What was the first Arab nation to make peace with Israel?

The path to peace in the Middle East has been long and complex, and a pivotal moment occurred when one Arab nation forged a groundbreaking agreement with Israel. This historic accord, signed in 1979, marked the first time an Arab state formally recognized Israel and established full diplomatic relations. It was a significant shift in the regional landscape, following decades of conflict and multiple wars.

The groundwork for this peace was laid through intense negotiations, famously known as the Camp David Accords, hosted by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The primary figures in these talks were Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Sadat's courageous visit to Jerusalem in 1977, a bold and unprecedented move, signaled a new willingness to pursue a diplomatic solution. This act of statesmanship ultimately paved the way for the treaties that followed.

The resulting peace treaty, signed on the White House lawn, officially ended the state of war between the two nations. For his efforts, President Sadat, along with Prime Minister Begin, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. While the agreement brought a lasting peace between Egypt and Israel, it also led to Egypt's temporary suspension from the Arab League, highlighting the deep divisions and strong reactions within the Arab world at the time. Nevertheless, this pioneering treaty set a precedent for future peace efforts in the region, demonstrating that diplomatic resolution was indeed possible.