The Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (hereinafter "the PLO"), the representative of the Palestinian people; PREAMBLE WITHIN the framework of the Middle East peace process initiated at Madrid in October 1991; REAFFIRMING their determination to live in peaceful coexistence, mutual dignity and security, while recognizing their mutual legitimate and political rights; REAFFIRMING their desire to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement through the agreed political process; REAFFIRMING their adherence to the mutual recognition and commitments expressed in the letters dated September 9, 1993 , signed by and exchanged between the Prime Minister of Israel and the Chairman of the PLO; REAFFIRMING their understanding that the interim self-government arrangements, including the arrangements to apply in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area contained in this Agreement, 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; DESIROUS of putting into effect the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements signed at Washington, D.C. on September 13, 1993, and the Agreed Minutes thereto (hereinafter "the Declaration of Principles"), and in particular the Protocol on withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area; HEREBY AGREE to the following arrangements regarding the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area: ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS a. the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area are delineated on map No. 1 and map No. 2 attached to this Agreement; b. "the Settlements" means the Gush Katif and Erez settlement areas, as well as the other settlements in the Gaza Strip, as shown on attached map No. 1; c. "the Military Installation Area" means the Israeli military installation area along the Egyptian border in the Gaza Strip, as shown on map No. 1; and d. the term "Israelis" shall also include Israeli statutory agencies and corporations registered in Israel. ARTICLE II SCHEDULED WITHDRAWAL OF ISRAELI MILITARY FORCES 1. Israel shall implement an accelerated and scheduled withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip and from the Jericho Area to begin immediately with the signing of this Agreement. Israel shall complete such withdrawal within three weeks from this date. 2. Subject to the arrangements included in the Protocol Concerning Withdrawal of Israeli Military Forces and Security Arrangements attached as Annex I , the Israeli withdrawal shall include evacuating all military bases and other fixed installations to be handed over to the Palestinian Police, to be established pursuant to Article IX below (hereinafter "the Palestinian Police"). 3. In order to carry out Israel's responsibility for external security and for internal security and public order of Settlements and Israelis, Israel shall, concurrently with the withdrawal, redeploy its remaining military forces to the Settlements and the Military Installation Area, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, this redeployment shall constitute full implementation of Article XIII of the Declaration of Principles with regard to the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area only. 4. For the purposes of this Agreement, "Israeli military forces" may include Israel police and other Israeli security forces. 5. Israelis, including Israeli military forces, may continue to use roads freely within the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. Palestinians may use public roads crossing the Settlements freely, as provided for in Annex I. 6. The Palestinian Police shall be deployed and shall assume responsibility for public order and internal security of Palestinians in accordance with this Agreement and Annex I. ARTICLE III TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY 1. Israel shall transfer authority as specified in this Agreement from the Israeli military government and its Civil Administration to the Palestinian Authority, hereby established, in accordance with Article V of this Agreement, except for the authority that Israel shall continue to exercise as specified in this Agreement. 2. As regards the transfer and assumption of authority in civil spheres, powers and responsibilities shall be transferred and assumed as set out in the Protocol Concerning Civil Affairs attached as Annex II . 3. Arrangements for a smooth and peaceful transfer of the agreed powers and responsibilities are set out in Annex II. 4. Upon the completion of the Israeli withdrawal and the transfer of powers and responsibilities as detailed in paragraphs 1 and 2 above and in Annex II, the Civil Administration in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area will be dissolved and the Israeli military government will be withdrawn. The withdrawal of the military government shall not prevent it from continuing to exercise the powers and responsibilities specified in this Agreement. 5. A Joint Civil Affairs Coordination and Cooperation Committee (hereinafter "the CAC") and two Joint Regional Civil Affairs Subcommittees for the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area respectively shall be established in order to provide for coordination and cooperation in civil affairs between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, as detailed in Annex II. 6. The offices of the Palestinian Authority shall be located in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area pending the inauguration of the Council to be elected pursuant to the Declaration of Principles. ARTICLE IV STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY 1. The Palestinian Authority will consist of one body of 24 members which shall carry out and be responsible for all the legislative and executive powers and responsibilities transferred to it under this Agreement, in accordance with this Article, and shall be responsible for the exercise of judicial functions in accordance with Article VI, subparagraph 1.b. of this Agreement. 2. The Palestinian Authority shall administer the departments transferred to it and may establish, within its jurisdiction, other departments and subordinate administrative units as necessary for the fulfillment of its responsibilities. It shall determine its own internal procedures. 3. The PLO shall inform the Government of Israel of the names of the members of the Palestinian Authority and any change of members. Changes in the membership of the Palestinian Authority will take effect upon an exchange of letters between the PLO and the Government of Israel. 4. Each member of the Palestinian Authority shall enter into office upon undertaking to act in accordance with this Agreement. ARTICLE V JURISDICTION 1. The authority of the Palestinian Authority encompasses all matters that fall within its territorial, functional and personal jurisdiction, as follows: 2. The territorial jurisdiction covers the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area territory, as defined in Article I, except for Settlements and the Military Installation Area. a. Territorial jurisdiction shall include land, subsoil and territorial waters, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. b. The functional jurisdiction encompasses all powers and responsibilities as specified in this Agreement. This jurisdiction does not include foreign relations, internal security and public order of Settlements and the Military Installation Area and Israelis, and external security. c. The personal jurisdiction extends to all persons within the territorial jurisdiction referred to above, except for Israelis, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement. 3. The Palestinian Authority has, within its authority, legislative, executive and judicial powers and responsibilities, as provided for in this Agreement. a. Israel has authority over the Settlements, the Military Installation Area, Israelis, external security, internal security and public order of Settlements, the Military Installation Area and Israelis, and those agreed powers and responsibilities specified in this Agreement. b. Israel shall exercise its authority through its military government, which, for that end, shall continue to have the necessary legislative, judicial and executive powers and responsibilities, in accordance with international law. This provision shall not derogate from Israel's applicable legislation over Israelis in personam. 4. The exercise of authority with regard to the electromagnetic sphere and airspace shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. 