The Oslo Accords Flashcards
Which Israeli president was involved in the Madrid Conference?
Likud’s Shamir
What did Shamir argue was the main sticking point at Madrid?
Not territory but Arab denial of Israel’s right to exist
Which UN resolution calls for Israel’s withdrawal to 1967 borders?
UN Resolution 242
How did Israel interpret 242 at Madrid?
Requirement to leave occupied territories not THE Occupied Territories
Who was excluded from the Madrid Negotiations and why?
PLO - supported Iraq
Who represented Palestinians at Madrid?
Delegation of WB/G Palestinians as part of Jordanian joint delegation
Who argues that Israel preferred to negotiate with Arafat than hardline Palestinians from the OPT?
Guyatt
Which three Israeli figures were responsible for the decision to hold direct talks with the PLO?
Peres, Rabin, Beilin (foreign minister)
Who has argued that Beilin, an extreme dove, was the “real architect behind the Israeli recognition of the PLO”?
Shlaim
What approach taken by the Palestinian delegates left the Palestinian position extremely vulnerable?
Acceptance of Israeli jargon of flexibility and mutuality - claims left to mercy of interpretation and Israeli good intentions
What percentage of the vote had Rabin received in 1992?
47%
What was crucial to Rabin’s electability?
Military man - could talk convincingly about security, unlike Peres etc.
Who led the backchannel agreements?
Israeli academics and PLO members
What had the backchannel negotiations begun as?
Discussions over economic cooperation
Name an important Palestinian figure involved in the backchannel talks
Abu Alla
Which five evaluations led to Rabin’s conversion to the idea of a deal with the Palestinians?
Failure to achieve deal with Syria; neutralisation of local Palestinian leadership; Arafat’s weak position; alarming growth of political Islam; impressive progress through Oslo channel
When was the Declaration of Principles signed?
August/September 1993
Who has criticised the fact that the PLO negotiated with limited expertise?
Khalidi
How has Shlaim described the Declaration of Principles?
Agenda for negotiations, governed by tight timetable, rather than full blown agreement
Who argues that the Declaration of Principles contained many statements of goodwill and intent?
Guyatt
Who favoured the delayed discussion approach?
Israel - wanted to postpone discussion of final settlement issues, contrasting with official Palestinian line taken in Washington
Over which matters would the PA have autonomy?
Civil matters including education, health, tourism, social welfare
What was to happen 9 months after the Declaration of Principles?
Elections for Palestinian Council, to be responsible for most government factions except defence and foreign affairs
Why does Shlaim argue ‘final status’ issues including refugees, were postponed?
Because if these issues had been addressed there would have been no accord
What is the essence of Oslo, if not the creation of a Palestinian state?
Power-sharing agreement that does not create independent political unit
What is more interesting than considering ‘real intentions’ and plans?
Dynamics driving a process - privileging of plans and intentions as if individuals can really influence the course of history
What did Rabin really want?
Jordanian-Palestinian confederation
Which Arab states were dissatisfied by Oslo and why?
Jordan, Syria, Lebanon - dismayed by solo diplomacy violating Arab pledges
Name a contemporary Palestinian supporter of Oslo and what they said about the agreement
Nabil Shaath - ‘complete parity’
Why did some Palestinians (most?) support Oslo at the time?
Peaceful substitute for existing status quo - gradual and rational solution to pave the way for cooperation and coexistence. Impossible to turn back.
Who argued that oslo was the second biggest victory in the history of Zionism?
Amos Oz
What does Guyatt argue about Israeli debates on Oslo?
That degree of debate/contention was in fact not so big - question of presentation above all - little difference in views on Jerusalem, settlements, etc.
What was one core Likud-Labour consensus, as identified by Pappe?
1948 off limits topic
In polls, how many were ‘very against’ the peace deal?
13%
Who, on the Israeli side, was bitter about being excluded from the talks?
IDF officers - bitter about not being consulted about security implications
How easily was a majority achieved in favour of the deal on the PLO’s Exec Committee?
With difficulty - only after brushing battle and resignation of 4 colleagues
When did Hamas/IJ launch terrorist operations?
Feb-March 1996
Who argues that the 1996 terrorist attacks were more the bitter outcome of a struggle within Hamas over whether to support/oppose PA?
Usher
What does Beilin argue about P/I right-wing opposition?
Aimed at the frustration and destruction of the peace process