Camp David Peace Agreement
Camp David Peace Agreement
The peace agreement between Israel and Egypt is regarded as a great diplomatic accomplishment, and it couldn’t have been possible without the possible heroic and tireless efforts of Jimmy Carter. The agreement was signed in 1978 and lead to a peace treaty among the two countries which had been warring for a long time. In 1979, the world stood to witness Egyptian president Sadat and the prime minister for Israel Menachem gathered outside the white house in the presence of the US president Jimmy Carter in the signing of the peace accord. The signing of the peace agreement was iconic for the end of Arab-Israel conflicts. Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Palestinian representatives participated in the negotiations towards finding a solution that would end conflicts in the region.
The conflicts can be traced back in 1947 when the UN voted to partition Palestine as the Great Britain protectorate established under Jewish state, independent Jerusalem and an Arab state. After Israel proclaiming its independence, there was an eruption in the Israel-Arab war which separated the Palestinians. Egypt took control of Gaza strip which lies along the Mediterranean Sea, and this caused Jordan to assume autonomy over the region between Jordan River (western bank) and the Israel eastern border (Hamilton, 2010). This triggered six days of the war, and Israel occupied the territories which extended along the Egyptians Sinai Peninsula. After becoming the US president in 1967, Jimmy Carter was committed to working in finding a comprehensive peace settlement for the Middle East based under resolution 242 of the UN charter (Hamilton, 2010). In November 1967, Israel was called to withdraw from the occupied territories, and Arab was urged to recognise peace with Israel. However, the Arabs failed to recognize the peace settlement causing another war that caused displacement of the Palestinians in the 1967 war.
President Carter met with the leaders from the region, and his attempts were encouraged by President Sadat who wanted to Israelites who had occupied the Sinai Peninsula to return to Egypt. Carter also met with Begin who had become prime minister to make consideration of the measures that Sadat and Carter had discussed (Hamilton, 2010). In the year 1977, Sadat initiated contacts with Israel and also made a diplomatic visit to Israel parliament (Hamilton, 2010). However, the efforts of discussing the peace talks weren’t successful, and this contributed to starting of Camp David at Maryland as summit place which would promote the privacy of the presidents. In 1978 September, the heads of state engaged in a summit to resolve the disputes. Begin was careful about the ramifications for the agreements and was pessimistic that Camp David would lead to developing agenda that would lead to better future meetings. Sadat was willing to join the all-inclusive consultations which were aimed at settling contentious issues (Hamilton, 2010).
Their foreign policy advisers accompanied the three leaders worked in private session to set a framework for peace. The framework consisted of three talks: a process of Palestinian getting self-rule in West bank, establishment of peace framework for a treaty between Israel and neighbouring countries and a framework for peace between Israel and the neighbouring countries (Hamilton, 2010). The Egypt president and Knesset agreed to grant Palestinian self-government for the occupied territories. The peace agreement was closed and signed on March 1979 and reflected the President Carter proposals towards ending of the war that existed between the countries. On the other hand, Israel promised to establish diplomatic relationships and the opening of the Suez Canal.
President Carter involvement in the negotiations acts an act of extraordinary political courage granted to the international and domestic problems in addressing various issues. The peace agreement led to the stability of the region and enhanced diplomatic ties for prospects of the countries. Camp David peace agreement is regarded as a great victory for all the leaders involved, resulting in economic growth and democracy growth among countries.
References
Hamilton, K., & Langhorne, R. (2010). The practice of diplomacy: its evolution, theory and administration. Routledge.
