Sharm El Sheikh Memorandum
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The Sharm El Sheikh Memorandum, full name: The Sharm El Sheikh Memorandum on Implementation Timeline of Outstanding Commitments of Agreements Signed and the Resumption of Permanent Status Negotiations, was a
Purposes
The memorandum's purpose was to implement the
To sum up the memorandum:[1]
In an effort to break the deadlocked Israel-PA negotiations, the parties met in Sharm El Sheikh in the presence of Secretary Albright, President Mubarak and King Abdullah, and signed an agreement which called for the Israeli withdrawal from a further 11% of the West Bank; the release of 350 Palestinian prisoners; the opening of safe passages between the West Bank and Gaza; and a seaport to be built in Gaza. There was also a timetable for final status talks to deal with Jerusalem, borders, refugees and settlements. A framework agreement on permanent status (FAPS) was to be achieved by February 2000 and permanent agreement by September 2000.
Redeployments
The two sides agreed to resume Permanent Status negotiations to reach a Permanent Status Agreement. They reaffirmed that negotiations on the Permanent Status would lead to the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. Both sides agreed to make a determined effort to conclude a framework agreement and established a timetable to achieve this goal.
Israel and Palestine agreed on a number of Israeli redeployments.
(Note: Area A - Full control of the
Area B - Palestinian civil control, Israeli military control.
Area C - Full Israeli control.)
- On September 5, 1999, to transfer 7% from Area C to Area B.
- On November 15, 1999, to transfer 2% from Area B to Area A and 3% from Area C to Area B.
- On January 20, 2000, to transfer 1% from Area C to Area A, and 5.1% from Area B to Area A.
Other stipulations
- Various committees to monitor redeployments and the return to civilian life.
- Safe passage routes and crossing points.
- A high level Joint Liaison Committee, which would convene no later than September 13, 1999 to review the situation in the Tomb of the Patriarchs/ Al Haram Al Ibrahimi
The memorandum states that neither side would initiate or take any step that would change the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in accordance with the Interim Agreement. This clause recognized the necessity to create an appropriate environment for negotiations,
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators also discussed various issues:
- Needs for the peaceful and normal functioning of the Gaza sea port and airport.
- The release of Palestinian prisonersfrom Israeli military jails.
- Anti-terrorism security. Both sides affirmed they would act swiftly against any threat or act of terrorism, violence or incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis.
Palestine and Israel also called upon the international donor community to enhance its financial support for the Palestinian economic development and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
References
- ^ "Speeches at the Signing of the Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum (September 1999)". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-24.