The 1956 Suez Crisis: Israel's geopolitical turning point - Alex Winston

 

by Alex Winston

Following the crisis, Israel faced international isolation, with many nations criticizing its role in the conflict.

 

An Israeli infantry trooper reads an Arabic magazine found in a captured Egyptian army position during a break in fighting, November 1, 1956 in the southern Arab town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip.

(photo credit: GPO via Getty Images)

For most of its history, Israel’s wars have been reactive - responding to the actions of its Arab neighbors to ensure its own survival. Only on rare occasions does Israel make the first move, grabbing the initiative to prevent a more destructive conflict down the line. One such moment was the Suez Crisis of 1956.

The crisis was a pivotal moment in post-World War II geopolitics, marking a turning point for colonial powers, Middle Eastern nationalism, and Cold War tensions. Triggered by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s nationalization of the Suez Canal, the crisis drew in global powers such as Britain, France, Israel, the United States, and the Soviet Union.

What started as a military intervention by Britain, France, and Israel to reclaim control of the strategic waterway and curtail Nasser’s influence quickly escalated into an international incident. The crisis underscored the declining influence of European colonial powers and solidified the emerging dominance of the US and the Soviet Union in global affairs. Furthermore, it reshaped the political landscape of the Middle East, planting the seeds for future conflicts.

By the 1950s, Egyptian nationalism had taken center stage under the leadership of Gamal Abdel Nasser, whose vision of pan-Arab unity aimed to challenge Western dominance in the region. The Suez Canal, a crucial maritime route connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, was a symbol of Egypt’s colonial past, controlled by Britain since its construction in the late 19th century. For Britain and France, the canal was vital for global trade, particularly for the flow of oil from the Middle East. France also had additional motivations, particularly its concerns over Nasser’s support for Algerian independence movements.

Tensions escalated when the US withdrew funding for Egypt’s Aswan High Dam in 1956, prompting Nasser to nationalize the Suez Canal in July of that year.

SINAI DESERT, EGYPT - OCTOBER 30, 1956: Israeli army officer Ariel Sharon (L) with his troops before the attack on the Mitla Pass during Operation Kadesh October 30, 1956, in the Sinai Desert in Egypt. (credit: Defense Ministry via Getty Images)

“We shall not let imperialists or exploiters dominate us,” Nasser stated in Alexandria on July 26, 1956. “We shall not let history repeat itself once more. We have gone forward to build a strong Egypt. We go forward towards political and economic independence. We go forward towards a national economy for the sake of the whole people. But, whenever we look behind, we do so to destroy the traces of the past, the traces of slavery, exploitation and domination. Today, citizens, rights have been restored to their owners. Our rights in the Suez Canal have been restored to us after 100 years.”

This move was seen as a direct challenge to Western powers and set the stage for a military confrontation, as both Britain and France feared losing control of the canal and their influence in the Middle East.

There was also the issue of Nasser’s support for attacks against Israel. Throughout the early 1950s, Israel faced regular incursions from Egyptian-backed Palestinian fedayeen (militants) who launched cross-border raids, causing civilian casualties and increasing insecurity. Israel viewed Egypt, under Nasser, as a growing threat, particularly as Nasser sought to build alliances with other Arab nations. By 1956, Nasser’s hostile stance, coupled with his support for Palestinian militants, put Israel on edge.

Another major political issue for Israel was Egypt’s blockade of the Straits of Tiran, which cut off Israeli access to the Red Sea and hampered trade, especially the vital route to the Indian Ocean. Securing the Straits was a key strategic goal for Israel, as it saw the blockade as a direct economic threat. The crisis presented an opportunity for Israel to break Egypt’s stranglehold on its southern maritime access.

Operation Musketeer

In response to Nasser’s nationalization of the Suez Canal, Britain, France, and Israel secretly met in Sevres, France, in late October 1956 to devise a coordinated military operation known as Operation Musketeer. The Sevres Protocol outlined the collusion between these three nations: Israel would initiate the conflict by invading the Sinai Peninsula, giving Britain and France a pretext to intervene as “peacekeepers” and retake control of the canal.

Alex Winston

Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-826811

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