Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s departure from Ben Gurion Airport today was almost a mirror image of his arrival here 44 hours earlier. There was the same army band that greeted him, the same military honor guard, the same display of Israeli and Egyptian flags, the same red carpet, Israeli officials and hordes of newsmen.
But this time, instead of floodlights, there was daylight and it gave observers a greater feeling of reality. Sadat received the same warm applause as he emerged from President Ephraim Katzir’s car which brought him from Jerusalem. “Do I get applauded after all I said?” he asked.
Sadat again went down the long line of Israeli dignitaries starting with Aliza Begin, Premier Menachem Begin’s wife. Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren, speaking in English, said that the Egyptian President will be “a hero of heroes.” Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef greeted him in Arabic.
The Egyptian President again appeared to spend extra time saying farewell to Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan, Agriculture Minister Ariel Sharon and former Premier Golda Meir, who told him “come again.” The Egyptian and Israeli national anthem was played again and Sadat was given a 21-gun salute as four Israeli-made Kfir jets flew overhead. Sadat observed their flight for a second.
‘A CHANGE TOOK PLACE’
When the official ceremony ended, Sadat said to begin, “thank you for everything.” Asked if he wished to say a last word to Israelis, he again said “thank you,” waved and boarded the plane amidst applause from the assembled Israelis. As Sadat’s plane left after 44 hours and 10 minutes in Israel, Begin was overheard saying to Katzir, “There is a change, a change took place.”
About a half hour before leaving Jerusalem, Sadat called on Katzir at the Presidential residence where an official ceremony was attended by Begin, Cabinet members and Knesset members. But the atmosphere was friendly and informal.
Katzir, in a short speech in which he cited Sadat’s statement that there would be no more wars, expressed the hope that the barriers that were lowered by the Egyptian President’s visit would never be raised again. Katzir said the efforts to seek peace should be promoted until a lasting peace is reached. “Peace be with you on your departure, ” Katzir told Sadat.
Sadat, replying in English, repeated his call for no more wars but said decisions will have to be made by Israel. He thanked everyone and said he will never forget the welcome of the Israeli people, especially the children.
Sadat was then presented an ancient chandelier by the Israeli government. Mrs. Nina Katzir gave him a book of paintings and songs by Israeli children and asked him to give this gift to his wife. Begin also gave Sadat his book, “The Revolt,” with a special inscription. Golda Meir gave Sadat a gift for his granddaughter who was born while Sadat was in Israel. He received various other gifts from other Israelis.
There seemed to be less commotion among Israelis themselves as Sadat left than when he arrived. Most Israelis said they hoped Sadat meant it when he said the October 1973 war would be the last between Egypt and Israel. The Sadat visit ended with another first among the many firsts established by the trip: the first direct live broadcast from Cairo over Israel television showing Sadat’s return.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
