Suez Crisis (29 ottob 1956 anni – 6 nov 1956 anni)

Descrizione:

The Suez Crisis was an attempt to take the Suez Canal and invade Egypt. Britain, France and Israel were secretly allied together, with the idea that Israel would attack so that Britain and France could take back control over the Suez Canal under the pretence of keeping the peace.

The war broke out when Israel occupied Gaza and dropped paratroopers near the Suez Canal, in the Sinai.

On 30th October, IDF fighters set off for the Egyptian city of Sharm el Sheikh. Britain and France ordered Israel and Egypt to withdraw. Israel feigned acceptance, but Egypt refused to withdraw, so the British and French announced that they would step in to 'keep the peace'.

On 31st October, Britain bombed Cairo. On 2nd November, Israeli paratroopers were dropped near Al Tor. From 5th - 6th November, Britain and France invaded Port Said and advanced towards the Suez Canal. Israel captured Sharm el Shaikh and ended the blockade on the Strait of Tiran.

Nasser ended the war by sinking ships in the Suez Canal, so that it could no longer by used for trade. Therefore, the war ended in humiliation for Britain and France - they were not the superpowers they had once been. The British PM, Eden, was forced to resign. Britain and France were also seen as Israel's firm allies by other Middle Eastern countries, so they lost influence.

However, it was something of a success for both Israel and Egypt.

Israel:
- had weakened Egypt
- had security because UN peacekeepers were now on the Egyptian-Israeli border
- could trade through the Strait of Tiran
- had destroyed Fedayeen bases in Gaza
- had proved themselves
- had captured weapons

Egypt:
- now completely controlled the Suez Canal
- received USSR funding for the Aswan Dam
- received USSR funding for the army
- had an excuse to persecute Jews in Egypt (by seizing businesses and banning them from being teachers, doctors or lawyers)
- had an excuse not to go to war with Israel because UN peacekeepers were now on the Egyptian-Israeli border

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