5. The provisions of this Article are subject to the specific legal arrangements detailed in the Protocol Concerning Legal Matters attached as Annex III . Israel and the Palestinian Authority may negotiate further legal arrangements. 6. Israel and the Palestinian Authority shall cooperate on matters of legal assistance in criminal and civil matters through the legal subcommittee of the CAC. ARTICLE VI POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY 1. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Palestinian Authority, within its jurisdiction: a. has legislative powers as set out in Article VII of this Agreement, as well as executive powers; b. will administer justice through an independent judiciary; c. will have, inter alia, power to formulate policies, supervise their implementation, employ staff, establish departments, authorities and institutions, sue and be sued and conclude contracts; and d. will have, inter alia, the power to keep and administer registers and records of the population, and issue certificates, licenses and documents. 2. a. In accordance with the Declaration of Principles, the Palestinian Authority will not have powers and responsibilities in the sphere of foreign relations, which sphere includes the establishment abroad of embassies, consulates or other types of foreign missions and posts or permitting their establishment in the Gaza Strip or the Jericho Area, the appointment of or admission of diplomatic and consular staff, and the exercise of diplomatic functions. b. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, the PLO may conduct negotiations and sign agreements with states or international organizations for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority in the following cases only: 1. economic agreements, as specifically provided in Annex IV of this Agreement; 2. agreements with donor countries for the purpose of implementing arrangements for the provision of assistance to the Palestinian Authority; 3. agreements for the purpose of implementing the regional development plans detailed in Annex IV of the Declaration of Principles or in agreements entered into in the framework of the multilateral negotiations; and 4. cultural, scientific and educational agreements. c. Dealings between the Palestinian Authority and representatives of foreign states and international organizations, as well as the establishment in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area of representative offices other than those described in subparagraph 2.a. above, for the purpose of implementing the agreements referred to in subparagraph 2.b. above, shall not be considered foreign relations. ARTICLE VII LEGISLATIVE POWERS OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY 1. The Palestinian Authority will have the power, within its jurisdiction, to promulgate legislation, including basic laws, laws, regulations and other legislative acts. 2. Legislation promulgated by the Palestinian Authority shall be consistent with the provisions of this Agreement. 3. Legislation promulgated by the Palestinian Authority shall be communicated to a legislation subcommittee to be established by the CAC (hereinafter "the Legislation Subcommittee"). During a period of 30 days from the communication of the legislation, Israel may request that the Legislation Subcommittee decide whether such legislation exceeds the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority or is otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. 4. Upon receipt of the Israeli request, the Legislation Subcommittee shall decide, as an initial matter, on the entry into force of the legislation pending its decision on the merits of the matter. 5. If the Legislation Subcommittee is unable to reach a decision with regard to the entry into force of the legislation within 15 days, this issue will be referred to a board of review. This board of review shall be comprised of two judges, retired judges or senior jurists (hereinafter "Judges"), one from each side, to be appointed from a compiled list of three Judges proposed by each. In order to expedite the proceedings before this board of review, the two most senior Judges, one from each side, shall develop written informal rules of procedure. 6. Legislation referred to the board of review shall enter into force only if the board of review decides that it does not deal with a security issue which falls under Israel's responsibility, that it does not seriously threaten other significant Israeli interests protected by this Agreement and that the entry into force of the legislation could not cause irreparable damage or harm. 7. The Legislation Subcommittee shall attempt to reach a decision on the merits of the matter within 30 days from the date of the Israeli request. If this Subcommittee is unable to reach such a decision within this period of 30 days, the matter shall be referred to the Joint Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Committee referred to in Article XV below (hereinafter "the Liaison Committee"). This Liaison Committee will deal with the matter immediately and will attempt to settle it within 30 days. 8. Where the legislation has not entered into force pursuant to paragraphs 5 or 7 above, this situation shall be maintained pending the decision of the Liaison Committee on the merits of the matter, unless it has decided otherwise. 9. Laws and military orders in effect in the Gaza Strip or the Jericho Area prior to the signing of this Agreement shall remain in force, unless amended or abrogated in accordance with this Agreement. ARTICLE VIII ARRANGEMENTS FOR SECURITY AND PUBLIC ORDER 1. In order to guarantee public order and internal security for the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, the Palestinian Authority shall establish a strong police force, as set out in Article IX below. Israel shall continue to carry the responsibility for defense against external threats, including the responsibility for protecting the Egyptian border and the Jordanian line, and for defense against external threats from the sea and from the air, as well as the responsibility for overall security of Israelis and Settlements, for the purpose of safeguarding their internal security and public order, and will have all the powers to take the steps necessary to meet this responsibility. 2. Agreed security arrangements and coordination mechanisms are specified in Annex I . 3. A joint Coordination and Cooperation Committee for mutual security purposes (hereinafter "the JSC"), as well as three joint District Coordination and Cooperation Offices for the Gaza district, the Khan Yunis district and the Jericho district respectively (hereinafter "the DCOs") are hereby established as provided for in Annex I. 4. The security arrangements provided for in this Agreement and in Annex I may be reviewed at the request of either Party and may be amended by mutual agreement of the Parties. Specific review arrangements are included in Annex I. ARTICLE IX THE PALESTINIAN DIRECTORATE OF POLICE FORCE 1. The Palestinian Authority shall establish a strong police force, the Palestinian Directorate of Police Force (hereinafter "the Palestinian Police"). The duties, functions, structure, deployment and composition of the Palestinian Police, together with provisions regarding its equipment and operation, are set out in Annex I, Article III. Rules of conduct governing the activities of the Palestinian Police are set out in Annex I, Article VIII. 2. Except for the Palestinian Police referred to in this Article and the Israeli military forces, no other armed forces shall be established or operate in the Gaza Strip or the Jericho Area. 3. Except for the arms, ammunition and equipment of the Palestinian Police described in Annex I, Article III, and those of the Israeli military forces, no organization or individual in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area shall manufacture, sell, acquire, possess, import or otherwise introduce into the Gaza Strip or the Jericho Area any firearms, ammunition, weapons, explosives, gunpowder or any related equipment, unless otherwise provided for in Annex I. ARTICLE X PASSAGES ARTICLE XI SAFE PASSAGE BETWEEN THE GAZA STRIP AND THE JERICHO AREA ARTICLE XII RELATIONS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY 1. Israel and the Palestinian Authority shall seek to foster mutual understanding and tolerance and shall accordingly abstain from incitement, including hostile propaganda, against each other and, without derogating from the principle of freedom of expression, shall take legal measures to prevent such incitement by any organizations, groups or individuals within their jurisdiction. 