Editing Oslo I Accord (section)

==Principles of the Accords==
{{Main|Oslo Accords}}

In essence, the accords called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the [[Gaza Strip]] and [[West Bank]], and affirmed a Palestinian right of self-government within those areas through the creation of a Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority. Palestinian rule was to last for a five-year interim period during which "permanent status negotiations" would commence in order to reach a final agreement.

The negotiations would cover major issues such as [[Jerusalem]], [[Palestinian refugee]]s, [[Israeli settlements]], and security and borders were to be decided at these permanent status negotiations (Article&nbsp;V). Israel was to grant interim self-government to the Palestinians in phases.

Along with the principles, the two groups signed [[Israel – Palestine Liberation Organization letters of recognition|Letters of Mutual Recognition]]—the [[Israeli government]] recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, while the PLO recognized the right of the state of Israel to exist and renounced [[terrorism]] as well as other violence, and its desire for the destruction of the Israeli state.

The aim of Israeli–Palestinian negotiations was to establish a Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, an elected 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 UN&nbsp;Security Council [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 242|Resolutions&nbsp;242]] and [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 338|338]], an integral part of the whole peace process.

In order that the Palestinians govern themselves according to [[democracy|democratic]] principles, free and general [[election|political elections]] would be held for the council.

Jurisdiction of the Palestinian Council would cover the West Bank and Gaza Strip, except for issues that would be finalized in the permanent status negotiations. The two sides viewed the West Bank and Gaza as a single territorial unit.

The permanent status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians would start "not later than the beginning of the third year of the interim period"; the interim period would "begin upon the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Jericho area".<ref name=dop>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021115183950/http://knesset.gov.il/process/docs/oslo_eng.htm ''Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements''] (DOP), 13 September 1993. From the Knesset website<br />Article V: 1. The five-year transitional period will begin upon the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Jericho area.; 2. 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.</ref> That withdrawal began with the signing of the [[Gaza–Jericho Agreement]] on 4 May 1994,<ref name=nyt_mideast-accord>[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/05/world/mideast-accord-overview-rabin-arafat-sign-accord-ending-israel-s-27-year-hold.html?pagewanted=all ''Mideast accord: the overview; Rabin and Arafat sign accord ending Israel's 27-year hold on Jericho and the Gaza Strip'']. Chris Hedges, New York Times, 5 May 1994.<br />"Israel and the P.L.O. signed an agreement today that formally begins Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the Jericho area of the West Bank – lands occupied for 27 years – and grants Palestinians a measure of self-government for the first time, though not sovereignty."<br />Quote of Yitzhak Rabin: "We do not accept the Palestinian goal of an independent Palestinian state between Israel and Jordan. We believe there is a separate Palestinian entity short of a state."</ref> thus the interim period would end on 4 May 1999.<ref name=bishara>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/2537930?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents ''4 May 1999 and Palestinian Statehood: To Declare or Not to Declare?'']. Azmi Bishara, Journal of Palestine Studies Vol. 28, No. 2 (Winter, 1999), pp. 5–16</ref>

The five-year transitional period would commence with Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and [[Jericho]] area. There would be a transfer of authority from the [[Israel Defense Forces]] to the authorized Palestinians, concerning education and culture, [[public health|health]], [[social welfare]], direct [[taxation]], and tourism. The council would establish a strong police force, while Israel would continue to carry the responsibility for defending against external threats.

An [[Israeli–Palestinian Economic Cooperation Committee]] would be established in order to develop and implement in a cooperative manner the programs identified in the protocols.

The Declaration of Principles would enter into force one month after its signing. All protocols annexed to the Declaration of Principles and the Agreed Minutes pertaining to it were to be regarded as a part of it.