The spring of 1975 was a delicate time for US / Israeli relations. The Soviets were arming Egypt with advanced weaponry. The US had been a staunch ally of Israel but the Ford administration was wavering. Max Fisher had just returned from an important trip to Israel. It is very likely that he was the only person on earth who could convince President Gerald Ford and Henry Kissinger that the Israeli leadership was willing to work within US guidelines to negotiate lasting peace with Egypt. But there was little time left before his close friend, President Ford, made a speech that would set the Middle East agenda for the rest of his term as President.