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Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 23:08:58 +0000
Subject: Israel/Jordan Relations and the Peace Process
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Subject: JUICE Shake 10
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WZO Student and Academic Department
Jewish University In CyberspacE (JUICE)
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Course: From Handshake to Handshake
Lecture: 10/12
Lecturer: Neil Lazarus
email: lazarus@netvision.net.il
Introduction
"Your majesty, Peace between states is peace between peoples. It is an expression of trust and esteem... You
and I, your majesty, are making peace here, our own peace, the peace of soldiers and the peace of friends."
It was hot in the Arava, that rift of desert wilderness between Southern Israel and Jordan. The wind blew
strongly, sometimes violently, creating small sand storms that swept along the baron plain. Yet on that October
day, in 1994, history was about to be made. Another chapter in the Arab-Israeli conflict was to be closed, a
Treaty of Peace between the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was to be signed.
To sign the agreement two soldiers met; Yitzhak Rabin, the former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army in the Six
Day War, and King Hussein of Jordan, who had sent his army to combat Israel in 1967. The contrast between the
warmth of peace and the baron landscape was an irony not lost on the participants of this ceremony. As Rabin
noted:
"From this podium I look around and I see the Arava. Along the horizon, from the Jordanian side and the
Israeli side I see only a desert. There is almost no life here. There is not water, no well, and not a
spring... only minefields.
Such were the relations between Israel and Jordan during the past 47 years: a desert. Not one green leaf, no
trees, not even a single flower.
There comes a time when there is a need to be strong and to make courageous decisions, to overcome the minefields,
the drought, the barrenness between our two peoples.
We have known many days of sorrow, you have known many days of grief - but bereavement unites us, as does
bravery, and we honor those who sacrificed their lives. We both must draw on the springs of our great spiritual
resources, to forgive the anguish we caused each other, to clear the minefields that divided us for so many years
and to supplant it with fields of plenty.
For nearly two generations, desolation pervaded the heart of our two peoples. The time has now come not merely to
dream of a better future - but to realize it.
Leaders should clear the path, should show the way, but the road itself must be paved by both peoples. I don't
believe that we would have reached this great moment without the desire for peace in the hearts of both
peoples; in the hearts of the soldiers and the intellectuals, in the hearts of the farmers and the lorry
drivers who drive through the Arava highways in Jordan and Israel, in the hearts of teachers and of the little
children.
Both nations were determined that the great revolution in the Middle East would take place in their generation.
>From this podium, I look around and I see the Arava - and I see you: our generation and the next. We are the ones
who will transform this barren place into a fertile oasis. The drab browns and the dull grays will burst
forth in living vibrant greens."
Jordan's Road to Peace
Troubled Roots
The relationship between Israel and Jordan had troubled roots. First founded in 1921 as Trans Jordan with
Abdullah installed as Amir, Jordan was artificially severed from British Mandatory Palestine. In 1946 Jordan
became independent and Adullah began secret talks with the Zionists. He envisaged a Jewish autonomy in part of
Palestine under his crown. Two years later, in the 1948 War of Independence, Jordan joined the armies of the Arab
world to attack the fledgling state of Israel.
The cease fire lines of this war were to prove significant and in 1950 Jordan was to create a new
reality in its relationship with Israel by annexing the West Bank. The annexation, illegal by international law,
was only recognized by Britain and Pakistan. Moreover East Jerusalem had fallen into Jordanian hands, and was
to remain divided for twenty years.
Jordanian history has not been bereft of internal and external conflict with other Arab countries. This in
turn has influenced Jordan's relationship with Israel. On 20 July 1951 Abdullah was assassinated in Al Asque
Mosque in Jerusalem as his son stood by his side. In May 1952 his son, Hussein, became King at the age of 18.
Although still at a tender age, Hussein did not shy from exerting his authority. In 1957, for example, Hussein
dismissed his cabinet claim the 'discovery' of a Syrian Egyptian plot against him.
Hussein's isolation grew with the creation in February 1958 of the United Arab Republic (the attempted merger of
Syria with Egypt). As a result Jordan formed an alliance with Iraq, forming the Arab Union on 14 February 1958.
The Union was to end in August of that year after a coup detat in Iraq a few months earlier.
The Six Day War marked a turning point in Jordan-Israeli relations. On the 5th June 1967 Jordan attacked Israel
in a combined operation with Syria and Egypt. Consequently Jordan lost control of the West Bank and Jerusalem.
