Israel
The Palestinian people's relations with Israel included prolonged periods of conflict. In fact only 4 years out of their total 56 (to date) years of relations have consisted or peaceful co -existence. Major outbreaks of conflict were during 1948, 1967, 1973, 1978, 1982, 1987-1990, 2000- 2003. Meanwhile small sporadic acts of terror and assassinations have occurred throughout the 56 years of relations between the two peoples. Majority of attacks before 1992 were carried out by the Fedayeen, then the PLO and leftist organisations such as PFLP, PFLP-GC and the Abu Nidal group whilst extremist groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad were responsible for majority of attacks after the 1992 period.
The peaceful periods in relations between the two peoples were marked by signing of the Oslo I and Oslo II and Road map agreement.
Egypt
Egypt has been one of the biggest supporters of the Palestinian cause. For many years Egypt provided military and financial support to various Palestinian organisations who were fighting Israel. Egypt itself went to war against Israel in 1948 and 1967 with the goal of returning Palestinian areas captured by Israel (ie. All of the country) to what it considered as its rightful owners ie. The Palestinian people. Egypt also hosted many conferences with Arab leaders for the advancement of the Palestinian cause. Egyptian leaders used their good offices worldwide to place pressure on international leaders to assist the Palestinian people. Egypt continued to support the Palestinian cause after its peace agreement with Israel in 1978. President Hosni Mubarak has placed various Egyptian foreign ministers and intelligence chiefs at disposal of peace negotiators with the goal of facilitating ceasefire and peace agreements between Israel and Palestinian factions. Egypt has also trained Palestinian Authority security force. The presence of President Hosni Mubarak at every major peace signing agreement between Israelis and Palestinians is a testimony of the central role Egypt has played in supporting Palestinian peace efforts. In return many Palestinian leaders have visited Egypt for consultation and during times of crisis. So much so that Yasser Arafat who called Cairo his second home.
Jordan
Jordan was one of the main Arab countries supporting the Palestinian cause even prior to the 1948 conflict. Relations between the PLO the Jordanian government were very strong. In fact Jordan went to war against Israel in 1948 and 1967 for the sake of the Palestinian cause. However relations between the PLO and Jordan broke down in September 1970 when King Hussein expelled the PLO for carrying out military activities on Jordanian soil which king Hussein perceived as attacks against Jordan's sovereignty. Relations were re-instated between the PLO and Jordan later on. The biggest token of solidarity from Jordan came in 1986 when King Hussein transferred ownership of captured Jordanian territory of west bank and east Jerusalem to Palestinian sovereignty. Meanwhile King Hussein and his successor King Abdullah II dedicated their resources towards finding a peaceful settlement to the Palestinian conflict. This was illustrated during signing of the Oslo agreement in 1993 and the recent Road Map agreement in Aqaba in 2003. King Hussein was also responsible for securing the release of the spiritual leader of Hamas (Sheikh Yassin) from Israeli jails in 1996.
In return Yasser Arafat as well as other Palestinian organisations such as Hamas have used the good offices of King Hussein and King Abdullah to address issues regarding the Israeli – Palestinian conflict. The presence of large groups of Jordanians with Palestinian origins in Jordan has added to the strength of the relations between the two countries. Jordanian companies are also one of the most active foreign groups of companies in the Palestinian economy especially in the construction and banking sector. By: Meir Javedanfar- www.meepas.com
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