The story of the Israeli-Arab conflict is full of formative events of historical, cultural and religious significance. The many wars have captured most of the focus in the analysis of the conflict's turning points and its division into various periods. However, the significance of peace events, such as former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat's historical visit to Jerusalem, have not always been appreciated for themselves.

Sadat's visit to Jerusalem in November 1977 was an event of tremendous importance, the results of which are still evident. His exceptional political wisdom taught us that a considerable part of the conflict is actually a psychological barrier - alienation, suspicion and mistrust - and that we can progress to a better future if we only find a way to overcome it.

When Sadat announced his willingness to come to Jerusalem, people argued that there was an ulterior motive to his visit, and that, in actuality, his views had not changed significantly. The shock that spread among parts of the public and the Israeli leadership proved how difficult it was to believe in a real move for peace and reconciliation in the existing whirlpool of hostility and hatred. It seems the psychological barrier in the conflict is still in force today, as is the necessary conclusion: Breaking this barrier is essential for developing a constructive dialogue.

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The results of the visit were far-reaching: For the first time in the history of the conflict, an Arab leader expressed his willingness to recognize Israel unequivocally, to live with it in peace and security and to accept it into the family of nations in the region. Thus Israel was given the opportunity to become a part of the Middle East. Moreover, by publicly addressing Israel, Sadat demonstrated his acceptance of the principle of direct negotiations.

But apparently the results of Sadat's visit were not sufficiently internalized by the generation born after the event. This generation tends to treat the strong peaceful relations between Egypt and Israel as self-evident, and occasionally even tries to minimize the importance of the fact that the Israeli flag flies in the heart of Cairo. One might say it's a good thing that this generation is not familiar with any other reality.

The historical perspective of almost three decades reinforces the impression of the farsightedness of the Egyptian leader, and particularly of his words on the Knesset dais, that "peace is not a mere endorsement of written lines. Rather it is a rewriting of history." To a certain degree, it is ironic that while Israel repeatedly claimed that its hand was stretched out for peace, it was Sadat who so well expressed the desire for a new life and taught the younger generation in the region a new chapter in history: a chapter of reconciliation, recognition and mutual respect.

The writer serves as an adviser in the Political Planning Bureau of the Foreign Ministry.