Israel and Palestinians to Sign Agreement on Hebron Withdrawal

Strategic Insights -

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat are set to sign an agreement that will pave the way for Israel's withdrawal from most of the West Bank city of Hebron. The signing ceremony, expected to take place at the Erez border crossing on Wednesday afternoon, comes after a meeting between Netanyahu and Arafat. The agreement will see Israel retain control over 20 percent of the city, including a shrine holy to both Judaism and Islam, while Palestinians will gain control over the majority of the city.

Key Takeaways:

  • The agreement will provide for Israel's withdrawal from most of Hebron, with Israel retaining control over 20 percent of the city, including a shrine holy to Judaism and Islam.
  • The main unresolved issue is the timetable for Israel's 'further redeployment' in the occupied West Bank, with Netanyahu refusing to commit himself to a date at his last meeting with Arafat.
  • Two senior Egyptian Foreign Ministry officials arrived in Gaza to examine the text of the agreement.
  • Netanyahu may face opposition from his ministers in securing their approval for the deal, with six cabinet ministers declining to back his government at a vote of confidence on Monday and a seventh expressing fear that the agreement does not meet her party's pre-election promises.
  • Israel has occupied Hebron since 1967, and the agreement marks a significant step towards resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • Dennis Ross, the U.S. special Middle East envoy, is conferring with Arafat in Gaza, while earlier on Tuesday, Ross met with Netanyahu.

Statistics:

  • 20 percent of Hebron will remain under Israeli control, including a shrine holy to both Judaism and Islam.
  • 80 percent of Hebron will be transferred to Palestinian control under the agreement.
  • Six cabinet ministers declined to back Netanyahu's government at a vote of confidence on Monday.
  • 18 ministers make up Israel's cabinet.
  • Hebron has been under Israeli occupation since 1967.

Sources:

  • Israel radio and television
  • Israel television
  • Binyamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister
  • Yasser Arafat, Palestinian Authority President
  • Dennis Ross, U.S. special Middle East envoy
  • United Press International (UPI)