Egyptians had mixed reactions. Decades of war ended, but peace with Israel was unpopular. This caused conflict, some supporting the Accords, some not. Laila Soueif, professor at Cairo Academy, recalls the mood at the time:
"Anyone involved in politics, regardless of their political affiliation, was against the agreement with Israel. Those who were not interested in politics, and this makes up the majority of the people, were not opposed to it." (Soueif, 40 years on, How Egypt saw the Camp David Accords).
Soueif says the average citizen was "not opposed to" instead of "in favor of". She elaborates, saying,
"People's main concern was not going to war again, not that Egypt should necessarily be friends with Israel." (Soueif, 40 years on, How Egypt saw the Camp David Accords).
According to Waeil Kassem, an Egyptian citizen:
"It was mostly students that protested the Accords, especially those from Al Azhar University and those with Islamic mindsets." (Kassem)
Egyptian Jihadists hated the Accords, leading to Sadat's assassination.
Palestinians despised the Accords. They believed Egypt prioritized peace with Israel rather than solidifying a state for Palestinians. Yasser Arafat, PLO leader, traveled to Moscow to discuss organized opposition to the agreement. The PLO and USSR released a statement saying:
"A collusion [The Accords], at the expense of Arabs, aimed at helping Israel entrench on captured Arab land, including Palestine, and prevent implementation of the Palestinians inalienable national rights" (Camp David Accords Fast Facts).
Arafat stated:
"Let them sign what they like. False peace will not last." (Middle East Monitor)
Reactions across Arab Nations resembled those in Palestine. Before the Accords, representatives from Arab nations and the PLO discussed stopping the peace process. Egypt cut ties with these countries, alienating them further. The Arab League, an alliance of Arab nations, expelled Egypt. Egypt rejoined after 10 years, but it shows the betrayal Arabs felt.