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KEY DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

Document Selection and Methodology: The primary sources below (in chronological order) have been selected based on their relevance to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Whenever possible, unaltered documents from the issuing agencies were used. In some cases, documents were acquired from 3rd party services such as universities and historical databases, and although we can not guarantee their accuracy, they did appear to be unaltered original historic documents. If there are documents we should have included and did not, please let us know.

Date Issued

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Mar 10, 2005

Sasson Report: Summary of the Opinion Concerning Unauthorized Outposts
(PDF) 197KB

Talia Sasson, at the request of the Prime Minister bureau, Israel

Report on Israeli government involvement in the establishment of settlement outposts in Palestinian Occupied Territories.

Are Jewish settlements in the Palestinian Territories a violation of international law?

Jun 8, 2005

Report: War Crimes Committed Against U.S. Military Personnel, June 8, 1967
(PDF) 224KB
(HTML version)

USS Liberty Veterans Association

War crimes report submitted to the U.S. Secretary of the Army

What was the USS Liberty incident?

Jan 28, 2005

U.N. Resolution 1583
(PDF) 14KB
(HTML version)

U.N. Security Council

Response to a Lebanese government request to extend the mandate of UNIFIL on the Blue Line to confirm Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon

Why did Israel withdraw from South Lebanon in 2000?

Jun 6, 2004

Addendum "A" - Revised Disengagement Plan - Main Principles
(PDF) 14KB
(HTML version)

Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Communications Department

Revision of the original Disengagement Plan due to the absence "of a reliable Palestinian partner."

Is Sharon's Disengagement Plan an acceptable step and/or solution?

Dec 18, 2003

Ariel Sharon's Disengagement Plan Speech
(PDF) 28KB
(HTML version)

Ariel Sharon,
Israeli Prime Minister

Public introduction of the Disengagement Plan

What is Sharon's Disengagement Plan?

Nov 19, 2003

U.N. Resolution 1515
(PDF) 10KB
(HTML version)

U.N. Security Council

Endorses the Quartet Performance-based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution

Is a two-state solution acceptable?

Oct. 14, 2003

Geneva Accord
(PDF) 112KB
(HTML version)

Yossi Beilin, Yasser Abd Rabbo, et al

The agreement envisions a Palestinian state based roughly on the borders before the 1967 Mideast war. Most Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip would be dismantled. It divides sovereignty in Jerusalem, but avoids a large-scale return to Israel by Palestinians who fled or were driven out in the 1948-49 war that followed Israel's creation.

Is the 2003 Geneva Accord a just resolution to the Israeli - Palestinian conflict?

Mar 27, 2002

Speech by Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz
(PDF) 13KB
(HTML version)

Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz,
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia

States that the "only acceptable objective of the peace process is the full Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories."

Is the Arab Peace Initiative an acceptable solution to the Israeli - Palestinian conflict?

Mar 12, 2002

U.N. Resolution 1397
(PDF) 11KB
(HTML version)

U.N. Security Council

Adopted in concordance with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz's 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, demanding the immmediate end of violence by both sides.

What is the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative (a.k.a. The Saudi Plan)?

May 15, 2001

Official Comment of the Government of Israel on the Report of the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee (The Mitchell Report)
(PDF) 25KB
(HTML version)

Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs

States that the Mitchell Report "provides a constructive and positive attempt" for peace in response to the Al-Aqsa intifada

Was Ariel Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif responsible for igniting the al-Aqsa intifada?

May 15, 2001

Official Response of the PLO to the Report of the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee (The Mitchell Report)
(PDF) 24KB
(HTML version)

Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)

Agrees that Mitchell Report's recommendations are a "coherent foundation" for peace in response to the Al-Aqsa intifada

What was the outcome of the Al - Aqsa Intifada?

Apr 30, 2001

Report of the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee (The Mitchell Report)
(PDF) 3,204KB
(HTML version)

Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee

Recommends "swift and decisive" action to stop violence between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority

What was the Mitchell Report and how was it related to the al-Aqsa Intifada?

Jul 25, 2000

Statement by President William J. Clinton Upon the Close of Camp David
(PDF) 32KB
(HTML version)

William J. Clinton,
President of the United States

Statement issued upon the closing of the 2000 Camp David Summit

What were the 2000 Clinton parameters, and were they an acceptable solution?

Jul 25, 2000

Trilateral Statement by William J. Clinton, Ehud Barak, and Yasser Arafat Upon the Close of Camp David
(PDF) 6KB
(HTML version)

William J. Clinton,
President of the United States, Ehud Barak, Israeli Prime Minister, and Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority

Commitment to follow U.N. resolutions 242 and 338 as the only way to reach an agreement under a violence-free environment

What was the 2000 Camp David Proposal?