2. Without derogating from the other provisions of this Agreement, Israel and the Palestinian Authority shall cooperate in combatting criminal activity which may affect both sides, including offenses related to trafficking in illegal drugs and psychotropic substances, smuggling, and offenses against property, including offenses related to vehicles. ARTICLE XIII ECONOMIC RELATIONS ARTICLE XIV HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW ARTICLE XV THE JOINT ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN LIAISON COMMITTEE 1. The Liaison Committee established pursuant to Article X of the Declaration of Principles shall ensure the smooth implementation of this Agreement. It shall deal with issues requiring coordination, other issues of common interest and disputes. 2. The Liaison Committee shall be composed of an equal number of members from each Party. It may add other technicians and experts as necessary. 3. The Liaison Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure, including the frequency and place or places of its meetings. 4. The Liaison Committee shall reach its decisions by Agreement. ARTICLE XVI LIAISON AND COOPERATION WITH JORDAN AND EGYPT 3. The Continuing Committee shall deal with other matters of common concern. ARTICLE XVII SETTLEMENT OF DIFFERENCES AND DISPUTES Any 1. Disputes arising out of the application or interpretation of this Agreement or any subsequent agreements pertaining to the interim period shall be settled by negotiations through the Liaison Committee. 2. Disputes which cannot be settled by negotiations may be settled by a mechanism of conciliation to be agreed between the Parties. 3. 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 XVIII PREVENTION OF HOSTILE ACTS ARTICLE XIX MISSING PERSONS ARTICLE XX CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES
1. Upon the signing of this Agreement, Israel will release, or turn over, to the Palestinian Authority within a period of 5 weeks, about 5,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, residents of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Those released will be free to return to their homes anywhere in the West Bank or the Gaza Strip. Prisoners turned over to the Palestinian Authority shall be obliged to remain in the Gaza Strip or the Jericho Area for the remainder of their sentence. 2. After the signing of this Agreement, the two Parties shall continue to negotiate the release of additional Palestinian prisoners and detainees, building on agreed principles. 3. The implementation of the above measures will be subject to the fulfillment of the procedures determined by Israeli law for the release and transfer of detainees and prisoners. 4. With the assumption of Palestinian authority, the Palestinian side commits itself to solving the problem of those Palestinians who were in contact with the Israeli authorities. Until an agreed solution is found, the Palestinian side undertakes not to prosecute these Palestinians or to harm them in any way. 5. Palestinians from abroad whose entry into the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area is approved pursuant to this Agreement, and to whom the provisions of this Article are applicable, will not be prosecuted for offenses committed prior to September 13, 1993. ARTICLE XXI TEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE 1. The Parties agree to a temporary international or foreign presence in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area (hereinafter "the TIP"), in accordance with the provisions of this Article. 2. The TIP shall consist of 400 qualified personnel, including observers, instructors and other experts, from 5 or 6 of the donor countries. 3. The two Parties shall request the donor countries to establish a special fund to provide finance for the TIP. 4. The TIP will function for a period of 6 months. The TIP may extend this period, or change the scope of its operation, with the agreement of the two Parties. 5. The TIP shall be stationed and operate within the following cities and villages: Gaza, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Deir El Ballah, Jabaliya, Absan, Beit Hanun and Jericho. 6. Israel and the Palestinian Authority shall agree on a special Protocol to implement this Article, with the goal of concluding negotiations with the donor countries contributing personnel within two months. ARTICLE XXII RIGHTS, LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS 1. a. The transfer of all powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, as detailed in Annex II, includes all related rights, liabilities and obligations arising with regard to acts or omissions which occurred prior to the transfer. Israel will cease to bear any financial responsibility regarding such acts or omissions and the Palestinian Authority will bear all financial responsibility for these and for its own functioning. b. Any financial claim made in this regard against Israel will be referred to the Palestinian Authority. c. Israel shall provide the Palestinian Authority with the information it has regarding pending and anticipated claims brought before any court or tribunal against Israel in this regard. d. Where legal proceedings are brought in respect of such a claim, Israel will notify the Palestinian Authority and enable it to participate in defending the claim and raise any arguments on its behalf. e. In the event that an award is made against Israel by any court or tribunal in respect of such a claim, the Palestinian Authority shall reimburse Israel the full amount of the award. f. Without prejudice to the above, where a court or tribunal hearing such a claim finds that liability rests solely with an employee or agent who acted beyond the scope of the powers assigned to him or her, unlawfully or with willful malfeasance, the Palestinian Authority shall not bear financial responsibility. 2. The transfer of authority in itself shall not affect rights, liabilities and obligations of any person or legal entity, in existence at the date of signing of this Agreement. ARTICLE XXIII FINAL CLAUSES 1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of its signing. 2. The arrangements established by this Agreement shall remain in force until and to the extent superseded by the Interim Agreement referred to in the Declaration of Principles or any other agreement between the Parties. 3. The five-year interim period referred to in the Declaration of Principles commences on the date of the signing of this Agreement. 4. The Parties agree that, as long as this Agreement is in force, the security fence erected by Israel around the Gaza Strip shall remain in place and that the line demarcated by the fence, as shown on attached map No. 1, shall be authoritative only for the purpose of this Agreement. 5. Nothing in this Agreement shall prejudice or preempt the outcome of the negotiations on the interim agreement or on the permanent status to be conducted pursuant to the Declaration of Principles. Neither Party shall be deemed, by virtue of having entered into this Agreement, to have renounced or waived any of its existing rights, claims or positions. 6. The two Parties view the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as a single territorial unit, the integrity of which will be preserved during the interim period. 7. The Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area shall continue to be an integral part of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and their status shall not be changed for the period of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be considered to change this status. 8. The Preamble to this Agreement, and all Annexes, Appendices and maps attached hereto, shall constitute an integral part hereof. Done in Cairo this fourth day of May, 1994. _______________________
_______________________
Witnessed By: _________________________
_________________________
_________________________
*Annex 1 - Withdrawal and Security Arrangements
Article I Arrangements for Withdrawal of Israeli Military Forces 1. Subject to the provisions of this Annex, withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip and from the Jericho Area shall begin on the date of the signing of this Agreement and shall be completed within three weeks (21 days) from that date. 2.
