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Attempts at a solution, 1974 to 95

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After 1973, diplomacy brought peace between Egypt and Israel. The Palestinian issue remained, but by 1995 the Oslo Accords offered hope.

Diplomacy with Egypt

The oil crisis of 1973 pushed the USA to seek peace.
US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger used 'shuttle diplomacy', flying between capitals to agree disengagement deals. The Suez Canal reopened in 1975.
In 1977 Sadat visited Israel and spoke to its parliament; Israeli Prime Minister Begin visited Egypt.
President Carter hosted talks at Camp David (1978), leading to the Treaty of Washington (1979): Egypt recognised Israel, and Israel returned Sinai.

The Palestinian issue

Yasser Arafat spoke at the UN in 1974, gaining recognition for the PLO.
The PLO, based in Lebanon, attacked Israel. Israel struck back and in 1982 invaded Lebanon, forcing the PLO to leave for Tunisia.
In December 1987 the First Intifada (uprising) began in the occupied territories, with strikes, boycotts and stone-throwing. It lasted until 1993.

Towards peace

In 1988 Arafat told the UN that the PLO renounced terrorism and accepted Israel's right to exist.
The end of the Cold War and the Gulf War (1991) changed superpower policy and opened the way to talks.
In 1993 Israeli Prime Minister Rabin and Arafat agreed the Oslo Accords, shaking hands at the White House. A Palestinian National Authority was set up. Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994, and Oslo II followed in 1995.
Worked example

Explain the importance of Camp David (1978) for relations between Egypt and Israel.

  1. Carter brought Sadat and Begin together for talks.
  2. They agreed a framework that led to the Treaty of Washington in 1979.
  3. Egypt became the first Arab state to recognise Israel, and Sinai was returned.

Answer: It led to peace between Egypt and Israel, the first such Arab-Israeli treaty.

Key idea

Oil crisis; Kissinger's shuttle diplomacy; Suez Canal reopened 1975. Sadat in Israel 1977; Camp David 1978; Treaty of Washington 1979. Arafat at the UN 1974; Lebanon 1982; First Intifada 1987 to 93. Arafat renounces terrorism 1988; Gulf War 1991; Oslo 1993; Jordan treaty 1994; Oslo II 1995.

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