Declaration of Principles on
Interim Self-Government Arrangement,
September 13, 1993
Original Electronic Texts at the web site of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Government of the State of Israel and the P.L.O. team (in the Jordanian-Palestinian delegation to the
Middle East Peace Conference) (the "Palestinian Delegation"), representing the Palestinian people, agree
that it is time to put an end to decades of confrontation and conflict, recognize their mutual legitimate and
political rights, and strive to live in peaceful coexistence and mutual dignity and security and achieve a
just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement and historic reconciliation through the agreed political
process. Accordingly, the, two sides agree to the following principles:
ARTICLE I
AIM OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
The aim of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations within the current Middle East peace process is, among
other things, to establish a Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, the elected Council (the
"Council"), for the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, for a transitional period not
exceeding five years, leading to a permanent settlement based on Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
It is understood that the interim arrangements are an integral part of the whole peace process and that the
negotiations on the permanent status will lead to the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 242
and 338.
ARTICLE II
FRAMEWORK FOR THE INTERIM PERIOD
The agreed framework for the interim period is set forth in this Declaration of Principles.
ARTICLE III
ELECTIONS
- In order that the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip may govern themselves according
to democratic principles, direct, free and general political elections will be held for the Council under
agreed supervision and international observation, while the Palestinian police will ensure public
order.
- An agreement will be concluded on the exact mode and conditions of the elections in accordance with
the protocol attached as Annex I, with the goal of holding the elections not later than nine months after
the entry into force of this Declaration of Principles.
- These elections will constitute a significant interim preparatory step toward the realization of the
legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their just requirements.
ARTICLE IV
JURISDICTION
Jurisdiction of the Council will cover West Bank and Gaza Strip territory, except for issues that will be
negotiated in the permanent status negotiations. The two sides view the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as
a single territorial unit, whose integrity will be preserved during the interim period.
ARTICLE V
TRANSITIONAL PERIOD AND PERMANENT STATUS NEGOTIATIONS
- The five-year transitional period will begin upon the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Jericho
area.
- Permanent status negotiations will commence as soon as possible, but not later than the beginning of
the third year of the interim period, between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian people
representatives.
- It is understood that these negotiations shall cover remaining issues, including: Jerusalem, refugees,
settlements, security arrangements, borders, relations and cooperation with other neighbors, and other
issues of common interest.
- The two parties agree that the outcome of the permanent status negotiations should not be prejudiced
or preempted by agreements reached for the interim period.
ARTICLE VI
PREPARATORY TRANSFER OF POWERS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Upon the entry into force of this Declaration of Principles and the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and
the Jericho area, a transfer of authority from the Israeli military government and its Civil Administration
to the authorised Palestinians for this task, as detailed herein, will commence. This transfer of authority
will be of a preparatory nature until the inauguration of the Council.
- Immediately after the entry into force of this Declaration of Principles and
the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Jericho area, with the view to promoting economic development
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, authority will be transferred to the Palestinians on the following
spheres: education and culture, health, social welfare, direct taxation, and tourism. The Palestinian side
will commence in building the Palestinian police force, as agreed upon. Pending the inauguration of the
Council, the two parties may negotiate the transfer of additional powers and responsibilities, as agreed
upon.
ARTICLE VII
INTERIM AGREEMENT
- The Israeli and Palestinian delegations will negotiate an agreement on the interim period (the "Interim
Agreement")
- The Interim Agreement shall specify, among other things, the structure of
the Council, the number of its members, and the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the Israeli
military government and its Civil Administration to the Council. The Interim Agreement shall also
specify the Council's executive authority, legislative authority in accordance with Article IX below, and
the independent Palestinian judicial organs.
- The Interim Agreement shall include arrangements, to be implemented upon the inauguration of the
Council, for the assumption by the Council of all of the powers and responsibilities transferred previously
in accordance with Article VI above.
- In order to enable the Council to promote economic growth, upon its inauguration, the Council will
establish, among other things, a Palestinian Electricity Authority, a Gaza Sea Port Authority, a Palestinian
Development Bank, a Palestinian Export Promotion Board, a Palestinian Environmental Authority, a
Palestinian Land Authority and a Palestinian Water Administration Authority, and any other Authorities
agreed upon, in accordance with the Interim Agreement that will specify their powers and
responsibilities.
