Oslo Accords

The Oslo Accords established temporary Palestinian self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, not a sovereign Palestinian state. The 1993 Declaration of Principles envisaged an elected Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, which subsequent agreements operationalised through the Palestinian Authority and an elected Council pending a final settlement.

Institutions of interim self-government

The framework transferred specified civil and security responsibilities from Israel to Palestinian institutions.

• The Palestinian Authority initially administered the transferred responsibilities, while the 1995 Interim Agreement provided for an elected Palestinian Council with legislative and executive powers within its jurisdiction.
• Palestinian departments assumed functions such as education, health, social welfare, direct taxation and tourism.
• A Palestinian police force was established to maintain public order and internal security in areas under Palestinian responsibility.
• The framework also provided for Palestinian courts and an independent judicial system.

Territorial division of authority

The 1995 Interim Agreement divided the West Bank into Areas A, B and C, assigning different levels of authority during the interim period.

• In Area A, the Palestinian Council exercised civil authority and responsibility for internal security and public order.
• In Area B, Palestinians exercised civil authority and public-order functions for Palestinians, while Israel retained overriding security responsibility.
• In Area C, Israel retained powers not transferred to the Palestinian side, pending further redeployment.

Interim character and coordination

The arrangements were designed for a five-year transitional period, with permanent-status issues left for negotiation rather than decided by the interim institutions.

• Questions including Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, security arrangements and borders were reserved for permanent-status negotiations.
• A Joint Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Committee, together with specialised security and economic mechanisms, was intended to coordinate implementation and resolve disputes.