Oslo Accords & Peace Agreements: A Critical Turning Point in Israeli-Palestinian Relations

Introduction

The Oslo Accords were a historic attempt at achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Signed in 1993 and 1995, they marked the first direct agreement between the two sides and aimed to create a framework for lasting peace. However, the reality of their implementation proved more complex, with periods of hope followed by renewed conflict.

This article will explore:

The key players involved in the Oslo Accords.
The major points of the agreements.
Why the meetings were held in Oslo, Norway.
Whether peace was achieved and for how long.
The catalysts that led to the signing of the accords.
The awkward handshake moment that revealed deep-seated tensions.

Key Players in the Oslo Accords

The Oslo Accords were negotiated secretly in Oslo, Norway, and later publicly signed at the White House in 1993 (Oslo I) and 1995 (Oslo II). The key figures involved in these agreements were:

Israeli Leadership:

Yitzhak Rabin – Prime Minister of Israel (Labor Party). A former military leader, Rabin took a bold step toward peace despite deep skepticism within Israel.
Shimon Peres – Israeli Foreign Minister and a key architect of the negotiations.
Ehud Barak – Then an Israeli military leader, later became Prime Minister and continued peace efforts.

Palestinian Leadership:

Yasser Arafat – Chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Oslo was the first time Israel officially recognized the PLO.
Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) – Arafat’s deputy and lead Palestinian negotiator.
Ahmed Qurei – Palestinian representative involved in secret talks.

International Figures:

Bill Clinton – U.S. President at the time, facilitated the public signing of the agreements.
Johan Jørgen Holst – Norwegian Foreign Minister, played a crucial role in organizing the talks.
Terje Rød-Larsen – Norwegian diplomat who helped broker the secret meetings.

Major Points of the Oslo Accords

The Oslo Accords were divided into two key agreements:

Oslo I Accord (1993):

Mutual Recognition – Israel officially recognized the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people.
The PLO renounced terrorism and recognized Israel’s right to exist in peace.
Palestinian Authority (PA) – A semi-autonomous governing body was to be established.
Israeli Military Withdrawal – Israel agreed to gradually withdraw from parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Five-Year Interim Period – The Accords were intended as a step toward final status negotiations, to be completed by 1999.

Oslo II Accord (1995):

The West Bank was divided into three zones:
- Area A – Full control by the Palestinian Authority.
- Area B – Joint Israeli-Palestinian control.
- Area C – Full Israeli control (including Israeli settlements).
Palestinian elections were scheduled to take place.
Israel would withdraw from six major Palestinian cities (including Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron).
The Palestinian Authority (PA) was granted responsibility for security in its areas.

The Awkward Handshake Moment

At the signing of the Oslo I Accords on September 13, 1993, in the White House Rose Garden, an iconic yet awkward moment unfolded. President Bill Clinton orchestrated a handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat.

Many Israelis and Jews worldwide found the moment deeply unsettling, as Arafat was widely considered a terrorist responsible for decades of attacks against Israelis. Rabin hesitated visibly before reluctantly extending his hand, revealing the deep-seated animosities and sheer gravity of the decision to engage in negotiations.

While Clinton sought to symbolize reconciliation, the handshake did not erase years of bloodshed and mistrust. For Rabin and many Israelis, shaking hands with Arafat was a bitter pill to swallow. The moment reflected the fragile nature of the peace process, foreshadowing the challenges ahead.

Why Were the Meetings Held in Oslo?

Norway was chosen as a neutral mediator with no colonial history in the region. Norwegian diplomats Terje Rød-Larsen and Johan Jørgen Holst played a significant role in facilitating secret negotiations, providing a safe and discreet environment away from international media scrutiny.

Was Peace Achieved?

The Oslo Accords created hope, but their long-term success proved elusive.

Short-Term Success (1993-1995):

✅ The Palestinian Authority (PA) was created.
✅ Israel withdrew from several Palestinian cities.
✅ Trade and economic cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians increased.

Setbacks & Violence (1995-2000):

❌ Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by an Israeli extremist opposed to the peace process.
❌ Hamas and Islamic Jihad escalated terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.
❌ Jewish extremists opposed to Oslo also clashed with Palestinians.

Collapse of Oslo & The Second Intifada (2000-2005):

Final-status negotiations failed at Camp David in 2000 (between Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat).
The failure led to the Second Intifada, marked by suicide bombings and Israeli military operations.
Hamas gained power, eventually taking control of Gaza in 2007.

What Led to the Oslo Accords?

Several events pushed both sides toward negotiations:

First Intifada (1987-1993) – Palestinian uprising increased pressure for a political solution.
End of the Cold War (1991) – The Soviet Union’s collapse weakened the PLO’s support.
U.S. Pressure – Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton encouraged negotiations.
Israeli Security Concerns – Some Israeli leaders saw a political solution as the only alternative to endless conflict.

Conclusion: A Hopeful Beginning, A Shattered Dream

The Oslo Accords were a historic breakthrough, yet they ultimately failed to bring lasting peace. While they paved the way for Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic engagement, deep mistrust, violence, and political divisions derailed the process.

However, the Oslo framework remains significant because it was the first time Israel and the PLO officially recognized each other. Though peace remains elusive, the Accords continue to influence diplomacy in the Middle East.