The Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty: March 26, 1979

On March 26, 1979, a landmark event in Middle Eastern history took place with the signing of the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty in Washington, D.C. This treaty marked the end of 30 years of hostilities between Egypt and Israel, two nations that had been in a state of war since the establishment of Israel in 1948.

Background

The path to the peace treaty was paved by several key events:

• The Yom Kippur War (1973): This conflict, initiated by Egypt and Syria against Israel, highlighted the need for a diplomatic resolution to ongoing hostilities. Although initially successful, the war ended in a military stalemate and led to increased U.S. and Soviet involvement in the region.

• Camp David Accords (1978): The peace process gained momentum with the Camp David Accords, facilitated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin engaged in intensive negotiations at Camp David, Maryland, resulting in two framework agreements that laid the groundwork for the peace treaty.

Key Provisions of the Treaty

The Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty included several critical components:

1. Mutual Recognition: Egypt became the first Arab country to officially recognize Israel, and in return, Israel recognized Egypt’s sovereignty.

2. Withdrawal from Sinai: Israel agreed to withdraw its military forces and civilian settlements from the Sinai Peninsula, which it had occupied since the Six-Day War in 1967. The withdrawal was completed in stages by 1982.

3. Demilitarization and Security Arrangements: The treaty established demilitarized zones and security arrangements to prevent future conflicts, with a multinational force and observers to monitor compliance.

4. Normalization of Relations: The treaty called for the normalization of diplomatic and economic relations, including the exchange of ambassadors and the establishment of trade links.

Aftermath and Significance

• Regional Impact: The treaty was a significant step towards peace in the Middle East, although it was met with mixed reactions. While it was praised internationally, it was controversial in the Arab world, leading to Egypt’s temporary suspension from the Arab League.

• Domestic Consequences: In Egypt, President Sadat faced significant opposition and was eventually assassinated in 1981 by extremists opposed to the treaty.

• U.S. Role: The United States played a crucial role as a mediator and provided substantial economic and military aid to both countries as part of the peace process.

The Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty remains a cornerstone of Middle Eastern diplomacy, demonstrating the potential for negotiated peace between long-standing adversaries. It set a precedent for future peace efforts in the region, including the later Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty in 1994.