Camp David Accords Signed: Israel and Egypt Agree to Peace Framework

The Camp David Accords signed today by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat represent a historic breakthrough in Arab-Israeli relations—but for Palestinians, they offer only vague promises of “autonomy” that fall far short of national aspirations.

After 13 days of intense negotiations mediated by President Jimmy Carter at the secluded presidential retreat, the two leaders signed two framework agreements: one for Egyptian-Israeli peace, another ostensibly addressing the Palestinian issue.

The Deal’s Two Tracks

Egyptian-Israeli Agreement: Clear and specific:

Israel to withdraw completely from Sinai within three years
Normal diplomatic relations between Egypt and Israel
Security arrangements and demilitarized zones
Guaranteed Israeli shipping through Suez Canal

Palestinian Framework: Vague and problematic:

Five-year transitional period of “autonomy” for Palestinians
Elected “self-governing authority” with undefined powers
Final status negotiations after three years
No mention of Palestinian statehood or PLO involvement

Palestinian Rejection

The PLO immediately denounced the accords. “Begin gave up Sinai sand to keep Palestinian land,” Yasser Arafat declared from Beirut. “Sadat has betrayed the Palestinian cause for bilateral gain.”

The “autonomy” concept particularly rankles Palestinians. “We are not Indians seeking reservation management,” said Palestinian intellectual Edward Said. “We are a nation demanding self-determination.”

Begin’s Victory

For Begin, Camp David represents masterful diplomacy. By returning Sinai—which held limited ideological significance—he:

Removed Egypt from the military equation
Retained the West Bank and Gaza, which he calls “Judea and Samaria”
Offered Palestinians “personal autonomy” not territorial sovereignty
Avoided dealing with the PLO

Begin’s interpretation became clear when he declared days later: “We will never agree to a Palestinian state. Jerusalem will remain Israel’s eternal capital.”

Arab World Fractures

The accords shatter Arab unity:

Syria, Iraq, Libya, Algeria, and South Yemen forming “Steadfastness Front”
Jordan walks a tightrope, neither endorsing nor condemning
Saudi Arabia expresses “deep concern” while maintaining ties
PLO prepares for increased isolation

American Illusions

President Carter, exhausted but triumphant, believes the Palestinian provisions provide a genuine path forward. “This framework can lead to Palestinian self-determination,” he insisted.

Yet Carter’s optimism ignores fundamental gaps:

Begin and Sadat hold incompatible views on “autonomy”
Palestinians weren’t consulted about their own future
The PLO, Palestinians’ recognized representative, is excluded
No enforcement mechanism exists for Palestinian provisions

Strategic Implications

The accords fundamentally restructure the conflict:

Bilateral Peace Era: Arab-Israeli conflict transforms into Israeli-Palestinian struggle
Egyptian Defection: Largest Arab military removes itself from equation
Palestinian Isolation: Without Egyptian backing, Palestinians lose crucial leverage
American Centrality: US becomes indispensable mediator, marginalizing Soviet influence

Looking Ahead

While Israelis and Egyptians celebrate, Palestinians face stark realities. The Camp David process, marketed as comprehensive peace, delivers bilateral agreement at Palestinian expense.

The “autonomy” framework will likely become a fig leaf for continued occupation while Israel expands settlements. Without Egyptian military threat, Israel can manage Palestinian unrest through police methods rather than existential concern.

As champagne flows in Washington, Palestinians in refugee camps from Lebanon to Gaza understand a bitter truth: their most powerful Arab ally has made a separate peace, leaving them to face Israel alone with only the hollow promise of “autonomy” as compensation.