Anwar Sadat

Sadat became President of Egypt on October 15, 1970, following the death of Gamal Abdel Nasser. He was initially seen as a weak interim figure but quickly consolidated power, purging Nasserist rivals in what became known as the 'Corrective Revolution' of May 1971.

Sadat launched a coordinated surprise attack with Syria against Israel on October 6, 1973, the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Egyptian forces crossed the Suez Canal and breached the Bar-Lev Line. The war initially succeeded but ended with Israeli counterattacks; however, it restored Egyptian pride and led to negotiations.

Sadat made a historic visit to Jerusalem on November 19-20, 1977, becoming the first Arab leader to visit Israel. He addressed the Knesset, calling for peace and recognition of Israel's right to exist. The visit broke decades of Arab refusal to negotiate directly with Israel.

Sadat signed the Camp David Accords with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on September 17, 1978, at the U.S. presidential retreat. The accords established a framework for peace between Egypt and Israel, including Israeli withdrawal from Sinai and Egyptian recognition of Israel. The agreement was mediated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Sadat signed the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty on March 26, 1979, in Washington, D.C. The treaty normalized diplomatic relations, established full recognition, and provided for Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt was subsequently suspended from the Arab League and Sadat faced widespread condemnation in the Arab world.

Sadat was assassinated on October 6, 1981, during a military parade commemorating the Yom Kippur War. Members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, led by Khalid Islambouli, opened fire on the reviewing stand, killing Sadat and several others. The assassination was motivated by opposition to the peace treaty with Israel and domestic repression.