October 26, 1994: The Signing of the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty
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| Photo by Sa'ar Yaakov courtesy of GPO: King Hussein of Jordan lights P.M.Yitzhak Rabin's cigarette at royal Jordanian residence in Akaba, shortly after signing the peace treaty |
In October 26, 1994 Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty, ending 46 years of conflict between the two countries.
The treaty settled relations between the both countries, adjusted land and water disputes, and provided for broad cooperation in tourism and trade. It included a pledge that neither Jordan nor Israel would allow its territory to become a staging ground for military strikes by a third country.
During their years of conflict Israel and Jordan held secret channels of communications and exchange of messages while leaders and advisers from both countries had secretly met on several occasions, since 1963.
In 1987 Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Shimon Peres and King Hussein tried to secretly arrange a peace agreement. The proposal which included Israel's concede of the West Bank to Jordan was not consummated due to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir's objection.
The treaty settled relations between the both countries, adjusted land and water disputes, and provided for broad cooperation in tourism and trade. It included a pledge that neither Jordan nor Israel would allow its territory to become a staging ground for military strikes by a third country.
During their years of conflict Israel and Jordan held secret channels of communications and exchange of messages while leaders and advisers from both countries had secretly met on several occasions, since 1963.
In 1987 Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Shimon Peres and King Hussein tried to secretly arrange a peace agreement. The proposal which included Israel's concede of the West Bank to Jordan was not consummated due to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir's objection.
The opening section of the 1994 peace treaty stated as follows:
"The Government of the State of Israel and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan:
Bearing in mind the Washington Declaration , signed by them on 25th July, 1994, and which they are both committed to honor;
Aiming at the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 in all their aspects;
Bearing in mind the importance of maintaining and strengthening peace based on freedom, equality, justice and respect for fundamental human rights, thereby overcoming psychological barriers and promoting human dignity;
Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and recognising their right and obligation to live in peace with each other as well as with all states, within secure and recognised boundaries;
Desiring to develop friendly relations and co-operation between them in accordance with the principles of international law governing international relations in time of peace;
Desiring as well to ensure lasting security for both their States and in particular to avoid threats and the use of force between them;
Bearing in mind that in their Washington Declaration of 25th July, 1994, they declared the termination of the state of belligerency between them;
Deciding to establish peace between them in accordance with this Treaty of Peace."
Photo by Sa'ar Yaakov courtesy of the Israeli government press offoce: King Hussein of Jordan lights P.M.Yitzhak Rabin's cigarette at royal Jordanian residence in Akaba, shortly after signing the peace treaty.
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