On September 17, 1978, three men stood on the green lawn in front of the White House. Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt. Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel. And Jimmy Carter, President of the United States. They signed two documents that would change the history of the Middle East. "The Camp David Accords." The first official Arab recognition of Israel. The first Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab territory (the Sinai). The treaty ended 30 years of war between Egypt and Israel (1948, 1956, 1967, 1973). Sadat and Begin received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978. But the price was heavy: Egypt was expelled from the Arab League. Sadat was assassinated 3 years later. And the Arab world was divided forever. This is the story of 13 days of secret negotiations in the Maryland woods. The story of "land for peace" – and "peace for isolation."
Summary: The Camp David Accords (September 1978) paved the way for the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty (March 1979). Results: 1) Complete Israeli withdrawal from Sinai (completed 1982). 2) Egypt's recognition of Israel and exchange of ambassadors. 3) Israeli freedom of navigation in the Suez Canal. 4) A commitment to negotiate Palestinian autonomy (never implemented). 5) Egypt expelled from the Arab League (1979-1989). 6) Assassination of Sadat in 1981.
⚔️ From War to Peace: How They Reached Camp David
Five years before Camp David, on October 6, 1973, the Egyptian army crossed the Suez Canal and shattered the myth of the invincible Israeli army. The October War was a turning point. Egypt did not win militarily (in the end), but it won politically. Sadat realized the military solution was impossible. And he realized Egypt could not afford a war every 6 years. In 1977, Sadat stunned the world: he announced his willingness to go to the Israeli Knesset. "I will go to the end of the world for peace. Even to Israel." And he did. On November 19, 1977, Sadat stood in the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem. He delivered a speech saying: "I have come to you so that together we might build a lasting peace." The Arabs were shocked. But the road to Camp David had begun. After months of stalled negotiations, Carter intervened. He invited both sides to the presidential retreat at Camp David. He said: "Do not leave until we reach an agreement." 13 days of isolation. 13 days of shouting, anger, tears... and negotiations. In the end... they signed.
🏕️ 13 Days of Hell
Camp David is not a luxury hotel. It is an isolated presidential retreat in the Maryland woods. Carter chose it deliberately: no press. No leaks. No escape. Sadat and Begin did not exchange a single word in the first few days. They sent messages through Carter. Begin was stubborn. Refused the word "withdrawal." Insisted on "redeployment." Sadat wanted everything: complete withdrawal from Sinai, dismantling of settlements, and a solution to the Palestinian issue. Carter mediated between them. On the tenth day, negotiations nearly collapsed. Begin packed his bags. Carter went to his cabin in the middle of the night. Told him: "If we fail... history will hold us responsible for another war." Begin relented. On the thirteenth day... agreement was reached. Two documents: "A Framework for Peace in the Middle East" (concerning the Palestinians) and "A Framework for a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel." In March 1979, the treaty was officially signed at the White House. Sinai would return. The war would end.
"I am not signing this document for Egypt alone. I am signing it for the Palestinians. And for future generations."
🇪🇬 Arab Isolation and the Assassination of Sadat
The Arab reaction was violent. The Arab League suspended Egypt's membership. Moved its headquarters from Cairo to Tunis. 17 Arab countries cut diplomatic relations with Egypt. They called Sadat a "traitor." Said: "He signed a separate peace. He abandoned the Palestinians." Sadat replied: "Sinai is Egyptian land. I reclaimed it. And the Palestinians... I signed for their autonomy." But the Palestinians refused. The PLO said: "Camp David is a conspiracy." Yasser Arafat said: "Peace with Israel must be comprehensive. Not a separate Egyptian peace." Inside Egypt, anger was growing. Islamist groups considered the agreement treason. On October 6, 1981 (the anniversary of the October War), as Sadat watched a military parade... soldiers jumped from one of the vehicles. Threw grenades. Opened fire. Sadat was killed. Assassinated by Islamists. They said: "The dog is dead." But peace... remained. The last inch of Sinai returned in 1982 (after a legal battle over Taba in 1989). Egypt returned to the Arab League in 1989. Today, the Camp David treaty is the longest-lasting peace agreement in the Middle East. 45 years. And still standing.
The Price of Peace: Sadat paid with his life for Camp David. But he reclaimed Sinai (61,000 km²). And ended 30 years of war. Today, 500,000 Israeli tourists visit Sinai annually. The peace... is cold. But it holds.