Israel’s Peace Initiative

May 14, 1989

The following peace initiative was formulated by Prime Minister
Shamir (Likud) and Defence Minister Rabin (Labour) and represents the
consensus of Israel policy in the National unity government. The plan
consists of four basic points:

Strengthing the peace with Egypt as a regional cornerstone
Promoting full peaceful relations with the Arab states
Improving refugee conditions though international efforts
Elections and interim self-rule for the Palestinian Arabs

This initiative is based on the Camp David Accords, and in turn, forms the
basis of the Madrid framework for the Middle East peace negotiations.

TEXT:

GENERAL:

This document presents the principles of a political initiative
of the Government of Israel which deals with the continuation of the peace
process; the termination of the state of war with the Arab states; a
solution for the Arabs of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza district; peace with
Jordan; and a resolution of the problem of the residents of the refugee
camps in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza district.
The document includes:
1. The principles upon which the initiative is based.
2. Details of the processes for its implementation.
3. Reference to the subject of the elections under consideration. Further
  details relating to the elections as well as other subjects of the
  initiative will be dealt with separately.

BASIC PREMISES:

The initiative is founded upon the assumption that there is a national
consensus for it on the basis of the basic guidelines of the Government of
Israel, including the following points:
1. Israel yearns for peace and the continuation of the political
  process by means of direct negotiations based on the principles of the Camp
  David Accords.
2. Israel opposes the establishment of an additional Palestinian state in
  the Gaza district and in the area between Israel and Jordan.
3. Israel will not conduct negotiations with the PLO.
4. There will be no change in the status of Judea, Samaria and Gaza other
  than in accordance with the basic guidelines of the Government.

SUBJECTS TO BE DEALT WITH IN THE PEACE PROCESS:

1. Israel views as important that the peace between Israel
  and Egypt, based on the Camp David Accords, will serve as a cornerstone for
  enlarging the circle of peace in the region, and calls for a common endeavor
  for the strengthening of the peace and its extension, through continued
  consultation.
2. Israel calls for the establishment of peaceful relations between it and
  those Arab states which still maintain a state of war with it for the
  purpose of promoting a comprehensive settlement for the Arab-Israel
  conflict, including recognition, direct negotiation, ending the boycott,
  diplomatic relations, cessation of hostile activity in international
  institutions or forums and regional and bilateral cooperation.
3. Israel calls for an international endeavour to resolve the problem of
  the residents of the Arab refugee camps in Judea. Samaria and the Gaza
  district in order to improve their living conditions and to rehabilitate
  them. Israel is prepared to be a partner in this endeavour.
4. In order to advance the political negotiation process leading to peace,
  Israel proposes free and democratic elections among the Palestinian Arab
  inhabitants of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza district in an atmosphere devoid
  of violence, threats and terror.In these elections a representation will be chosen to conduct negotiations
  for a transitional period of self-rule. This period will constitute a test
  for co-existence and cooperation. At a later stage, negotiations will be
  conducted for a permanent solution during which all the proposed options for
  an agreed settlement will be examined, and peace between Israel and Jordan
  will be achieved.
5. All the above-mentioned steps should be dealt with simultaneously.
6. The details of what has been mentioned in (d) above will be given
  below.

THE PRINCIPLES CONSTITUTING THE INITIATIVE:

STAGES:

The initiative is based on two stages:
1. Stage A – A transitional period for an interim agreement.
2. Stage B – Permanent Solution.
The interlock between the stages is a timetable on which the Plan is
built: the peace process delineated by the initiative is based on
Resolutions 242 and 338 upon which the Camp David Accords are founded.

TIMETABLE:

The transitional period will continue for 5 years.
As soon as possible, but not later than the third year after the
beginning of the transitional period, negotiations for achieving a permanent
solution will begin.

PARTIES PARTICIPATING IN THE NEGOTIATIONS IN BOTH STAGES:

The parties participating in the negotiations for the First
Stage (the interim agreement) shall include Israel and the elected
representation of the Palestinian Arab inhabitants of Judea, Samaria and the
Gaza district. Jordan and Egypt will be invited to participate in these
negotiations if they so desire.
The parties participating in the negotiations for the Second Stage
(Permanent Solution) shall include Israel and the elected representation of
the Palestinian Arab inhabitants of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza district, as
well as Jordan; furthermore, Egypt may participate in these negotiations. In
negotiations between Israel and Jordan, in which the elected representation
of the Palestinian Arab inhabitants of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza district
will participate, the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan will be
concluded.

SUBSTANCE OF TRANSITIONAL PERIOD

During the transitional period the Palestinian Arab
inhabitants of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza district will be accorded
self-rule by means of which they will, themselves, conduct their affairs of
daily life. Israel will continue to be responsible for security, foreign
affairs and all matters concerning Israeli citizens in Judea, Samaria and
the Gaza district. Topics involving the implementation of the plan for
self-rule will be considered and decided within the framework of the
negotiations for an interim agreement.

SUBSTANCE OF PERMANENT SOLUTION

In the negotiations for a permanent solution every
party shall be entitled to present for discussion all the subjects it may
wish to raise.
The aim of the negotiations should be:
1. The achievement of a permanent solution acceptable to the
  negotiating parties.
2. The arrangements for peace and borders between Israel and
  Jordan.

DETAILS OF THE PROCESS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INITIATIVE

First and foremost dialogue and basic agreement by the
Palestinian Arab inhabitants of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza district, as
well as Egypt and Jordan if they wish to take part, as above-mentioned, in
the negotiations, on the principles constituting the initiative.
1. Immediately afterwards will follow the stage of
  preparations and implementation of the election process in which a
  representation of the Palestinian Arab inhabitants of Judea, Samaria and
  Gaza will be elected. This representation:
  1. Shall be a partner to the conduct of negotiations for the
    transitional period (interim agreement).
  2. Shall constitute the self-governing authority in the course of the
    transitional period.
  3. Shall be the central Palestinian component, subject to agreement after
    three years, in the negotiations for the permanent solution.
2. In the period of the preparation and implementation there shall be a
  calming of the violence in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza district.
As to the substance of the elections, it is recommended that a proposal
of regional elections be adopted, the details of which shall be determined
in further discussions.
Every Palestinian Arab residing in Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza
district, who shall be elected by the inhabitants to represent them – after
having submitted his candidacy in accordance with the detailed document
which shall determine the subject of the elections – may be a legitimate
participant in the conduct of negotiations with Israel.
The elections shall be free, democratic and secret.
Immediately after the election of the Palestinian representation,
negotiations shall be conducted with it on an interim agreement for a
transitional period which shall continue for 5 years, as mentioned above. In
these negotiations the parties shall determine all the subjects relating to
the substance to the self-rule and the arrangements necessary for its
implementation.
As soon as possible, but not later than the third year after the
establishment of the self-rule, negotiations for a permanent solution shall
begin. During the whole period of these negotiations until the signing of
the agreement for a permanent solution, the self-rule shall continue in
effect as determined in the negotiations for an interim agreement.