Article II Coordination and Cooperation In Security Matters 1. Joint Security Coordination and Cooperation Committee
2. District Coordination Offices
3. Joint Patrols
4. Joint Mobile Units
5. Review of Security Arrangements The JSC shall meet six months after the signing of this Agreement, and at six-month intervals thereafter, to review the security arrangements and to recommend changes. Amendments will be adopted by mutual agreement based, among other factors, on the regular reports and recommendations received from the DCOs. Article III The Palestinian Directorate of Police Force 1. General
2. Duties and Functions
3. Structure and Composition
4. Recruitment
5. Arms, Ammunition and Equipment
6. Introduction of Arms and Equipment and Foreign Assistance
7. Deployment The Palestinian Police shall be initially deployed in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area as shown on attached maps Nos. 4 and 5. Any changes to this deployment will be agreed on in the JSC. Article IV Security Arrangements in the Gaza Strip 1. The Delimiting Line
2. Security Perimeter
3. The Israeli Settlements
4. The Yellow Areas
5. The Mawasi Area
6. The Egyptian Border
7. Lateral Roads to the Settlements
8. The Central North-South Road (Road No. 4) A joint patrol led by the Palestinian vehicle will be operated along the central North-South road (Road No. 4) in the Gaza Strip between Kfar Darom and Wadi Gaza. 9. Joint Mobile Units
10. Coordination and Cooperation in the Gaza Strip Two DCOs will function in the Gaza Strip as follows:
Article V Security Arrangements in the Jericho Area1. Clarifications Concerning the Jericho Area With regard to the definition of the Jericho Area, as delineated on attached map No. 2, it is hereby clarified that Route No. 90 crossing Auja from South to North and the East-West road connecting Route No. 90 with Yitav, and their adjacent sides, shall remain under Israeli authority. For the purpose of this Article, the width of each such road and its adjacent sides, as shown on attached map No. 2, shall extend at least 12 meters on each side measured from its center. 2. A Joint patrol led by the Palestinian vehicle shall operate along the main North-South road crossing Jericho (Route No. 90). 3. Joint Mobile Units
4. Coordination and Cooperation in the Jericho Area A DCO located at the Vered Yericho crossing point will function in the Jericho Area and will maintain a subordinate Joint Liaison Bureau in the Allenby Terminal. 5.
6. Within three months of the signing of this Agreement, Israel may consider, in light of the security situation, the possibility of widening of the Jericho Area. Article VI Security Arrangements Concerning Planning, Building and Zoning 1. Notwithstanding the provisions relating to planning, building and zoning set out elsewhere in this Agreement, the provisions of this Article shall apply with respect to the areas specified below. 2. These arrangements will be reviewed within a period of six months from the signing of this Agreement and, thereafter, every six months, with a view to modifying them, with due consideration to Palestinian plans for establishing economic projects, and to the security concerns of both sides. 3. The limitations set out below on the construction of buildings and installations in specific areas shall not require the demolition or removal of existing buildings or installations. 4. The existing buildings, installations and natural and artificial culture in the Gaza Strip within a distance of 100 meters from the Delimiting Line shall remain as they are at present. 5. Within the next 500 meters of the Security Perimeter, and within the Yellow Areas, buildings or installations may be constructed, provided that:
6. Buildings or installations shall not be constructed on either side of the Lateral Roads up to a distance of 75 meters from the center of these Roads. 7. In the Jericho Area, no bridges or other structures will be built above Route No. 90 which may prevent the movement on this road of vehicles with a height of up to 5.25 meters. 8. For the purpose of enforcing this Article, the United States will provide both sides with satellite photographs of the Gaza Strip depicting the buildings, installations and natural and artificial culture existing at the time of the signing of this Agreement. Article VII The Crossing Points 1. General
2. Passage between the Gaza Strip and Israel
3. Passage to and from the Jericho Area
Article VIII Rules of Conduct in Security Matters 1. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the security and public order personnel of both sides shall exercise their powers and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement with due regard to internationally-accepted norms of human rights and the rule of law and shall be guided by the need to protect the public, respect human dignity and avoid harassment. 2. In the Yellow Areas and on the Lateral Roads and their adjacent sides, vehicles bearing Israeli license plates shall not be stopped, obstructed or delayed by the Palestinian Police, and no identification shall be required. 3. On the central North-South road (Road No. 4) in the Gaza Strip between the Netzarim Junction and Kfar Darom, and on the main North-South road crossing the Jericho Area (Route No. 90), vehicles bearing Israeli license plates may be stopped for identification by a Joint Patrol or a Joint Mobile Unit. The Israeli side of such a patrol or unit may carry out identity and vehicle documentation checks. 4. Without prejudice to the provisions of this Article regarding the areas mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3 above, the following rules of conduct shall apply throughout the rest of the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area:
5. Pedestrians may be required to produce identity documentation (if above the age of sixteen). Thereafter, they shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of this Article. 6. Uniformed members of the Israeli military forces, as well as vehicles of the Israeli military forces, shall not be stopped by the Palestinian Police in any circumstances, and shall not be subject to any identification requirements. Without derogating from the above, in the event of suspicion regarding such a person or vehicle, the Palestinian Police may notify the Israeli authorities through the relevant DCO, in order to request appropriate assistance. 7. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article, persons who are subject to identification pursuant to this Article and who claim to be Israelis but cannot present appropriate identification documentation may be detained in place by the Palestinian Police, in accordance with the provisions of Annex III, until the arrival of a Joint Patrol or Joint Mobile Unit, called by the Palestinian Police, or of other Israeli representatives dispatched by the relevant DCO. 8.
9. Rules of Engagement
10. If a person is injured or otherwise in need of assistance, such assistance will be provided by the side that first reaches the site. If such a person is under the authority of the other side, the assisting side shall notify the relevant DCO and the appropriate provisions of Article II of this Annex, as well as the provisions of Annex II, Article II, regarding arrangements for treatment and hospitalization, shall be applied. Article IX Arrangements for Safe Passage Between the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area 1. General
2. The usage of safe passage
3. Passage and Mode of Transit
4. General Provisions Regarding the Routes
Article X Passages 1. General
1. the Allenby Bridge crossing; and 2. the Rafah crossing.
