1. “Statement to the Knesset”
Date of Speech: 20 November 1977
Composer of Speech: Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt

2. Context Personal Context
An Egyptian president from 1970 until his assassination on 6 October 1981
A radical leader who opened the door to private and foreign investment in Egypt, returned the country to a political system based on multiple parties, and succeeded in signing a peace treaty with Israel
He earned a noble peace price but it made him enormously unpopular with Islamists, such that Egypt was expelled from the Arab League
Sadat’s assassination was highly organised and carried out under a fatwah which occurred during the annual ‘victory’ parade in Cairo
Eleven others were killed in the attack, including some foreign dignitaries

3. Context Speech Context
The “statement to the Knesset” (the Israeli ‘Parliament’) is highly charged with the context of the events about Sadat’s life
He’s on a mission to establish peace with Israel and achieve a recognition by each of other’s territorial boundaries
Speech was success in that the agreement with Israel was reached and a treaty signed in 1979, leading to his assassination two years later
Speech was translated from Hebrew so it may well seem ‘stilted’, even somewhat ‘awkward, to the ear of a native English speaker

4. Arguments AUDIENCE/PURPOSE
Draws on wider international appeal to move away from the telescopic focus of the arab-israeli conflict. Thus, appeals to the audience
He focuses on the commonalities to unite them rather than focusing on regional and cultural differences
He’s trying to break the divide down
Anwar Sadat is a prophet of peace and beacon of knowledge. He presents himself as someone trustworthy to give an opinion on land issues by showing his neutrality

5. Arguments
ETHOS
Sadat doesn’t speak as a humble supplicant, or from a “position of weakness or hesitation” but as an equal, a foe to be reckoned with- As stressed by him warning his audience not to presume that certain things are negotiable; alerts his audience that he is promoting real change
Anwar’s shock value of taking initiative “while we are still in the state of war” is partly why his mission has such a diplomatic impact. He stresses that this is the real solution for lasting peace, rather than a temporary ceasefire. Peace must be based on justice and frank exchange

6. Values
Belief that all humanity is entitled to a homeland  Religious belief (or uniting concern) that you should fight for your land
Seeking a commonality for peaceful resolution(as Ghandi was seen as a symbol of peace)
Peace is universal
Value of equality
He appeals to our basic human rights  humanity
Value of life

7. Values
Unity
It appeals to human needs of love (care and compassion)from our filial relationships  Universal  Concern that was is destructive
Justice is the foundation of peace

8. Structure
Introduction: Beings speech by acknowledging God as “the Gracious and Merciful” and then “Peace and Mercy of God Almighty be upon you and may peace be for us all, God Willing”. Therefore positions himself as an equal who searches for peace and is an utter subject to the will of God.
Body: Arguments for purpose of the speech which is to convince the Knesset that a peace based on mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and boundaries is both possible and desirable.
Towards the ending of the body, he uses Rhetoric very constantly as he uses the rhetoric technique of repetition to really convince and draw his audience to the idea of peace and happiness. Furthermore also repeating “permanent peace based on justice” for further emphasis to his ideas on peace.
Conclusion: He ends the speech as he begins in terms of being an utter subject to God’s will.

9. Techniques EXAMPLE/EVIDENCE TECHNIQUE EXPLANATION
“peace and the mercy of God Almighty be upon you and may peace be for us all, God willing”
Religious Allusions
He uses religious allusions to introduce the context behind this speech, which is that, religion is one of the main factor of this speech
“I come to you today on solid ground, to shape a new life, to establish peace.”
Appeals to universal values
Direct address
Engages the audiences attention as it addresses the world’s biggest issue- to bring peace
“He asked me: “Mr President, what would be our reaction if Israel should actually extend an invitation to you? I replied calmly, I will accept it immediately.”
Hypophora
Dialogue brings a sense of realism and truth into speeches. He uses this to show his response to the situation. `

