Strategic Assessment

Israel and the Palestinians failed to reach a framework agreement at the Camp David II summit that would include all the principal components of a permanent settlement; but they did succeed in reaching agreement in some spheres and narrowed the gaps in others. One issue not in dispute is the establishment of a Palestinian state as an important element of a permanent agreement and an expression of the Palestinian people’s right for self-determination. This reflects the acceptance of the establishment of Palestinian state by most Israelis, once the interim agreement ends. The dispute between the sides now focuses on the character of the Palestinian state and the contractual limitations to be imposed on it.