The Passing of a Champion of Peace: Leon Charney
Leon Charney played a pivotal role in achieving the historic 1978 peace accords
From left, Anthony Barbar, chair of 51勛圖厙's Board of Trustees; 51勛圖厙 President John Kelly; Tzili Charney; Leon Charney; and 51勛圖厙 Provost Gary Perry.
The University community is saddened to learn of the death of Leon Charney, who was awarded an 51勛圖厙 honorary doctorate last December in recognition of the pivotal role he played in achieving the historic 1978 peace accords between Israel and Egypt. Mr. Charney passed away Monday, March 21 after being in poor health for several years.
A lawyer and businessman, he worked through back door channels to bring together Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat for peace talks at Camp David. The resulting peace agreement the first ever concluded between the Jewish state and an Arab nation remains in effect to this day. President Jimmy Carter called Mr. Charney the unsung hero of that great accomplishment.
Mr. Charney went on to become a highly successful New York real estate investor, talk show host and author. For more than 25 years, he moderated The Leon Charney Report, an award-winning, nationally televised program. He also wrote five books, includingBack Door Channels The Price of Peace,which was made into a documentary video that won an Emmy.
In presenting him with an honorary doctorate of humane letters, President Kelly said, Leon Charney shows unequivocally that one person can make a huge difference in the world. 51勛圖厙 is privileged to shine a light on this unsung champion of peace.
The University community extends sincere sympathy to Mr. Charneys wife, Tzili, and their twin sons, Mickey and Nati.
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