10. Techniques EXAMPLE/EVIDENCE TECHNIQUE EXPLANATION
“biggest Arab state” and “heaviest burden”
Dramatic emphasises
He uses religious allusions to introduce the context behind this speech, which is that, religion is one of the main factor of this speech
“showing utter suspicion and absolute lack of confidence”
Diction- Strong use of language
Addresses the current situation and how it’s disappointing that these obstacles are preventing the change to a better and harmonic future
“families are still moaning under the cruel pains of widowhood and bereavement of sons, fathers and brothers”
To identify and acknowledge the pain of war
Persuades the audience to sympathise and act upon it

11. Techniques EXAMPLE/EVIDENCE TECHNIQUE EXPLANATION
“Arab Nation the horrors of new, shocking and destructive wars, the dimensions of which are foreseen by no other than God himself”
hyperbole
War is taking over the country’s reputation
“we must all rise above all forms of fanaticism, self deception and obsolete theories of superiority. The most important thing is never to forget that infallibility is the prerogative of God alone.”
Inspiring and demanding tone
Shows great leadership, by taking action and having the confidence in change the future for the better
“innocent children” and “every child born on the land”
Imagery
descriptive
Refers to new life symbol of innocence, which Sadat implies that’s what he wants for the nation. A fresh start .

12. Techniques EXAMPLE/EVIDENCE TECHNIQUE EXPLANATION
“motivated by all these factors”
anaphora
Emphasises on the responsibility of a leader
“how can we achieve permanent peace based on justice?”
“how can we achieve a durable peace based on justice?
Rhetorical question
Questions the audience into thinking and take action
“let us be frank”
Allows audience to consider the arguments
“the first fact” , “ the second fact”, and so on...
Diction of facts
Illustrates the arguments into simple format to engage the audience
“no one can build happiness at the expense of the misery of others”
Happiness can not be achieved if there is still others living in an injustice world

13. Techniques EXAMPLE/EVIDENCE TECHNIQUE EXPLANATION “I tell you”
Repetition of direct language
Shows the sincere and comfort tone that ensures the audience that Sadat knows what he’s talking about
“we do not want to encircle you or be encircled ourselves by destructive missiles ready for launching, nor by the shells of grudges and hatred”
Metaphor
Explains to the audience why justice should be serve, and his point is that there’s too much a person can take, not only physical pain but psychological
“as we really and truly seek peace, we really and truly welcome you to live among us in peace and security.”
Directly engaging with the audience
Invites the audience to think and do likewise
“shoulder the burdens and responsibilities of a durable peace based on justice”
metaphor
Encourages the audience that the only way to escape the hardship is by shaking hands into a truce

14. Techniques EXAMPLE/EVIDENCE TECHNIQUE EXPLANATION
“huge walls between us which you tried to build-up over a quarter of a century”
Extended metaphor
Acknowledges the hardship which takes for justice to serve. Sadat mentions these obstacles and tells them to tackle it through motivation and reasoning.
“it was a wall”
Anaphora
Repetition to emphasise and identify the obstacles/barriers
“to tell you the truth”
And “i sincerely tell you”
Imperative tone
Emphasises on the ‘genuine personality’
“why don’t we repeat together from the Psalms of David” and “Why don’t we believe the wisdom of God conveyed to us by the Proverbs of Solomon”
Anaphora of rhetorical question
Religious allusion
The religious allusion allows audience to remember the importance of peace which is a key element in their religious beliefs

15. Other Speeches
Sadat’s speech also links in with these speeches as they try to inspire the audience to do something about the issue and not to let things continue in the way they have before, as the speakers feel that there is a great concern for how people are going about the particular issues.

16. Critical Commentary
Around the time Anwar Sadat said his speech there were some who where a little hesitant and others who were opposed to Sadat’s stance on the matter and when it came to believing what his motive entailed, as they struggled to see how there could be such a try for peace in a time filled so much of hatred.
However as time as gone on Sadat’s speech is seen to have more of an effect on the issue of bringing peace to the countries, some people even seeing Sadat as a martyr for taking on the task and risk of giving this speech during such a time.

17. Critical Commentary
As well as the speech still maintains its relevance as it still is able to relate to the continuing strained relations of Middle Eastern countries and their struggle for peace.