Egypt and the Arab-Israeli conflict Wars between states

The Basic Situation Egypt controlled the Gaza Strip and shared a long border with Israel Jordan integrated the West Bank into itself Syria shared a short but poorly defined border with Israel Egypt is the “hegemonic” regional power threatened (in different ways) by Israel, Syria, and Saudi Arabia

1952 Revolution LAND REFORM IN SEPTEMBER 1952 AND ARMY’S PROMISE TO LIQUIDATE FEUDALISM AND COLONIALISM COLLAPSE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MONARCHY AND CLOSEST ALLY OF BRITAIN IN THE REGION

Nasser Searches for independence 1954 – Nasser at Bandung 1955 – Czech arms deal; rejection of the Baghdad Pact 1956 – Nationalization of Suez Canal

1956 War October 29 – Israel invades Sinai November 5 – Anglo-French invasion December 22 – Anglo-French withdrawal Nasser wins a dramatic political victory despite military defeat

Republicanism victorious February 1958 – creation of United Arab Republic July 1958 – the Iraqi revolution July 1961 – Egypt moves further toward socialism

Abdel Karim Qasim

And the turning point September 1961 – Syria withdraws from UAR – the “Arab Cold War” 1962 – the republican coup in Yemen and “Nasser’s Vietnam”

The Problem for Nasser Challenges to his leadership –Fatah incursions into Israel –Syrian claims to revolutionary leadership –The domestic threat of the Muslim Brothers –Saudi opposition to Arab nationalism Islamic or Arab solidarity? Oil as a factor in international politics

Throwing the Dice May – Egyptian troops into Sinai May 16 – Request for UNEF to leave May 21 – Closure of Straits of Tiran to Israeli-bound shipping May 30 – King Husayn of Jordan signs a joint defense pact

War Israeli war strategy makes waiting impossible Fighting broke out with Israeli attacks on Egyptian air bases, obliterating the airforce With no air cover the Egyptian ground forces—mainly conscripts—were destroyed Within 6 days Israel had occupied Sinai, the West Bank, and Golan

Outcome Egypt now had renewed foreign occupation Jordan had lost its most populous and productive region Israel emerged as the regional strategic power Israel now controlled all of the territory of Mandatory Palestine

Collapse of the Arab states Nasser briefly resigns A new leader emerges in Damascus The Khartoum declaration –No negotiation –No withdrawal without recognition of Palestinians –Resolution of Egyptian-Saudi conflicts on Saudi terms

Space for the PLO The military defeat of the Arab states opens the door to the PLO Strengthens Palestinian resolve not to trust the Arab states The Palestinian issue becomes a more important symbol for Arab states even as they realize how dangerous it is