Feb 17, 2000

U.N. Secretary-General's Bulletin for the Organization of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(PDF) 422KB
(HTML version)

Kofi Annan

Extension and re-organization of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

What is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)?

Dec 17, 1999

U.N. Resolution 54/152
(PDF) 11KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Reaffirms that Palestinian people have right to self determination and a state

Which international resolutions support the establishment of a Palestinian State?

Oct 4, 1999

1999 Sharm al-Sheikh Memorandum
(HTML version)

Ehud Barak, Prime Minister of Israel, and
Yassir Arafat, Palestine Liberation Organization

Set out a timetable for a permanent peace settlement

What was the 1999 Sharm al-Sheikh Memorandum?

Oct 23, 1998

1998 The Wye River Memorandum
(HTML version)

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, and
Yassir Arafat, Palestine Liberation Organization

Delineated steps to complete implementation of the Interim Agreement and of agreements that accompanied the Hebron Protocol. Israel will redeploy from the West Bank in exchange for Palestinian security measures. The PA [Palestine Authority] will have complete or shared responsibility for 40% of the West Bank, of which it will have complete control of 18.2%

What was the 1998 Wye River Memorandum?

Sep 28, 1998

Yasser Arafat's Address to the 53rd U.N. General Assemby
(PDF) 10KB
(HTML version)

Yasser Arafat,
President of the Palestinian Authority

Appreciation for inclusion as a member of the "General Debate" in the General Assembly's agenda. Marked the first time in U.N. history that a non-member state participated as a member

Should there be a Palestinian State?

Jul 7, 1998

U.N. Resolution 52/250
(PDF) 12KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Conferred upon Palestine additional rights and privileges of participation that had previously been exclusive to Member States

Which international resolutions support the establishment of a Palestinian State?

Jan 13, 1998

Yasser Arafat's Letter to President William J. Clinton
(PDF) 10KB
(HTML version)

Yasser Arafat,
President of the Palestinian Authority

Agreement to recognize the State of Israel

Does Israel have a right to exist?

Jan 17, 1997

1997 Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron
(PDF) 30KB

D. Shomrom, for Israel, and
Saeb Erakat, Palestine Liberation Organization

divided the city of Hebron into two parts: H1 and H2; Palestinian Authority controlled H1, and Israel retained control over H2 and surrounding Jewish settlements

What was the 1997 Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron?

Sept 28, 1995

1995 Oslo Interim Agreement
(HTML version)

Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel, and
Yassir Arafat, Palestine Liberation Organization

Most significantly the agreement recognizes the establishment of a "Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority," i.e. an elected Council, called "the Council" or "the Palestinian Council"

What was the 1995 Oslo Interim Agreement?

Oct 26, 1994

Treaty of Peace Between the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
(PDF) 7KB
(HTML version)

Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel, and
Abdul Salam Majali, Prime Minister of Jordan

Establishes peace between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the State of Israel

What are the offical policies of the surrounding Arab states and Iran in relation to Israel?

May 4, 1994

1994 Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area
(HTML version)

Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel, and
Yassir Arafat, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

Transferred control over the bulk of the Gaza Strip and a sixty-five-square-kilometer area encompassing Jericho and its environs to PA [Palestinian Authority] control

What was the 1994 Cairo Agreement?

Apr 29, 1994

1994 Paris Protocol
(PDF) 114KB

Avraham Shohat, Finance Minister of Israel, and
Abu Ala (Ahmed Korei), Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

Protocol on Economic Relations between the Government of the State of Israel and the P.L.O., representing the Palestinian people

What was the 1994 Paris Protocol?

Sep 13, 1993

1993 Declaration of Principles
(HTML version)

Shimon Perez for Israel,
and Mahmoud Abbas for the Palestinian Authority

Recognize their mutual legitimate and political rights, and strive to live in peaceful coexistence and mutual dignity and security and achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement and historic reconciliation through the agreed political process.

What was the 1993 Oslo Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements?

Sep 9, 1993

Exchange of Letters Between Yassir Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin Before the Signing of the Oslo Declaration of Principles
(PDF) 7KB
(HTML version)

Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli Prime Minister,
and Yassir Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority

Delineated steps to complete implementation of the Interim Agreement and of agreements that accompanied the Hebron Protocol

What letters were exchanged between Arafat and Rabin prior to the signing of the 1993 Oslo Declaration?

Dec 15, 1988

U.N. Resolution 43/177
(PDF) 13KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Acknowledges the State of Palestine Proclamation by the Palestine National Council

Which international resolutions support the establishment of a Palestinian State?

