February 26, 1980
Egypt and Israel Exchange Ambassadors
Historical context
On February 26, 1980, Egypt and Israel exchanged ambassadors. Saad Mortada presented his credentials in Jerusalem.
Archive record
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- Date
- February 26, 1980
- Verified sources
- 1
- Archive threads
- 5
On this day, Egypt and Israel began formal diplomatic relations. The Christian Science Monitor records that Egyptian ambassador Saad Eddine Mortada presented his credentials to President Yitzhak Navon, and that President Anwar Sadat had accepted the credentials of Israeli ambassador Eliahu Ben-Elissar the day before.
The exchange followed the Egypt–Israel peace treaty of March 26, 1979. Egypt was the first Arab state to open an embassy in Israel.
Research trail
Sources and further reading
- Egypt, Israel cement ties despite autonomy hazards · Christian Science Monitor · Christian Science Monitor View source
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