When Egyptian President Anwar Sadat touched down at Ben-Gurion Airport on November 19, 1977, the whole world was watching. His visit to Israel, the first of its kind by an Arab head of state, was a game-changer: A harbinger of what Shimon Peres would later call “the new Middle East.”

Sadat’s arrival mesmerized Israel. Thousands of awestruck Israelis lined the route of his motorcade to catch a glimpse of the man who, just four years earlier, had been their sworn enemy. Those not gathering in the streets were glued to their television screens, ecstatically following the wall-to-wall coverage.

The post Rare Photograph: Menachem Begin And Anwar El-Sadat Visit to Israel, Hand-Signed by Begin November 1977 first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

On March 26, 1979, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and United States President Jimmy Carter signed the Peace Accord. The photos from the event became the symbol of the agreement that changed the face of the Middle East.

The historic celebratory gathering on the White House lawn, in front of an enthusiastic crowd and broadcast live to millions of viewers around the world, did not even remotely hint at the great drama that had unfolded in the months preceding it. Throughout these months, those involved in the negotiation process encountered numerous bumps and obstacles, at times evoking a sense that the process was on the brink of collapse, along with all hopes for peace.

All of these challenges led President Carter to release a deep sigh of relief at the successful culmination of the process and to remark, ‘What we have achieved so far is nothing short of a miracle… God’s hand was involved in what has been accomplished thus far.

The post Rare Photograph: Menachem Begin, Anwar El-Sadat And Jimmy Carter at The White House Peace Accord Ceremony, Hand-Signed by Begin 1979 first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

On March 26, 1979, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and United States President Jimmy Carter signed the Peace Accord. The photos from the event became the symbol of the agreement that changed the face of the Middle East.

The historic celebratory gathering on the White House lawn, in front of an enthusiastic crowd and broadcast live to millions of viewers around the world, did not even remotely hint at the great drama that had unfolded in the months preceding it. Throughout these months, those involved in the negotiation process encountered numerous bumps and obstacles, at times evoking a sense that the process was on the brink of collapse, along with all hopes for peace.

All of these challenges led President Carter to release a deep sigh of relief at the successful culmination of the process and to remark, ‘What we have achieved so far is nothing short of a miracle… God’s hand was involved in what has been accomplished thus far.

The post Rare Photograph: Menachem Begin and Jimmy Carter at The White House Peace Process Ceremony, Hand-Signed by Begin 1979 first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.