Camp David summit, July 2000

what so many viewed as a generous Israeli offer, the Palestinians viewed as neither generous, nor Israeli, nor, indeed, as an offer.

strictly speaking, there never was an Israeli offer.

Israel would annex 9 percent of the West Bank and, in exchange, Palestine would have sovereignty over parts of pre-1967 Israel equivalent to 1 percent of the West Bank

As orthodoxies go, this is a dangerous one.

been here fourteen days and said no to everything

Did Prime Minister Barak make mistakes in his tactics, his negotiating priorities, and his treatment of Arafat? Absolutely.

Are Prime Minister Barak and President Clinton responsible for the failure to conclude a deal? Absolutely not.

Hussein, a longtime adviser to the Palestinians, is someone who has consistently sought to promote peace and reconciliation.

In December 2000, Clinton put forward his own proposals for an Israeli-Palestinian agreement.

remained strongly at odds over borders, Jerusalem

Accounts differ as to why Camp David failed, but it is clear that despite additional concessions by Barak, the Israelis and Palestinians remained strongly at odds over borders, Jerusalem, and whether Israel would recognize Palestinian refugees’ “right of return.”

The summit ended without a settlement; Clinton would blame Arafat for its failure.

Clinton convened a summit at Camp David in July 2000, where he, Barak, and Arafat attempted to reach a final agreement

Prime Minister Barak showed particular courage vision, and an understanding of the historical importance of this moment. Chairman Arafat made it clear that he, too, remains committed to the path of peace.

Chairman Arafat made it clear that he, too, remains committed to the path of peace.

the Prime Minister moved forward more from his initial position than Chairman Arafat