Egyptian Ambassador to the United States Yasser Reda hosted a dinner on Capitol Hill commemorating the 40th anniversary of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s visit to Jerusalem and his speech to the Israeli Knesset which laid the foundation between Egypt and Israel. Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer delivered remarks where he referenced the other Arab diplomats in attendance who have yet to recognize Israel but may be inspired by Sadat.

Other speakers and participants included Senior Advisor to the President of the United States – Jared Kushner, former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt David Welch, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Deputy National Security Advisor Dina Habib Powell and a keynote address from the Former First Lady of the Arab Republic of Egypt, President Sadat’s widow Mrs. Jehan Sadat who referenced the legislation introduced in Congress by Rep. Chris Stewart and Rep. Grace Meng to award President Sadat with the Congressional Gold Medal to honor the aforementioned anniversary and the upcoming centennial of Sadat’s birth in 2018.

The Congressional Gold Medal effort is being coordinated by a committee, headed by Ezra Friedlander, CEO of The Friedlander Group whose members, including U.S. Chair Isaac Dabah and International Chair Shafik Gabr, who introduced Mrs. Sadat as the “Woman of Egypt”, participated in a private meeting with the former First Lady of Egypt Mrs. Jehan Sadat, widow of the late President Sadat prior to the reception.

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Please scroll for video and photos of private meeting with Mrs. Sadat