2. Control and Management of the Passages a. For the purpose of this Article, "passage" is defined to mean the area from the crossing barrier at the Egyptian border or the Allenby Bridge, passing through and including the terminal and:
b. 1. Israel will have the responsibility for security throughout the passage, including for the terminal. 2. An Israeli director-general will have the responsibility for the management and security of the terminal. 3. The director-general will have two deputies who will report to him: a. an Israeli deputy who will be the manager of the Israeli Wing. Israel will have exclusive responsibility for the management of the Israeli Wing; and b. a Palestinian deputy, appointed by the Palestinian Authority, who will be the manager of the Palestinian Wing. 4. Each deputy will have an assistant for security and an assistant for administration. The assignments of the Palestinian deputies for security and administration will be agreed upon by the two sides. 5. There will be maximum coordination between the two sides. Both sides will maintain cooperation and coordination on matters of mutual concern. 6. The director-general will continue to use Palestinian contractors to provide bus services and other administrative and logistical services. 7. Palestinian policemen present at the terminal will be armed with handguns. Their deployment will be decided upon by the two sides. Other Palestinian officials present at the terminal will be unarmed. 8. The details of management and security and Liaison Bureau issues will be dealt with by the two sides. 9. The two sides will work together in order to seek ways for additional arrangements in the Rafah terminal. 10. Both sides will review these procedures in a year's time. c. Except for the arrangements included in this Article, the current procedures and arrangements applicable outside the terminal shall continue to apply throughout the passage. d. 1. Once incoming passengers have crossed the terminal, they will proceed to the Jericho Area or the Gaza Strip, as appropriate, without any interference from Israeli authorities (safe passage). 2. Outgoing passengers may proceed to the terminal without any interference from Israeli authorities after joint verification that such passengers hold the necessary documentation for exiting the area to Jordan or Egypt, as set out in this Agreement. 3. Arrangements for Entry from Egypt and Jordan Through the Palestinian Wing
1. The first lane will be used by Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. These passengers will pass via a Palestinian counter, where their documents and identity will be checked. Their documents will be checked by an Israeli officer who will also check their identity indirectly in an invisible manner. 2. The second lane will serve other Palestinian residents of the West Bank. These passengers will first pass via a Palestinian counter, where their documents and identity will be checked. Then they will continue via an Israeli counter, where their documents and identity will be checked. The two counters will be separated by tinted glass and a revolving door. 3. The third lane will serve visitors to the Gaza Strip and West Bank. An identical procedure as in paragraph 3.d(2) above will apply to such visitors, except that they will first pass via the Israeli counter, and then continue via the Palestinian counter.
At the conclusion of the direct and indirect checking of the documents and identity of passengers passing via the first lane and stamping their entry permits, the Palestinian officer will provide the passenger with a white card issued by the Israeli officer. A Palestinian official posted at the exit of the Palestinian Wing will verify that the passenger holds such a white card and will collect the cards with indirect and invisible Israeli checking. For passengers going through the second and third lanes, the Israeli officer will provide the passengers with a blue card, after checking their documents and identity, and verifying their entry permits. An Israeli and a Palestinian official posted at the exit of the Palestinian Wing will verify and collect the cards. White and blue cards collected will be checked by Israeli and Palestinian officials. In cases where either side denies the entry of a non-resident passenger, that passenger will be escorted out of the terminal and sent back to Jordan or Egypt, as appropriate, after notifying the other side. 4. Arrangements for Exit to Egypt and Jordan Through The Palestinian Wing Passengers exiting to Egypt or Jordan through the Palestinian Wing will enter the terminal without their luggage. Thereafter, the same procedures described in paragraph 3 above will apply to them, except that the order of passing via the Israeli and Palestinian counters will be reversed. 5. Liaison Bureau a. There will be a liaison bureau at each crossing point in order to deal with matters arising regarding passengers passing through the Palestinian Wing, issues requiring coordination, and differences regarding the implementation of these arrangements. Without derogating from Israel's responsibility for security, the bureau will also deal with incidents. b. This bureau will be comprised of an equal number of representatives from each side and will be located at a specified location inside each terminal. c. This bureau will be subordinate to the relevant subcommittee of the CAC. 6. Miscellaneous a. Special arrangements will be agreed upon by the two sides regarding the passage of goods, buses, trucks and privately-owned vehicles. Pending this agreement, the current arrangements will continue to apply. b. Israel will attempt to complete the structural alterations on the Rafah and Allenby Bridge terminals not later than the date of the completion of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. If these structural alterations are not completed by that time, the arrangements described in this Article shall apply, except for those arrangements that cannot be implemented without the structural alterations. c. In order to cross through the crossing points into and out of the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, residents of these areas will use documents as detailed in Annex II. Pending the entry into force of the Interim Agreement, other West Bank residents will continue to use the existing documents issued by the military government and its Civil Administration. Article XI Security Along the Coastline and in the Sea of Gaza 1. Maritime Activity Zones a. Extent of Maritime Activity Zones The sea off the coast of the Gaza Strip will be divided into three Maritime Activity Zones, K, L, and M as shown on map No. 6 attached to this Agreement, and as detailed below: 1. Zones K and M
2. Zone L a. Zone L bounded to the south by Zone M and to the north by Zone K extends 20 nautical miles into the sea from the coast. b. Zone L will be open for fishing, recreation and economic activities, in accordance with the following provisions:
b. General Rules of the Maritime Activity Zones
2. The Palestinian Coastal Police
3. Maritime Coordination and Cooperation Center
4. Gaza Strip Port
