The Suez Crisis
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Transcript of The Suez Crisis
The Suez CrisisWas it a colonial war?Was it a part of the Cold War?Was it a border war?
Middle East between 1948-1956
PalestiniansIsrael Issues
Border Raids and incursions by Arabs and Israelis
Regime Change in Egypt
Border raids• A contentious issue with Jordan• Palestinian Arabs shot at• 1953 Qibiya massacre by Ariel
Sharon’s unit 101• 1+2 = 50 +15 + houses and property• Israel’s policy: disproportionate
force to intimidate and deter• Similar situation on Israel-Egypt
border
Causes
CausesArab Nationalism?
Israel’s border war?
Israeli saber-rattling?
A Cold War issue?
Other?
Break point or trigger:
Nationalization of the Suez Canal
Charles.D.SmithNasser’s nationalization of the Suez Canal set in
motion a series of events leading to a joint Israeli-French-British attack on Egypt. His action was not so much the cause of the aggression as the excuse for it. All had expressed before nationalization, separately or jointly, the desire to invade Egypt and destroy Nasser….
Ben Gurion was determined to attack preferably with French alliance or even without it.
Nevertheless Israel was left out of discussions in the immediate aftermath of the nationalization because of British objections to their inclusions the French kept the Israelis involved
Charles Smith on Ben Gurion’s motives• Elimination of Nasser was his first
priority• Partition of Jordan with the West bank
going to Israel• Fixing of Israel’s borders with Lebanon• Suez canal would come under
international control• The Straits of Tiran to come under Israeli
conflict
Palestine Israel Conflict: Gregory Harms and Todd M. Ferry
• According them the influence of the Cold War in Middle Eastern politics a key factor
• There was a pronounced Anglo-American initiative to establish alliances as buffers to Soviet interest in the region
• It was feared that the Arab states would turn to the USSR
• Hence Baghdad Pact of 1955• Members were Iraq, UK, US, Turkey, Iran and
Pakistan ( northern axis to contain USSR)
Gregory Harms and Todd M. Ferry• Nasser was unwilling to co-operate in the
arrangements.• He saw these pacts as attempts to sustain
western control in the region• This conflicted with Nasser’s view on
Pan Arab nationalism– Therefore he supported Algeria in its bid for
independence from France– Had contempt for Israel as he saw it as an
instance of western imperialism.
Nasser: the new leader• 1954 took over and President• Pan Arab outlook and anti colonialist
– Arab world should become independent and free of foreign controls
– It was right to topple regimes of countries under foreign rule
• Dependent on the USA for aid but gradually relations soured over Lavon affair and US refusal to upgrade defenses for Egypt
• Nasser plays a key role in Bandung Conference of 1955
Suez facts:
• Suez Canal opened in1869( 99yr lease)• Britain and France were the major share
holders in the Suez Canal company• Since 1882, Egypt and Canal zone under
British military control• Britain the major share holder by 1955• 1/3 or of all ships passing through were
British
Significance of Suez Canal• Middle East provided 80% of
Europe’s oil• 45% of that oil passed through the
Suez• 1955 British made an agreement with
Nasser only to withdraw military from bases around the Suez
Israel’s reaction• Did not want British withdrawal• Israeli leaders Ben Gurion saw it as a threat• Lavon affair.. Bombs set off in British and
American embassies in Cairo and blame to be put on Egypt to force termination of the agreement
• Lavon affair discovered Israel’s links established
• Lavon affair not known by PM Moshe Sharett
Massacre at Gaza Feb 1955• 11days after the discovery of the
Lavon affair• Followed low level border conflicts• Fedayeen ( arab terrorists ) sponsored
by Nasser• Nasser claimed this was necessary
because of Israeli actions• Israel saw this as a threat to her
existence
USSR and Nasser sign an arms pact
• September 1955• Arms deal with Czechoslovakia
worth 400m• USSR basically had made inroads
into the Middle East security cordon• Follows French and US refusal to
help Egypt until it stopped supporting regime change in Northern Africa
USSR motives?( Ian J Bickerton)• A convenient way to embarrass and challenge
the west and to outflank the NATO• USSR wanted a shift in the international balance
of power• Initially Israel supported by the USSR• Israel support of USA in the Korean War soured
relations• Russian attitude to anti semitism• US and Israel Defence pact sent USSR into an
arms pact with Egypt.
Impact of USSR’s presence in the
region• USSR and Syria sign an arms deal• Jordan and Cairo forced into a deal• Only Iraq remained within Baghdad
Pact…but increasingly isolated
USA blocks funds• Even after arms deal, USA willing to supply Egypt
with loans to build the massive Aswan dam project• Nasser initially not interested in US offer of help• Finally USA withdrew offer under intense
domestic pressure and pressure from Nationalist China
• Nasser decided to recognize Republic of China• USA cancelled loans• Egypt decided to nationalise the Suez canal
• the Suez Crisis
Why did France get involved in this war?
• Anti colonial movements• Arms build up
The countdown to war : Sevres Conference 22nd -24th October 1956
• Sevres Protocol a secret document• Parties involved Israel, France and
GB• Blue print for the attack drawn up• Israel to attack and move up to
16miles of the canal and force and Egyptian withdrawal
• Egyptian refusal would lead to UK and France involvement
The attack….• 100,000 Israeli troops mobilized and
attacked across the Sinai• Halted 10 kms away from Suez canal• Israeli attack unopposed as Egypt
was taken by surprise.• British planes from Cyprus attacked
the oilfields. Nasser had to withdraw troops from the Sinai to protect the oilfields.
• Rout by Israel of Egyptian troops
Map of the Suez Crisis
• Egypt refused British-French orders to withdraw from Canal Zone
• GB and Fr. Responded with air attacks on positions in the Suez zone
• GB called upon population of Egypt to overthrow Nasser
• By joining the attack British and French neutrality a clear sham
Role of the UN• Matter discussed at the UN on the
30th of October• UK and France vetoed resolution
calling for ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli troops
• Invasion continued. By 5th November Israel in control of most of the area up to Port Said
• British landed troops in Port Suez
USSR & USA• USSR threat to use force brought the
campaign to a halt, if the Israelis did not withdraw and GB failed to cease operations
• US furious at not being consulted. US did not like Nasser but did not agree with Brit-French action
• US condemned the action as well and threatened to cancel subsidies worth 1m USD to GB
Britain• For Britain it was a humiliating climb
down• Eden the British PM had clearly
underestimated Arab solidarity• Led to Eden’s resignation in Jan 1957
UN Role
WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF THE SUEZ CRISIS?
Outcome of the war
Winners or Losers?
Israel? Egypt?
UK and France
USSR and USA
Winners?Losers
Israel• Upset USA which threatened to impose
sanctions• Even threatened to expel Israel from the UN
for its adventurism• Demanded Israel's withdrawal from the
Sinai• Israel lost a total of 231 troops in all• Held the Gaza strip and gained control of
Sharm-al Shaikh the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba
Egypt
USA• Its plots in the region were pre-
empted by the war• WAS able to enforce its will on the
crisis and effect the withdrawal of the UK , France and Israel
• Proclamation of the Eisenhower Doctrine in Jan 1957
• March 1957 the USA joins the Baghdad Pact