The Oslo Accords, which were supposed to lead to the “peaceful coexistence” of two Israeli and Palestinian states, are “completely” dead, one of their architects, the Norwegian Jan Egeland, judges today, for whom the outcome of the current conflict requires international leadership. “extremely weak “.
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The image went down in history: On September 13, 1993, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin shook hands on the White House lawn under the gaze of American President Bill Clinton.
It was the culmination of 14 rounds of secret talks in Oslo, co-initiated and co-organized by Mr. Egeland, then State Secretary in the Norwegian Foreign Ministry.
And the beginning of a delicate process: with these agreements, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) recognize each other and establish a temporary Palestinian autonomy of five years, the time to put the final touches on the resolution of issues – key (status). of Jerusalem, colonies, fate of refugees, etc.).
Thirty years later, as a new bloody conflict erupts against Israel and the Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, Mr. Egeland answers “yes” when asked whether the Oslo Accords are dead.
“Absolutely,” he said in an interview with AFP. “The Oslo Accords as such no longer exist. Now we need another agreement, and it must be coordinated by the United States, the European Union and Arab countries.
For the 66-year-old former diplomat, now head of the NGO Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), the only possible solution comes from outside.
“It is not possible for Israel and Hamas to negotiate the future of these countries (alone). There will be no trust: Israel is trying to destroy Hamas, while Hamas is there to eliminate Israel,” he emphasizes.
“The leaders on both sides are not at all at the level of that time (of the Oslo Accords). They were visionary, strong leaders, true leaders. Today we actually have populists in both camps.”
On the wall behind him are photos of him shaking hands with Yasser Arafat and US President George Bush Sr.
“Illusions”
The current conflict was triggered by the unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on Israeli soil on October 7th. According to Israeli officials, about 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians, and another 240 were taken hostage.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign to destroy Hamas, killing nearly 15,000 people, mostly civilians, including thousands of children, according to the Hamas government.
“Afterwards there will be so much bitterness and hatred on both sides that there will be more violence,” Egeland said.
“It is an illusion for Israel to believe that it can achieve security and peace with bombs. And it is an illusion to believe that we can solve the problem of Israel’s existence by killing Israeli civilians en masse, as (Hamas) has done, and by taking civilians hostage.”
But the international community is also not up to this task, the Norwegian regrets.
She shows “extremely weak” leadership qualities, he says. “Where is the leadership from the US, EU, UK and France that can really help bring about a final solution? The same applies on the Arab side…”
“That’s almost always the problem: you’re willing to criticize your ally’s enemy, but you’re unwilling to pressure your ally to compromise.”
It is important for Mr. Egeland to resume the language in the utmost secrecy.
“These discreet communication channels, these confidential negotiations have a huge advantage: the parties do not speak for the gallery,” he argues.
“You do not have to respond to provocations or acts of violence that took place yesterday or the day before. You can really negotiate.”
