The Wye River Memorandum Is Signed
On October 23, 1998, Israeli and Palestinian leaders signed the Wye River Memorandum at the White House.
Published · Updated · 1 min read
A Washington Signing
On October 23, 1998, Israeli and Palestinian leaders signed the Wye River Memorandum at the White House. President Bill Clinton hosted the ceremony.
Negotiation Before the Photograph
The agreement followed negotiations associated with Wye River. The ceremony marked a diplomatic commitment after bargaining, rather than the first conversation between the parties.
A Document of Implementation
The memorandum addressed steps within the existing peace process. It should not be presented as a final settlement of every Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Who Appeared
Official presidential records identify Benjamin Netanyahu, Yasser Arafat and Jordan’s King Hussein among the central figures. The signing photograph records participation, not proof that all commitments were later fulfilled.
Agreement Versus Outcome
Diplomatic history requires following implementation as well as announcements. The anniversary marks the signed memorandum, whose meaning cannot be measured solely by the ceremony’s hopeful imagery.
Sources
- 1998 Public Papers - Signing the Wye River Memorandum with Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority, King Hussein I of Jordan, and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of Israel in… — U.S. Government Publishing Office
- Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II) - PPP-1998-book2 — Document in Context — GovInfo — U.S. Government Publishing Office
Found an error? Send a correction. Read our editorial standards.