The Arab-Israeli Conflict: Peace at Camp David 1978On 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 Arab-Israeli 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 self-interests. 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:

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.

Menachim Begin (1913-1992)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.

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 elements in 1981.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 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 speechCamp 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 CarterWhy did the Israelis agree?

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.

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