Jordan became only the second Arab country to sign a formal peace treaty with Israel, ending 46 years of war and establishing full diplomatic relations.
Key Facts
- Signing date
- 26 October 1994
- Location
- Southern Arabah border crossing
- State of war ended
- Since 1948 Arab–Israeli War
- Arab country rank
- Second Arab country after Egypt
- Also known as
- Wadi Araba Treaty
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Israel and Jordan had existed in a formal state of war. Decades of unresolved conflict left land and water disputes unsettled, and no diplomatic relations existed between the two states, though back-channel contacts had long taken place.
On 26 October 1994, Israel and Jordan signed the Treaty of Peace at the Arabah border crossing, formally ending hostilities. The treaty established mutual diplomatic recognition, settled territorial and water disputes, and committed both nations to preventing their soil from being used for attacks against the other.
Jordan became only the second Arab state after Egypt to normalize relations with Israel. The treaty opened bilateral cooperation in tourism and trade, reduced regional tensions, and set a precedent for Arab–Israeli diplomatic engagement, though broader regional peace remained elusive.
Political Outcome
Formal peace established; state of war ended; mutual diplomatic relations recognized; land, water, and security disputes resolved.
State of war between Israel and Jordan since 1948, no diplomatic relations
Full peace and diplomatic normalization; bilateral cooperation in trade, tourism, and security