The Oslo Accords of 1993
Written by Diala and Stephanie
Being driven by a desire for power and blinded by the illusion of diplomatic progress, the signing of Oslo Accord I in 1993 marked the moment when the Palestinian Liberation Organization, under Yasser Arafat, recognized “Israel” becoming a puppet to the occupation. The accord, driven by secret talks in Norway and heavily influenced by Western interests, was fundamentally flawed from the start. "Israel" sought international legitimacy while continuing the illegal occupation of Palestinian land. The accord was brokered by the U.S. President Bill Clinton.
The so-called "peace" deal promoted a two-state solution—a framework that superficially promised Palestinian statehood but actually established "Israeli" control over the occupied territories. The principle of land-for-peace was a hollow promise. The Zionist regime did not withdraw from the bulk of the West Bank or East Jerusalem, which is internationally recognized as Palestinian land. Instead, Oslo I allowed "Israel" to maintain its stranglehold over Palestinian freedom and continued settlement expansion, with no accountability. The establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA), while seemingly a step toward self-governance, was a tool to suppress Palestinian resistance and manage the occupation on behalf of "Israel."
While Egypt, under Hosni Mubarak, supported the accords as part of its broader normalization strategy with "Israel.” Egypt's endorsement of the peace process prioritized its own geopolitical interests over the collective Arab and Palestinian cause, weakening Arab solidarity in the face of "Israeli" aggression. By prioritizing stability and its own relationship with the West, Egypt's leadership under Mubarak became complicit in the betrayal of the Palestinian people.
The Oslo Accord II of 1995 deepened the fragmentation of Palestinian land and society. The agreement divided the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C, creating an apartheid-like structure where "Israel" maintained full control over Area C, which was the majority of the land. In contrast, it only offered limited autonomy to Palestinians in Areas A and B. This division further solidified "Israel’s” grip on the West Bank, enabling the continued expansion of illegal settlements and the theft of Palestinian resources, all while Palestinians were trapped.
The core promise of land-for-peace was a cynical manipulation of Palestinian aspirations. "Israel" continued to demolish Palestinian homes, expand settlements, and suppress any form of resistance under the pretext of security. The Oslo process was never intended to provide true Palestinian liberation. Instead, it allowed "Israel" to masquerade as a peace-seeking state while continuing its settler-colonial policies.
The PLO has long been recognized as the official representative of the Palestinian people in international diplomacy. Under the leadership of Yasser Arafat and later Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO negotiated with "Israel," advocating for a two-state solution and limited self-governance through the Palestinian Authority. However, Hamas rejected the Oslo Accords, as they were a betrayal of Palestinian rights that were conceded to the Zionist entity and would never lead to true liberation. For Hamas, the recognition of "Israel’s” existence by the PLO was an unacceptable compromise. Instead of negotiations, Hamas advocated for resistance through both armed struggle and social services. As a result, the divide between Hamas and Fatah, the dominant faction within the PLO, deepened.
The ideological and tactical differences between Hamas and Fatah came to a head after the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004. In the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, Hamas won a surprising victory. Many Palestinians had grown frustrated with the corruption within the Palestinian Authority. Hamas, with its emphasis on resistance, gained significant support, particularly in Gaza.
This victory led to a conflict between Hamas and Fatah, culminating in the split of 2007 when Hamas seized control of Gaza, while the Palestinian Authority, dominated by Fatah, retained control over parts of the West Bank. Since then, the Palestinian territories have been divided not only geographically but politically as well.
The Palestinian Liberation Organization engaged in a series of agreements with “Israel” without the input of Palestinians. “Israel” received the best deal when Palestinian leadership failed to secure significant gains. “Israel” benefited from increased territorial control in parts of the West Bank and Gaza while also securing and protecting its interests. “Israel” was also seemingly further legitimized on an international stage with increased relations with other Arab states. The Oslo Accords allowed “Israel” to appear as peace agents, even though their apartheid and occupation violently spread throughout the occupied territories. Palestine was left with a limited self-governing Palestinian Authority who had no control over borders, security, and final status negotiations. Today, Palestinians continue to suffer from the unresolved issues of the Oslo Accords.
In 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton led the Camp David Summit in partnership with “Israel” Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Arafat’s rejection of the plans and Barak’s unwillingness to concede further tarnished willingness for future talks. Shortly after, Ariel Sharon proactively visited Al-Aqsa triggering a second Intifada.
The Oslo Accords led to growing frustration within the Palestinian resistance movement. It left major gaps in important issues such as the status of Jerusalem, a refugee crisis, and unresolved final borders. Palestinians suffered from the absence of a recognized statehood. Palestinians continued to see minimal improvements in their lives after the fake “peace talks,” which led to plummeting confidence in the Palestinian Authority. “Peace talks” only proved to be for negotiating advantages for “Israel” with little impact ensuring Palestinian liberation. Palestinian territories suffered from growing political division as Fatah and Hamas disagreed on key ways to secure freedom for its people.
Al Jazeera Documentary
The Price of Oslo (Episode 1) | Al Jazeera World Documentary
The Price of Oslo (Episode 2) | Al Jazeera World Documentary
Podcast with Mustafa Al Barghoti
