President Sadat was assassinated in Cairo while watching a military parade on the eighth anniversary of the 1973 October War. He was eulogized by President Navon as the first Arab leader to recognize, negotiate and make peace with Israel. He expressed hope that Sadat's successors will remain committed to the peace process started by Sadat. Text:
I am bound to admit that it is extremely difficult for me to speak of President Sadat in the past, for ever since his historic visit to Jerusalem, he became an integral part of our lives and in the many meetings which the two of us held, a warm and close personal bond was formed between us.
President Sadat was an extraordinary human being and an outstanding statesman. From Israel's point of view, he will be remembered as the first Arab leader to tear asunder the three Arab barriers to peace as set out in Khartoum: No negotiations with Israel, no recognition of Israel and no peace with Israel. President Sadat negotiated with us. We saw him courageously take a stand and speak out against the opponents of the peace process. We witnessed him explaining time and again to his people his commitment to peace and his determination to continue with it.
During my visit to Egypt last year, I met the Deputy-President Husni Mubarak, the Deputy Premier, Fu'ad Huryi Al-Din, the Speaker of the Parliament, Sufa AbuTaleb, and other leading personalities in the government such as Mansur Hassan, Taha Zaki and Mustafa Khalil.
All of them emphasized their support for President Sadat's policy regarding peace with Israel. Like him, they saw in it a supreme Egyptian interest. On the assumption that these men will continue to form the ruling body in Egypt, I believe that they will remain faithfully committed to the peace process - for the basic reasons which led them to make peace have not disappeared and have not changed with the passing of President Sadat.
We did not make peace with one man, great as he was, but with the people of Egypt who have expressed repeatedly their support for peace. We are duty-bound to continue with the peace process and to do everything in our power to bring it to its successful conclusion.
Egypt has lost an illustrious leader who devoted his life to its advancement and well-being. We share in the profound grief of the noble Egyptian people at this tragic hour.
On behalf of my wife, Ofira, and myself, I would like to express to our dear Mrs. Jihan Sadat and all the members of her family our feelings of utter shock and our sincere condolences at their painful loss.