Bringing together independent lawyers and jurists from both sides of the century-old conflict, this text reflects on: history and law; key international treaties; the domestic dimensions of the process; water arrangements; economic issues; and the legal institutions which are being created.

This text brings together independent and well-established lawyers and jurists from both sides of the century-old conflict, to reflect on matters of common interest. As violence recedes before negotiation and compromise, all issues covered by the ongoing negotiations will be determined by the emerging rule of law. The strategic issues discussed include: history and law; key international treaties; the domestic dimensions of the process; water arrangements; economic issues; and the legal institutions which are being created and which must adapt to the new scene. Another feature of the book is that, as an end result, it shows that the old legal opposition of Israeli and Arab views is giving way to a common, informed reflection on a joint and informed endeavour on the way to a coexistence determined primarily by law.

Part 1 History and law: the weight of legal history - constraints and hopes in the search, R. Shehadeh
legal systems and public attitudes during negotiations towards transition from conflict to reconciliation - the Middle East, 1992-1994, R. Gavison. Part 2 The Palestinian-Israeli accords and their implementation: the status of the Palestinian authority, E. Benvenisti
some legal aspects of the declaration of principles - a Palestinian view, E. Cotran. Part 3 The structure of domestic developments: domestic politics, law and the peace process - a view from Israel, D. Kretzmer
the draft basic law for the Palestinian National Authority during the transitional period, A. al-Qasem. Appendix: basic law for the National Authority in the transitional period - third draft
Part 4 Economy and law: legal aspects of Israeli economy, C. Fassberg
power and trade - the Israeli-Palestinian economic protocol, S. Emusa, M. El-Jaafari. Part 5 Water and law: the Jordan-Israel water agreement - A model or an exception? S. Elmusa
joint management of groundwater resources - its need and implications, E. Feitelson. Part 6 Creating legal institutions: creating legal institutions - the effectiveness of the Israeli legal system, R. Levush
judicial independence under Palestinian rule, M. Rishmawi.