Loading ...Who Was Anwar Sadat?
By Liam Nagle / Arab America Contributing Writer
With the death of Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1970, Egypt found itself in a precarious position. Although still regarded as the preeminent power in the Middle East, the country was growing increasingly weak. The decline of Arab Nationalism, compounded by the recent defeat in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, further weakened the nation. The next president, whoever it might be, was widely expected to have a short and difficult tenure. Stepping into Nasser’s shoes, Anwar Sadat rose to the presidency. Despite the immense pressures, Sadat managed to consolidate significant power and served as president for over a decade, forging his own vision for Egypt’s future. While a controversial figure, Sadat undeniably left a lasting impact on history.
Prior to Presidency
Anwar Sadat was born on December 25, 1918, into a poor family as one of 15 siblings. Despite his modest beginnings, he attended and graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Cairo in 1938, during a time when Egypt was governed by the Kingdom of Egypt and influenced by the United Kingdom. While serving in the military, he met Gamal Abdel Nasser and other officers, with whom he helped establish the Free Officers Movement in Egypt.
It was here that Sadat’s revolutionary journey began. In addition to supporting the Free Officers, he collaborated with various groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, the fascist and nationalist Young Egypt, and the pro-monarchy Iron Guard of Egypt. During this period, Sadat experienced frequent imprisonment. One of his early exploits occurred during the Second World War, when he assisted two Nazi German spies in an operation known as Operation Salam. However, the plan was uncovered by British authorities, who arrested and imprisoned Sadat. After his release, he conspired with like-minded individuals to assassinate Amin Osman, the pro-British Minister of Finance, in 1946. Although the assassination succeeded, Sadat was later arrested for his involvement and remained in prison until 1948.
Upon his release, Sadat became more deeply involved in the Free Officers Movement. During the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, he emerged as a prominent voice. He was the first of the revolutionaries to broadcast their demands and aims on the radio. Later, he carried the document instructing King Farouk to abdicate his throne.
Under Nasser’s presidency from 1952 to 1970, Sadat held several key positions. He was appointed Minister of State in 1954, followed by Secretary to the National Union in 1959. From 1960 to 1968, he served as President of the National Assembly, and he was named Vice President twice, first in 1964 and again in 1969.
Presidency
In 1970, after serving as president of Egypt for nearly two decades, Gamal Abdel Nasser died suddenly. The presidency passed to Anwar Sadat, whom many believed would serve as a puppet for the pro-Nasserist factions within the government. However, this assumption would soon be proven wrong.
In 1971, Sadat launched the Corrective Revolution, a political shake-up that resulted in the purging of numerous hardline Nasserists and the elevation of Islamist figures within the government. He also distanced Egypt from the Soviet Union, which had been the country’s primary ally and aid provider under Nasser. Instead, Sadat adopted a more pro-Western stance and sought to improve relations with Western nations.
Sadat initially pursued the Yom Kippur War in 1973 to reclaim Egyptian territory lost during the 1967 Six-Day War. In that earlier conflict, Egypt had lost the Sinai Peninsula, while Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israeli forces. Determined to regain these territories, Egypt and Syria collaborated and launched a surprise attack on Israel in October 1973.
Egypt succeeded in breaking through the Bar Lev Line and advanced 15 kilometers into the Sinai Peninsula, astonishing the world with its military achievement. However, repeated Israeli counterattacks forced Egyptian forces to retreat closer to the Suez Canal. An eventual ceasefire was brokered, setting the stage for one of Sadat’s most controversial initiatives – the Camp David Accords.
Assassination
In 1978, discussions began between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Much of the negotiation was not conducted face-to-face, as the two leaders harbored deep-seated animosity toward each other. Instead, U.S. President Jimmy Carter acted as an intermediary, relaying messages between them. Despite these challenges, they eventually reached an agreement.
Under the terms of the Camp David Accords, Israel agreed to return the entire Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, while Egypt became the first Arab country to formally recognize Israel’s right to exist. The agreement, however, sparked significant controversy. Chief among the criticisms was the unresolved issue of Palestinian rights in the West Bank and Gaza. Sadat’s apparent willingness to sideline the creation of a Palestinian state in favor of peace with Israel led to Egypt’s suspension from the Arab League and ultimately contributed to Sadat’s assassination.
In the final years of his rule, Egypt was marked by unrest. Earlier in his presidency, Sadat had released many political prisoners who had been incarcerated under Nasser’s administration, including members of the Islamic Jihad organization. Although this initially earned him favor with the group, their support turned to hostility following the signing of the Camp David Accords.
In October 1981, Sadat attended a military parade commemorating Egypt’s seizure of the Suez Canal during the Yom Kippur War. During the parade, a military truck carrying the would-be assassins stopped directly in front of Sadat. Believing this to be part of the parade, Sadat stood to salute the soldiers. Instead, the men dismounted, threw grenades, and opened fire on the stands, killing Sadat and several others.
Conclusion
The international reaction to Sadat’s assassination was mixed. Much of the Islamic world, including Syria and Iran, applauded the act, condemning Sadat for his role in the Camp David Accords. This polarization mirrors contemporary views of Sadat. While some praise him for his pro-Western policies and efforts to achieve peace, others criticize him for abandoning the Palestinian cause and for his suppression of political opposition.
Regardless of these differing perspectives, there is no doubt that Sadat’s rule was profoundly consequential for Egypt and, arguably, for the Middle East as a whole.
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