Camp David Accords (1978): What They Were and Their Characteristics

We explain what the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel were, as well as their historical significance and consequences.

The Camp David Accords led to peace between Egypt and Israel.

What were the Camp David Accords?

The 1978 Camp David Accords were the result of thirteen days of talks between Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, brokered by US President Jimmy Carter. The talks were held at the US presidential residence at Camp David in Maryland in September.

The Camp David Accords were intended to resolve the conflict situation between the State of Israel and the Republic of Egypt, which had led to two recent wars between the two states (in 1967 and 1973) and was part of the Arab-Israeli conflict that began in 1948.

As a result of the Camp David Accords, Sadat and Begin received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 and signed the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty in 1979.

The historical context

Following the end of World War II (1939-1945), the British Mandate of Palestine ended in 1948 and the Jewish leader David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the creation of the State of Israel on 14 May 1948, prompting a reaction from the Arab countries in the region. Thus began a history of conflicts and wars that continued over the following decades.

Among the crises of the Arab-Israeli conflict were the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973), which pitted Israel against Egypt and its allies. Both resulted in Israeli victories.

In November 1973, Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadatwho had succeeded Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1970, reestablished diplomatic relations with the US governmentThis policy was part of his change in Egypt’s international alignment, which in the Nasser years had been oriented towards the Soviet Union and was now beginning to move closer to the United States.

Sadat adhered to the policy of “small steps” The United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger proposed diplomatic steps toward mutual understanding. U.S. President Jimmy Carter discussed Sadat’s claim to the Sinai Peninsula, which had been in Israeli hands after the Six-Day War, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin expressed his willingness to talk.

The signing of the Camp David Accords

US President Jimmy Carter mediated between the leaders of Egypt and Israel.

Within the framework of the “small steps” policy promoted by Kissinger, The first important step was taken by the Egyptian president, who traveled to Jerusalem On November 19, 1977, he became the first Arab leader to visit Israel. However, in order to get Begin, a staunch nationalist who was head of the center-right Likud party, to sit at the negotiating table, the mediation of the American government was necessary.

Jimmy Carter proposed using the presidential residence of Camp David, near Washington, to bring the two leaders together and make some progress in the negotiations. The meetings lasted thirteen days. (started on September 5 and ended on September 17, 1978).

The agreements were signed by Sadat, Begin and Carter. and they assumed the success of the US government’s efforts to bring Israel and Egypt closer together and try to resolve the Palestinian problemalthough this second objective was ultimately not achieved.

The Camp David Accords consisted of two framework agreements:

• Firstwhich aimed to achieve general peace in the Middle East, remained nothing more than a document of intent.
• The secondwhich sought the signing of a peace treaty between the two countries, It bore fruit with the signing of the Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel on 26 March 1979. Pursuant to its provisions, the Israeli army withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula in April 1982. Egypt regained sovereignty over the whole of its territory and Israel finally succeeded in making peace with an Arab country.

The Camp David Accords revolutionized the political landscape of the Middle East. The United States achieved an important diplomatic victory, but Egypt was condemned and isolated by the other Arab countries and Sadat was considered by many to be a traitor. He was assassinated by the Egyptian Islamic Jihad group in October 1981.

Begin remained in office until October 1983, when he resigned due to health problems and international condemnation for his decision to initiate Israeli military intervention in Lebanon.

Camp David Accords (1978)

FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

PREAMBLE

The search for peace in the Middle East must be based on the following points:

1. The agreed basis for a peaceful solution to the conflict between Israel and its neighbors is UN Security Council Resolution 242 in all its parts.

2. After four wars over 30 years, despite intense human efforts, the Middle East, the cradle of civilization and birthplace of three major 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 can be devoted to the search for peace and so that this area can become a model of coexistence and cooperation among nations.

3. President Sadat’s historic initiative to visit Jerusalem and the welcome accorded by the Parliament, the Government and the people of Israel; the reciprocal visit of Prime Minister Begin to Ismailia, the peace proposals of the two leaders, as well as the warm acceptance of these missions by the peoples of the two countries constitute an unprecedented opportunity for peace, an opportunity that must not be missed if we are to spare this and future generations the tragedies of war.

(…)

FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

Considering these factors, the parties are determined to seek a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Middle East conflict through the conclusion of peace treaties based on Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 in all their parts. Their aim is to achieve peace and good relations between neighbours. They recognise that for peace to be lasting, those most deeply affected by the conflict must be included. They therefore believe that if this framework agreement is to be adequate, it should form the basis for peace not only between Egypt and Israel, but also between Israel and any neighbour willing to negotiate with Israel on these bases. To this end, they have agreed to proceed as follows:

West Bank and Gaza

(…)

2. Egypt, Israel and Jordan will agree on the modalities for establishing the elected autonomous authority in the West Bank and Gaza. The Egyptian and Jordanian delegations may include Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza or other Palestinians as mutually agreed. The parties will negotiate an agreement defining the powers and responsibilities that this autonomous authority will have in the West Bank and Gaza. The withdrawal of Israeli armed forces will be effected and the deployment of surplus Israeli forces in specific security zones will be carried out. The agreement will also include provisions for ensuring internal and external security and public order. A strong local security corps will be established which may include Jordanian citizens. In addition, Israeli and Jordanian forces will participate in joint patrols and the establishment of joint checkpoints to ensure border security.

3. When the autonomous authority (Administrative Council) in the West Bank and Gaza is established and inaugurated, the 5-year transition period will begin.

Egypt and Israel

1. Egypt and Israel undertake not to resort to the threat or use of force to resolve disputes. All disputes shall be resolved peacefully, in accordance with Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations.

2. In order to ensure peace between them, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith with the aim of concluding within three months after the signing of the framework agreement, a peace treaty between them, inviting the other parties to the conflict to proceed simultaneously to negotiations and to conclude similar peace treaties, with the aim of achieving peace covering the entire area. The framework agreement for the conclusion of a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel will govern the peace negotiations between them. The parties will reach an agreement on the modalities and time for the implementation of their obligations under the treaty.

Associated principles

1. Egypt and Israel agree that the principles and provisions described above shall be applied in peace treaties between Israel and each of its neighbors (Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon).

2. The signatories shall maintain among themselves the normal relations of States at peace with each other. To this end they shall undertake to abide by all provisions of the Charter of the United Nations. Steps to be taken in this regard include:

a) full recognition.

b) abolition of all economic boycotts.

c) guarantee that under its jurisdiction the citizens of the other Parties will enjoy protection and due process of law.

3. The signatories shall explore the possibilities for economic development in the context of the final peace treaties, with the aim of contributing to an atmosphere of peace, cooperation and friendship, which is their common objective.

4. Claims committees may be established for the mutual satisfaction of all financial claims.

5. The United States will be invited to participate in discussions on issues of implementation of the agreements and on the preparation of periods for the fulfillment of the parties’ obligations.

6. The UN Security Council shall endorse peace treaties and ensure that their provisions are not violated. (…) Its policies and actions shall be required to conform to the commitment contained in this framework agreement.

FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT FOR THE CELEBRATION OF A PEACE TREATY…