Israel and Jordan Sign Historic Peace Treaty
Following the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians, Jordan moved to normalize relations with Israel after decades of conflict. King Hussein and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin had reached a framework agreement in Washington in July 1994. On October 26, 1994, the formal Treaty of Peace was signed at the Arava/Araba border crossing in the presence of U.S. President Bill Clinton and other witnesses. The treaty established full diplomatic relations, resolved border disputes, and addressed water-sharing and security cooperation. Jordan became the second Arab state, after Egypt, to conclude a peace agreement with Israel.
Why it matters: The treaty has endured as a cornerstone of regional stability, enabling security coordination and economic ties despite periodic strains. It demonstrated that bilateral agreements could advance even amid broader Arab-Israeli tensions and set a model for subsequent normalization efforts.