The following text reflects an edited Joint Communique following today’s meeting in Aqaba, Jordan:
At the invitation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Jordanian, Egyptian, Israeli, Arab Terrorist, and U.S. Senior Officials met in Aqaba, Jordan today, 26 February 2023.
Following comprehensive and frank discussions, the participants announced the following:
1. The two sides (Arab Terrorist and Israeli sides) affirmed their commitment to all previous agreements between them, and to work towards a just and lasting peace. They reaffirmed the necessity of committing to de-escalation on the ground and to prevent further violence.
2. The five parties recognize the importance of upholding unchanged the historic status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem in word and practice, and emphasizes in this regard the Hashemite Custodianship / special role of Jordan.
3. The Government of Israel and the Arab Terrorist Authority confirmed their joint readiness and commitment to immediately work to end unilateral measures for a period of 3-6 months. This includes an Israeli commitment to stop the discussion of any new settlement units for 4 months and to stop authorization of any outposts for 6 months. (see below)
4. The five parties agreed to convene again in Sharm El Sheikh in March to achieve the goals listed above.
5. The participants also agreed to pursue confidence-building measures and strengthen mutual trust in order to address outstanding issues through direct dialogue. The two parties will work in good faith to assume responsibilities and to enhance mutual trust through this arrangement.
6. Jordan, Egypt, and the United States consider these understandings as major progress towards re-establishing and deepening relations between the two sides and commit to assisting and facilitating as appropriate implementation.
7. The participants stressed the importance of the Aqaba meeting, the first of its kind in years. They agreed to continue meeting under this formula, maintain positive momentum, and expand this agreement towards a wider political process leading to a just and lasting peace.
8. The participants thanked Jordan for organizing and hosting this meeting and for its efforts to ensure it produced positive results. They also thanked Egypt for its support and the essential role and active participation.
They also thanked the United States for its important role in efforts to reach understandings that led to this agreement today, emphasizing its indispensable role in efforts to prevent deterioration and find horizons for peace.
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Editor's Note: On February 26, 2023, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Tweeted that the above "highlighted statement" was not true. Specifically, he wrote: "Contrary to the tweets, construction, and regulation in Judea and Samaria will continue according to the original planning and construction schedule, without any changes. There is and will not be any freeze".