Crisis in the Middle East HW

What were the causes of tensions on Israeli's borders?
The border with Syria was embittered because Arabs were living in that area and the Syrians didn't mind and didn't like the fact that the Israeli's were trying to run them out, so shelling always occurred. The border between the Jordan and Israeli was full of tension because in Jordan Palestinian Arabs were given full rights but when in Israeli there were always reprisals and attacks on Arab villages which caused anger among the Arabs whom the Jordan tried to retain. The greatest killings and tension was between the border of Egypt and Israel in an area known as the Gaza Strip were many Palestinians were refugees the Fedayeen and Israeli reprisals happened often.

Why did many Egyptians resent the British presence in their country?
They resented them because they felt they were impeded on their independence. Egypt's history has been very strong and powerful and Britain stationed thousands of troops and used Egyptian labor to create the Suez Canal. Imperialism was not wanted in that country and Britain was bringing it to them.They felt they could only have their independence if the British left. Also they felt that the British was giving them terrible weapons and manipulating their government. Thus creating a weak government and they also put their defeat by Israel on the blame for Britain as well.

How was the Egyptian monarchy overruled?
Momentum was gained in secret within the army called the Free Officers. In July 1952 they struck overtaking key government buildings and announcing the success of the revolution over the radio. Popularity for the King dwindled and he was allowed to flee the country. The new leader believed that the removal of the king was priority along with the removal of British troops to form a stronger and free Egypt.

Why did the Israeli's attack Gaza?
Israel wanted to hit back on encouraging Palestinian raids: on Israel and to give Nasser a lesson and perhaps remove him from power. One way to get of Nasser was to show p his military weak, in 1955 Israeli troops ruined the Egyptian military headquarters in Gaza. Riots ensued and and humiliated Nasser leading to lack of strong leadership in Egypt. However Egyptian guerrillas attacked Israel with the help of Soviet troops. This was a shock to the the western countries because of the Soviet addition however they still felt they could control Nasser because he needed their money for the canal.

Why did Britain, France, and Israeli decide to attack Egypt?
Nasser announced that THEIR Suez Canal should be nationalized and run by them and use the profits to build the dam. he further stated the Britain and France could "go choke on their rags.' They were both furious over this comment and gave Israeli weapons to attack, they viewed Nasser as Hitler of the Nile. France also accused Egypt with aiding the Algerians for their fight for independence against France.

What happened in the Suez Wars?
In Oct 1956 Israeli forces invaded Egypt, the next day Britain and France ordered Egypt and Israel to withdraw 10 miles from the canal and if either side refused then they would use force. Israeli's being far enough away agreed however Egyptians refused stating it was their territory. Oct 31 British and French troops bombed Egypt. Egypt responded by sinking ships. At the UN, they condemned the west for invading stopped all oil shipments to the west.The US even condemned the actions of the British, they even threatened to cut off aid to Britain if they continued due to wanting to improve relations with the Arabs. This would devastate the British economy and the Soviet Union went further saying they would invade. On Nov 6'th the UN stated an ceasefire and made the French and Britain to withdraw troops. The UN sent in emergency troops to the canal.

Who won and lost the Suez Canal?
Nasser became the hero of the Arab world because he "showed the British and French" and gained full control over the Suez Canal. Egypt did lose territory but they could claim that the only reason they lost was because Israel had British and French control. The Israeli's proved that they had the strongest military power in the Middle East. The undoubted losers of the war were Britain and France because they had lost control of the canal and of the influence of the Arab world.

How did Israel develop into a strong, modern nation state?
They had the backing of the Israeli army molding their nation and being the back bone of its security so they became very strong after countless amounts of invasions they fought off. Experiance in the army gave the Jews an identity in the Israel. Vast new industries were built and made Israel richer and stronger in the 1950's and 60's. With aid from the US and Germany paying them in reparations they had enough money to aid them into becoming a stronger state. The level of skills and education that was being produced in Israel also helped in strenghting the Israeli state.

What part did Fatah play in the developing conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbours?
The Arabs aim in the PLO was to get back lost Palestian territory from 1948-9 and a guerilla group called Fatah carried out the first raid on Israel. Syrians provided weapons and support of this group and raids were constant with the fatah on Israel but never without a reprisal attack on Israel. Syria later stepped up their attack and 'made' Egypt join an alliance with the PLO and this ensured that if one Arab country got attacked they would all retailte.

Who was to blame for the outbreak of war in June 1967?
By public opinion it could be seen that Israel was to blame since they were the first to officially strike (tractor incident and air raids on Jordan, Syria, and Egypt destoying their airfields). However the Arab countries were provaking attackes and it was a push and shove situtation where the Arab countries all join together so Israel needs a means of defense so they therefore did the following action above.