Israel became the focal point of Arab discontent from its founding days. Not long after it was officially recognized by Europe, U.S. and Russia, its neighbors from Jordan, Egypt and Syria readied for three-pronged offensive. But it was Israel who struck first, routing its enemies’ armies and taking large chunks of land for themselves. Israel and Egypt had a “cold” truce since, with Israeli troops occupying the Sinai peninsula between the two states. A reconciliation with a peace treaty finally came through the efforts of former president Jimmy Carter.

On this day, March 26, in 1979 Egypt and Israel signed a formal peace agreement, re-establishing political and economic relations. Israeli Prime Minister Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat were famously photographed shaking hands on the lawn of the White House, in front of a beaming Carter.

The peace treaty proved less popular at home in both countries. Many Israelis who settled in the Sinai opposed giving up their homestead for an uncertain peace. Over 3,000 settlers in the town of Yamit had refused to leave their homes on their volition and had to be carried out by soldiers. Resistance took a more violent form in Egypt, where Anwar Sadat was assassinated by a member of the Islamic Jihad terrorist group.