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1978 - 1982
PEACE WITH EGYPT - 1979
The Yom Kippur War changed fundamental attitudes in Israel. For the first time there was talk of the
very real need to stop the circle of enmity and sit together around one table in order to reach a solution
to the Israeli-Arab conflict. Menahem Begin, as head of Likud, began to explore possibilities for
peace. In a surprising, courageous and unprecedented step, Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt, visited
Israel in November 1977. Prime Minister Menahem Begin invited him to address the Knesset, and
from the podium President Sadat declared: “No more war, no more bloodshed.” The peace talks were
conducted at Camp David, in the United States, under the patronage of President Jimmy Carter. The
talks culminated in the signing of a peace treaty in 1979 between Israel and Egypt, the largest of the
Arab states.
Under the terms of the peace treaty, both countries agreed to cease all hostile activity. Israel would
withdraw to the pre-1967 border and a permanent international border would be established between
the two countries. Furthermore, a process of normalization would be initiated: exchange of
diplomatic representatives and mutual agreements in the areas of trade, economy, tourism and mail.
The Sinai Peninsula would be demilitarized. Since the signing of the treaty Egypt has stood by its
commitments, although President Sadat was assassinated by Muslim zealots. The pursuit of peace cost
him his life.
Both Menahem Begin and Anwar Sadat won international recognition for their efforts and they were
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
OPERATION PEACE FOR GALILEE - THE
LEBANON WAR - JUNE 1982
Operation Peace for Galilee was another landmark in the history of the State of Israel. For a long time
Lebanon harbored members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). A decision was made to
invade Lebanon and immobilize the PLO, in the wake of continuous terrorist activity originating from
Lebanese territory and the shelling of settlements in the north. On June 6, 1982 the IDF entered
Lebanon, penetrating as far north as Beirut. The PLO’s leadership was forced to move to Tunis. This
military operation, although planned for limited duration, became bogged down and continued far
longer than expected. The necessity for this entire operation was disputed, as was the way it was
conducted. The army paid a very steep price: 650 soldiers lost their lives. For three years the IDF
remained deep in Lebanon, until the decision was made to withdraw to the international border in
1985, but some territory in southern Lebanon was retained as a security zone. This area is monitored
jointly by the South Lebanese Army and the IDF.
News Briefs
Pictures reprinted with permission, all rights reserved to Alpha Press.
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