The Path from the Yom Kippur War to the Camp David Accords

The Yom Kippur War of October 1973 had profound implications for the Middle East, leading directly to the Camp David Accords and a shift in regional diplomacy. Understanding this transition requires examining Sadat’s motivations, the war’s outcomes, and the subsequent peace efforts.

Sadat’s Position and Motivations

Anwar Sadat

Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt, was driven by several factors in his quest for peace with Israel. By 1973, Sadat felt that Egypt had exhausted its options in its pursuit of justice for the Palestinian cause through military means. Having fought two wars with Israel—1956 and 1967—Sadat recognized that continued military conflict was not yielding the desired outcomes. The Egyptian military had suffered significant losses, and the 1967 defeat had left a lasting impact on national morale.

Sadat’s primary motivation for the peace treaty was to secure Egypt’s strategic interests and alleviate the pressure of constant military conflict. He sought to remove the Israeli occupation from the Sinai Peninsula and stabilize Egypt’s position in the region. The peace treaty would enable Egypt to shift focus from military engagements to domestic development and economic recovery. Moreover, Sadat’s position was that Egypt could no longer be expected to achieve justice for the Palestinian cause single-handedly. The ongoing conflict was straining Egypt’s resources and capabilities, and Sadat realized that a diplomatic solution was necessary.

The peace treaty was thus seen by Sadat as a means to secure Egypt’s borders and stabilize its domestic situation, while also addressing the long-standing issue of Israeli occupation. Despite his desire for peace, Sadat was acutely aware of the deep resentment among Egyptians and the broader Arab world regarding Israeli occupation and the Palestinian issue. This resentment meant that any peace agreement would need to be framed in a way that acknowledged and addressed these grievances, even if it did not fully resolve them.

The Yom Kippur War and Its Immediate Aftermath

The Yom Kippur War, launched on October 6, 1973, was a coordinated surprise attack by Egypt and Syria aimed at reclaiming territories lost to Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967. The war began on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, which meant that Israel was caught off guard. This strategic choice aimed to exploit Israel’s reduced readiness during a time of religious observance.

The Egyptian and Syrian armies executed a well-coordinated offensive. The Egyptians, using advanced Soviet weaponry, crossed the Suez Canal and breached Israel’s Bar Lev Line, a fortified defensive structure. This initial success, referred to as “the crossing,” was a significant morale boost for Egypt after years of defeat.

On the northern front, Syrian forces made initial gains, including capturing key positions such as Mount Hermon. The early successes of the Arab forces were significant, but Israel quickly mobilized its reserves and counterattacked. Within 24 hours, Israel had launched a counteroffensive that turned the tide of the war. The Israelis pushed Syrian forces back and advanced within 35 kilometers of Damascus. In the south, Israeli forces, under General Ariel Sharon, crossed the Suez Canal and encircled the Egyptian Third Army.

The conflict saw heavy casualties on both sides. Estimates place Israeli losses at around 2,600 soldiers killed and 8,800 wounded. Egyptian casualties were reported to be approximately 7,700 dead and 3,500 Syrian casualties. The war ended in a stalemate, with both sides ready to accept a ceasefire by late October.

The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 338 on October 22, calling for a ceasefire and reaffirming Resolution 242, which demanded Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories. Negotiations for a ceasefire began between Israeli and Egyptian military representatives, marking the first direct talks in 25 years.

U.S. Mediation and the Role of Henry Kissinger

The U.S. played a critical role in mediating the post-war negotiations. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger embarked on what became known as “shuttle diplomacy,” traveling between Israel and Arab capitals to broker agreements. Kissinger’s efforts led to the signing of the Sinai Interim Agreement in 1975, which was a preliminary step toward a more comprehensive peace settlement.

Kissinger’s shuttle diplomacy was instrumental in securing disengagement agreements between Israel and Egypt, and later between Israel and Syria. By January 1974, Kissinger had successfully negotiated a disengagement agreement between Egypt and Israel. This agreement included provisions for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the Sinai Peninsula and the establishment of UN buffer zones.

Kissinger’s efforts were further extended to Syria, culminating in another disengagement agreement signed in Geneva in June 1974. This agreement concluded the October War and established UN buffer zones between Israeli and Syrian forces.

The Road to Camp David

Menachem Begin, Jimmy Carter and Anwar Sadat at Camp David, 1978

With the immediate aftermath of the war and initial disengagement agreements in place, the stage was set for more comprehensive peace negotiations. In 1977, Sadat made a historic visit to Jerusalem, addressing the Israeli Knesset and signaling his commitment to peace. This visit was a dramatic and bold move, reflecting Sadat’s willingness to engage directly with Israel.

U.S. President Jimmy Carter saw an opportunity to build on this momentum. In September 1978, Carter invited Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to Camp David for a summit. The summit, held in secret over 13 days, was a high-stakes diplomatic effort to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement.

The Camp David Accords, signed on September 17, 1978, consisted of two main agreements:

1. Framework for Peace in the Middle East: This framework addressed broader issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict and proposed a comprehensive peace plan for the region. It included the principles for a future resolution of the Palestinian issue.
2. Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel: This agreement specifically outlined the terms of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Sinai Peninsula and the normalization of diplomatic relations.

The Peace Treaty and Its Aftermath

The peace treaty between Egypt and Israel was signed on March 26, 1979, in Washington, D.C. It was the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab country and marked a significant shift in regional diplomacy. Key provisions of the treaty included:

• Israeli Withdrawal: Israel agreed to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula, returning the territory to Egypt.
• Normalization of Relations: Both countries agreed to establish diplomatic relations, including the exchange of ambassadors and the promotion of trade and cooperation.
• Security Arrangements: The treaty established demilitarized zones and international monitoring to ensure compliance with the terms.

The peace treaty had immediate and long-term effects. For Egypt, it meant the recovery of the Sinai Peninsula and a shift from military conflict to diplomatic engagement. However, the treaty was controversial within Egypt and the broader Arab world. Sadat faced criticism for prioritizing Egypt’s interests over the Palestinian cause, and Egypt was expelled from the Arab League as a result of the treaty.

In Israel, the peace treaty was seen as a major achievement. It provided a degree of stability and security along Israel’s southern border and allowed Israel to focus on other strategic concerns. The treaty also contributed to a broader shift in Israeli diplomacy, influencing subsequent negotiations and peace efforts.

The framework for Israeli-Palestinian peace outlined in the Camp David Accords did not materialize as hoped. Key issues such as the status of Jerusalem and the rights of Palestinian refugees remained unresolved. While the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel endured, the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict continued.

Jordan signed its own peace treaty with Israel in 1994, making Egypt and Jordan the only two Arab countries to establish formal relations with Israel. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved, with ongoing disputes over territory, borders, and the status of Jerusalem.

Conclusion

The Yom Kippur War was a turning point in the Middle East, leading to significant diplomatic developments. The war exposed the limitations of military solutions and highlighted the need for a negotiated peace. Sadat’s strategic shift, Kissinger’s shuttle diplomacy, and the Camp David Accords marked a significant achievement in international diplomacy. The peace treaty between Egypt and Israel reshaped the region and demonstrated the potential for negotiated settlements to achieve lasting peace. Despite the challenges and unresolved issues, the accords represent a landmark moment in the pursuit of peace in the Middle East.