Middle East Historic Documents | Israel-PLO Recognition:: 1993
Middle East Historic Documents
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Israel-PLO
Recognition:
Exchange of Letters between Israel PM Yitzhac Rabin
and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat
September 9, 1993
1. Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser
Arafat to Israel Prime Minisater Yitzhac Rabin:
September 9, 1993
Yitzhak Rabin
Prime Minister of Israel
Mr. Prime Minister,
The signing of the Declaration of Principles marks a new
era in the history of the Middle East. In firm conviction thereof, I would like to confirm
the following PLO commitments:
The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to
exist in peace and security.
The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council Resolutions
242 and 338.
The PLO commits itself to the Middle East peace process,
and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two sides and declares that all
outstanding issues relating to permanent status will be resolved through negotiations.
The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration of
Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a new epoch of peaceful coexistence,
free from violence and all other acts which endanger peace and stability. Accordingly, the
PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of violence and will assume
responsibility over all PLO elements and personnel in order to assure their compliance,
prevent violations and discipline violators.
In view of the pormise of a new era and the signing of the
Declaration of Principles and based on Palestinian acceptance of Security Council
Resolutions 242 and 338, the PLO affirms that those articles of the
Palestinian Covenant which deny Israel's right to exist, and the provisions of the
Covenant which are inconsistent with the commitments of this letter are now inoperative
and no longer valid. Consequently, the PLO undertakes to submit to the Palestinian
National Council for formal approval the necessary changes in regard to the Palestinian
Covenant.
Sincerely,
Yasser Arafat
Chairman
The Palestine Liberation Organization
2. Letter from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Norwegian Foregin Ministert:
September 9, 1993
His Excellency
Johan Jorgen Holst
Foreign Minister of Norway
Dear Minister Holst,
I would like top confirm to you that, upon the signing of
the Declaration of Principles, the PLO encourages and calls upon the Palestinian people in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip to take part in the steps leading to the normalization of
life, rejecting violence and terrorism, contributing to peace and stability and
participating actively in shaping reconstruction, economic develoment and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Yasser Arafat
Chairman
The Palestine Liberation Organization
3. Leter for Israel Prime Miniser Yitzhac Rabin to PLO Chairmamn Yasser Arafat:
September 9, 1993
Yasser Arafat
Chairman
The Palestinian Liberation Organization
Mr. Chairman,
In response to your letter of September 9, 1993, I wish to
confirm to you that, in light of the PLO commitments included in your letter, the
Government of Israel has decided to recognize the PLO as the representative of the
Palestinian people and commence negotiations with the PLO within the Middle East peace
process.
Yitzhak Rabin
Prime Minister of Israel
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