Camp David Accords - 1979 following 1973 war opportunities for peace, but also new obstacles Nixon’s National Security Advisor/Secretary of State began process of ‘shuttle diplomacy’ Kissinger viewed Middle East as a key component in Cold War conflict peace in the region would undermine Soviet influence

Kissinger’s meetings in Jerusalem, Cairo and Damascus led to the signing of Sinai I and Sinai II (1974,1975) Egyptian and Israeli forces disengaged and a U.N. force was palced between them a similar disengagement took place on the Golan Heights creating a demilitarized zone

Kissinger iniatives failed to lead to any breakthrough in peace process Kissinger refused to speak with PLO until they accepted Resolution 242 Arafat perceived as being an ally of the Soviets and the PLO supportive of terrorist tactics in 1974 a group of PFLP fedayeen attacked the village of Qiryat Shemona in Israel - 18 Israelis died, including children

more children died in a hostage-taking incident; again Israel retaliated Palestinian justification for attacks Arab summit in Algiers following 1973 war made important decisions PLO sole representative of Palestinian people Peace could only be achieved through surrender of lands won by Israel in 1967 war Habash’ ‘Rejectionist Front’ broke with the PLO

in November 1974 Arafat addressed the U.N. - olive branch and gun PLO given observer status at U.N. U.S. now willing to support ‘legitimate interests’ of Palestinians if they accepted Resolution 242 and Israel’s right to exist

Israel turns right trauma of near-defeat in 1973 war Israel ever more dependent on U.S. Yitzak Rabin elected as new Labour leader, replacing Golda Meir under Zionist pressure the Rabin government accepted the first Israeli settlements in the West Bank - breaking international law UN resolution (1975) condemns Zionism as ‘racist’

in 1976 protests against Jewish settlements led to the death of six Palestinians - date 30 March became an annual day of protest, ‘Land Day’ commemoration spread to Occupied Territories heightened sense of Palestinian nationalism municipal election brought victory to the PLO and nationalist candidates

Likud 1976 - Israeli commando raid freed Israeli hostages - Entebbe, Uganda in Israeli elections the right-wing Likud party came to power Likud was rooted in extremist groups like the Irgun of the 1940’s and found support among the disadvantaged Sephardic community hardline policy - all lands of Palestine given them by God

new PM Menachem Begin Polish background, Irgun fighter viewed all enemies as essentially anti-semitic policy - strong defense Foreign Minister, Moshe Dayan Sharon responsible for settlements - within 25 years close to 450,000 Jewish settlers in Palestinian Occupied Territories water resources of West Bank exploited by Israel

Quest for Peace Jimmy Carter elected U.S. president in 1976 Carter declared his support for a Palestinian ‘homeland’ U.S. and European Community ruled that settlements were illegal both Sadat and Begin were open to the idea of peace talks in November 1977 Sadat addressed the Knesset

Palestinians felt excluded in negotiations - carried out attack on bus near Haifa - 37 Israelis killed Carter now intervened in the Egyptian/Israeli talks and invited Sadat and Begin to Camp David Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan accompanied Begin; Carter’s National Security Advisor was Zbigniew Brezinski after fourteen days of negotiations an aggreement was reached

Camp David Accords formal peace treaty between Israel and Egypt Isreal withdrew its forces from the Sinai Egypt received major financial aid from the U.S Israel recognized ‘legitimate rights’ of Palestinian people and promised ‘full autonomy’ after transitional period Israel now able to focus on PLO threat from Lebanon