The most famous person I respect is Anwar El Sadat. He was the Egyptian president and the promoter Egypt Israeli peace. Sadat is relatively less known in the United States which is surprising considering he was responsible in bringing the largest Arab country into the U.S camp. He braved consider opposition from within his country to achieve a peace settlement with a nation viewed as the arch enemy by most of his people. He started a six day war against Israel but this change of heart occurred after his brother’s fighter plane was shot down.
Sadat took power after the death of the first president of the Egyptian republic, Gamal Nasser. Nasser was a strong man, a monolith in the Arab world. Walking into Nasser’s shoes was considered political suicide as the person would forever be judged and compared to an idealistic scale. In this moment of uncertainty Sadat chose to not follow Nasser but be himself. Nasser was a hard Zionist who strongly believed in the subjugation of Israel under Arab power. Sadat was a moderate whose primary interest was the well being of the Egyptian people.
Sadat stood for principles at considerable risk to himself. He fully understood the gravity of the situation he was putting himself him. The eventual price he paid for his ideals was death. It will be heartening to know however that the peace treaty he instituted stood after his death. Over time this treaty has led to a less radical society. With the coming wind of change through the Middle East democracy seems likely.
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