Arab-Israeli Conflict 1948-1996.

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YR 12 MODERN HISTORY ASSESSMENT TASK

Term 3, 2004

Arab-Israeli Conflict 1948-1996

Student Number: 347

Assess the effectiveness of the Arab and Israeli peace initiatives from the 1970s to the 1990s.

The Arab and Israeli peace initiatives that have taken place between the 1970s and 1990s have been both successful and unsuccessful; however the successful initiatives have been limited in reaching the ultimate goal of peace between the Arabs and Israelis. There have been three major peace initiatives that include the Camp David Accords, Madrid Peace Conference and the Oslo Accords. To assess the effectiveness of these peace initiatives, a look at how successful the outcomes are will be necessary to make a judgement.

On the 22nd November, 1967 the United Nations presented a resolution that was to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict, but as a result it only contrasted this intention. UN Resolution 242 sent both nations interpreting the text differently. This caused an uproar over which territories belonged to whom, each side arguing for their own benefit. This resolution acted as a catalyst that propelled a number of initiatives to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict.

When the October War broke out on 6th October in 1973, the UN quickly ordered a cease-fire, which was soon broken. It was only till the US pressured Israel into agreeing to a second cease-fire that the war ended. US President Kissinger immediately sought to pick up the pieces of the aftermath, aiming to bring peace between the two rivalling nations. In the years of 1974 and 1975 Kissinger convinced Israel and Egypt to sign a number of disengagement accords. The initiatives proposed by Kissinger were highly effective in stopping the war conflicts between Egypt and Israel. By creating a 'buffer zone' and having both parties withdraw their forces, set the Egypt-Israel conflict on the path to peace.

The Camp David Accords were put into motion after an unexpected meeting from Egypt's President Anwar Sadat in November 1977. The Camp David negotiations took place over 12 days, beginning on the 5th September, 1978. Camp David was overlooked by US President Jimmy Carter and by the end of the accords, two agreements between Sadat and Israel leader Begin had been signed, healing the conflict between Egypt and Israel. As the aim was to please both sides, the first agreement concerned the future of Sinai that was to be concluded and signed within three months. This accord was effective as it made each side compromise, encouraging the two nations to keep a lasting relationship in the future. By Israel agreeing to withdraw from Sinai, Egypt guaranteed to have full diplomatic relations with Israel, and allowing Israel the use of the Suez Canal. The second accord was a framework that desired to settle the question of the West Bank and Gaza. A plan that would take place over five years would see the withdrawal of Israeli military and the creation of a self-governing Arab authority. The second accord was not as successful and effective as the first, because of the disagreement from the Arab leaders. The proposed settlement concerning the West Bank and Gaza was to take place in the next five years, however 800 000 Arabs could still be found inhabiting the area and did not recognise themselves as a part of Israel at all.
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Overall the Camp David Accords were effective in healing the conflict found between Egypt and Israel. Yet nothing positive resulted for the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, as the second accord was a failure.

The Stockholm Declaration of December 1988 had the PLO recognising Israel as a state and condemning any acts of terrorism. Yasser Arafat continually talked of peace and gave into the demands of the US. I believe that Arafat was talking of solutions and the willingness of the PLO to make peace because he wanted the PLO to be included in the negotiations with the US and ...

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