Carter’s Mideast Gamble

In the rhapsodies aroused by the Camp David summit, not much attention has been given to the fact that the discussions produced, besides the secret memoranda, two separate documents, separately signed by Menahem Begin and Anwar Sadat, and separately witnessed by Jimmy Carter. One is entitled, “Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel’’ (F1); the other, “Framework of Peace in the Mideast” (F2). The fact that both issued from the same conclave, were presented as a single package, and are co-mingled in the commentary as the “Camp David achievement” suggests that there is a close linkage between them, and so there was in the time and place of origin. However, they are logically, diplomatically, politically, and historically distinct. Muddling them together made the three Summiteers’ TV appearance more impressive, but also spread some confusion about what was going on during those 13 days at Camp David.

Israel and Egypt are sovereign nations. They have not recognized each other diplomatically, and have for years been in a “state of war” with each other that has several times erupted into actual war. The Israeli army has since 1967 been occupying territory (the Sinai) that is recognized internationally and by Israel as Egyptian. Israel has constructed five airbases and other military installations in the Sinai, extracted oil, and sponsored settlements there for five thousand Israeli citizens. Egypt has dedenied Israeli ships unimpeded passage through the Suez Canal. Economic and cultural relations between the two nations have been minimal.

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James Burnham

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In the rhapsodies aroused by the Camp David summit, not much attention has been given to the fact that the discussions produced, besides the secret memoranda, two separate documents, separately signed by Menahem Begin and Anwar Sadat, and separately witnessed by Jimmy Carter. One is entitled, “Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel’’ (F1); the other, “Framework of Peace in the Mideast” (F2). The fact that both issued from the same conclave, were presented as a single package, and are co-mingled in the commentary as the “Camp David achievement” suggests that there is a close linkage between them, and so there was in the time and place of origin. However, they are logically, diplomatically, politically, and historically distinct. Muddling them together made the three Summiteers’ TV appearance more impressive, but also spread some confusion about what was going on during those 13 days at Camp David.

Israel and Egypt are sovereign nations. They have not recognized each other diplomatically, and have for years been in a “state of war” with each other that has several times erupted into actual war. The Israeli army has since 1967 been occupying territory (the Sinai) that is recognized internationally and by Israel as Egyptian. Israel has constructed five airbases and other military installations in the Sinai, extracted oil, and sponsored settlements there for five thousand Israeli citizens. Egypt has dedenied Israeli ships unimpeded passage through the Suez Canal. Economic and cultural relations between the two nations have been minimal.