Barak and Arafat Sign New Peace Agreement in Sharm el-Sheikh
New accord sets ambitious timeline for final status talks and further Israeli withdrawals from West Bank territory.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Chairman Yasser Arafat signed the Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum today at the Egyptian resort, reviving the stalled peace process with an ambitious timeline for reaching a final agreement within one year.
The accord, witnessed by President Hosni Mubarak, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and Jordan’s King Abdullah, implements overdue commitments from the Wye River agreement while setting September 2000 as the target for a comprehensive peace treaty.
Under the agreement, Israel will withdraw from an additional 11% of the West Bank in three phases, release 350 Palestinian prisoners, and open safe passage routes between Gaza and the West Bank. The Palestinians recommitted to security cooperation and preventing violence.
Significantly, the memorandum launches immediate final status negotiations on the most contentious issues: Jerusalem’s future, Palestinian refugees’ right of return, final borders, and Jewish settlements. Both sides agreed to avoid unilateral actions that could prejudge outcomes.
“We are determined to end 100 years of conflict,” Barak declared, displaying warmth toward Arafat that contrasted sharply with the Netanyahu era. Arafat responded that Palestinians were ready for “the peace of the brave that Rabin envisioned.”
The renewed optimism faces serious challenges. Barak’s coalition includes parties opposed to dividing Jerusalem, while Palestinians insist on sovereignty over East Jerusalem. The one-year timeline, while demonstrating urgency, may prove unrealistic given the complexity of final status issues.