22 окт 1956 г. - Protocol of Sèvres

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The Protocol of Sèvres was a secret agreement reached between Israel, France, and the United Kingdom from October 22-24, 1956, to invade Egypt and topple President Gamal Abdel Nasser in response to his nationalization of the Suez Canal. This agreement led to the Suez Crisis on October 29, 1956.

Sèvres Meeting
On October 22, 1956, Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, Defense Ministry Director General Shimon Peres, and IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan secretly met with French Defense Minister Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury, Foreign Minister Christian Pineau, French Chief of Staff General Maurice Challe, British Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd, and his assistant Sir Patrick Dean in Sèvres, France. They planned a two-step invasion: Israel would first attack Egypt in the Sinai, followed by British and French intervention to "separate the combatants" and protect the canal.

Planning and Agreement
The planning faced challenges due to distrust between Israel and Britain, and the need for a plan that satisfied all parties. After 48 hours, a seven-point agreement was signed, with each delegation taking a signed copy. Although not part of the protocol, Israel secured French support for constructing the Negev Nuclear Research Center and supplying natural uranium.

Detailed Discussions and Motivations
On October 14, 1956, General Maurice Challe suggested that Israel's attack in Sinai could provide the pretext for Anglo-French intervention. Ben-Gurion, while excited about the partnership, was wary of Britain and preferred explicit military coordination. On October 22, Ben-Gurion presented a comprehensive plan for reorganization in the Middle East, which included dividing Jordan, annexing the West Bank to Israel, expanding into southern Lebanon, and ensuring Israeli control over the Straits of Tiran. He aimed to eliminate Nasser and replace his regime with a pro-Western government.

Text of the Protocol
The Protocol included:

Israel would launch an attack on Egypt on October 29, 1956.
Britain and France would issue demands to Egypt and Israel to halt military actions and withdraw troops.
If Egypt refused, Anglo-French forces would intervene militarily.
Israel would occupy the western shore of the Gulf of Aqaba to ensure navigation.
Israel agreed not to attack Jordan unless provoked.
The protocol would remain strictly secret.
The agreement would take effect with approval from all three governments.
British Denial and Aftermath
Despite immediate leaks, British Prime Minister Anthony Eden denied the agreement's existence. Eden later attempted to retrieve all copies of the protocol. The French refused to comply, and the Israeli copy is believed to be kept in the Ben-Gurion Archives. A photocopy of the protocol was found in 2002 and published in 2010.

In Action and Significance
Four days after the Sèvres meeting, Israeli forces invaded Egypt, prompting Anglo-French intervention. This marked the end of estrangement between Britain and the Zionist movement since the 1939 White Paper and played a key role in the Suez Crisis, which significantly influenced Middle Eastern geopolitics.

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