Oslo Accords facts for kids

The Oslo Accords are two important agreements signed between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The first one, called the Oslo I Accord, was signed in Washington, D.C., in 1993. The second, the Oslo II Accord, was signed in Taba, Egypt, in 1995. These agreements started what is known as the Oslo process, which was a big effort to bring peace to the region.

What Were the Oslo Accords?

The Oslo Accords were a series of agreements. They were designed to help solve the long-standing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The main goal was to create a path towards peace and self-governance for Palestinians. This meant giving Palestinians more control over their own areas.

The First Agreement: Oslo I (1993)

The first agreement, Oslo I, was signed on September 13, 1993. It was a big step because it was the first time Israel and the PLO officially recognized each other. This was a huge change after many years of conflict.

• This agreement set up a plan for Israel to gradually withdraw from parts of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
• It also created the Palestinian Authority (PA). The PA was meant to be a temporary government for Palestinians in these areas.
• The agreement was a "Declaration of Principles." It laid out ideas for future talks.

The Second Agreement: Oslo II (1995)

The second agreement, Oslo II, was signed on September 28, 1995. This agreement was much more detailed than Oslo I. It focused on how to put the ideas from Oslo I into action.

What Did Oslo II Do?

Oslo II divided the West Bank into three different areas:

• Area A: This area was put under full control of the Palestinian Authority. This included major Palestinian cities.
• Area B: In this area, the Palestinian Authority had control over civilian matters. However, Israel kept control over security.
• Area C: This was the largest area. Israel kept full control over both security and civilian matters here. Most Israeli settlements are in Area C.

This agreement also set up elections for the Palestinian Authority. It also detailed how security cooperation would work.

Who Was Involved?

Many important leaders were involved in signing these agreements.

• For Israel, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was a key figure.
• For the PLO, Chairman Yasser Arafat signed the accords.
• United States President Bill Clinton played a big role in bringing both sides together. He hosted the signing ceremony at the White House.

Why Were These Agreements Important?

The Oslo Accords were very important for several reasons:

• They were the first direct agreements between Israel and the PLO. This showed a willingness to talk and find solutions.
• They created the Palestinian Authority. This was a major step towards Palestinian self-governance.
• They set up a framework for future peace negotiations. Even though peace has been difficult to achieve, the Oslo Accords provided a roadmap.
• They brought hope for a peaceful future in the Middle East.

Images for kids

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  Bill Clinton, Yitzhak Rabin, Yasser Arafat at the White House in 1993

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  Area C, controlled by Israel under Oslo Accords, in blue and red, in December 2011