Dec 9, 1988

U.N. Resolution 43/160
(PDF) 14KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Decided that the Palestine Liberation Organization was entitled to have its communications issued and circulated as official documents of the United Nations

What is the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)?

Mar 2, 1988

U.N. Resolution 42/229
(PDF) 14KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Reaffirmed that the Permanent Observer Mission of the PLO to the UN is covered by the United Nations Headquarters Agreement. It called upon the U.S. to abide by this agreement

What is the relationship between the United States and the Palestinians?

1983

Provisional Rules of Procedure of the U.N. Security Council
(PDF) 2,170KB

U.N. Security Council

The revised 1983 provisional rules of procedure of the U.N. Security Council decided by a vote that an invitation should be extended to the representative of the PLO to participate in the Security Council's selected debates

Does the United Nations single-out Israel for special scrutiny?

Feb 8, 1983

104 Report of the Commission of Inquiry Into the Events at the Refugee Camps in Beirut
(PDF) 183KB
(HTML version)

Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Commission determined that Israeli forces were indirectly responsible for the Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps' massacre

What was the 1983 Kahan Commission Report?

Mar 26, 1979

Treaty of Peace Between The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Government of the State of Israel
(PDF) 32KB
(HTML version)

The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Government of the State of Israel

Establishes peace between the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Government of the State of Israel

What was the outcome of the 1979 Egyptian - Israeli Peace Treaty?

Nov 10, 1975

U.N. Resolution 3379 (XXX). Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
(PDF) 238KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

The General Assembly "determines that zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination."

Is Zionism a form of racism?

Nov 22, 1974

U.N. Resolution 3237
(PDF) 10KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Granted observer status to the PLO

What is and has been the relationship between the United Nations and the Palestinians?

Nov 13, 1974

Yasser Arafat's Speech Before the U.N. General Assembly
(PDF) 39KB
(HTML version)

Yasser Arafat,
President of the State of Palestine

Call to the world to support Palestinian people's right of return and self-determination

Should Palestinian Refugees have the Right of Return?

Oct 14, 1974

U.N. Resolution 3210
(PDF) 10KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Recognized the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people and invited it to participate in the deliberations of the General Assembly on the Question of Palestine in plenary meetings

What was the 1974 Rabat Summit and what was its significance for the PLO?

Dec 12, 1973

U.N. Resolution 3102
(PDF) 19KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Urged that national liberation movements be invited to participate as observers in the Diplomatic Conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts

What is and has been the relationship between the United Nations and the Palestinians?

Oct 22, 1973

U.N. Resolution 338
(PDF) 10KB
(HTML version)

U.N. Security Council

Calls for an inmediate cease-fire and for a prompt implementation of 1967 U.N. Resolution 242

What was the outcome of the War of 1973?

Dec 8, 1970

U.N. Resolution 2672 C
(PDF) 15KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Recognizes that the people of Palestine are entitled to equal rights and self determination

Which international resolutions support the establishment of a Palestinian State?

Dec 10, 1969

U.N. Resolution 2535 B
(PDF) 63KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Notes that repatriation or compensation of the refugees has not been granted, and that no substantial progress has been made for the reintegration of refugees either by repatriation or resettlement and that, therefore, the situation of the refugees continues to be a matter of serious concern

What is and has been the relationship between the United Nations and the Palestinians?

Sept. 1, 1967

1967 Khartoum Resolutions
(PDF) 9.31KB

Eight Arab Heads of State (Jamal Abdel Nasr of Egypt, King Hussein of Jordan, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, Prince Salem Al-Sabah of Kuwait, Abdalla Al-Salal of Yemen, Howeri Bumedian of Algeria, Al-Amir Al-Hassan of Libya, Al-Bahi Al Adgham Tunisian Prime Minister)

Established an Arab consensus for setting official policies of most Arab states in regards to their relations with Israel: "no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it."

How did the 1967 Khartoum Summit of the Arab states affect Arab-Israeli relations?

Nov 22, 1967

U.N. Resolution 242
(PDF) 10KB
(HTML version)

U.N. Security Council

Calls for the withdrawal of Israel armed forces from Palestinian and other territories occupied in the 1967 war

What effect did the 1967 War have on the Palestinians?

Oct 6, 1964

Letter from the representatives of Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Republic and Yemen, addressed to the President of the Security Council
(PDF) 20KB
(HTML version)

U.N. Security Council

Letter "to draw the attention of the Security Council to recent Israeli aggressive policies and statements which create an imminent danger to international peace and security."

Is Israel a threat to world peace?

