The Cabinet adopted a series of measures required of the Palestinian Authority in order to enable Israel to carry out further redeployment. The requirements were based on the Hebron Protocol of January 1997 and included such commitments as amending the PLO Covenant, halting hostile propaganda, extradition of terror suspects and environmental issues. Text:
This document details the Palestinian obligations arising from the Note for the Record attached to the 15 January 1997 Hebron Protocol. In accordance with the principle of reciprocity incorporated in the Note for the Record, the implementation of the Palestinians' obligations is a condition for the implementation of the further deployments.
The Palestinian commitments include the following four primary items:
1. Complete the process of revising the Palestinian National Charter
2. Fighting terror and preventing violence
3. Size of Palestinian Police will be pursuant to the Interim Agreement
4. Exercise of Palestinian governmental activity, and location of Palestinian governmental offices will be as specified in the Interim Agreement
1. Complete the Process of Revising the Palestinian National Charter
Commitments Arising from the Obligation:
Following are the requisite steps for implementation (in stages):
Stage One
Issuance of a statement by the legal committee specifying the articles of the Covenant which were amended or annulled in accordance with the April 1996 Palestinian National Council (PNC) decision, i.e., the articles in the Covenant which are inconsistent with the Palestinian obligations in the framework of the peace process.
Stage Two
Reconvening of the PNC to pass a new resolution, which affirms the statement issued by the legal committee concerning which specific articles in the Covenant, were amended or annulled.
At the same time, the Palestinian Authority must refrain from replacing the articles with other articles which contradict the agreements and/or the peace process, for such a step would be considered a failure to fulfill their obligation to amend the requisite articles in the Covenant.
2. Fighting Terror and Preventing Violence
The Palestinian Authority must immediately and without delay begin to implement the security demands listed below, though it is clear that most of them will require continuous and ongoing measures.
An oversight mechanism that is effective, ongoing and pervasive must be established in order to monitor the Palestinian Authority's fulfillment of the security commitments detailed below. The mechanism must include on-site checks in the field regarding implementation of the articles in the accords, and periodic and regular monitoring meetings and reports. It will be necessary for the parties concerned to agree on how the mechanism is to be structured and what the nature of its activities will be.
Preventing Incitement and Hostile Propaganda, As Specified in Article XXII of the Interim Agreement:
Palestinian Authority officials must refrain from engaging in and encouraging incitement against Israel. The PA must take immediate steps to promote tolerance and mutual understanding by means of the public statements and actions of its leaders. Incitement against Israel, be it at international forums or in areas under Palestinian control, must cease.
The Palestinian Authority must prohibit those serving in its security forces from taking part in demonstrations, marches or other violent activities directed against Israel. The PA must enforce this prohibition and dismiss from the ranks of its security forces those who violate it.
4. Exercise of Palestinian Governmental Activity, and Location of Palestinian Governmental Offices, Will Be as Specified in the Interim Agreement
Commitments Arising from the Obligation:
A. Jerusalem
The Palestinian Authority must cease all its activities and those of its officials in Jerusalem, as detailed below:
Temple Mount
1. Minister of Religious Affairs Hassan Tahboub's office is located at the Shalshelet Gate entrance to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Tahboub operates openly and publicly as a representative of the Palestinian Authority. Occasionally, he attempts to conceal the nature of his activity by operating under the guise of his position as head of the Higher Islamic Council.
2. "Mufti of Jerusalem and the Holy Land" Sheikh Ikrama Sabri, appointed by Arafat nearly three years ago, assumed his post by ousting the Jordanian appointee. He is based on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and his weekly prayer sermons regularly contain vitriolic incitement against Israel and the United States.
The Orient House
The PA must close the "Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs" headed by Faisal Husseini, which operates out of the Orient House under the cover of the "Arab Affairs Society". Husseini participates in Cabinet meetings of the Palestinian Authority with full ministerial status.
Other Prohibited Activity in Jerusalem which the PA must cease
1. The Palestinian security forces operate in Jerusalem, engaging in threats, intimidation and interrogation of city residents. Forces stationed outside the city also conduct operations in Jerusalem.
2. The Palestinian Authority has unilaterally conducted matriculation exams and imposed its curriculum on Arab schools in Jerusalem.
3. Illegal activities such as the PA's attempt to conduct a population census in eastern Jerusalem.
4. The takeover of institutions in Jerusalem such as Al-Mokassad Hospital.
5. The Palestinian Authority must commit in writing to refrain from all activity in the field of tourism in Jerusalem. The Higher Council for the Arab Tourist Industry operates in Jerusalem under the direction of the PLO and serves as an official tourist body for the Palestinian Authority. Palestinian tourist officials from eastern Jerusalem take part in international fairs, where they man Palestinian booths, and market their tourist activities under the heading "Jerusalem, Palestine"-.
B. Areas B and C
Land Issues
The Palestinians have attempted to exercise powers in Area C in Judea and Samaria to which they are not entitled under the accords. The primary violations are as follows:
1. The PA has declared the expansion of planning zones and building boundaries of Arab villages into Area C via the issuance of orders by the PA Ministry of Local Government. For example, the PA has declared the expansion of the boundaries of al-Birch, Bitunia, Turmous-Aih, and Beit Anan in the Ramallah district.
2. The PA has undertaken the building of roadwork and agricultural infrastructure without prior Israeli approval as required by the accords.
3. The PA has issued construction permits in Area C even though they do not have the authority to do so.
4. The PA has undertaken and encouraged illegal building within zoning areas forbidden for security reasons, such as building in close proximity to roads.
5. The PA is active at archeological sites in violation of the accords.
6. The PA has organized and financed a campaign to plant trees in Area C.
The Palestinian Authority must annul all the permits issued regarding the above-mentioned activities and must refrain from issuing such permits in the future.
Environment
1. The PA must cease causing the uncontrolled flow of sewage in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, which has resulted in the pollution of ground water and other environmental damage.
2. The PA must cease the illicit discarding of waste and garbage by PA-controlled institutions and municipalities and must clean up sites where such waste has been dumped.
3. The PA must end its indiscriminate use of Israeli waste removal sites in Area C.
A more detailed accounting of environmental problems and areas where the PA has caused environmental damage is contained in Annex V to this document.
Communications
1. The PA must cease conducting television broadcasts from various locations in Judea, Samaria and Gaza in violation of the accords.
2. The PA must halt the illegal use of broadcast frequencies in violation of the agreement, and must cease causing disturbances to transmissions in Israel.
Operation of Offices in Violation of the Accords
The PA must terminate the operation of PA Planning and International Cooperation Minister Dr. Nabil Shaath's office in Dahiyat al-Barid in the Ramallah district in violation of the accords.
C. Foreign Relations
The PA must commit itself in writing to refrain from activities in the realm of foreign relations in accordance with Article IX of the Interim Agreement. The PA must cease its activities in international forums which contravenes the agreement and is designed to pressure Israel by circumventing bilateral negotiating channels.