Article XII Security of the Airspace 1. Operation of aircraft for the use of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area shall be initially as follows: a. Two (2) transport helicopters for VIP transportation within and between the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. b. Four (4) up to twenty persons capacity fixed-wing transport aircraft, for transporting persons between the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. 2. Changes in the number, type and capacity of aircraft may be discussed and agreed upon in a Joint Aviation Subcommittee (hereinafter "the JAC") to be established within the JSC. 3. The Palestinian Authority may immediately establish and operate in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area provisional airstrips for the helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft referred to in subparagraphs 1.a and 1.b above, in accordance with arrangements and modalities to be discussed and agreed upon in the JAC. All aviation activity or usage of the airspace by any aerial vehicle in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area shall require prior approval of Israel. It shall be subject to Israeli air traffic control including, inter alia, monitoring and regulation of air routes as well as relevant regulations and requirements to be implemented in accordance with the Israel Aeronautical Information Publication, the relevant parts of which will be issued after consultation with the Palestinian Authority. Aircraft taking off from, and landing in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area shall be registered and licensed in Israel or in other states members of ICAO. Air crews of such aircraft shall be licensed in Israel or in such other states, provided that such licenses have been approved and recommended by the Palestinian Authority and validated by Israel. 4. Aircraft referred to in this Article shall not carry firearms, ammunition, explosives or weapons systems, unless otherwise approved by both sides. Special arrangements for armed guards escorting high-ranking officials, will be agreed upon in the JAC. 5. The location of navigational aids and other aviation equipment will be approved by Israel through the JAC. 6. a. The Palestinian Authority shall ensure that only the aviation activity in accordance with this Agreement will take place in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. b. Further powers and responsibilities may be transferred to the Palestinian Authority through the JAC. c. The Palestinian Authority may establish a Palestinian Civil Aviation Department to act on its behalf in accordance with the provisions of this Article and of this Agreement. 7. a. Aviation activity by Israel will continue to be operated above the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, with the same limitations applicable in Israel regarding civil and military flights over densely-populated areas. b. Israel will notify the Palestinian Authority of emergency rescue operations, searches and investigations of aerial accidents carried out in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. Searches and investigations of civilian aircraft accidents will be conducted by Israel with the participation of the Palestinian Authority. 8. Commercial, domestic and international air services to, from and between the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area may be operated by Palestinian, Israeli or foreign operators approved by both sides, certified and licensed in Israel or in ICAO member states maintaining bilateral aviation relations with Israel. Arrangements for such air services, beginning with a service between Gaza and Cairo using two (2) fixed-wing aircraft with capacity up to fifty passengers each, as well as arrangements regarding the establishment and operation of airports and air terminals in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, will be discussed and agreed upon by the two sides in the JAC. Any such international commercial air services will be carried out in accordance with Israel's bilateral aviation agreements. The implementation phase will be discussed and agreed upon in the JAC.
Article I Liaison and Coordination in Civil Matters A. Joint Civil Affairs Coordination and Cooperation Committee
Matters arising with regard to roads, power lines and other infrastructure which require coordination according to this Agreement.
B. Joint Regional Civil Affairs Subcommittees
C. General
Article II Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities of the Civil Administration A. 1. The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the Israeli military government and its Civil Administration to the Palestinian Authority shall be coordinated through the CAC and implemented in accordance with the following arrangements in a smooth, peaceful and orderly manner. 2. Preparations for the transfer of such powers and responsibilities shall commence immediately upon the signing of this Agreement, and shall be completed within 21 days.
3. On the date fixed for the transfer of powers and responsibilities, Israel shall transfer from the possession of the Israeli military government and its Civil Administration to the Palestinian Authority offices, budgetary allocations, financial funds and accounts, equipment, registers, files, computer programs and other movable property necessary for its functioning. B. All powers and responsibilities of the Civil Administration shall be transferred to the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, in accordance with the following provisions: 1. Interior Affairs:
2. Fisheries:
3. Surveying:
4. Statistics:
5. Comptrol 6. Civil Administration Employees:
7. Legal Administration:
8. Labor:
9. Education:
10. Social Welfare:
11. Assessments 12. Housing 13. Tourism:
14. Parks:
15. Religious Affairs:
16. Employee Pensions:
17. Commerce and Industry:
18. Health:
19. Transportation:
20. Agriculture:
21. Employment: a. Procedures for distributing employment permits to work in Israel and in the Settlements shall be agreed upon between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
22. Land Registration:
23. Nature Reserves:
24. Electricity:
25. Public Works:
26. Postal Services:
27. Population Registry and Documentation:
This title shall be written on the cover in letters of equal size.
The Palestinian Authority may extend this three month period for an additional period of up to four months and shall inform Israel about the extension. Any further extensions require the approval of Israel.
28. Government and Absentee Land and other Immovables:
29. Telecommunications: a. The Electromagnetic Sphere
b. Telecommunications
30. Archaeology:
For this purpose, Israel shall provide a list of archaeological sites for which excavation licenses were granted since 1967, including, where available, a general description of the artifacts found therein, and their location. 31. Water and Sewage
32. Planning and Zoning:
The Palestinian Authority shall respect the recommendations of the subcommittee. Pending the completion of such a consideration process, and due settlement of the matter in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the planning procedures shall not be finalized. 33. Direct Taxation:
34. Indirect Taxation:
35. Environmental Protection:
36. Gas and Petroleum:
37. Insurance:
38. Treasury: a. In view of the need for a smooth transfer of powers and responsibilities, Israel shall provide the Palestinian Authority, through a team of Palestinian auditors, with all the details concerning the Civil Administration budget allocated for the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and the revenues, expenses and accounts. It shall also provide details regarding the Civil Administration's existing financial system in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. b.
c.
d. After the transfer of authorities, powers and responsibilities in this sphere, if Israel is sued with regard to the contracts and obligations referred to in subparagraph c. above, the Palestinian Authority shall reimburse Israel for the full amount awarded by any court or tribunal. e. Where legal proceedings are brought in respect of such a claim, Israel will notify the Palestinian Authority and enable it to participate in defending the claim. f. Upon the transfer of powers and responsibilities, the Palestinian Authority shall be solely responsible for any claim regarding its actions pursuant to the transfer. g. Israel shall provide the Palestinian Authority with copies of the contracts listed in Appendix E in order to enable it to make a decision on new contracts which it may conclude. If such contracts are not written in Arabic, Israel shall provide the Palestinian Authority with a translation into Arabic. APPENDIX A 1. The Naaran Synagogue (Ein Diuk).