Nov 20, 1951

Progress Report of the U.N. Conciliation Commission for Palestine
(PDF) 101KB
(HTML version)

U.N. Conciliation Commission for Palestine

Calling of the second Paris Conference for armistice agreements

What were the 1949 armistice agreements, and how did the Israeli and Arab interpretation of them differ?

Aug 12, 1949

Geneva Convention IV
(PDF) 93KB
(HTML version)

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war

What rights do refugees have under international law?

May 11, 1949

Resolution 273 (III). Admission of Israel to membership in the United Nations
(PDF) 10KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Decides to admit Israel to membership in the United Nations

Which international resolutions support Israel's existence?

May 11, 1949

A/PV.207. 207th Plenary Meeting
Application of Israel for admission to membership in the United Nation report of the Ad Hoc Political Committee (PDF) 154KB

U.N. General Assembly

Minutes of the 207th Plenary Meeting, debating admission of Israel to membership in the United Nations

Which international resolutions support Israel's existence?

Dec 10, 1948

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(PDF) 41KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Outlines the view of the United Nation General Assembly on human rights guaranteed to all people

What is and has been the relationship between the United Nations and the Palestinians?

Dec 2, 1948

Application of Israel for Admission to the United Nations
(PDF) 10KB
(HTML version)

State of Israel

Official application for membership to the United Nations

Which international resolutions support Israel's existence?

May 14, 1948

Israeli Decalaration of Independence (HTML Version)
(PDF 101KB Original in Hebrew)

Leaders of the Yishuv [Jewish community in Palestine]

Declaration of Independence and Proclamation of the Jewish state in Palestine to be called Medinat Israel

What is the Israeli Declaration of Independence?

Nov 29, 1947

Resolution 181 (II). Future government of Palestine
(PDF) 41KB
(HTML version)

U.N. General Assembly

Recommends to the United Kingdom the adoption and implementation of the Plan of Partition

What was the outcome of the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan?

Jun 26, 1945

Charter of the United Nations
(PDF) 43KB
(HTML version)

The United Nations

Charter signed at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization

Has U.N. involvement had a positive effect on the Israeli - Palestinian conflict?

Oct 1, 1939

Palestine - Statement of Policy by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom
(PDF) 24KB
(HTML version)

Malcolm MacDonald,
Secretary of State for the Colonies

Presents policy "To place the country under such political, administrative and economic conditions as will secure the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, [and] to facilitate Jewish immigration under suitable conditions."

What was the British position on Jewish immigration to Palestine during the Mandate Period (1922-1948), and how did it develop?

Oct 1, 1930

Palestine - Statement of Policy by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom
(PDF) 37KB
(HTML version)

Secretary of State for the Colonies

Presents policy "to convince both Arabs and Jews of their firm intention to promote the essential interests of both races to the utmost of their power, and to work consistently for the development, in Palestine, of a prosperous community."

What was British policy with respect to the differing interests of the Arabs and Jews of Palestine during the Mandate Period (1922-1948)?

Aug 12, 1922

Mandate for Palestine
(PDF) 20KB
(HTML version)

League of Nations

To "entrust the Allied Powers the administration of the territory of Palestine which previously belonged to the Turkish Empire."

What was the British Mandate?

Jun 3, 1922

The Churchill "White Paper"
(PDF) 12KB
(HTML version)

Winston Churchill,
British Prime Minister

Responds to Arabs' concerns over the Balfour Declaration and massive Jewish immigration to palestine

What was the British position on Jewish immigration to Palestine during the Mandate Period (1922-1948), and how did it develop?

Jun 1, 1922

Correspondence with the Palestine Arab Delegation and the Zionist Organization
(PDF) 63KB
(HTML version)

The United Kingdom

Selected correspondence submitted to the British Parliament

Did the British have the right to promise "the establishment of a national home for the Jewish People?"

Jun 28, 1919

Covenant of the League of Nations, Part I of the Versailles Treaty
(PDF) 63KB
(HTML version)

Paris Peace Conference

Provides for the creation of the League of Nations

Biography of the League of Nations

Nov 2, 1917

Balfour Declaration of Principles
(PDF) 63KB
(HTML version)

Arthur James Balfour

Letter from British foreign secretary, Arthur James (later Lord) Balfour, to Lord Rothschild, head of the British Zionist Organization

Who was Lord Balfour and what was the Balfour Declaration?

Oct 24, 1915

Letter from Hussein-McMahon Correspondence
(PDF) 9KB
(HTML version)

Sir Henry McMahon,
British High Commissioner in Cairo

Correspondence between Sharif Hussein of Mecca, Governor of the Hijaz province of Arabia, and Sir Henry McMahon, the British High Commissioner to Egypt

Was Palestine included in the territory designated for Arab control in the Hussein-McMahon correspondence?

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