The Arab-Israeli Conflict: Peace at Camp David

1978
On the 17th of September 1978 after a 12-day marathon of negotiations
took place at Camp David, a treaty was signed between the Israeli, Arab and
Western powers that would settle some of the issues that existed in the ArabIsraeli world. 1976 and 1977 saw disputes and various events that made
peace look extremely unlikely, however with the determination of Anwar Sadat
to settle peace between Egypt and Israel, negotiations began to take place. At
Camp David in1978, President Carter of the United States met with Sadat and
Begin and despite the mutual hatred between the two leaders the Israeli
government agreed to compromise with the Arabs in order to protect selfinterests. A final agreement was reached at Camp David which settled some of
the Arab-Israeli tension, however the peace settlements gave rise to new
issues; in Egypt, Sadat was met with hostility at his betrayal to the Arab
cause, and Israel continued to expand and show aggression. Ultimately even
though some compromises were made at Camp David, the fundamental
differences, hate and suspicion still existed between the two powers, resulting
in what historians describe as cold peace.
Important Dates:

Menachim Begin (19131992)

9th November 1977- Sadat invited PLO leader

Arafat to a meeting of Egyptian parliament.
19th November 1977- Sadat went to visit Israel
in an attempt to mediate.
5th September 1978- 12-day marathon session
of negotiations at Camp David took place.
17th of September 1978- Carter announced that
the Camp David accords were signed in the White
House.
March 1979- formal treaty signed, closed a
chapter in the Arab-Israeli dispute.
October 1981- Sadat assassinated by his own
army in Cairo.
Anwar Sadat
(1918-81)
Served in the
army as a
member of the
Free Officer
Group. Vice
President in
1964
Proceeded
Nasser as
president in 1970
Declared war on Israel in 1973.
Received Nobel peace prize for his
efforts of creating peace.
Assassinated by Islamic military

Leader of the Likud party,

former Irgun leader and
arch-nationalist. Dogmatic
and aggressive character
Wanted to hold lands such
as the West bank.
Supported by many Jews
because of his hard-line
approach to dealing with
the Arabs.

Sadats Aims:
Determined to achieve security for
Egypt by dropping relations with
Soviets and moved towards US and
Europe.
Also offered Israel recognition and a
permanent peace based on
agreements which would:
Restore Arab lands
Recognize the need for a
Palestinian homeland
Provide secure boundaries.
In Western world he was admired for
his efforts at peace. Time magazine
called him Man of the Year,
however he earned hatred from most

elements in 1981.

Arab states, for treason against the

Arab cause.

I am ready to go to the end of the world, to their own homes, even

to the Knesset in search of peace. Sadat at 1977 speech
Camp David: In July 1978 President Carter invited Begin and Sadat
to the presidential retreat at Camp David.
Issues discussed:
West Bank
Palestinian homeland
Self government
Arabs and US both angered by the Israelis desire to build new
settlements in occupied land.
Egyptians wanted a return of their occupied land and Israeli
withdrawal.
Sadat and Carter

The planned 5-day meeting

turned into 10 days. Sadat in
frustration ordered a helicopter
to leave but was stopped by
Carter. Carter showed Sadat
pictures of Israeli leaders
grandchildren, and Begin was
moved and said We cant leave
a war for these children to
fight. Two days later Carter
announced that the Camp David
accords were signed in the
White House on the 17th of
September 1978.

Why did the Israelis agree?

For the Israeli government, an

agreement with Egypt would
remove the danger of their
most powerful enemy and
secure the southern borders
of Israel. Surrendering the Sinai
was worth the price but to give
up more was going to be
difficult. Personal hatred
between Begin and Sadat made
things more difficult.

The Final Agreement was in two parts:

1. A Framework for Peace in the Middle East dealt
with West Band, Gaza, UN and resolution to the Palestinian
problem.
2. A Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty
between Israel and Egypt- this was more
straightforward. Israel was to vacate the Sinai, restore
diplomatic relations with Egypt and secure the southern
borders.
Outcomes:
Ambiguity of the wording of the agreement was deliberate,
in order to make the signing of the agreement possible.

 Egypt: now met with hostility. Camp David agreements

regarded as a betrayal by the Arab world Egypt was
removed from the Arab League. Sadat assassinated.
Israel: continued to build settlements, refused to grant full
autonomy to the Palestinians, annexed the Golan Heights
and went to war with Lebanon in 1982.
The term to describe the peace at Camp David was Cold
peace