding the elections not
later than nine moths after the entry into force of this
Declaration of Principles.
3. These elections will constitute a significant interim
preparatory step toward the realization of the legitimate
rights of the Palestinian people and their just requirements.
Article IV: Jurisdictions
Jurisdiction of the Council will cover West Bank and Gaza Strip
territory, except for issues that will be negotiated in the
permanent status negotiations. The two sides view the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip as a single territorial unit, whose
integrity will be preserved during the interim period.
Article V:Transitional period and permanent status negotiations
1. The five-year transitional period will begin upon the
withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Jericho area.
2. Permanent status negotiations will commence as soon as
possible, but not later than the beginning of the third year of
the interim period, between the Government of Israel and the
Palestinian people representatives.
3. It is understood that these negotiations shall cover
remaining issuers, including: Jerusalem, refugees, settlements,
security arrangements, borders, relations and cooperation with
other neighbors, and other issues of common interest.
4. The two parties agree that the outcome of the permanent
status negotiations should not be prejudiced or preempted by
agreements reached for the interim period.
Article VI: Preparatory transfer of powers and responsibilities
1. Upon the entry into force of this Declaration of Principles
and the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the Jericho area, a
transferor authority for the he Israeli military government and
its civil Administration to the authorized Palestinians for
this task, as detailed herein, will commence. This transfer of
authority will be of preparatory nature until the inauguration
of the Council.
2. Immediately after the entry into force of this Declaration
of Principles and the withdrawal form the Gaza Strip and
Jericho area, with the view to rooting economic development in
the west Bank and Gaza Strip, authority will be transferred to
the Palestinians on the following spheres: education and
culture, health, social welfare, direct taxation, and tourism.
The Palestinian side will commence in building the Palestinian
police force, as agreed upon. Pending the inauguration of the
Council, the two parties may negotiate the transfer of
additional powers and responsibilities, as agreed upon.
Article VII: Interim Agreement
1. The Israeli and Palestinian delegations will negotiate and
agreement on the interim period (the "Interim Agreement").
2. The Interim Agreement shall specify, among other things, the
structure of the council, the number of its members, and the
transfer of powers and responsibilities form the Israeli
military government and its Civil Administration to the
Council. the Interim Agreement shall also specify the Council's
executive authority, legislative authority in accordance with
Article IX below, and the independent Palestinian judicial
organs.
3. The Interim Agreement shall include arrangements, to be
implemented upon the inauguration of the Council, for the
assumption by the Council of all of the powers and
responsibilities transferred previously in accordance with
Article VI above.
4. In order to enable the Council to promote economic growth,
upon its inauguration, the Council will establish, among the
things, a Palestinian Electricity Authority, a Gaza sea Port
Authority, Palestinian Development Bank, a Palestinian Export
Promotion Board, a Palestinian Environmental Authority, a
Palestinian Land Authority and a Palestinian Water
Administration Authority, and any other Authorities agreed
upon, in accordance with the Interim Agreement that will
specify their powers and responsibilities.
5. After the inauguration of the Council, the Civil
Administration will be dissolved, and the Israeli military
government will be withdrawn.
Article VIII: Public order and security
In order to guarantee public order and internal security for
the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Council
will establish a strong police force, while Israel will
continue to carry the responsibility for defending against
external threats, as well as the responsibility for overall
security of Israelis for the purpose of safeguarding their
internal security and public order.
Article IX: Laws and military orders
1. The Council will be empowered to legislate, in accordance
with the Interim Agreement, within all authorities transferred
to it.
2. Both parties will review jointly laws and military orders
presently in force in remaining spheres.
Article X: Joint Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Committee
In order to provide for a smooth implementation of this
Declaration of Principles and any subsequent agreements
pertaining to the interim period, upon the entry into force of
this Declaration of Principles, a Joint Israeli- Palestinian
Liaison Committee will be established in order to deal with
issues requiring coordination, other issues of common interest,
and disputes.
Article XI: Israeli-Palestinian Cooperation in economic fields
Recognizing the mutual benefit of cooperation in promoting the
development of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Israel, upon
the entry into force of this Declaration of Principles, an
Israeli-Palestinian Economic Cooperation Committee will be
established in order to develop and implement in a cooperative
manner the programs in denitrified in the protocols attached as
Annex III and Annex Iv.