APPENDIX B APPENDIX C 1. Passport/travel document format a. General specifications
b. Internal page of external cover
c. Page number 1
d. Page number 2 - the sticker
e. Page number 3
f. Visa pages
g. Last page (32 or other) The text of paragraph 1 will be: "This passport/travel document, as long as it is valid, will enable its bearer on return from abroad, to enter the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area." Note: The aforementioned is meant to enable passage through Israeli border control without the need of an entrance visa. APPENDIX D Technical Schedule: 1. General The Palestinian Authority shall use or reassign within its jurisdiction sections of frequencies covering all its required services within the bands L.F., M.F., H.F., V.H.F. and U.H.F. up to 960 MHz, to satisfy its present and future needs, as specified in the principles referred to above. The growing communication needs of the Palestinian Authority in the spheres of administration, police and civilian sectors in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area will be satisfied within a framework of coordination and cooperation. To that end, the Palestinian Authority shall present its requirements through the Joint Subcommittee of Technical Experts. Frequencies or sections of frequencies in the aforementioned bands will be assigned, or an alternative thereto providing the required service within the same band, or the best possible alternative thereto, acceptable by the Palestinian side and agreed upon by Israel in the Joint Subcommittee of Technical Experts. 2. Technical Details of the Initial Requirements The following is the first batch of initial requirements of immediate concern coinciding with the entry of the Palestinian Police and establishment of the Palestinian Authority.
Palestinian requirements for microwave communications above the frequency 1 GHz will be satisfied using the same modality and will adhere to the technical parameters outlined in paragraph B.2 of the above principles of February 23rd, 1994.
Article I Criminal Jurisdiction 1. The criminal jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority covers all offenses committed in the areas under its territorial jurisdiction (hereinafter, for the purposes of this Annex, "the Territory") subject to the provisions of this Article. 2. Israel has sole criminal jurisdiction over the following offenses:
3. In exercising their criminal jurisdiction, each side shall have the power, inter alia, to investigate, arrest, bring to trial and punish offenders. 4. In addition, and without derogating from the territorial jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, Israel has the power to arrest and to keep in custody individuals suspected of having committed offenses which fall within Israeli criminal jurisdiction as noted in paragraphs 2 and 7 of this Article, who are present in the Territory, in the following cases:
5. In the case of an offense committed in the Territory by a non-Israeli against Israel or an Israeli, the Palestinian Authority shall take measures to investigate and prosecute the case, and shall report to Israel on the result of the investigation and any legal proceedings. 6.
7. Nothing in this Article shall derogate from Israel's criminal jurisdiction in accordance with its domestic laws over offenses committed outside Israel (including in the Territory) against Israel or an Israeli with due regard to the principle that no person can be tried twice for the same offense. The exercise of such jurisdiction shall be subject to the provisions of this Annex and without prejudice to the criminal jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority. Article II Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters 1. General
2. Cooperation in Criminal Matters
3.
4. When an offense is committed inside a Settlement, and all those involved are Palestinians of the Gaza Strip or the Jericho Area or their visitors, the Israeli military forces shall notify the Palestinian Police immediately and shall hand over the offender and the collected evidence to the Palestinian Police unless the offense is security-related. 5. Restraining Orders
6. Summons and Questioning of Witnesses
7. Transfer of Suspects and Defendants
8. Assistance in the Execution of Court Orders for the Purposes of Investigation
9. Legal Assistance in the Conduct of Judicial Proceedings
Article III Civil Jurisdiction 1. The Palestinian courts and judicial authorities have jurisdiction in all civil matters, subject to this Agreement. 2. Israelis conducting commercial activity in the Territory are subject to the prevailing civil law in the Territory relating to that activity.
3. The Palestinian courts and judicial authorities have no jurisdiction over civil actions in which an Israeli is a party, except for the following cases:
4. The jurisdiction of the Palestinian courts and judicial authorities does not cover actions against the State of Israel including its statutory entities, organs and agents. Article IV Legal Assistance in Civil Matters 1. Service of Legal Documents Israel and the Palestinian Authority will be responsible, in the areas under their respective territorial responsibility, for the service of legal documents, including subpoenas, issued by the judicial organs under the responsibility of the other Party. 2. Interim Orders
3. Taking of evidence
< 4. Enforcement of judgements
PREAMBLE The two parties view the economic domain as one of the cornerstone in their mutual relations with a view to enhance their interest in the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. Both parties shall cooperate in this field in order to establish a sound economic base for these relations, which will be governed in various economic spheres by the principles of mutual respect of each other's economic interests, reciprocity, equity and fairness.
Article I FRAMEWORK AND SCOPE OF THIS PROTOCOL 1. This protocol establishes the contractual agreement that will govern the economic relations between the two sides and will cover the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the interim period. The implementation will be according to the stages envisaged in the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self Government Arrangements signed in Washington D.C. on September 13, 1993 and the Agreed Minutes thereto. It will therefore begin in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and at a later stage will also apply to the rest of the West Bank, according to the provisions of the Interim Agreement and to any other agreed arrangements between the two sides.
Article II THE JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE 1. Both parties will establish a Palestinian-Israeli Joint Economic Committee (hereinafter - the JEC) to follow up the implementation of this Protocol and to decide on problems related to it that may arise from time to time. Each side may request the review of any issue related to this Agreement by the JEC.
Article III IMPORT TAXES AND IMPORT POLICY 1. The import and customs policies of both sides will be according to the principles and arrangements detailed in this Article.
Article IV MONETARY AND FINANCIAL ISSUES 1. The Palestinian Authority will establish a Monetary Authority (PMA) in the Areas. The PMA will have the powers and responsibilities for the regulation and implementation of the monetary policies within the functions described in this Article.
Article V DIRECT TAXATION 1. Israel and the Palestinian Authority will each determine and regulate independently its own tax policy in matters of direct taxation, including income tax on individuals and corporations, property taxes, municipal taxes and fees.
Article VI INDIRECT TAXES ON LOCAL PRODUCTION 1. The Israel and the Palestinian tax administrations will levy and collect VAT and purchase taxes on local production, as well as any other indirect taxes, in their respective areas.
Article VII LABOR 1. Both sides will attempt to maintain the normality of movement of labor between them, subject to each side's right to determine from time to time the extent and conditions of the labor movement into its area. If the normal movement is suspended temporarily by either side, it will give the other side immediate notification, and the other side may request that the matter be discussed in the Joint Economic Committee.
