Document: The Precedent Set By PM Begin of Knesset Approval

Camp David Accords
September 17, 1978
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After twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David, the Israeli-Egyptian
negotiations were concluded by the signing at the White House of two
agreements. The first dealt with the future of the Sinai and peace between
Israel and Egypt, to be concluded within three months. The second was a
framework agreement establishing a format for the conduct of negotiations
for the establishment of an autonomy regime in the West Bank and Gaza. The
Israel-Egypt agreement clearly defined the future relations between the two
countries, all aspects of withdrawal from the Sinai, military arrangements
in the peninsula such as demilitarization and limitations, as well as the
supervision mechanism. The framework agreement regarding the future of
Judea, Samaria and Gaza was less clear and was later interpreted differently
by Israel, Egypt, and the US. President Carter witnessed the accords which
were signed by Egyptian
President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Begin.

Letter:

The President
Camp David
Thurmont, Maryland
September 17, 1978

Dear Mr. President:

I have the honor to inform you that during two weeks after my return home I
will submit a motion before Israel's Parliament (the Knesset) to decide on
the following question:

If during the negotiations to conclude a peace treaty between Israel and
Egypt all outstanding issues are agreed upon, "are you in favor of the
removal of the Israeli settlers from the northern and southern Sinai areas
or are you in favor of keeping the aforementioned settlers in those areas?"

The vote, Mr. President, on this issue will be completely free from the
usual Parliamentary Party discipline to the effect that although the
coalition is being now supported by 70 members out of 120, every member of
the Knesset, as I believe, both of the Government and the Opposition benches
will be enabled to vote in accordance with his own conscience.

Sincerely yours,
Menachem Begin
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