Agreement on the Temporary international presence in the city of Hebron
May 09, 1996
- Pursuant to Article VII of the Interim Agreement on the West
Bank and
the Gaza Strip, dated September 28, 1995, the two sides agree to the
establishment of a Temporary International Presence in the city of Hebron
("TIPH"). This agreement will remain in force until such time as Israeli
forces redeploy from Hebron, whereupon it will be superseded by a new
agreement to be negotiated by the two sides and the TIPH established by
this Agreement will be replaced by a new TIPH to be established under the
new agreement ("the new TIPH").
- A Temporary International presence will be established in the city of
Hebron. As detailed in paragraph 4 below, the TIPH will, in anticipation
of the Israeli redeployment in Hebron, act as an advance party for the new
TIPH, assist in promoting stability and in monitoring and reporting the
efforts to maintain normal life in the city of Hebron, thus creating a
feeling of security among Palestinians in the city of Hebron. The
organizational structure, operational guidelines, logistics, support and
privileges and immunities of the TIPH shall be in accordance with the
Modalities on the establishment of the TIPH established by Norway with the
agreement of the two sides.
- The two sides shall request Norway to provide 50-60 persons, citizens
of Norway, as TIPH personnel, consisting of field observers, office staff
and support personnel, as agreed between the two sides. Consistent with
its stated task, the TIPH personnel shall have no military or police
functions.
- The tasks of the TIPH personnel will be:
- to begin preparations for the establishment of the new
TIPH;
- to contribute by their presence to a feeling of security to the
Palestinians of Hebron;
- to help promote stability and an appropriate environment conducive to
the enhancement of the well-being of the Palestinians in Hebron and their
economic development; and
- to provide reports as set out in paragraph 6 below.
- In order to facilitate the carrying out of the TIPH tasks, a building
will be chosen in the city of Hebron as a seat for the TIPH.
- The TIPH will report to the following:
- On specific events - to a Joint Hebron Committee ("JHC"),
comprised of
two representatives from each side. The senior Palestinian representative
will be the Mayor of Hebron and the senior Israeli representative will be
the head of the Civil Administration in the city of Hebron. A
representative of the TIPH will be invited on a bi-weekly basis to
participate in the JHC meeting in order to report on the TIPH
activities.
- Periodically - to the Monitoring and Steering Committee established
pursuant to the Interim Agreement.
- The members of the TIPH shall wear distinctive uniforms with a special
emblem, as agreed by the two sides, and their vehicles shall be marked
with the same emblem. TIPH members may carry pistols for self-defense
purposes.
- The TIPH will enjoy freedom of movement for the performance of its
tasks within the city of Hebron. Such freedom of movement shall not be
restricted, except for reasons of imperative military necessity, and then
only as an exceptional and temporary measure.
- The TIPH and its members shall, in conformity with the Modalities
referred to in paragraph 2, be accorded such privileges and immunities as
are necessary for the fulfilment of their tasks, and for the independent
exercise of their functions, including immunity of the TIPH premises. The
presence and activities of the personnel assigned by Norway to the TIPH
will be in accordance with Israel's responsibility for security in Hebron
consistent with the DOP and dates of its implementation.
- The expenses of the TIPH will be borne by Norway.
- The TIPH may commence its operation immediately after the signing of
this Agreement and continue to function for a period of three months or
until such earlier date on which this agreement is superseded by a new
agreement pursuant to paragraph 1 above. With the consent of the two
sides, the TIPH may extend the period or change the scope of its
operation, as agreed.
Signed by:
Mr. Joel Singer
Dr. Saeb Erakat
http://www.miftah.org
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