President Sadat's Role in Enhancing Egyptian-Israeli Relations Post-1973
TITLE
How significant was President Sadat to the improvement of relations between Egypt and Israel after 1973?
ESSAY
President Sadat played a significant role in the improvement of relations between Egypt and Israel after 1973. Despite some arguments against his significance, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that he was a key figure in the peace process between the two nations.
One of President Sadat's most significant actions was his decision to end the Treaty of Friendship with the USSR in 1976. By doing so, Sadat signaled that Egypt would no longer serve as a pawn in the Cold War and instead sought to pursue an independent foreign policy. This move allowed Sadat to approach the issue of peace with Israel on his own terms, without the interference of external powers.
In November 1977, President Sadat made a historic visit to Israel, where he delivered a speech to the Israeli parliament extending a welcoming hand to the Israeli people to live in peace with Egypt. This bold gesture of diplomacy laid the groundwork for further discussions between Egypt and Israel. Sadat's willingness to engage directly with Israeli leaders, such as his meetings with Prime Minister Begin, demonstrated his commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the longstanding conflict between the two countries.
Moreover, President Sadat's role in cutting ties with the PLO, which had been engaging in border raids against Israel, further demonstrated his dedication to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the conflict. By disengaging from the militant actions of the PLO, Sadat paved the way for more constructive discussions with Israel.
President Sadat's decision to engage in the Camp David talks in 1978 and ultimately sign the peace treaty with Israel cemented his legacy as a peacemaker in the region. The Camp David Accords not only led to the normalization of relations between Egypt and Israel but also set a precedent for future peace negotiations in the Middle East.
In conclusion, President Sadat's actions and initiatives were instrumental in improving relations between Egypt and Israel after 1973. His bold diplomacy, willingness to engage with Israeli leaders, and commitment to peace were crucial in laying the foundation for the peace treaty between the two nations. While other factors and actors certainly played a role in the peace process, President Sadat's contributions cannot be understated in the history of Israeli-Egyptian relations.
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How significant was President Sadat to the improvement of relations between Egypt and Israel after 1973?
Explain your answer
YES – Sadat ended the Treaty of Friendship (1971) with USSR in 1976 as he refused to continue to allow Egypt to be a pawn in the Cold War; November 1977, Sadat announced he would visit Israel – speech to Israeli parliament welcomed Israel ‘to live among us in peace’; Begin and Sadat made a deal over the Sinai and they met in December 1977; Egypt cut links with PLO which had been raiding the borders of Israel; Sadat agreed to meet Begin at Camp David talks (1978); peace treaty signed by Sadat etc.
NO – Sadat responsible partially for surprise attack on Egypt in 1973 when allied with Syria and armed by Soviet military assistance; more significant – US-Soviet initiative in 1973 through the United Nations brought an end to the fighting in the Yom Kippur War, 1973; PLO and its leader, Yasser Arafat, increased worldwide sympathy for the Palestinian cause – he addressed the UN General Assembly in 1984 showing a move towards diplomacy and away from militancy; Role of Begin – he visited Sadat in Cairo in 1977 and was prepared to promote peace with Egypt; Role of President Carter and the USA – brokered the early peace process between Egypt and Israel; Role of the United Nations – Oslo talks in 1992 led to the signing of the Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours – the creation of a Palestinian Authority in 1994 with PLO recognised as representatives of the Palestinian people etc.