jul 25, 2000 - 2000 Camp David Summit

Description:

The 2000 Camp David Summit was a peace summit held from July 11 to July 25, 2000, involving U.S. President Bill Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. It aimed to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but ended without an agreement, primarily due to irreconcilable differences on the status of Jerusalem. This failure is considered a significant trigger for the Second Intifada.

Key Issues Discussed
Territory: Palestinians sought full sovereignty over the West Bank and Gaza Strip, proposing a land swap for areas Israel wanted to annex. Israel offered a Palestinian state on up to 92% of the West Bank and 100% of Gaza, with complex arrangements for Israeli settlements.
Territorial Contiguity: Disputed; Palestinians saw Israeli proposals as creating non-contiguous cantons, while Israel claimed more continuity.
Jerusalem and the Temple Mount: Palestinians demanded complete sovereignty over East Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount. Israel proposed Palestinian administrative control over Islamic holy sites without full sovereignty.
Refugees: Palestinians demanded the right of return for refugees, while Israel offered a limited return and compensation for others.
Security Arrangements: Israel wanted to maintain security presence and control over key areas, with restrictions on Palestinian military capabilities.
Summit Outcome
The summit concluded without an agreement, with no written record of the proposals, leading to conflicting reports on the details. A trilateral statement was issued, emphasizing the goal of ending the conflict and achieving peace based on UN Resolutions 242 and 338.

Aftermath and Blame
Blame for the failure is debated. Many Israelis and Americans blamed Arafat, citing his unwillingness to compromise. Palestinians and some observers criticized Israeli and U.S. proposals as inadequate. The summit's failure and subsequent violence highlighted the deep-seated divisions and mistrust between the parties.

Public Opinion
Palestinian Side: Arafat's approval rating increased post-summit, with most Palestinians supporting his negotiation stance.
Israeli Side: Barak faced criticism, with a majority of Israelis feeling he compromised too much.
Conclusion
The 2000 Camp David Summit was a pivotal but unsuccessful attempt to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reflecting the complexities and deep divisions over core issues such as territory, Jerusalem, and refugees. The lack of agreement and subsequent violence underscored the challenges of achieving lasting peace in the region.

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