(New York - May 23, 2019)

The United Nations headquarters held a festive event Wednesday evening to mark forty years since the signing of the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. The initiative was developed by Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, along with the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem. The event was attended by US Envoy to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt, and Egypt's Deputy Ambassador to the UN, as well as other diplomats from around the world and leaders from the American Jewish community and pro-Israel organizations.

The event featured a photo exhibition, which is on display this week at the UN. The exhibition documents special moments in the development of the peace agreement, including Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's historic visit to the Knesset (Israel's Parliament) in Jerusalem, the signing at the White House in Washington, DC., and a behind the scenes look at the relationship between the leaders Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Sadat.

Ambassador Danon said of the event: "This long-standing peace agreement has helped both countries, and proves that Israel adheres to its desire for peace in the Middle East. The threat to regional peace does not come from Israel, but from leaders who refuse to put down the sword and choose terror and hatred rather than creating a better future."

Herzl Makov, head of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, also commented: "Forty years have passed since the triple handshake at the event where the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel was signed. From a perspective of forty years later, the historic importance of this agreement is evident. The peace agreement is still in force despite the upheavals and changes in the Middle East. Israel and Egypt have become bitter rivals and strategic partners. We are proud to open this exhibition for the first time in the UN corridors with the assistance of Ambassador Danon, an exhibition that reflects the greatness of leaders in the effort to achieve peace despite all the difficulties."