King Hussein has continually had to play a political balancing game with his own majority Palestinian
population. Three years after the Six Day War (September 1970) Hussein transferred the PLO leadership from Jordan
to Lebanon after a near civil war. Black September, as it became known, marked the lowest point in Jordanian-
Palestinian relations. Throughout the 1970's and 1980's Palestinian Jordanian relations were strained, although a
gradual warming did take place. Indeed by 1988, following the outbreak of the Intifada in December 1987,
Jordan relinquished its claims to the West Bank.
Bridging the Gulf
The Gulf War provided the final bridge to peace between Israel and Jordan. As a result of post war sanctions on
Iraq Jordan's economy was to be crippled. The need to remove this debt, combined with a reawakened fear of the
PLO following the signing of The Declaration of Principles (September 1993) and The Cairo Agreement (May
1994) forced Jordan to a path of more open reconciliation with Israel.
The bilateral talks between Israel and Jordan were first initiated at the Madrid Conference, continued for almost
two years in Washington before the final signing of the Israeli-Jordanian Common Agenda on September 14, 1993.
The Common Agenda constituted the blueprint for the later peace treaty, which dealt with the issues of : security,
water, refugees and displaced persons, borders and territorial matters, between the two countries.
The Washington Declaration - July 25, 1994
The first public meeting between King Hussein and Prime Minister Rabin took place in Washington, on July 25,
1994. Out of this meeting emerged the Washington Declaration, signed by Prime Minister Rabin and King
Hussein, with President Clinton serving as a witness.
The major achievements of the Washington Declaration were a series of agreements and concrete steps:
The state of belligerency between Jordan and Israel was terminated with both states agreeing to seek a just,
lasting and comprehensive peace based on UN Resolutions 242 and 338. Moreover, Israel agreed to "respect the
special role of the Hashemite Kingdom over Muslim holy shrines in Jerusalem". This was an important concession
by Israel towards King Hussein and the Palestinians were to pay the political price.
Concrete steps included the establishment of direct telephone links, joint electricity grids, new border
crossings, free access to third country tourists, and cooperation between the police forces in combating crime,
with special emphasis on the prevention of drug smuggling. It was also decided to continue negotiations
on bilateral economic cooperation and abolishing economic boycotts, as well as on the opening of an international
air corridor between the two countries.
Moreover, the Trilateral Israel-Jordan-US Economic Committee was established at the October 1993 White House
meeting between President Clinton, Crown Prince Hassan and Foreign Minister Peres to discuss economic
cooperation and development. This forum first convened in Washington D.C. on November 30, 1993, and then
periodically in the region. Sub-groups were established to discuss specific issues, such as: trade, finance and
banking; Jordan Valley cooperative projects; and civil aviation. The outcome of these talks were incorporated
in the final Peace Treaty between Israel and Jordan. The final agreement was signed on October 26, 1994. (see
Appendix I)
Conclusion
The peace with Jordan is arguably Israel's most important peace, for it provides security for Israel down its
longest border. Yet the Treaty has, since its signing, faced a number of serious challenges. As we shall see in
my next, and final lecture, the Netanyahu - Hussein relationship is one of distrust and suspicion. The peace
between the two countries has become cooler, as the region moves once more back into an era of instability
and even possible hostility. As the old Lebanese proverb says: "Day derives the promises of night".
APPENDIX
The Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty - October 26, 1994
The peace treaty with Jordan is a long document. It comprises 30 articles, five annexes which address
boundary demarcations, water issues, police cooperation, environmental issues and mutual border crossings, and six
maps.
The main provisions of the treaty are as follows:
1.International boundary
The Agreement delimits the agreed international boundary between Israel and Jordan including territorial waters
and airspace.
The Naharayim/Baqura Area and Zofar Area will fall under Jordanian sovereignty with Israeli private land use
rights. These rights include unimpeded freedom of entry to, exit from and movement within the area. These areas
are not subject to customs or immigration legislation. These rights will remain in force for 25 years and will
be renewed automatically for the same period unless either country wishes to terminate the arrangement, in
which case consultations will be taken.
2.Security
The two parties will refrain from any acts of belligerency or hostility, will ensure that no threats of
violence against the other party originate from within their territory, and undertake to take necessary and
effective measure to prevent acts of terrorism. They will also refrain from joining a coalition whose
objectives include military aggression against the other party. Israel and Jordan will abstain from hostile
propaganda and will repeal all discriminatory references and expressions of hostility in their respective
legislation.
