Kuwait's position on the Egyptian Israeli peace 1977/1979

Abstract

This study aims to analyze Kuwait’s position toward the peace initiatives between Egypt and Israel from the 1949 Rhodes Armistice to the signing of the Egyptian Israeli Peace Treaty under U.S. sponsorship in 1979. It explores both governmental and public stances in Kuwait and investigates the motives behind its opposition to various peace efforts. The research also examines the implications of Kuwait’s position on its relations with other Arab countries and, more specifically, with Egypt. The study concludes that Kuwait consistently rejected all peace attempts prior to 1977, viewing them as a surrender of Palestinian rights. It strongly opposed the resettlement of Palestinians in Sinai in 1955 and the Rogers Plan, even after it was accepted by other Arab governments. Kuwait also condemned President Sadat’s visit to Israel and actively sought to dissuade Egypt from finalizing a peace treaty. Following the Camp David Accords, Kuwait supported the punitive measures adopted at the 1978 Baghdad Summit and severed political and economic ties with Egypt in 1979. These decisions led to various bilateral crises, including disputes over Kuwaiti assets in Egypt, the status of Kuwaiti students in Egyptian universities, and tensions between Egyptian expatriates and Kuwaiti citizens.