- After the inauguration of the Council, the Civil Administration will be
dissolved, and the Israeli military government will be withdrawn.
ARTICLE VIII
PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY
In order to guarantee public order and internal security for the Palestinians of the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip, the Council will establish a strong police force, while Israel will continue to carry the
responsibility for defending against external threats, as well as the responsibility for overall security of
Israelis for the purpose of safeguarding their internal security and public order.
ARTICLE IX
LAWS AND MILITARY ORDERS
- The Council will be empowered to legislate, in accordance with the Interim Agreement, within all
authorities transferred to it.
- Both parties will review jointly laws and military orders presently in force in remaining spheres.
ARTICLE X
JOINT ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN LIAISON COMMITTEE
In order to provide for a smooth implementation of this Declaration of Principles and any subsequent
agreements pertaining to the interim period, upon the entry into force of this Declaration of Principles, a
Joint Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Committee will be established in order to deal with issues requiring
coordination, other issues of common interest, and disputes.
ARTICLE XI
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN COOPERATION IN ECONOMIC
FIELDS
Recognizing the mutual benefit of cooperation in promoting the development of the West Bank, the Gaza
Strip and Israel, upon the entry into force of this Declaration of Principles, an Israeli-Palestinian
Economic Cooperation Committee will be established in order to develop and implement in a cooperative
manner the programs identified in the protocols attached as Annex III and
Annex IV .
ARTICLE XII
LIAISON AND COOPERATION WITH JORDAN AND
EGYPT
The two parties will invite the Governments of Jordan and Egypt to participate in establishing further
liaison and cooperation arrangements between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian
representatives, on the one hand, and the Governments of Jordan and Egypt, on the other hand, to
promote cooperation between them. These arrangements will include the constitution of a Continuing
Committee that will decide by agreement on the modalities of admission of persons displaced from the
West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967, together with necessary measures to prevent disruption and disorder.
Other matters of common concern will be dealt with by this Committee.
ARTICLE XIII
REDEPLOYMENT OF ISRAELI FORCES
- After the entry into force of this Declaration of Principles, and not later than the eve of elections for the
Council, a redeployment of Israeli military forces in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will take place, in
addition to withdrawal of Israeli forces carried out in accordance with Article XIV.
- In redeploying its military forces, Israel will be guided by the principle that its military forces should
be redeployed outside populated areas.
- Further redeployments to specified locations will be gradually implemented commensurate with the
assumption of responsibility for public order and internal security by the Palestinian police force pursuant
to Article VIII above.
ARTICLE XIV
ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM THE GAZA STRIP AND
JERICHO AREA
Israel will withdraw from the Gaza Strip and Jericho area, as detailed in the protocol attached as Annex II.
ARTICLE XV
RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES
- Disputes arising out of the application or interpretation of this Declaration of Principles. or any
subsequent agreements pertaining to the interim period, shall be resolved by negotiations through the
Joint Liaison Committee to be established pursuant to Article X above.
- Disputes which cannot be settled by negotiations may be resolved by a mechanism of conciliation to be
agreed upon by the parties.
- The parties may agree to submit to arbitration disputes relating to the interim period, which cannot be
settled through conciliation. To this end, upon the agreement of both parties, the parties will establish an
Arbitration Committee.
ARTICLE XVI
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN COOPERATION CONCERNING
REGIONAL PROGRAMS
Both parties view the multilateral working groups as an appropriate instrument for promoting a "Marshall
Plan", the regional programs and other programs, including special programs for the West Bank and Gaza
Strip, as indicated in the protocol attached as Annex IV .
ARTICLE XVII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
- This Declaration of Principles will enter into force one month after its signing.
- All protocols annexed to this Declaration of Principles and Agreed Minutes pertaining thereto shall be
regarded as an integral part hereof.
Done at Washington, D.C., this thirteenth day of September, 1993.
For the Government of Israel
For the P.L.O.
Witnessed By:
The United States of America
The Russian Federation
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