Camp David Accords

September 17, 1978

After twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David, the Israeli-Egyptian
negotiations were concluded by the signing at the White House of two agreements.
The first dealt with the future of the Sinai and peace between Israel and Egypt, to be
concluded within three months. The second was a framework agreement establishing
a format for the conduct of negotiations for the establishment of an autonomy regime
in the West Bank and Gaza. The Israel-Egypt agreement clearly defined the future
relations between the two countries, all aspects of withdrawal from the Sinai, military
arrangements in the peninsula such as demilitarization and limitations, as well as the
supervision mechanism. The framework agreement regarding the future of Judea,
Samaria and Gaza was less clear and was later interpreted differently by Israel, Egypt,
and the US. President Carter witnessed the accords which were signed by Egyptian
President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Begin.

Text:

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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:
  1. 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.
  2. Submitting their agreements to a vote by the elected representatives of the inhabitants of
    the West Bank and Gaza.
  3. 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.
  4. Participating as stated above in the work of the committee negotiating the peace treaty
    between Israel and Jordan.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
n 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:
1. full recognition;
2. abolishing economic boycotts;
3. 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 an actions with the undertaking contained in this Framework.

For the Government of Israel:

Menachem Begin

For the Government of

the Arab Republic of Egypt

Muhammed Anwar al-Sadat

Witnessed by

Jimmy Carter,

President of the United States of America

Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty

between Egypt and Israel

In order to achieve peace between them, Israel and Egypt agree to negotiate in good faith with a
goal of
concluding within three months of the signing of this framework a peace treaty between
them:
It is agreed that:

The site of the negotiations will be under a United Nations flag at a location or locations to
be
mutually agreed.
All of the principles of U.N. Resolution 242 will apply in this resolution of the dispute
between Israel and
Egypt.
Unless otherwise mutually agreed, terms of the peace treaty will be implemented between
two and three
years after the peace treaty is signed.

The following matters are agreed between the parties:

the full exercise of Egyptian sovereignty up to the internationally recognized border
between Egypt
and mandated Palestine;
the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from the Sinai;
the use of airfields left by the Israelis near al-Arish, Rafah, Ras en-Naqb, and Sharm
el-Sheikh for
civilian purposes only, including possible commercial use only by all nations;
the right of free passage by ships of Israel through the Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal on
the basis of
the Constantinople Convention of 1888 applying to all nations; the Strait of Tiran and Gulf of
Aqaba
are international waterways to be open to all nations for unimpeded and nonsuspendable
freedom of
navigation and overflight;
the construction of a highway between the Sinai and Jordan near Eilat with guaranteed
free and
peaceful passage by Egypt and Jordan; and
the stationing of military forces listed below.

Stationing of Forces

No more than one division (mechanized or infantry) of Egyptian armed forces will be stationed
within an area lying approximately 50 km. (30 miles) east of the Gulf of Suez and the Suez
Canal.
Only United Nations forces and civil police equipped with light weapons to perform normal police
functions will be stationed within an area lying west of the international border and the Gulf of
Aqaba,
varying in width from 20 km. (12 miles) to 40 km. (24 miles).
In the area within 3 km. (1.8 miles) east of the international border there will be Israeli limited
military
forces not to exceed four infantry battalions and United Nations observers.
Border patrol units not to exceed three battalions will supplement the civil police in maintaining
order in
the area not included above.
The exact demarcation of the above areas will be as decided during the peace negotiations.
Early warning stations may exist to insure compliance with the terms of the agreement.
United Nations forces will be stationed:

in part of the area in the Sinai lying within about 20 km. of the Mediterranean Sea and
adjacent to the
international border, and
in the Sharm el-Sheikh area to insure freedom of passage through the Strait of Tiran; and
these forces
will not be removed unless such removal is approved by the Security Council of the United
Nations
with a unanimous vote of the five permanent members.

After a peace treaty is signed, and after the interim withdrawal is complete, normal relations will
be
established between Egypt and Israel, including full recognition, including diplomatic, economic
and
cultural relations; termination of economic boycotts and barriers to the free movement of goods
and
people; and mutual protection of citizens by the due process of law.

Interim Withdrawal

Between three months and nine months after the signing of the peace treaty, all Israeli forces
will
withdraw east of a line extending from a point east of El-Arish to Ras Muhammad, the exact
location of
this line to be determined by mutual agreement.