Among the prominent leaders President Ezra Taft Benson met during a 1979 tour of the Middle East was Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel, according to the Deseret News 1980 Church Almanac.
Then president of the Quorum of the Twelve, President Benson toured the Mideast May 7-17, 1979. According to the almanac, President Benson met with Prime Minister Begin "during a goodwill visit to Israel, Egypt and Greece." During his meeting with President Benson, Prime Minister Begin "paid tribute to the Church, saying, 'We have great respect for your Church. You suffered much for your faith and you have stood by your faith.' "
"While in Cairo, Egypt, during the first leg of the journey, President Benson visited Sayed Maeri, first assistant to Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. . . . President Benson met with a total of 17 government officials in the three nations."
The Church News also reported on the tour in its June 2, 1979, issue.