Ismail Fahmi

Ismail Fahmy (2 October 1922 – 21 November 1997) was an Egyptian diplomat and politician. He served as ambassador to Austria (1968–1971), Tourism Minister, Foreign Minister (1973–1977) and Deputy Prime Minister (1975–1977). He was awarded a professorship. He resigned from the government in 1977 to protest President Anwar Sadat's visit to Jerusalem in Israel. Although initially a supporter and confidant of Sadat, he later became sharply critical of his policies and decision making.

Early life and education Fahmy was born on 2 October 1922. The son of a public prosecutor in Cairo, he earned a degree in political science from Cairo University in 1945. Fahmy then served in Egypt's delegation to the International Atomic Energy Agency until 1959. On Zbigniew Brzezinski, Fahmy stated that he was "a professor at heart inclined to lecture an experienced diplomat”.

Furthermore, he argued that Sadat could not provide any proof that the Israelis would respond to his move with comparable good will.

Later career Following his resignation, Fahmy continued to support the convocation of the Geneva Conference of 1973 as the only way to achieve peace. He continued to write books and articles about peacemaking activities in the Middle East. His most well-known book was Negotiating for Peace in the Middle East: An Arab View. For many years, he worked as an academic in Egypt. In 1984, he unsuccessfully ran for office in the general elections as a candidate of the New Wafd Party. He and his wife Afaf Hamed Mahmoud had three children. One of his sons, Nabil, was appointed Foreign Minister of the interim government of Egypt led by Hazem al-Beblawi in July 2013.