Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement (Oslo II)

Definition

The Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement, also known as Oslo II, was a pivotal 1995 agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) aimed at laying the groundwork for Palestinian self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This agreement built upon the earlier Oslo I accords and was meant to expand Palestinian autonomy, address security arrangements, and facilitate the gradual transfer of authority to a Palestinian governing body, reflecting the ongoing peace process initiated during the First Intifada.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Oslo II officially divided the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C, determining different levels of Palestinian and Israeli control over these territories.
2. The agreement expanded Palestinian self-rule in urban areas but kept significant parts of the West Bank under Israeli military control.
3. It addressed critical issues such as security cooperation, economic arrangements, and civil affairs while deferring final status issues like Jerusalem and refugees for future negotiations.
4. Oslo II was signed in Washington D.C. with considerable international support, highlighting a commitment to achieving peace in the region.
5. Despite its intentions, the agreement faced numerous challenges and criticisms, including continued violence and settlement expansion that complicated the peace process.

Review Questions

• How did Oslo II build upon the initial framework established by the Oslo I Accord?
  • Oslo II built upon the foundation laid by the Oslo I Accord by expanding Palestinian self-governance in more areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It formalized the division of territories into Areas A, B, and C, each with varying degrees of control. While Oslo I focused primarily on mutual recognition and establishing a framework for negotiations, Oslo II sought to implement specific governance structures and security arrangements necessary for managing daily affairs.
• Evaluate the implications of the territorial divisions created by Oslo II on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • The territorial divisions created by Oslo II had significant implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By classifying areas into different zones of control, tensions escalated as Palestinians were granted limited autonomy while Israel retained significant power over security and borders. This arrangement led to frustration among Palestinians who felt their aspirations for full sovereignty were being sidelined, ultimately contributing to further unrest and violence in subsequent years.
• Assess how the outcomes of Oslo II influenced later developments in Israeli-Palestinian relations and regional stability.
  • The outcomes of Oslo II had lasting effects on Israeli-Palestinian relations and regional stability. While it represented a step towards peace, ongoing issues such as settlement expansion, violence from extremist groups, and failure to address core issues like Jerusalem complicated future negotiations. The agreement's shortcomings led to disillusionment among Palestinians and eroded trust in peace processes, making subsequent efforts more challenging and contributing to cycles of violence that continued to plague the region.

Related terms

First Intifada: A Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation that began in 1987, leading to increased international attention and ultimately contributing to the peace process.

Oslo I Accord: The first of a series of agreements signed in 1993 between Israel and the PLO that established a framework for future negotiations and the recognition of mutual rights.

Palestinian Authority: An interim self-government body established following the Oslo Accords to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip on behalf of the Palestinian people.