>1977 Egyptian PResident Anwar Sadat Visits Israel
On On November 19th 1977, President Anwar Sadat of Egyp tbegan his visit to Israel. This visit led to the Camp David Peace Accords a year later, and was the first step towards putting an end to the 'cold war' between these two mid-eastern countries.
On November 9th, 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat delivered an address to his parliament in which Sadat stated his willingness to travel to Israel to promote peace. In response, Prime Minister Begin extended an invitation, which Sadat accepted.
On the evening of Saturday, November 19th, a Boeing 707 carrying Egyptian President Anwar Sadat landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. Up until the moment the aircraft’s doors opened, and Sadat appeared, many worried that the visit might be a ruse. However, those concerns were dispelled when Sadat descended the stairs. The President, all of Israel's cabinet, and former leaders were all present to welcome Sadat upon his arrival.
The following day, Sadat visited Yad Vashem and the Mosque of Omar before addressing the Knesset. In his speech, Sadat stated:
I come to you today on solid ground to shape a new life and to establish peace. We all live on this land, the land of God; we all—Muslims, Christians, and Jews—worship God and God alone. God's teachings and commandments are love, sincerity, purity, and peace.
Sadat's visit broke the psychological barrier that forbade Arab leaders from pursuing peace with Israel. Sadat's visit initiated the beginning of a process that ended the decades-long war between Israel and Egypt.