Bridging Cultures, Leading Peace: Leadership and Interculturalism in the Israel-Egypt Peace Negotiations

Abstract

The 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt marked a historic turning point in Middle Eastern diplomacy, establishing the first formal recognition of Israel by an Arab state. This article revisits the Israeli-Egyptian peace process to examine the interplay between political leadership and intercultural competence in the achievement of breakthrough agreements. While the roles of Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin, and U.S. President Jimmy Carter have been widely acknowledged, this study argues that visionary and courageous leadership, though indispensable, was not sufficient on its own. Instead, it contends that the leaders' ability to navigate intercultural dynamics—through empathy, symbolic communication, and cultural sensitivity—was a critical enabling factor that amplified the effectiveness of their leadership. Drawing on historical analysis and theoretical perspectives from international relations, the article explores how intercultural competence contributed to building trust, overcoming misperceptions, and sustaining diplomatic engagement. By integrating leadership theory with insights from intercultural communication, this study advances a dual proposition: that exceptional leadership is a necessary condition for landmark peace agreements, and that its success in culturally complex conflicts depends significantly on the leader’s intercultural acumen. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the conditions under which diplomatic breakthroughs occur and offer practical implications for contemporary conflict resolution and negotiation strategy.