After assuring himself that if officially invited, President Sadat would come to Jerusalem, Prime Minister Begin asked the U.S. to convey to the Egyptian leader a letter of invitation. On the day the letter was despatched, Sadat declared that his proposed trip to Israel was a "holy mission". Sadat also announced a trip to Damascus prior to coming to Jerusalem for talks with President Assad on his visit to Israel. Following is the text of Mr. Begin's letter:
Jerusalem, November 15, 1977
His Excellency
Mr. Anwar Sadat
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Cairo
Dear Mr. President,
On behalf of the government of Israel I have the honour to extend to you our cordial invitation to come to Jerusalem and to visit our country.
Your Excellency's readiness to undertake such a visit as expressed to the People's Council of Egypt, has been noted here with deep and positive interest, as has been your statement that you would wish to address the members of our parliament, the Knesset, and to meet with me.
If, as I hope, you will accept our invitation, arrangements will be made for you to address the Knesset from its rostrum. You will also, should you so desire, be enabled to meet with our various parliamentary groups, those supporting the government as well as those in opposition.
As to the date of the proposed visit we shall be glad to meet with your convenience. It so happens that I am scheduled at the invitation of Prime Minister Callaghan to leave for London on Sunday, 20 November, on an official visit to Great Britain. Should you advise me, Mr. President, that you would be ready to come to Jerusalem on Monday, 21 November, I would ask Prime Minister Callaghan's indulgence and arrange to postpone my visit to Britain, so as to be able to receive you personally and to initiate together with you talks on the establishment of peace, for which, as we both know, the peoples of the Middle East yearn and pray.
Alternatively, should you decide to come here on Thursday, 24 November, or thereafter, I would be back from London by Wednesday afternoon, and greet you upon your arrival.
May I assure you, Mr. President, that the parliament, the government and the People of Israel, will receive you with respect and cordiality
Yours sincerely,
Menachem Begin