The Legal Status of United States Involvement in the Camp David Peace Process

In one context or another, the turmoil in the Middle East has been tragic not only for the states in the region but for the prospects of world peace. Because of this, the United States has been both directly and indirectly involved in the crises that have erupted there from time to time. A major milestone was reached when, largely due to the personal efforts of President Carter, Egypt and Israel signed the Camp David agreements on September 17, 1978, in Washington, D.C. The United States played a key role in the execution of these agreements and consequential instruments. Indeed, it assumed sizable financial obligations to ensure the success of the goals of peace outlined in these agreements.

It is possible to appreciate that role politically; moreover, the legal aspects of this matter require careful scrutiny, because it may not be immediately clear what obligations or rights the United States acquired under international law as a consequence of this involvement. This Article attempts to determine the legal status of the United States involvement in the process initiated at Camp David in 1978.