The Second Arab-Israeli War + The Suez-Sinai War, 1956

• 1948 War Result

  Ongoing tension between Arab states and Israel
• Israeli Goal


  Strengthen and expand the state of Israel
• Nasser's Plans

  Avenge 1948 defeat, strengthen Egypt's economy and influence
• Fedayeen Groups

  Militant groups attacking Israel from Egyptian territory
• Suez Canal Crisis

  Opportunity for Israeli expansion in 1956
• Nasser's Aims for Egypt

  Modernize Egypt, force British out, unite Arab nations, end Western influence
• British and French Concern

  Outraged at Nasser's actions, feared Soviet-backed Arab governments
• Soviet Support

  Provided loans, military equipment, and advice to Egypt in 1955
• Suez Canal Nationalization

  Nasser declared the Suez Canal as the property of Egypt
• Nasser's Quote

  Declared ownership of Suez Canal in a speech on 26th July 1956
• Nasser's Actions

  Supported Fedayeen raids, blockaded Israel's shipping route
• Eden's Leadership

  British Prime Minister during the Suez Crisis
• Nasser

  Leader of Egypt during the Suez Crisis, nationalized the Suez Canal
• Fedayeen

  Arab guerrilla fighters supported by Nasser to attack Israel
• Sevres Agreement

  Secret agreement between Britain, France, and Israel to attack Egypt
• Sinai Peninsula

  Territory occupied by Israel during the invasion of Egypt
• Suez Canal


  International waterway nationalized by Nasser, leading to the Suez Crisis
• Appeasement


  Weakness in negotiations seen as with Hitler in the 1930s
• Gulf of Aqaba

  Area blockaded by Egypt, leading to Israeli ships being prevented from reaching the Red Sea
• Aswan Dam


  Project financially supported by Britain and USA until withdrawn in 1956
• MiG-15

  Soviet jet fighters sold to Egypt in 1955
• T-34 tanks

  Soviet tanks sold to Egypt in 1955
• Sèvres


  Location of the secret meeting between Britain, France, and Israel in 1956
• Canal Zone


  Area along the Suez Canal where British and French troops landed during the invasion
• Suez-Sinai War

  Conflict involving France, Britain, Israel, and Egypt in 1956
• President Eisenhower

  Expressed concern over Britain and France's actions in the Middle East
• UN Buffer Zone


  Established between Israelis and Egyptians at the Suez Canal
• Israel's Victory

  Occupied Sinai, removed Fedayeen bases, and reopened Gulf of Aqaba
• UN Negotiations


  Initiated for Israeli forces withdrawal from Sinai in March 1957
• Nasser's Reputation

  Enhanced as a man striving for Arab freedom despite Egypt's military weakness
• Palestine Issue

  Remained unsolved, with Israel strengthened after the war
• British and French Humiliation

  Confirmed decline as world powers, assets seized in Egypt
• Superpowers' Involvement

  Suez Crisis marked increased superpower engagement in the Middle East
• Cold War Impact

  Middle East became a key zone for superpower rivalry
• US and USSR Interests

  Shaped the Middle East Crisis, influencing and restraining it
• Eisenhower Doctrine

  1957 policy offering Middle East aid against aggression.
• Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)

  Formed in 1964 to restore Palestine, led by Yasser Arafat.
• Yasser Arafat

  PLO Chairman from 1968, key figure in anti-Israel actions.
• Fatah

  Founded in 1959 by Arafat, engaged in terrorist attacks.
• Oslo Accords

  1993 agreement creating Palestinian National Authority.