Article VIII AGRICULTURE 1. There will be free movement of agricultural produce, free of customs and import taxes, between the two sides, subject to the following exceptions and arrangements.
1994 5,000 30 10,000 10,000 13,000 10,000
Article IX INDUSTRY 1. There will be free movement of industrial goods free of any restrictions including customs and import taxes between the two sides, subject to each side's legislation.
Article X TOURISM
Article XI INSURANCE ISSUES 1. The authorities, powers and responsibilities in the insurance sphere in the Areas, including inter alia the licensing of insurers, insurance agents and the supervision of their activities, will be transferred to the Palestinian Authority.
Done in Paris, this twenty ninth day of April, 1994
Yitzhak Rabin
Mr. Prime Minister, With regard to the Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, signed in Cairo on May 4, 1994 (hereinafter 'the Agreement'), the PLO hereby confirms the following: 1. The PLO undertakes to ensure that the Palestinian Authority, including the Palestinian Police and other Palestinian Authority agencies, will function in accordacne with the Agreement, and that the Palestinian Authority will activate the coordination and cooperation mechanism in a timely manner. 2. The PLO undertakes to cooperate with Israel, and to assist it, in its efforts to locate and to return to Israel Israeli soldiers who are missing in action and the bodies of killed soldiers which have not been recovered. 3. The PLO undertakes to submit to the next meeting of the Palestinian National Council for formal approval the necessary changes in regard to the Palestinian Covenant, as undertaken in the letter dated September 9, 1993 signed by the Chairman of the PLO and addressed to the Prime Minister of Israel. 4. When Chairman Arafat enters the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, he will use the title 'Chairman (Ra'ees in Arabic) of the Palestinian Authority' or 'Chairman of the PLO', and will not use the title 'President of Palestine.' 5. Neither side shall initiate or take any step that will change the status of the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area pending the outcome of the permanent status negotiations. 6. Pursuant to Article IV, paragraph 3, of the Agreement, the PLO shall inform the Government of Israel of the names of the members of the Palestinian Authority in a letter that shall be provided within a week of signing the Agreement. The appointment of these members to the Palestinian Authority shall take effect upon an exchange of letters between the PLO and the Government of Israel. Changes in the membership of the Palestinian Authority will take effect upon an exchange of letters between the PLO and the Government of Israel. 7. Immediately after the conclusion of the Agreement, early empowerment negotiations will commence pursuant to Article VI of the Declaration of Principles, and the two sides will explore possible expansion of the scope of these negotiations beyond the five spheres. 8. The two sides will intensify the negotiations on the interim arrangements consistant with the Declaration of Principles and guided by its target date. 9. The two sides reiterate their commitment to commence permanent status negotiations as soon as possible, but no later than the beginning of the third year of the interim period, as provided for in Article V of the Declaration of Principles. 10. As regards the relations between Israel and the PLO, and without derogating from the commitments contained in the letters dated September 9, 1993 signed by and exchanged between the Prime Minister of Israel and the Chairman of the PLO, the two sides will apply between them the provisions contained in Article XII, paragraph 1, with the necessary changes. 11. The two Parties shall, within one month of signing the Agreement, invite the Governments of Jordan and Egypt to establish the Continuing Committee referred to in Article XII of the Declaration of Principles and in Article XVI of the Agreement. 12. The Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority shall pass all necessary legislation to implement the Agreement. 13. The two Parties shall continue discussions on the following issues:
Sincerely,
Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat: May 4, 1994
Yasser Arafat
Mr. Chairman, The Government of the State of Israel has the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date which reads as follows: "With regard to the Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, signed in Cairo on May 4, 1994 (hereinafter 'the Agreement'), the PLO hereby confirms the following: 1. The PLO undertakes to ensure that the Palestinian Authority, including the Palestinian Police and other Palestinian Authority agencies, will function in accordacne with the Agreement, and that the Palestinian Authority will activate the coordination and cooperation mechanism in a timely manner. 2. The PLO undertakes to cooperate with Israel, and to assist it, in its efforts to locate and to return to Israel Israeli soldiers who are missing in action and the bodies of killed soldiers which have not been recovered. 3. The PLO undertakes to submit to the next meeting of the Palestinian National Council for formal approval the necessary changes in regard to the Palestinian Covenant, as undertaken in the letter dated September 9, 1993 signed by the Chairman of the PLO and addressed to the Prime Minister of Israel. 4. When Chairman Arafat enters the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, he will use the title 'Chairman (Ra'ees in Arabic) of the Palestinian Authority' or 'Chairman of the PLO', and will not use the title 'President of Palestine.' 5. Neither side shall initiate or take any step that will change the status of the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area pending the outcome of the permanent status negotiations. 6. Pursuant to Article IV, paragraph 3, of the Agreement, the PLO shall inform the Government of Israel of the names of the members of the Palestinian Authority in a letter that shall be provided within a week of signing the Agreement. The appointment of these members to the Palestinian Authority shall take effect upon an exchange of letters between the PLO and the Government of Israel. Changes in the membership of the Palestinian Authority will take effect upon an exchange of letters between the PLO and the Government of Israel. 7. Immediately after the conclusion of the Agreement, early empowerment negotiations will commence pursuant to Article VI of the Declaration of Principles, and the two sides will explore possible expansion of the scope of these negotiations beyond the five spheres. 8. The two sides will intensify the negotiations on the interim arrangements consistant with the Declaration of Principles and guided by its target date. 9. The two sides reiterate their commitment to commence permanent status negotiations as soon as possible, but no later than the beginning of the third year of the interim period, as provided for in Article V of the Declaration of Principles. 10. As regards the relations between Israel and the PLO, and without derogating from the commitments contained in the letters dated September 9, 1993 signed by and exchanged between the Prime Minister of Israel and the Chairman of the PLO, the two sides will apply between them the provisions contained in Article XII, paragraph 1, with the necessary changes. 11. The two Parties shall, within one month of signing the Agreement, invite the Governments of Jordan and Egypt to establish the Continuing Committee referred to in Article XII of the Declaration of Principles and in Article XVI of the Agreement. 12. The Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority shall pass all necessary legislation to implement the Agreement. 13. The two Parties shall continue discussions on the following issues:
The Government of the State of Israel acknowledges and confirms the undertakings and commitments contained in this letter. Sincerely,
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