Camp David Summit Collapses Without Agreement
Two weeks of intensive negotiations between Barak and Arafat fail to bridge gaps on Jerusalem, ending in mutual recriminations.
The Camp David summit ended in failure today after 15 days of marathon negotiations failed to produce an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, with the future of Jerusalem proving the insurmountable obstacle to a historic breakthrough.
President Clinton, who invested enormous personal capital in the summit, announced the talks’ collapse while praising both leaders for their “courage” in addressing core issues. However, he pointedly noted that Prime Minister Barak had shown greater flexibility than Chairman Arafat.
“The two leaders don’t have sufficient common ground to reach an agreement at this time,” Clinton stated, adding that both committed to continue negotiations and avoid violence despite the summit’s failure.
The talks foundered primarily on Jerusalem’s status. Barak reportedly offered unprecedented concessions, including Palestinian sovereignty over Muslim and Christian quarters of the Old City and custodianship over the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif. Arafat insisted on full sovereignty over East Jerusalem and the holy sites.
Other unresolved issues included Palestinian refugees, with Israel rejecting any “right of return” that would alter its demographic balance, and final borders, with disagreements over how many settlements Israel would annex.
The summit’s failure leaves both leaders politically vulnerable. Barak returns to a fracturing coalition after offering concessions many Israelis oppose. Arafat faces pressure from Palestinians who expected independence by September’s deadline.
The collapse raises fears of renewed violence as diplomatic options narrow and frustrations mount on both sides.