In accordance with the provisions of the Interim Agreement and in particular of Article VII of Annex I to the Interim Agreement, both Parties have agreed on this Protocol for the implementation of the redeployment in Hebron.
The redeployment of Israeli Military Forces in Hebron will be carried out in accordance with the Interim Agreement and this Protocol. This redeployment will be completed not later than ten days from the signing of this Protocol. During these ten days both sides will exert every possible effort to prevent friction and any action that would prevent the redeployment. This redeployment shall constitute full implementation of the provisions of the Interim Agreement with regard to the City of Hebron unless otherwise provided for in Article VII of Annex I to the Interim Agreement.
The Imara will be turned over to the Palestinian side upon the completion of the redeployment and will become the headquarters of the Palestinian Police in the City of Hebron.
Both sides reiterate their commitment to the unity of the City of Hebron, and their understanding that the division of security responsibility will not divide the city. In this context, and without derogating from the security powers and responsibilities of either side, both sides share the mutual goal that movement of people, goods and vehicles within and in and out of the city will be smooth and normal, without obstacles or barriers.
The Palestinian side shall have the power to determine bus stops, traffic arrangements and traffic signalization in the city of Hebron. Traffic signalization, traffic arrangements and the location of bus stops in Area H-2 will remain as they are on the date of the redeployment in Hebron. Any subsequent change in these arrangements in Area H-2 will be done in cooperation between the two sides in the transportation sub-committee.
The Palestinian side, when operating new offices in Area H-2, will take into consideration the need to avoid provocation and friction. Where establishing such offices might affect public order or security the two sides will cooperate to find a suitable solution.
In accordance with paragraph 5 of Article VII of Annex I of the Interim Agreement, municipal services shall be provided regularly and continuously to all parts of the city of Hebron, at the same quality and cost. The cost shall be determined by the Palestinian side with respect to work done and materials consumed, without discrimination.
There will be a Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH). Both sides will agree on the modalities of the TIPH, including the number of its members and its area of operation.
Nothing in this Protocol will derogate from the security powers and responsibilities of either side in accordance with Annex I to the Interim Agreement.
The appendices attached to this Protocol shall constitute an integral part hereof.
Appendix 1 Appendix 2 (Article 5) Agreed Adjacent Area The Agreed Adjacent Area ("AAA") shall include the following:
The two leaders met on January 15, 1997, in the presence of the U.S. Special Middle East Coordinator. They requested him to prepare this Note for the Record to summarize what they agreed upon at their meeting.
Issues for Implementation
The aforementioned commitments will be dealt with immediately and in parallel.
The leaders agreed that the process of reopening the Shuhada Road will begin immediately, and will be fully completed within four months based on the premise that the preparations agreed between the two sides have been completed in accordance with the American plan.
As part of its ongoing support for the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, the United States intends to finance and supervise preparations to improve and facilitate the complete reopening of al-Shuhada Street in the City of Hebron. This work will take place in conjunction with the implementation of the "Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron" concluded between the two sides. Description of Activity: USAID intends to fund and manage the upgrading of utilities, primarily potable water lines and sanitary sewers, in the area of al-Shuhada Street to improve access to service. In conjunction with these improvements to utilities, USAID will direct renovation of the area within al-Shuhada Street to provide a safe and attractive environment for local businesses, pedestrians and vehicular traffic. The existing street will be completely reconstructed for a distance of approximately 700 meters including Gross square and also along a 200 meter spur of Rahme Road and a 100 meter spur leading to the Old City Gate. Major elements of this proposed activity as currently envisaged include:
This plan also includes the widening of the al-Shuhada Street in the vicinity of Beit Hadassah and Beit Schnerson. The details of this aspect of the plan include the following elements: the road in front of Beit Hadassah and Beit Schnerson will be widened to 13 meters; there will be sidewalks on each side of the street; each sidewalk will be separated from the street by a low stone wall with iron railings, no more than 1.25 meters high and 30 meters long; there will be equal roadways 3.55 meters wide in each direction; the two roadways will be divided by a security wall no more than 0.40 meters wide, 1.50 meters high and 30 meters long; there will be ten parking spaces on the northeast side of the street. USAID expects that the renovation of al-Shuhada Street will commence in mid-January 1997 and will be completed as quickly as technical considerations permit. All activities will be subject to applicable laws and regulations. Continuing consultation will be held to address technical issues that may arise during the implementation of this plan.
(Letter to be provided by U.S. Secretary of State Christopher to Benjamin
Netanyahu at the time of signing of the Hebron Protocol)
Dear Mr. Prime Minister, I wanted personally to congratulate you on the successful conclusion of the "Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron." It represents an important step forward in the Oslo peace process and reaffirms my conviction that a just and lasting peace will be established between Israelis and Palestinians in the very near future. In this connection, I can assure you that it remains the policy of the United States to support and promote full implementation of the Interim Agreement in all of its parts. We intend to continue our efforts to help ensure that all outstanding commitments are carried out by both parties in a cooperative spirit and on the basis of reciprocity. As part of this process, I have impressed upon Chairman Arafat the imperative need for the Palestinian Authority to make every effort to ensure public order and internal security within the West Bank and Gaza Strip. I have stressed to him that effectively carrying out this major responsibility will be a critical foundation for completing implementation of the Interim Agreement, as well as the peace process as a whole. I wanted you to know that, in this context, I have advised Chairman Arafat of U.S. views on Israel's process of redeploying its forces, designating specified military locations and transferring additional powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority. In this regard, I have conveyed our belief, that the first phase of further redeployments should take place as soon as possible, and that all three phases of the further redeployments should be completed within twelve months from the implementation of the first phase of the further redeployments but not later than mid-1998. Mr. Prime Minister, you can be assured that the United States' commitment to Israel's security is ironclad and constitutes the fundamental cornerstone of our special relationship. The key element in our approach to peace, including the negotiation and implementation of agreements between Israel and its Arab partners, has always been a recognition of Israel's security requirements. Moreover, a hallmark of U.S. policy remains our commitment to work cooperatively to seek to meet the security needs that Israel identifies. Finally, I would like to reiterate our position that Israel is entitled to secure and defensible borders, which should be directly negotiated and agreed with its neighbors.
Read More...
By: Holy Land Peace
Date: 30/08/2012
By: United Nations
Date: 06/05/2009
By: Council of the European Union
Date: 29/11/2005
|