Here are the highlights of a proposed peace treaty of more than 400 pages, put together by dozens of Israeli and Palestinian experts and former negotiators. The plan, presented on Tuesday and known as the Geneva Initiative, has no official standing.
BORDERS
The Palestinian state would be established in 97.5 per cent of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and all Arab neighbourhoods of Jerusalem. Israel would annexe 2.5 per cent of the West Bank to incorporate several large settlements near Jerusalem. The Jewish neighbourhoods in traditionally Arab east Jerusalem would fall under Israeli control. Based on those borders, about 100,000 Israelis would have to leave West Bank homes.
INTERNATIONAL MONITORS
The U.S., Russia, EU and U.N. would help form the Implementation and Verification Group to observe implementation of the agreement, settle disputes and maintain an international force in the West Bank and Gaza.
The force would consist of four mechanised battalions of up to 3,000 troops, an aviation unit and a Gaza coastal patrol unit. A special international police unit would be deployed in Jerusalem’s Old City, home to major holy sites.
WEST BANK-GAZA CORRIDOR
A four-lane sunken highway would link the West Bank and Gaza, which flank Israel. The corridor would be run by the Palestinians, but would be under Israeli sovereignty. Palestinians have the option of adding train tracks, water and fuel pipes and communications cables.
ISRAELI TROOP WITHDRAWAL
Israel would withdraw its forces from the Palestinian territories in three stages, and would complete the pullout by 30 months after the signing of the agreement. Israel would be allowed to keep an infantry battalion of 800 soldiers for an additional three years in the Jordan Valley, near the border with Jordan.
Israel would be allowed to operate early warning stations on two West Bank mountaintops with 300 operators and guards.
SECURITY
Palestine would have a strong security forces but would not be permitted to have the following weapons: tanks, rockets, guided missiles, anti-aircraft weapons, anti-ship weapons, artillery systems, mortars, mines, heavy machine guns, laser weapons, weapons of mass destruction. No armed militias would be allowed.
Crossings into and out of Palestine would be staffed by Palestinian and international inspectors.
The Israeli border fence between Jordan and the West Bank’s Jordan Valley would remain in place for at least five years after the Israeli withdrawal.
TIMETABLE OF IMPLEMENTATION
Up to 9 months after signing of agreement — demarcation of the Israeli-Palestinian border.
Up to 20 months after signing — full deployment of multinational force
Up to 30 months after signing — establishment of West Bank-Gaza corridor, full Israeli withdrawal
