Letters exchanges between PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin following the signing of the Gaza-Jericho Agreement May 4, 1994

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity
Israel
Palestine
Region
Middle East and North Africa
Middle East and North Africa
Agreement name
Letters exchanges between PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin following the signing of the Gaza-Jericho Agreement May 4, 1994
Date
4 May 1994
Agreement status
Unilateral document
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Arab-Israeli Conflicts (1948 - ) )
Stage
Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature
Government/territory
Peace process
Israel-Palestine peace process
Parties
Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the PLO; Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel.
Third parties
-
Description
This involves the agreed exchange of two identical letters (coded once), between the head of the PLO and the Israeli government, which accompany and provide additional commitments to the Gaza-Jericho Agreement.

Agreement document
IL_PS_940504_Gaza-Jericho Agreement Letters.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth
No specific mention.
Disabled persons
No specific mention.
Elderly/age
No specific mention.
Migrant workers
No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group
No specific mention.
Religious groups
No specific mention.
Indigenous people
No specific mention.
Other groups
No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons
No specific mention.
Social class
No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender
No specific mention.
Men and boys
No specific mention.
LGBTI
No specific mention.
Family
No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general)
Page 1, Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:
... 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.

Page Page 2, Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
... 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.

Page Page 3, Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
... 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.
State configuration
No specific mention.
Self determination
No specific mention.
Referendum
No specific mention.
State symbols
No specific mention.
Independence/secession
No specific mention.
Accession/unification
No specific mention.
Border delimitation
No specific mention.
Cross-border provision
No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed)
Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→General references
Page 1, Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:
... 1. The PLO undertakes to ensure that the Palestinian Authority, including the Palestinian Police and other Palestinian Authority agencies, will function in accordance with the Agreement, and that the Palestinian Authority will activate the coordination and cooperation mechanism in a timely manner.

Page 1, Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:
... 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.'

Page 1, Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:
... 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.

Page Page 2, Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
... 1. The PLO undertakes to ensure that the Palestinian Authority, including the Palestinian Police and other Palestinian Authority agencies, will function in accordance with the Agreement, and that the Palestinian Authority will activate the coordination and cooperation mechanism in a timely manner.

Page Page 2, Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
... 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.'

Page Page 2, Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
... 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.
Elections
No specific mention.
Electoral commission
No specific mention.
Political parties reform
No specific mention.
Civil society
No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders
No specific mention.
Public administration
No specific mention.
Constitution
Governance→Constitution→Constitutional reform/making
Page Page 2, Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
... 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.

Power sharing

Political power sharing
No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing
Power sharing→Territorial power sharing→Federal or similar sub-divided government
[Summary] Letters touch on the continuation of talks regarding the 'Jericho and Gaza areas' / Palestine.
Economic power sharing
No specific mention.
Military power sharing
No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general
No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar
No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation
No specific mention.
Civil and political rights
No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights
No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship
No specific mention.
Democracy
No specific mention.
Detention procedures
No specific mention.
Media and communication
No specific mention.
Mobility/access
Page 1, Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:
...13. The two Parties shall continue discussions on the following issues:
... c. additional arrangement in the Rafah passage; and

Page 3, Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
... 13. The two Parties shall continue discussions on the following issues:
... c. additional arrangement in the Rafah passage; and
Protection measures
No specific mention.
Other
No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI
No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions
No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law
No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions
No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts
No specific mention.
Prisons and detention
No specific mention.
Traditional Laws
No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction
No specific mention.
National economic plan
No specific mention.
Natural resources
No specific mention.
International funds
No specific mention.
Business
No specific mention.
Taxation
No specific mention.
Banks
No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights
Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Land reform and management
Page 1, Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:
...13. The two Parties shall continue discussions on the following issues:
a. the size of the Jericho Area;

Page 3, Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
... 13. The two Parties shall continue discussions on the following issues:
a. the size of the Jericho Area;
Pastoralist/nomadism rights
No specific mention.
Cultural heritage
No specific mention.
Environment
No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access
No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees
No specific mention.
Ceasefire
No specific mention.
Police
Page 1, Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:
... 1. The PLO undertakes to ensure that the Palestinian Authority, including the Palestinian Police and other Palestinian Authority agencies, will function in accordance with the Agreement, and that the Palestinian Authority will activate the coordination and cooperation mechanism in a timely manner.

Page Page 2, Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
... 1. The PLO undertakes to ensure that the Palestinian Authority, including the Palestinian Police and other Palestinian Authority agencies, will function in accordance with the Agreement, and that the Palestinian Authority will activate the coordination and cooperation mechanism in a timely manner.
Armed forces
No specific mention.
DDR
No specific mention.
Intelligence services
No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces
No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces
No specific mention.
Corruption
No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime
No specific mention.
Drugs
No specific mention.
Terrorism
No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general
No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon
No specific mention.
Courts
No specific mention.
Mechanism
No specific mention.
Prisoner release
No specific mention.
Vetting
No specific mention.
Victims
No specific mention.
Missing persons
Page 1, Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:
... 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.

Page Page 2, Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
... 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.
Reparations
No specific mention.
Reconciliation
No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory
No specific mention.
Other international signatory
No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement
No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar
No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism
No specific mention.
Related cases
No specific mention.
Source
The Jewish Virtual Library (A Division of the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise), https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/gjletter.html

GAZA-JERICHO AGREEMENT - LETTERS

Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:

May 4, 1994

Yitzhak Rabin

Prime Minister of Israel

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:

The PLO undertakes to ensure that the Palestinian Authority, including the Palestinian Police and other Palestinian Authority agencies, will function in accordance with the Agreement, and that the Palestinian Authority will activate the coordination and cooperation mechanism in a timely manner.

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

The two sides will intensify the negotiations on the interim arrangements consistant with the Declaration of Principles and guided by its target date.

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.

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.

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.

The Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority shall pass all necessary legislation to implement the Agreement.

The two Parties shall continue discussions on the following issues:

the size of the Jericho Area;

the positioning of a Palestinian official at the bridge;

additional arrangement in the Rafah passage;

and

all outstanding issues specified in the Agreement.

Sincerely,

Yasser Arafat

Chairman

The Palestinian Liberation Organization

Letter from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:

May 4, 1994

Yasser Arafat

Chairman

The Palestine Liberation Organization

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:

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.