Israel–Jordan peace treaty

Israel–Jordan peace treaty
Name	Israel–Jordan peace treaty
Long name	Treaty of Peace Between the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Type	Bilateral treaty
Date signed	26 October 1994
Location signed	Arava Valley
Date effective	10 November 1994
Condition effective	Exchange of instruments of ratification
Signatories	Yitzhak Rabin, Abdul Salam Majali
Parties	Israel, Jordan
Depositor	United Nations
Languages	Arabic, English, Hebrew

Israel–Jordan peace treaty. The Treaty of Peace Between the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, signed in 1994, formally ended the state of war that had existed between the two neighbors since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. It established mutual diplomatic recognition, defined international borders, and initiated cooperation on numerous bilateral issues. The agreement, facilitated by the United States under the administration of Bill Clinton, marked a pivotal moment in the Arab–Israeli conflict and the broader Middle East peace process.

Background and historical context

The path to the treaty was shaped by decades of conflict and clandestine contacts following the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War. Jordan had controlled the West Bank and East Jerusalem until 1967, losing the territories to Israel during the Six-Day War. Subsequent years saw periods of tension, such as during the Black September conflict, but also secret meetings between leaders like King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli officials. The broader framework of the Madrid Conference of 1991, which initiated direct multilateral talks, and the contemporaneous progress of the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, created a conducive regional atmosphere for a formal agreement.

Negotiations and signing

Intensive public negotiations, led by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Salam Majali, were held under significant American patronage. U.S. President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Warren Christopher played crucial roles in mediating final issues. The ceremonial signing occurred on 26 October 1994 at a border post in the Arava Valley, near Eilat and Aqaba. The event was attended by Clinton, Rabin, and King Hussein of Jordan, with notable figures like Shimon Peres and Benjamin Netanyahu also present, symbolizing a historic breakthrough in regional diplomacy.

Key provisions and agreements

The treaty's core articles established the international boundary based on the Mandatory Palestine demarcations, with Jordan regulating sovereignty over certain territories like Naharayim and Tzofar. It included mutual commitments to refrain from hostile alliances and to prevent cross-border terrorist attacks by groups such as Hamas. Significant clauses addressed water sharing from the Jordan River and Yarmouk River, guaranteed Jordanian special interests in Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, and outlined plans for extensive cooperation in areas like tourism, energy, and transportation. The agreement also normalized economic relations and established principles for resolving refugee issues.

Aftermath and implementation

Following ratification, both states exchanged ambassadors, with Eitan Bentsur becoming Israel's first envoy to Amman. Joint projects like the Jordan Gateway industrial park and the Red Sea–Dead Sea Canal study were launched. Military and intelligence cooperation, particularly against shared threats, deepened significantly. However, implementation faced challenges, including public opposition in Jordan, tensions over Israeli policies in East Jerusalem, and occasional diplomatic crises, such as those surrounding the Temple Mount or incidents like the 1997 Mossad assassination attempt in Amman on a Hamas leader.

Regional and international reactions

The treaty was welcomed by the United States, the European Union, and nations like Egypt, which had its own peace treaty with Israel via the Camp David Accords. However, it was criticized by more hardline Arab states, including Syria and Iraq, and by Palestinian factions who felt it sidelined their interests. The United Nations General Assembly acknowledged the development, though broader Arab League acceptance was mixed. The accord influenced subsequent multilateral forums like the Middle East and North Africa Economic Summits.

Legacy and current status

The treaty remains a cornerstone of regional stability, often described as a "cold peace" due to persistent popular Jordanian opposition despite strong official ties. It has endured through periods of heightened violence, including the Second Intifada and conflicts involving Hezbollah in Lebanon. The relationship continues to be anchored in significant security coordination and economic partnerships, even as disagreements persist over issues like Israeli settlement activity and the status of Jerusalem. It stands as a functional, if imperfect, model of Arab-Israeli normalization.

Category:Arab–Israeli peace process Category:Treaties of Jordan Category:Treaties of Israel Category:1994 in Jordan Category:1994 in Israel