The Wye River Memorandum sought to restart stalled Oslo II implementation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, though it was never fully carried out.
Key Facts
- Summit dates
- 15–23 October 1998
- Signature date
- 23 October 1998
- Knesset approval vote
- 75–19 in favor (17 November 1998)
- Entry into force
- 2 November 1998
- Israeli withdrawal achieved
- 2% of Area C (of 13% required)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Implementation of the 1995 Oslo II Accord had stalled between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Both sides required a new framework to restart agreed territorial withdrawals and security cooperation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Negotiations held 15–23 October 1998 at Wye River, Maryland, produced a memorandum signed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat at the White House, brokered by U.S. President Bill Clinton. The Knesset ratified it 75–19 on 17 November 1998.
Israel completed only stage 1 of its further redeployment, withdrawing from 2% rather than the required 13% of Area C. A Palestinian Islamic Jihad attack in Jerusalem and mutual accusations of non-compliance left full implementation unfinished, and the agreement lapsed without being fulfilled.
Political Outcome
Partially implemented; Israel withdrew from 2% of Area C instead of the required 13%, and full implementation was never completed due to mutual non-compliance.