The two countries will establish a Conference on Security and Cooperation in the Middle East (CSCME) which will be
modeled after the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). This is an ambitious attempt to
replace the more classical view of security by substituting the old notions of deterrence and military
preparedness with confidence building measure. In due time, confidence will lead to the establishment of mutual
trust and institutions aimed at preventing war and enhancing cooperation.
3.Water
Israel and Jordan have agreed on allocations of water from the Jordan and Yarmouk Rivers and from Arab/Arava
ground waters. Israel has agreed to transfer to Jordan 50 million cubic meters of water annually from the
northern part of the country. In addition the two countries have agreed to cooperate to alleviate the water
shortage by developing existing and new water resources, by preventing contamination of water resources, and by
minimizing water wastage.
4.Freedom of Passage
Nationals from both countries and their vehicles will be permitted freedom of movement through open roads and
border-crossings. Vessels from either country will have the right to passage through territorial waters, and will
be granted access to ports. Negotiations are underway towards a Civil Aviation Agreement. The Strait of Tiran
and the Gulf of Aqaba are considered international waterways, open to all nations for freedom of navigation
and over flight.
5.Places of Historical and Religious Significance
There will be freedom of access to the places of religious and historical significance. In accordance
with the Washing Declaration, Israel respects the present special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Muslim
Holy shrines in Jerusalem. When negotiations on the permanent status, as detailed in the Declaration of
Principles, will take place, Israel will give high priority to the Jordanian historic role in these shrines.
6.Refugees and Displaced Persons
The parties recognize the human problems caused by the conflict in the Middle East, and agree to alleviate them
on a bilateral level and to try to resolve them through three channels:
a.The quadripartite committee with Egypt and the Palestinians with regard to displaced persons.
b.The Multilateral Working Group on Refugees.
c.Negotiations in a framework to be agreed upon - bilateral or otherwise in conjunction with
permanent status negotiations detailed in the Declaration of Principles.
7.Normalization of Relations between Israel and Jordan
The peace treaty deals not only with an end to war, but also normalization. Various articles of the treaty deal
with practical issues of normalization in such matters as culture and science, the war against crime and drugs,
transportation and roads, postal services and telecommunications, tourism, the environment, energy,
health, agriculture, and the development of the Jordan Rift Valley and the Aqaba/Eilat area.
Economic cooperation is seen as one of the pillars of peace, vital to the promotion of secure and harmonious
relations between the two peoples.
Jordan and Israel will maintain good neighborly relations by cooperating in many spheres on joint projects. Among
the projects are: development of energy and water sources, protecting the natural environment, joint
tourism development and the development of the Jordan Rift Valley.
Diplomatic relations between Israel and Jordan were established on November 27, 1994, including the
appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies.
Bilateral Agreements
As a result of continuing negotiations, a series of bilateral agreements have been signed between Israel and
Jordan: Tourism, Border Crossings, Energy, Health, Environment, Police and the War Against Drugs, Trade and
Economic Cooperation, Agriculture, Transportation and Civil Aviation.
On Thursday, January 18, 1996, in Aqaba, Israel and Jordan signed the last four bilateral agreements
devolving from the peace agreement between the two countries. They are:
Science and Culture: This will serve as a framework for cooperation on projects in the fields of research
and development, professional training, and cultural exchanges.
Communications: This will legalize the existing postal connection between the countries, and will
create the infrastructure for bilateral and regional cooperation in the field on telecommunications.
Aqaba-Eilat: This will create a framework for transforming the Aqaba-Eilat region into a single
district for cooperation in the fields of tourism, industry, trade, environment and infrastructure,
including setting up an ocean park on both shores of the gulf.
Maritime Border: This determines arrangements for marking the maritime border between the two
countries. This is, in essence, Israel's only recognized sea border.
The signing of these agreements concludes the process of negotiation and peace-making. The Supervisory Committee,
which coordinated the contacts between the various negotiating teams, and served as a monitoring committee,
has concluded its activities and been disbanded.
Three permanent working groups continue to operate: the Jordan Valley Development Committee (JRV); the Water
Committee; and the Special Regime for Zofar and Naharayim. All other contacts will be conducted through
the regular channels of embassies and the relevant ministries.
1 Address by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin z"l at the signing of
the ceremony of the Treaty of Peace between the State of Israel and the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. 26 October 1994
2 Rabin. Opp Cit.
3 Details of the agreement between Israel and Jordan are based on the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs document PEACEPROCESS OVERVIEW
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