What were the outcomes of the Camp David Accords?

The Camp David Accords resulted in the signing of a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel in 1979.

The Camp David Accords, signed in 1978, were a significant turning point in Middle Eastern history, marking the first time an Arab nation recognised Israel as a legitimate state. The Accords were the outcome of twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David, the US presidential retreat. The key figures in these negotiations were US President Jimmy Carter, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.

The Accords consisted of two separate agreements: "A Framework for Peace in the Middle East" and "A Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel". The first framework aimed to establish a process for Palestinian self-governance in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, while the second led directly to the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.

The 1979 Peace Treaty was a landmark achievement. It ended three decades of hostilities between Egypt and Israel and resulted in Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, which it had occupied since the Six-Day War in 1967. In return, Egypt became the first Arab nation to recognise Israel's right to exist. This was a significant step towards peace in the region, as Egypt had been one of Israel's most formidable adversaries.

However, the Accords were not without controversy. The first framework's provisions for Palestinian self-governance were vague and ultimately unfulfilled, leading to ongoing conflict in the region. Furthermore, Sadat's recognition of Israel was deeply unpopular in the Arab world, leading to Egypt's temporary expulsion from the Arab League and ultimately contributing to Sadat's assassination in 1981.

Despite these controversies, the Camp David Accords remain a significant achievement in the history of Middle Eastern diplomacy. They demonstrated the potential for peaceful negotiation in a region often characterised by conflict, and set a precedent for future peace treaties between Israel and its Arab neighbours.