Article XII: Liaison and cooperation with Jordan and Egypt
The two parties will invite the Governments of Jordan and Egypt
to participate in establishing further liaison and cooperation
arrangements between the Government of Israel and the
Palestinian representatives, on one hand, and the Governments
of Jordan and Egypt, on the other hand, to promote cooperation
between them. These arrangements will include the constitution
of a continuing committee that will decide by agreement of the
modalities of admission of persons displaced from the West Bank
and Gaza Strip in 1967, together with necessary measures to
prevent disruption and disorder. Other matters of common
concern will be dealt with by this committee.
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 carried out in accordance with
Article XIV.
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 pursuant to Article VIII above.
Article XIV :Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Jericho area
Israel will withdraw from the Gaza Strip and Jericho area, as
detailed in the protocol attached as Annex II.
Article Vx: Resolution of disputes
1. Disputes arising out of the application or interpretation of
this Declaration of this Declaration of Principles, or any
subsequent agreements pertaining to the interim period, shall
be resolved by negotiations through the Joint Liaison committee
to be established pursuant to Article X above.
2. Disputes which cannot be settled by negotiations may be
resolved by a mechanism of conciliation to be agreed upon by
the parities.
3. The parties may agree to submit to arbitration disputes
relating to the interim period, which cannot be settled through
conciliation. To this end, upon the agreement of both parties,
the parties will establish an Arbitration Committee.
Article XVI: Israel-Palestinian Cooperation concerning regional programs
Both parties view the multilateral working groups as an
appropriate instrument for promoting a "Marshall Plan", the
regional programs and other programs, including special
programs for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as indicated in the
protocol attached as Annex IV.
Article XVII: Miscellaneous provisions
1. This Declaration of Principles will enter into force one
month after its signing.
2. All protocols annexed to this Declaration of Principles and
Agreed Minutes pertaining thereto shall be regarded as an
integral part hereof.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Annex1: Protocol on the mode and conditions of elections
1. Palestinians of Jerusalem who live there will have the right
to participate in the election process, according to an
agreement between the two sides.
2. In addition, the election agreement should cover, among
other things, the following issues:
a. The system of elections;
b. The mode of the agreed supervision and international
observation and their personal composition, and
c. Rules and regulations election campaign, including agreed
arrangements for the organizing of mass media, and the
possibility of licensing a broadcasting and TV station.
3. The future status of displaced Palestinians who were
registered on 4th June 1967 will not be prejudiced because they
are unable to participate in the election process due to
practical reasons.
ANNEXII: Protocol on withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza
Strip and Jericho area
1. The two sides will conclude and sign within two months from
the date of entry into force of this Declaration of Principles,
an agreement on the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from
the Gaza Strip and Jericho area. This agreement will include
comprehensive arrangements to apply in the Gaza Strip and the
Jericho area subsequent to the Israeli withdrawal.
2. Israel will implement an accelerated and scheduled
withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip and
Jericho area, beginning immediately with the signing of the
agreement on the Gaza Strip and Jericho area and to be
completed within a period not exceeding four months after the
signing of this agreement.
3. The above agreement will include, among other things:
a. Arrangements for a smooth a peaceful transfer of authority
from the Israeli military government and its Civil
Administration to the Palestinian representatives.
b. Structure, powers and responsibilities of the Palestinian
authority in these areas, except: external security,
settlements, Israelis, foreign relations, and other mutually
agreed matters.
c. Arrangements for the assumption of internal security and
public order by the Palestinian police force consisting of
police officers recruited locally and from abroad (holding
Jordanian passports and Palestinian documents issued by Egypt)
Those who will participate in the Palestinian police force
coming from abroad should be trained as police and police
officers recruited locally and from abroad (holding Jordanian
passports and Palestinian documents issued by Egypt). Those who
will participate in the Palestinian police force coming from
abroad should be trained as police and police officers.
d. A temporary international or foreign presence, as agreed
upon.
e. Establishment of a joint Palestinian-Israeli Coordination
and Cooperation Committee for mutual security purposes.
f. An economic development and stabilization program, including
the establishment of an Emergency fund, to encourage foreign
investment, and finical and economic support. both sides will
coordinate and cooperate jointly and unilaterally with regional
and international parties to support these aims.
g. Arrangements for a safe passage for persons and
transportation between the Gaza Strip and Jericho area.
