1973 War

Yom Kipper War - War of 1973 ( War) - October War (Oct ) - Ramadan War - 4 th Arab-Israeli War ( War, 1956 Suez Crisis, 1967 War)

Egypt remained very bitter about losing the Sinai in the 1967 War.

Clashes between Egypt and Israel continued across the canal area until 1970, costing both sides many men and weapons. Nasser dies and is replaced by Anwar Sadat. Israel, now heavily armed with US weapons, destroys Egypt’s defenses. War of Attrition ( )

Sadat wanted to take back the Suez Canal and the Sinai Peninsula.

Egypt was almost bankrupt. (The 1967 War, War of Attrition and Suez Closure) The United States was involved in Vietnam War and Watergate thus distracted. Sadat also wanted to gain territory and prestige. Be the “New Nasser”.

How could Sadat get the Suez back without fighting a war with Israel? Make Peace In February 1971, Sadat offered a limited Israeli withdrawal from the Suez Canal and the reopening of the Canal for international shipping. Israel refused to negotiate.

Source O Israel kept raising her price for a political settlement just when Egypt became convinced of the need for a historic compromise…Holding on to the territories acquired in 1967 gradually replaced the quest for a settlement as Israel's top priority.

Sadat knew he could not defeat Israel in a war. He also knew that only the United States could force Israel into enter peace talks. He also knew that the US government wanted peaceful relations with Arab states in the Middle East. Oil

Sadat re-equipped and rearmed Egypt’s military. Kicked out the Soviet advisors Kicked out anti-American staff from his government. Got financial support from Saudi Arabia and closer to Syria.

What happened? - Surprise attack on Israel by Egypt and Syria on the Jewish Holy Day of Yom Kipper. - Operation Badr (Name of Plan)

Where? Sinai Peninsula Golan Heights (Egypt) (Syria)

October 6 th 1973, Egypt and Syria attacked Israeli forces and made significant territorial gains. - Got Israel by surprise as many of it as soldiers were on holidays. - In 24 hours, 90,000 troops and 850 tanks crossed the Suez Canal. - Syria also simultaneously attacked Israeli forces in the Golan Heights

Egypt and Syria overwhelmed Israeli forces for the first few days. However, Israel got a massive airlift of the most advanced US weaponry, then started winning. Syria and Egypt then got support from the Soviet Union. In response, Arab countries reduced oil production until Israel ‘withdrew from lands occupied in 1967 and the ‘legitimate rights of the Palestinians’ restored.

Why? - Israel still occupying territories it acquired in 1967 War. - Israel refused to negotiate with Arab States and withdraw from territories as required by UN Resolution Sadat (Egypt) decided the only way to make a peace agreement with Israel was to go to war.

Saudi Arabia banned all oil exports to the USA and Western Europe. “Oil Shock” - Oil prices skyrocketed. 4x by the end of 1973.

Israel quickly regained territory it lost in the first few days of the war, crossed the Suez Canal and got within 80km of Cairo, Egypt’s capital. The Soviet Union and the US negotiated a ceasefire, but it was broken right away. Egypt requested that Soviet and US troops enforce a ceasefire (Israel wouldn’t stop fighting). The Soviet Union threatened to send troops. The US went on nuclear alert. Negotiated a new ceasefire. October 24 th, the UN troops were sent in to enforce a ceasefire.

Results… Military victory for Israel, political victory for Egypt. Losses were more than any other war. Arabs had destroyed the Israeli myth that they were invincible. Israel had been caught of guard and without US help, they may of lost the war. Arab pride and unity restored and Oil was used as a weapon. Sadat emerged as a hero as he had changed US policy. US would persuade Israel to negotiate.