Egypt and Israel Sign a Historic Peace Treaty
Egypt and Israel have a long history, but it wasn’t until March 26th, 1979 that Egypt and Israel signed a historic peace agreement at the White House.
Egypt and Israel have a long history, but it wasn’t until March 26th, 1979 that Egypt and Israel signed a historic peace agreement at the White House. Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin broke a 30-year hostile relationship between the two countries and established diplomatic and commercial ties.
But it wasn’t a simple process.
It started with a shocking move that was criticized by the Arab world when President El-Sadat traveled to Jerusalem to start peace talks with Menahem Begin. They continued the diplomatic talks in September 1978, with U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and came to an agreement that we know as the Camp David Accords.
This peace treaty continues today and has opened up a military partnership that has secured the region and made it safer for both countries, allowed travelers to move freely between borders, and opened up economic and business opportunities.
Egypt was the first Arab State to officially recognize Israel, making it a huge breakthrough for Israel and the dynamics in the Middle East. Sadat and Begin received the Nobel Peace Prize for their diplomatic moves, but it was not without consequences for El-Sadat. Egypt was suspended from the Arab League from 1979 - 1989 and Sadat was assassinated by members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad on October 6, 1981. Additionally, Syrian President Hafez al-Assad cut all ties with Egypt that were only re-established in 2005 under President Bashar al-Assad.
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