SBS50: Biggest Stories 1978

In 1978 Egypt made peace with Israel. The Camp David Accords recognized the rights of the Palestinian people, and a process was to be implemented guaranteeing their full autonomy within five years.

'Anwar Sadat, Jimmy Carter and Menahem Begin at the Camp David Accords Signing Ceremony. (Photo by: Hum Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Credit: HUM Images/Hum Images/Universal Images Grou

The withdrawal of Israeli troops from the West Bank and Gaza was to occur after an election of a self-governing authority. The fate of Jerusalem was however excluded from this agreement. 

Secret negotiations for the treaty took place for 12 days at Camp David. At their conclusion Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the treaty on the 17th September 1978 at the  White House.

We should all recognise the substantial achievements that have been made, a framework for peace in the Middle East.

Jimmy Carter

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