Israel's Quest for Peace
"We offer peace and unity to all the neighboring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all"
(Declaration of Israel's Independence 1948)
Since the earliest days of the Zionist enterprise, Israel has repeatedly extended its hand in peace and made numerous efforts to coexist in harmony with its Arab neighbors. While Israel's foreign policy has been geared to advance peace in the region, its neighbors' responses were not always receptive. The following is a short summary of Israeli attempts, successes and failures to search for peace with the Arab world.
Egypt - Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty on March 26, 1979. The treaty, the first between Israel and an Arab country, records Israel's commitment to withdraw from the entire Sinai Peninsula. The Israeli withdrawal was completed on April 25, 1982.
Jordan – Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty on October 26, 1994 at the Akaba-Eilat border crossing, following which Israel has turned over more than 100 square miles of land. With the ratification of the peace treaty, full diplomatic relations were established and, since then, the relationship between Israel and Jordan has been moving forward steadily.
Syria and Lebanon - From the beginning of the peace process, negotiations with Lebanon have been overshadowed by Syrian control over Lebanon's policies and its decision-making process. Therefore, negotiations with Lebanon are an inseparable part of the negotiations with Syria.
In 1974, Israel withdrew its forces from the entire area beyond the Golan it had captured, as well as from a narrow strip in the eastern Golan. Israel accepts the imposition of a UN force between the Israeli and the Syrian armies.
In March 2000, Israel, through President Clinton, offered Syria a full withdrawal from the Golan to the 1923 international border in return for a peace treaty and security arrangements. Syrian President Hafez Assad rejected the offer. Two months later, Israel unilaterally withdrew from southern Lebanon. The UN confirms that Israel withdrew from all Lebanese territory under Security Council Resolution 425.
In April 2005, under severe pressure by the U.S. government, Syria withdrew its last soldiers and intelligence agents from Lebanon, ending a 29-year military presence.
The Palestinian Authority - See the Historical Timeline of Modern Israeli History 1860-Present
Morocco – The relations between Morocco and Israel were formalized when Israel opened a liaison office on November 1994 in the Moroccan capital, Rabat. Four months later, Morocco opened its office in Israel, thus formally establishing bilateral diplomatic relations.
After the outbreak of Palestinian violence on September 2000, Morocco broke off diplomatic ties with Israel. Nevertheless, some commercial relations, as well as contacts in other fields, still continue.
Mauritania – The Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Israel concluded an agreement at the Barcelona Conference (November 1995), in the presence of the Spanish foreign minister, to establish interest sections in the Spanish embassies in Tel Aviv and Nouakchott. Mauritania opened its diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv on May 1996 and indicated its wish to fully normalize relations with Israel.
In October 1999, Mauritania became the third Arab country (after Egypt and Jordan) to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel.
Tunisia - Following a timetable worked out by Israel, Tunisia and the United States on January 1996, Israel opened an interest office in Tunisia and Tunisia reciprocated six weeks later.
After the outbreak of Palestinian violence (September 2000), Tunisia broke off diplomatic ties with Israel. Nevertheless, some commercial relations, as well as contacts in other fields, still continue.
Oman and Qatar – In May 1996, Israel opened trade representation offices in Oman and Qatar to develop economic, scientific and commercial relations, with emphasis on water resources utilization, tourism, agriculture, chemicals and advanced technologies.
Since the outbreak of Palestinian violence (September 2000), relations with the Gulf States have cooled. Israel's trade representation office in Oman has been closed.
Israel Action Center click here.
"It is Israel's fervent wish to maintain good relations with all countries, with their governments and their peoples..."
(David Ben-Gurion, 1952)