4. The above agreement will include arrangements for
coordination between both parties regarding passages:
a. Gaza- Egypt
b. Jericho - Jordan
5. The offices responsible for carrying out the powers and
responsibilities of the Palestinian authority under this Annex
II and Article VI of the Declaration of Principles will be
located in the Gaza Strip ad in the Jericho area peddling the
inauguration of the Council.
6. Other than these agreed arrangements, the status of the Gaza
Strip and Jericho area will continue to be an integral part of
the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and will not be changed in the
interim period.
Annex III: Protocol on Israeli-Palestinian cooperation in
economic and development programs
The two sides agree to establish an Israeli-Palestinian
Continuing Committee for Economic Cooperation, focusing, among
other things, on the following:
1. Cooperation in the field of water, including a Water
Development Program prepared by experts from both sides, which
will also specify the mode of cooperation in the management of
water resources in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and will
include proposals for studies and pals on water rights of each
party, as well as on the equitable utilization of joint water
resources for implementation in and beyond the interim period.
2. Cooperation in the field of electricity, including an
Electricity Development Program, which will also specify the
mode of cooperation for the production, maintenance, purchase
and sale of electricity resources.
3. Cooperation in the field of energy, including an Energy
Development Program, which will provide for the exploitation of
oil and gas for industrial purposes, particularly in the Gaza
Strip and in the Negev, and will encourage further joint
exploitation of other energy resources. This Program may also
provide for the construction of a petrochemical industrial
complex in the Gaza Strip and the construction of oil and gas
pipelines.
4. Cooperation in the field of finance, including a Financial
Development and Action Program for the encouragement of
international investment in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,
and in Israel, as well as the establishment of a Palestinian
Development Bank.
5. Cooperation in the field of transport and communications,
including a Program, which will define guidelines for the
establishment of Gaza Sea Port Area, and will provide for the
establishing of transport and communications lines to and form
the West bank and the Gaza Strip to Israel and to other
countries. In addition, this program will provide for carrying
out the necessary construction of roads, railways,
communications lines, etc.
6. Cooperation in the field of trade, including studies, and
Trade Promotion Programs, which will encourage local, regional
and interregnal trade, as well as a feasibility study of
creating free tad zones in the Gaza Strip and in Israel, mutual
access to these zones, and cooperation in other areas related
to trade and commerce.
7. Cooperation in the field of industry, including Industrial
Development Programs, which will provide for the establishment
of joint Israeli-Palestinian industrial Research and
Development Centers, will promote Palestinian-Israeli joint
ventures, and provide guidelines for cooperation in the
textile, food, pharmaceutical, electronics, diamonds, computer
and science-based industries.
8. A program for cooperation in, and regulation of, labor
relations and cooperation in social welfare issues.
9. A Human Resources Development and Cooperation Plan,
providing for joint Israeli-Palestinian workshops and seminars,
and for the establishment of joint vocational training centers,
research institutes and data banks.
10. An Environmental Protection Plan, roving for joint and/ or
coordinated measures in this sphere.
11. A program for developing coordination and cooperation in
the field of communication and media.
12. Any other programs of mutual interest.
ANNEX IV: Protocol on Israeli-Palestinian cooperation
concerning regional development programs
1. The two sides will cooperate in the context of the
multilateral peace efforts in promoting a Development Program
for the region, including the west Bank and the Gaza Strip, to
be initiated by the G-7. the parties will request the G-7 to
seek the participation in this program of other insituations,
as well as members of the private sector.
2. The Development Program will consist of two elements:
a. an Economic Development Program for the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip.
b. a Regional Economic Development Program.
A. The Economic Development Program for the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip will consist of following elements:
1. A social Rehabilitation Program, including a Housing and
Construction Program.
