The Cairo Agreement – An Overview

The Cairo Agreement, also known as the Cairo Declaration, is a peace agreement that was signed between the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel on May 4, 1994. The agreement was signed by Yasser Arafat, the leader of the PLO, and Yitzhak Rabin, the Prime Minister of Israel.

The Cairo Agreement is significant because it was one of the major steps towards peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. It was the second agreement signed between the two parties, the first being the Oslo Accords signed in 1993.

The agreement aimed to affirm the rights of the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It recognized the right of the Palestinians to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The Cairo Agreement also established a framework for cooperation between the Palestinians and Israelis in various fields, such as security, economics, and culture. The agreement established a joint committee to oversee and implement the provisions of the agreement.

One of the key provisions of the Cairo Agreement was the withdrawal of the Israeli military from the Gaza Strip and Jericho. The agreement established the Palestinian Authority, which was responsible for governing these territories.

The Cairo Agreement also addressed the issue of Palestinian prisoners. It stipulated that Israel would release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for information about Israeli soldiers who were missing in action.

The implementation of the Cairo Agreement faced significant challenges. The most significant challenge was the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which were seen as illegal by the Palestinians. Despite the challenges, the Cairo Agreement remained in effect until 2000 when the second Intifada broke out.

In conclusion, the Cairo Agreement was a significant step towards peace between Israel and the Palestinians. It recognized the rights of the Palestinians to self-determination and established a framework for cooperation between the two parties. While the agreement faced significant challenges in implementation, it remains an important milestone in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.