The Arab-Israeli Peace Process: Lessons from the Five Years since Oslo

Since September 1993, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has continued against an unsatisfactory background of interruption, accusations of bad faith and political and physical violence, setting in motion a historic process of mutual recognition, above all on a humanized level, interaction and detailed multi-sectoral negotiations. A balance is drawn up taking account of these factors -- including additional problems over land, public opinion, security and a desire for a negotiated peace. In the era of Israel's peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, the latter's experience in the evolution of Arab-Israeli relations is telling. The Arabs still feel that double standards are applied in favour of Israel and its demands for and definitions of security. Arab leaders cannot be seen to be putting Israel's concerns ahead of those of their own critical constituents. The Oslo process faces increasing scepticism in its dealings with the Netanyahu government. Six important operating principles and lessons are identified on practical, emotional and historical levels. The process is flawed but remains a valid framework for peacemaking.