PLO Recognition of Israel
1993 letters from and to Yasser Arafat.
Reprinted with permission from MyIsraelSource.com.
Letter from Yasser Arafat to Prime Minister Rabin:
September 9, 1993
Yitzhak Rabin
Prime Minister of Israel
Mr. Prime Minister,
The signing of the Declaration of Principles marks a new era
in the history of the Middle East. In firm conviction thereof, I would like to
confirm the following PLO commitments:
The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and
security.
The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council Resolutions
242 and 338.
The PLO commits itself to the Middle East peace process, and
to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two sides and declares
that all outstanding issues relating to permanent status will be resolved
through negotiations.
The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration of
Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a new epoch of peaceful
coexistence, free from violence and all other acts which endanger peace and stability.
Accordingly, the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of violence
and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements and personnel in order to
assure their compliance, prevent violations and discipline violators.
In view of the promise of a new era and the signing of the
Declaration of Principles and based on Palestinian acceptance of Security
Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the PLO affirms that those which deny Israel's
right to exist, and the provisions of the Covenant which are inconsistent with
the commitments of this letter are now inoperative and no longer valid.
Consequently, the PLO undertakes to submit to the Palestinian National Council
for formal approval the necessary changes in regard to the Palestinian
Covenant.
Sincerely,
Yasser Arafat
Chairman
The Palestine Liberation Organization
Letter from Yasser Arafat to Norwegian Foreign Minister:
September 9, 1993
His Excellency
Johan Jorgen Holst
Foreign Minister of Norway
Dear Minister Holst,
I would like to confirm to you that, upon the signing of the Declaration of
Principles, the PLO encourages and calls upon the Palestinian people in the
West Bank and Gaza Strip to take part in the steps leading to the normalization
of life, rejecting violence and terrorism, contributing to peace and stability
and participating actively in shaping reconstruction, economic development and
cooperation.
Sincerely,
Yasser Arafat
Chairman
The Palestine Liberation Organization
Letter from Prime Minister Rabin to Yasser Arafat:
September 9, 1993
Yasser Arafat
Chairman
The Palestinian Liberation Organization
Mr. Chairman,
In response to your letter of September 9, 1993, I wish to confirm to you that,
in light of the PLO commitments included in your letter, the Government of
Israel has decided to recognize the PLO as the representative of the
Palestinian people and commence negotiations with the PLO within the Middle
East peace process.
Yitzhak Rabin
Prime Minister of Israel