2. A Small and Medium Business Development Plan.
3. An Infrastructure Development Program (water, electricity,
transportation and communications, etc.)
4. A Human Resources Plan.
5. Other programs.
B. The Regional Economic Development Program may consist of the
following elements:
1. Establishment of a Middle East Development Fund, as a first
step, and a Middle East Development Bank, as a second step.
2. The development of a joint Israeli-Palestinian-Jordanian
Plan for coordinated exploitation for the Dead Sea area.
3. The Mediterranean Sea (Gaza) - dead Sea Canal.
4. Regional Desalinization and other water development projects.
5. A regional plan for agricultural development, including a
coordinated regional effort for the prevention of
desertification.
6. Interconnection of electricity grids.
7. Regional cooperation for the transfer, distribution and
industrial exploitation of gas, oil and other energy resources.
8. A Regional Tourism, Transportation and Telecommunications
Development Plan.
9. Regional cooperation in other spheres.
3. The two sides will encourage the multilateral working
groups, and will coordinate towards its success. The two
parties will encourage intercessional activities, as well as
permissibility and feasibility studies, within the various
multilateral working groups.
Agreed Minutes to the Declaration of Principles on Interim
Self-Government Arrangements
A. General understandings and agreements
Any powers and responsibilities transferred to the Palestinians
pursuant to the Declaration of Principles prior tot he
inauguration of the Council will be subject to the same
principles pertaining to Article IV, as set out in these Agreed
Minutes below.
B. Specific Understandings and agreements
Article IV
It is understood that:
1. Jurisdiction of the Council will cover West Bank and Gaza
Strip territory, except for issues that will be negotiated in
the permanent status negotiations: Jerusalem, settlements,
military locations, and Israelis.
2. The Council's jurisdiction will apply with regard to the
agreed powers, responsibilities, spheres and authorities
transferred to it.
Article VI2:
It is agreed that transfer of authority will be as follows:
1. The Palestinian side will inform the Israeli side of the
names of the authorized Palestinians who will assume the
powers, authorities and responsibilities that will be
transferred to the Palestinians according to the Declaration of
Principles in the following fields: education and culture,
health, social welfare, direct taxation, tourism, and other
authorities agreed upon.
2. It is understood that the rights and obligations of these
offices will not be affected.
3. Each of the spheres described above will continue to enjoy
existing budgetary allocations in accordance with arrangements
to be mutually agreed upon. These arrangements also will
provide for the necessary adjustments required in order to take
into account the taxes collected by the direct taxation office.
4. Upon the execution of the Declaration of Principles, the
Israeli and Palestinian delegations will immediately commence
negotiations on a detailed plan for the transfer of authority
on the above offices in accordance with the above
understandings.
Article VII
The Interim Agreement will also include arrangements for
coordination and cooperation.
Article VII (5)
The withdrawal of the military government will not prevent
Israel form exercising the powers and responsibilities not
transferred to the Council.
Article VIII
It is understood that the interim Agreement will include
arrangements for cooperation and coordination between the two
parties in this regard. It is also agreed that the transfer of
powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian police will be
accomplished in a phased manner, as agreed in the interim
Agreement.
Article X
It is agreed that, upon the entry into force of the Declaration
of Principles, the Israeli and Palestinian delegations will
exchange the names of the individuals designated by them as
members of the Joint Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Committee.
It is further agreed that each side will have an equal number
of members in the Joint Committee. The Joint Committee will
reach decisions be agreement. The Joint Committee may add other
technicians and experts, as necessary. The Joint Committee will
decide on the frequency and place of places of its meetings.
Annex II
It is understood that, subsequent to the Israeli withdrawal,
Israel will continue to be responsible for external security,
and internal security and public order of settlements and
Israelis. Israeli military forces and civilians may continue to
use roads freely within the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area.
---
Done at Washington, D.C., this thirteenth day of September,1993
For the Government of Israel
Shimon Peres (signed)
For the Palestine Liberation Organization
Mahmoud Abbas (signed)
Witnessed By:
(Warren Christopher)
The United States of America
(Andrei Kozyrev)
The Russian Federation
