1/ The Yom Kippur War broke the “conception” (hakontseptzia) that Israel had of it being invincible to local challenges from its neighbours. Though Israel ultimately succeeded in its efforts during the YK War, the early Egyptian gains restored morale throughout the Arab world.
2/ Sadat was the Egyptian President of the Yom Kippur War, and became known as the “Hero of the Crossing” (of the Suez Canal). As a result of the outcome of the war, Israel recognized Egypt’s military strength and the US tried to bring Egyptians and Israelis to the peace table. 
3/ Throughout the mid-1970s, Egypt and Israel worked towards brokering a number of early peace agreements, one of which was signed in January 1974, and another in September 1975.
4/ During this time, Sadat laboured to improve connections between Egypt and the West, effectively turning his back on his earlier Soviet backers.
5/ Eventually, as the US and the Soviets were talking of forming a new peace agreement, Sadat decided that it was time to take his talks of peace with Israel to the next level. He would reach out a hand in peace to Israel, and see if they would accept.
6/ In May 1977, Menachem Begin won historic elections in Israel, in which the Likud finally took over the government from the Labor party, which had governed Israel since its establishment.
7/ In June 1977, when presenting his government to the Knesset, Begin emphasized the Jewish people’s right to the land of Israel, but also invited the rulers of Egypt, Syria and Jordan to meet with him for peace talks. US Pres Carter was elated.
8/ During that time, Begin pushed through secret channels with Romania and Morocco, to have direct talks between Israel and Egypt. In particular, Moshe Dayan had asked the King of Morocco to help arrange a meeting with Sadat or Mubarak of Egypt.
9/ In September 1977, the Moroccans informed the Israelis that the Egyptians were ready to talk. Sadat was convinced of the strength of the Begin government, but wanted assurances that Begin would withdraw from some Arab territory.
10/ On November 9, 1977, in the midst of the back and forth negotiations for negotiations, Sadat made a major speech in the Egyptian People’s Assembly in the presence of Yasser Arafat. He noted US support for peace negotiations, and then dropped a bombshell:
11/ “I’m ready to go to the end of the world if this would prevent the wounding, let alone the killing, of a soldier or an officer of my boys. Israel will be surprised when it hears me say that I won’t refuse to go to their own home, to the Knesset itself, to discuss it [peace]”.
12/ Though some saw this as just posturing, Begin promptly responded that, “If it is not a figure of speech, and President Sadat really is ready to come to Jerusalem to the Knesset – we welcome this”.
13/ The next day, Begin stated that if Sadat traveled to Israel, he would be greeted with all the honours of a President. Both the Israeli and Egyptian teams began to take this prospect seriously, which led, to Begin’s formal invitation being issued on November 15, 1977.
14/ On November 19, Sadat would be due to arrive. It would lead, just two years later, to the signing of a formal peace agreement between Egypt and Israel which has held to this day. For these actions, both Sadat and Begin would be forever remembered as bold peacemakers.
15/ For more information about the background and history of this momentous occasion in peacebuilding efforts between the Israelis and Efforts, the Israeli State Archives have published this: archives.gov.il/en/chapter/no-…
