Intensive diplomatic activity took place during March and April 1982. In early March Defense Minister Sharon and the Egyptian Foreign Minister Kamal Hassan Ali visited the border area to discuss two controversial points - Taba and the Raft'ah area. On March 16, an Egyptian delegation headed by Kamal Hassan Ali came to Jerusalem for meetings with Prime Minister Begin and Ministers Shamir and Sharon. They discussed the border issues as well as the future of Israel-Egypt relations after 26 April. On April 15 Defense Minister Sharon again held talks in Cairo with President Mubarak and the Egyptian defense and foreign ministers. Israel demanded that Egypt re-affirm it's commitment to the Camp David Accords and to rectify violations of the military clauses of the peace treaty. On 19 April, Kamal Hassan Ali again came to Jerusalem for talks with Mr. Begin to resolve the outstanding issues. The disagreements were overcome and on 21 April the cabinet finally approved the completion of the withdrawal in four days time. Text:
At the Cabinet meeting that took place today (21.4.82 - 28 Nisan 5742), and which was declared a meeting of the Ministerial Defense Committee, the following resolution was adopted unanimously:
1. The Government of Egypt has taken steps to rectify the infringements of the security arrangements in the demilitarized and limitation of forces zones in Sinai as stipulated in the military protocol of the treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel.
2. The Egyptian authorities have undertaken measures to prevent terrorist incursions and the smuggling of all types of war materials from Egyptian territory into Israel territory. In his letter to the Prime Minister of April 16, 1982, the President of Egypt promised to prevent acts of this kind in the future.
3. The President of Egypt, in the letter he addressed to the Prime Minister on April 20, 1982, reaffirmed that: On March 26, 1979, as we signed the historic peace treaty, we signed a letter containing a commitment to negotiate continuously and in good faith to conclude these negotiations at the earliest possible date. The purpose of these negotiations was stated as follows: "To agree, prior to the elections, on the modalities for establishing the elected Self-Governing Authority (Administrative Council), define its powers and responsibilities and other related issues." We intend to continue negotiating with you, with the help of the United States as our full partner, until we reach agreement."
4. In view of these facts, the Government of Israel has decided that it shall, on its part, carry out all its commitments in accordance with the treaty of peace and will evacuate the Sinai of Israeli forces and civilians by April 25, 1982.
5. The Prime Minister brought to the knowledge of the Cabinet the text of the letter of the President of the United States addressed to the Prime Minister on April 20, 1982. This letter is of great significance with respect to the security of Israel and the Jewish people. The Government of Israel expresses its deep appreciation to the President of the United States, Mr. Ronald Reagan.
6. The Government of Israel conveys its gratitude to the Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Walter Stoessel, and to his advisers, for their contribution in establishing an atmosphere of understanding between Egypt and Israel.
7. The Government of Israel expresses its hope that the treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel will be maintained and carried out faithfully and punctiliously and that it will open up a new era for the establishment of peace throughout the whole of the Middle East.
8. The Government of Israel calls upon citizens in the Yamit area, despite the understandable pain, and in the higher interests of the state, its peace and international standing, to voluntarily evacuate themselves and desist from all confrontations with the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces.
The Cabinet authorized the Foreign Minister and the Defense Minister to negotiate with the Egyptians and resolve the question of the exact demarcation of the international boundary relating to the border location points yet to be agreed upon.
Until a decision is reached, the Israeli forces will withdraw to the international boundary as viewed by Israel.