Sadat's bold diplomacy and US mediation produced the first peace between Israel and an Arab state. It ended the conflict with Egypt but left the Palestinian question open.
In November 1977 Sadat flew to Jerusalem and addressed Israel's parliament. It was the first public visit by an Arab leader to Israel.
Talks stalled, so US President Jimmy Carter invited Sadat and Israel's Prime Minister Menachem Begin to Camp David in September 1978. After 13 days they agreed two frameworks: one for an Egypt-Israel treaty and one for Palestinian self-rule.
The Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty was signed in March 1979. Egypt recognised Israel, and Israel agreed to return all of Sinai, which it completed in 1982. The USA gave both countries large amounts of aid.
The peace held because both leaders gained. Sadat recovered Sinai and US support for Egypt's economy. Begin removed the strongest Arab army from the conflict.
The Palestinian framework failed. Other Arab states rejected the deal, the Arab League suspended Egypt, and Sadat was assassinated in 1981. The conflict over the West Bank and Gaza continued.
- Sadat in Jerusalem
- November 1977.
- Camp David Accords
- September 1978.
- Peace treaty
- March 1979; Sinai returned by 1982.
Worked example: Why Camp David succeeded
What made peace possible in 1978-1979?
- Leadership: Sadat's visit and Begin's willingness to trade land.
- Mediation: Carter's personal involvement and US aid.
- Interests: Sinai for Egypt, security for Israel.
- Limit: the Palestinian issue was left aside.
Watch out for this
Camp David ended the Arab-Israeli conflict.
It ended the conflict between Egypt and Israel. Syria, Jordan and the Palestinians were not part of the peace, and the Palestinian question remained.
Check your understanding
Why did the Arab League suspend Egypt in 1979?
- Egypt made a separate peace with Israel.
- Egypt attacked Saudi Arabia.
- Egypt left the UN.