Rivlin marks 40 years to Sadat's historic visit with presidential ceremony
Pres. Rivlin and Egyptian Amb. Khairat speak at ceremony marking then-Egyptian pres. Sadat's historic visit to Israel, which led to peace agreement; quoting Sadat, Rivlin, says, 'Let us say one to another: No more wars, no more bloodshed, and no more threats,' while Amb. Khairat says Egyptian-Israeli peace gives hope to Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A ceremony marking 40 years since then-Egyptian president Anwar Sadat made his historic visit to Israel was held on Wednesday at the President's Residence. President Reuven Rivlin hosted the event, which also included Egyptian Ambassador to Israel Hazem Khairat; Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yuval Rotem; and former Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Justice (Ret.) Eliyakim Rubenstien, who had served at the time as an aide to Moshe Dayan, and was part of the Israeli negotiations team.
Rivlin: 'Our connection is more important than words'
President Rivlin began by welcoming the Khairat, and all his guests from Israel and around the world. "On Saturday evening, on the 19th November 1977, the Israeli Army Band played the Egyptian national anthem for the very first time. The world’s media watched with open mouths, as enemies became friends," he said, "No one will ever forget that amazing moment, the meeting of two leaders: (then-Israeli prime minister Menachem—ed) Begin and Sadat.
"Both leaders carried the pride of their peoples. They both carried the history, the scars, the wars, and the fears. They both had the desire, the dream, to bring peace between the Arab nations and Israel. This was the significance and the historic importance of the visit of President Sadat of Egypt."
Rivlin recounted how unbelievable that Sadat would make good and actually arrive in Israel. "Sadat told the Egyptian Parliament that for peace he would go to the end of the world, even to Jerusalem. The reporters rushed to give their editors this great headline, but so many did not believe it. They could not believe that they were really seeing history.
"Two days later, Prime Minister Begin turned to the Egyptian people. He said: 'Let us say one to another, both peoples of Egypt and Israel: No more wars no more bloodshed, and no more threats'—words that will stay with us forever.
As the first Arab leader to make an official visit to Israel, Sadat's coming broke new ground. It was most significant, however, as the harbinger of what was yet to come—peace between the two nations.
"(Sadat) spoke in the Knesset in Arabic. He held five meetings with Prime Minister Begin. Two days of sincerity, of determination. Two days which led to an historic peace agreement," stated Rivlin.
"Egypt, 'Om El Donya'—'Mother of the World—is an extremely important ally," concluded Rivlin. "Our connection is more important than words can say, and it can never be taken for granted."
Amb. Khairat: 'Did we achieve Sadat’s dream?'
Khairat also gave an address, thanking Rivlin for hosting the important event and saying.
He drew parallels between achieving peace between Israel and Egypt, and managing to secure a similar agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. "Egypt’s experience validates that peace is possible and is indeed a realistic objective that we should all continue to pursue seriously. In doing so I put before you the following question: did we achieve Sadat’s dream of the comprehensive peace that puts an end to one of the longest disputes in modern history? If not, then how can we do so based on the parameters of peace outlined by Sadat?
Khairat stressed Egypt's commitment to renewing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5039672,00.html "Egypt is adamant to seize the golden opportunity to reviving peace talks to achieve a credible and comprehensive peace agreement."
"Despite an increasingly volatile and complex region and international scene, as well as huge domestic economic challenges, Egypt, the cradle of civilization and humanity has a responsibility to achieve a permanent peace in our region, which should be based on land for peace, confidence building measures, and security guarantees. Egypt remains loyal to these principles, which are deeply rooted in the international conscience.
"Another outstanding Egyptian leader addressing the Israeli public opinion directly from the podium of the United Nations," added Khairat. "Underlining the importance of the safety and security of Israelis and Palestinians alike, and calling upon both Israelis and Palestinians to support their political leadership to seize the current historic opportunity to make peace a reality, and that we have a true and real opportunity to open a new and bright chapter in the history of our region.
The ambassador concluded his address by saying, "Egypt is adamant to seizing the golden opportunity to reviving peace talks to achieve a credible and comprehensive peace agreement, especially in view of President Trump’s, and the new Administration’s commitment to move this process forward."
