Sadat, The first Arab leader to Recognize in Israel
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| :Photo by Yaacov Saar, GPO Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin greets Sadat upon his arrival |
November 19, 1977 - First official visit by an Arab leader in Israel: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat arrives in Israel and sets the first formal recognition by an Arab country in the Jewish state.
This visit was made possible after President Sadat addressed the Egyptian People's Assembly, announced his intention to visit Israel and was obliged by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. This initiative shook foundations in the Middle East and resulted the excluding of Egypt from the Arab League.
At his meetings in Jerusalem president Sadat announced: "Believe me, no more war. I am a man of my word".
This visit was made possible after President Sadat addressed the Egyptian People's Assembly, announced his intention to visit Israel and was obliged by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. This initiative shook foundations in the Middle East and resulted the excluding of Egypt from the Arab League.
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| Photo by Yaacov Saar, GPO: Israeli kids greet Egyptian president Sadat |
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| Photo by Yaacov Saar, GPO |
The historic visit led to negotiations between the two countries which were encountered with many difficulties. In September 1978, both two sides signed a framework agreement for peace known as the "Camp David Agreements" whereby Israel agreed to withdraw completely from the Sinai in return for full peace with Egypt.
In October 1981, President Sadat was assassinated by members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad who opposed the peace treaty. Despite the murder, Israel fulfilled its obligations in full and in April 1982, the last of the Israelis left the Sinai Peninsula.
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