What Is the Madrid Conference and Why Is It Important?

By Robert Palmer

The Madrid Conference, also known as the Madrid Peace Conference, was a significant diplomatic event held in the Spanish capital from October 30 to November 1, 1991. This conference brought together representatives from Israel, Palestine, and Arab countries to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Background:

The Madrid Conference was a result of several failed attempts at peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine. The Oslo Accords of 1993 were seen as a direct result of the Madrid Conference. The conference was hosted by Spain and co-sponsored by the United States and Russia.

The Participants:

The conference involved delegations from Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and other Arab states. Notably absent were representatives from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The Objectives:

The primary objective of the conference was to lay a foundation for future peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. The conference focused on three main issues: security arrangements; regional cooperation; and Palestinian self-rule.

The Outcome:

Although the Madrid Conference did not result in an immediate peace agreement between Israel and Palestine, it did serve as an important first step towards future negotiations. The bilateral talks between Israel and Syria paved way for the eventual withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon in 2000.

Importance:

The Madrid Conference marked a significant moment in history when all parties involved agreed to come together for dialogue. The willingness of both Israelis and Palestinians to participate demonstrated their commitment towards finding a peaceful solution to their long-standing conflict.

Moreover, it laid down the groundwork for future peace negotiations such as those that led to the Oslo Accords in 1993 which recognized mutual recognition between Palestinians and Israelis.

In conclusion, while it did not lead directly to peace between Israel and Palestine or any other nations present at the conference it laid down the foundation for future negotiations and paved way for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.