On This Day in Jewish History: September 13th, 1993

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFFhM9AlcS6/

#onthisday, 1993, Oslo Accord I was signed on the White House lawn by Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) – prompting this handshake between Israeli PM, Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman, Yasser Arafat.

.

Initially accepted with high hopes, the plan never fully materialized and in fact further complicated the situation on the ground.

.

The signing was a culmination of secret talks between Israel and the PLO in Oslo, Norway and was supposed to set up the framework to create a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

.

This initial Accord created an interim self-government entity for the Palestinians (Palestinian National Authority), would see the PLO recognize Israel (and pledge to reject violence), and significant withdrawal of IDF troops from Gaza & the West Bank.

.

The plan stated that after no later than 5 years (1996) a permanent agreement would be in place.

.

Issues not discussed were Jerusalem, final borders, status of settlements and Palestinian refugees.

.

On the ground, little actually improved after today’s signing. Areas were fully divided (such as Hebron) creating more friction between Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas did not feel bound by Oslo – unleashing what would soon become the groundwork for the Second Intifada. Arafat would soon walk back his dovish rhetoric and incite violence himself.

.

Meanwhile, the Israeli opposition was vehemently against the plan – labeling Rabin and Peres as traitors and culminating in the assassination of Rabin in November of 1995.

.

To this day, Oslo is seen generally on all sides as a failure and is a telling example for future and current diplomats to consider when discussing solutions for the Israeli – Palestinian conflict.

.

✍: @jewishistoryguy

.Text Source: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/history-and-overview-of-israel-palestinian-negotiations#1

Image Source: Public Domain

#onthisday#jewish#jewishhistory#judaism#israel#zionism#oslo#palestinians#arafat#rabin#otdjh#otd