As President Navon was in a more propitious position to influence Sadat with a diplomatic approach than the revisionist Likud Premier Begin . After the peace treaty of 1980 , Ha'aretz 's assessment was that he achieved more in one visit than five paid by the Israeli Prime Minister . Sadat 's covenant with peace is an authentic covenant . Although the path we have decided to take is not without obstruction , Sadat and Begin have already come a long way . However the gains made were almost immediately put in jeopardy by Sadat 's assassination and the sudden invasion of Lebanon by the Israeli Army . Although the Israeli presidency is a ceremonial office , Navon was an outspoken advocate of a judicial commission of inquiry to probe Israel 's role in the Sabra and Shatila massacre perpetrated by Lebanese Falangists in 1982
Sabra and Shatila massacre
Sabra and Shatila massacre
Yitzhak Navon