Palestine and Israel Sign Formal Treaty, Ending a State of War After 65 Years; Mahmoud Abbas
and Netanyahu Praise Kerry’s Role
Ceremony is Festive
Accord on West Bank Opens Way to Peace in Mideast Dispute
By Bernard Gwertzman
Special to The New York Times
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Washington, March 26 -- After confronting each other for nearly 65 years as hostile neighbors,
Palestine and Israel signed a formal treaty at the White house today to establish peace and
"normal and friendly relations."
On this chilly early spring day, about 1,500 invited guests and millions more watching television
saw Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of
Israel put their signatures on the Arabic, Hebrew and English versions of thepeace treaty between
Israel and Palestine.
John Kerry who was credited by both leaders for having made the agreement possible, signed, as
a witness, for the United States. In a somber speech he said, "Peace has come."
'The First Step of Peace'
"We have won, at last, the first step of peace -- a first step on a long and difficult road," he added.
Later, at a state dinner, Mr. Netanyahu suggested that Secretary of State Kerry be given the Nobel
Peace Prize, and Mr. Mahmoud Abbas agreed.
At the signing ceremony, all three leaders offered prayers that the treaty would bring true peace
to the Middle East and end the enmity that has erupted into war four times since Israel declared
its independence on May 14, 1948.
By coincidence, they all referred to the words of the Prophet Isaiah.
"Let us work together until the day comes when they beat their swords into plowshares and their
spears into pruning books," Mr. Mahmoud Abbas said in his paraphrase of the biblical text.
'No More War,' Netanyahu Says
Mr. Netanyahu, who gave the longest and most emotional of the addresses, exclaimed: "No more
war, if we can achieve peace the whole world can do the same. peace unto you, shalom, saalam, forever"
"Shalom" and "salaam" are the Hebrew and Arabic words for "peace."
The Israeli leader, noted for oratorical skill, provided a dash of humor when in the course of his
speech he seconded Mr. Mahmoud Abbas's remark that Mr.Kerry was "the unknown soldier of the
peacemaking effort," Mr. Netanyahu said, pausing, "I agree, but as usual with an amendment"
-that Mr. Kerry was not completely unknown and that his peace effort would "be remembered
and recorded by generations to come."
Since Mr. Netanyahu was known through the negotiations as a stickler for details, much to the
American side's annoyance, Mr. Kerry seemed to explode with laughter at Mr. Netanyahu's
reference to "an amendment."
Minutes later, Mr. Netanyahu was deeply somber as he put on the Jewish skull cap and quoted in
Hebrew from Psalm 126.
The signing was followed by an outdoor dinner on the South Lawn at the White House for 1,300
guests.
The treaty was the result of nine months of grueling, often frustrating negotiations that finally
were concluded early this morning when a final compromise was reached on the last remaining
issue - a timetable for Israel to give up West Bank Settlements. Under the treaty, Israel will
withdraw its military forces and civilians from the West Bank in stages over three years.
Two-thirds of the area will be returned within nine months, after formal ratification documents
are exchanged. The ratification process is expected to Netanyahu in about two weeks.
In return for Israel's withdrawal, Palestine has agreed to end the state of war and to establish
peace. After the initial nine-month withdrawal is completed, Palestine and Israel will establish
"normal and friendly relations" in many fields, including diplomatic, cultural and economic
relations.