On Thursday, December 13, 2018, President Donald J, Trump signed into law, H.R. 754, the “Anwar Sadat Centennial Celebration Act”, which provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional gold medal to the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in recognition of his heroic achievements and courageous contributions to peace in the Middle East. The recognition is timely as the centennial of President Sadat’s birth will be commemorated on December 25, in addition to marking the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Camp David Accords.
Sol Goldner, Joseph B. Stamm, Gigi Gabr, Shafik Gabr, Ezra Friedlander, Chesky Blau
At a reception, hosted by the Anwar Sadat Congressional Gold Medal Commission, and The Shafik Gabr Foundation, highlighted the importance of passing legislation to award the late President Sadat with a Congressional Gold Medal. The event took place at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington DC.
Stanley Treitel, Sol Goldner, Judith Goldberg, Ariyeh Goldberg
Remarks were delivered by Isaac Dabah, CEO of Delta Galil . Delta was the pioneer in establishing the first Israeli state of the art manufacturing facility in Egypt whose corporate philosophy firmly believes in fostering peace through regional economic cooperation.
Shafik Gabr, Tzili Charney, Ezra Friedlander
Tzili Charney founder of the Leon Charney Resolution Center in Israel in honor of her late husband Leon Charney who played a key role in the Camp David Accords underscored the importance of the Gold Medal saying “We have long way ahead of us in terms of truly reaching peace on a local and global scale, but I believe that President Sadat is still illuminating the road ahead with his legacy, inspiring us all to do better for our world.”
U.S. Representative Chris Stewart in discussion with Joseph B. Stamm
President Sadat made a historic visit to Israel in 1977, the first Arab leader to do so. This began the foundation of peace between Egypt and Israel. This visit was all the more courageous given the opposition and outrage he faced at the time.
Crowd in the magnificent Kennedy Caucus Room
As a result, on September 17, 1978, President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David Accords, the first step towards the 1979 signing of a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin were awarded the Nobel Prize for their efforts in 1978.
Ambassador Egypt Yasser Reda, Sol Goldner, Tzili Charney, Stanley Treitel, Prof. Marshall Breger, Shaik Gabr (speaking), Gil Kapen, Joseph B. Stamm, Suhail Khan, H. Russell Taub, Isaac Dabah, Ezra Friedlander
Today, it is more important than ever to remember these virtues of goodwill and peace as Israel seeks to establish peace and security in the Middle East. As President Sadat said, “There are moments in the life of nations and peoples when it is incumbent on those known for their wisdom and clarity of vision to overlook the past, with all its complexities and weighing memories, in a bold drive toward new horizons.” were sentiments echoed throughout the reception.
Isaac Dabah, H. Russell Taub, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ezra Friedlander, Shafik Gabr
“He serves as an example to all of us, and most importantly reminds us of the power of nations coming together and working towards the same goal. On the 40th anniversary of signing the Camp David Accords and the centennial of Anwar Sadat’s birth, there has never been a more fitting moment to give the late President Sadat the recognition he deserves, and I am appreciative of the US House of Representatives for recognizing this great man, and the values for which he stood.” remarked Shafik Gabr, International Chairman of the Sadat Gold Medal Commission.
Gil Kapen, Joseph B. Stamm, Suhail Khan, Isaac Dabah, H. Russell Taub, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ezra Friedlander, Shafik Gabr
“Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Anwar Sadat for his courageous leadership will introduce President Sadat to a new generation of Americans and give us hope for peace for the future.” – said Ezra Friedlander, co-chairman of the Sadat Commission.
Aryeh Goldberg, Tzili Charney, Stanley Treitel, U.S. Representative Chris Stewart shaking hands with Ezra Friedlander, Joseph B. Stamm. Suhail Khan, Isaac Dabah
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest award the United States can bestow on any individual. President Sadat will now join an illustrious roster of Congressional Gold Medal recipients that include a very limited number of foreign leaders: the likes of: Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul the second, Shimon Peres, the Dalai Lama.
Stanley Treitel, Shafik Gabr shaking hands with U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Gil Kapen, Joseph B, Stamm, Chesky Blau
Awarding President Sadat the Congressional Gold Medal will also recognize and reinforce that pursuit of peace and stability in the Middle East promotes the national security interests of the United States and creates a foundation for partnership and dialogue.
Aubrey Sharfman, Stanley Treitel, Shafik Gabr (spe), Gil Kapen, Joseph B. Stamm, H. Russell Taub, Isaac Dabah, U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, Ezra Friedlander
The process of awarding the Sadat Congressional Gold Medal commenced with the introduction of bi-partisan legislation by Senators Orrin Hatch and Ben Cardin and Representatives Chris Stewart and Grace Meng.
Jack Avital, Ken Abramowitz, Aryeh Goldberg, Tzili Charney, Aubrey Sharfman, Sol Goldner, U.S. Representative Grace Meng (speaking), Gil Kapen, Joseph B. Stamm, Suhail Khan, Chesky Blau, H. Russell Taub, Shafik gabr, Ezra Friedlander
To secure the requisite two thirds of both houses of Congress to co—sponsor the legislation, required years of planning; an effort which was jointly spearheaded by Ezra Friedlander who formed the Anwar Sadat Commission along with international chair Shafik Gabr , national chairs Isaac Dabah and Tzili Charney, with co—chairs including: Sol Goldner, Leon Goldenberg, Aubrey Sharfman, Stanley Treitel, Gil Kapen, Joseph B. Stamm, H. Russell Taub, Ken Abramowitz, Aryeh Goldberg, Suhail Khan, Prof. Marshal J. Breger, Jack Avital, Chesky Blau, Rabbi Elie Abadie and Gloria Kayle.
Crowd – U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen Speaking
Photo and Video Credit: Dov and Shmuel Lenchevsky
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