Responsible Party and Year Completed: Set out by Israeli and Palestinian (PLO) leaders, hosted by the US Government, also with the Quartet and most Arab League members, 2008
Link: https://il.boell.org/en/2021/06/01/truman-institute-atlas-jewish-arab-conflict
Status: Completed
Contact: Shaul Arieli
Executive Summary:
The Annapolis Conference was a high-watermark of several proposals of the parties that involved land swaps as part of the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Here, Israel proposed annexing 6.5% of the West Bank, including major Jewish settlements, in exchange for compensatory land of a comparator 5.8% to Palestine, as well as ensuring the territorial integrity of a future Palestinian state with a land corridor between Gaza and the West Bank (although Israel technically retained sovereignty over that).
The Palestinian proposal ceded 1.9% of the West Bank, containing 63% of settlers, compared to the Israeli proposals’ 84%. The proposals also covered Jerusalem, security and refugees.
Although the conference didn’t reach agreement, it highlighted the acceptance of the land swap principle based on 1967 borders.
Short term priorities:
- Formalize proposals for land swaps between Israel and the Palestinian territories to align with the 1967 borders while accommodating Israeli settlements.
- Solidify consensus on the principle of land swaps, including the percentage of land to be exchanged and the criteria for selecting swap areas.
- Prepare for a potential Palestinian referendum to ensure public support for any land swap agreements.
Long term priorities:
- Execute the land swap agreements through detailed mapping and legal processes to redefine borders.
- Adapt the land swap framework to reflect demographic changes and political developments since 1967.
- Develop solutions for territorial continuity between the West Bank and Gaza, including infrastructure projects and sovereignty arrangements.
Immediate Priorities / Proposed Next Steps:
- Complete detailed proposals for land swaps to be available in future negotiations, ensuring they reflect both Israeli security concerns and Palestinian sovereignty aspirations.
- Conduct meetings with key stakeholders, including international partners and local communities, to gather support and address concerns related to land swaps.
- Initiative technical surveys and planning required for the implementation of land swaps, including environmental assessments and infrastructure planning.