Set up under the 1993 Oslo Accords, security coordination involves the sharing of intelligence between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The PA was also established under Oslo. Before the official signing of the agreement, the two sides had agreed on a “Declaration of Principles”, which included a pledge from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to uphold UN Security Council Resolution 242. That created a framework allowing for Palestinian statehood in exchange for Israeli security.
Whilst the security partnership was meant to bring stability to both sides, the elements of the agreement were very much focused on creating a structure which would primarily ensure the security of Israel. Security cooperation remained strong until the second Intifada (2000-2005) when it broke down, but it was revived under Arafat’s successor, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Today, security cooperation remains in place despite the fact that, more than twenty years after the Oslo Accords, a viable Palestinian state looks unlikely to be established.
