Israel and Egypt, 1967-73 Flashcards
Relations Israel and Egypt after the six day war
-Continues dispute over Suez canal
-Egypt military strengthens due to Soviet help
-1970: first Egyptian SovietSAM3 missile base completed, 15,000 Soviet
advisers in Egypt
-USA organises ceasefire of August 1970 but neither side committed to peace talks
New President of Egypt and his aims 1970
Anwar Sadat
-lacked charisma, unknown outside of Egypt
-Aimed to restore Egypts economy and rebuild houses destroyed in War of Attrition. (in order to do this he need peace with israel so he could cut military expenditure (there were millions of soldiers on standby incase of Israeli attack) and open Suez canal.)
How did Sadat try and create peace with Israel
-Approached Golda Meir with resolution 242: Return of Sinai for peace. She rejected.
-Expelled 15,000 Soviet advisers hoping this would please USA and make them put pressure on Israel to negotiate peace. Nothing happened
Israel Bar Lev Line
Meir did not believe Sadat’s “land for peace” and ordered a 25m tall sand wall to be built along the Suez canal and behind it bunkers were built. Cost $300mil.
Defences also built in Golan Heights incase of Syrian attack
Israel control of Jerusalem
East Jerusalem had its Arabic past erased. Eg after Six Day war, 135 houses destroyed around Wailing wall for Jewish Prayer space. 650 inhabitants paid some compensation
Israel control of West Bank and Gaza
Palestinians given right to govern themselves and could even work in Israel. However, they lived under IDF control. Thousands jailed/deported or had homes destroyed without trial.
In Jordan Valley, 100,000 Palestinians expelled and 27 jewish settlements created.
Israeli farming settlements set up in rich soil Golan Heights and even a ski resort in 1971
Yom Kippur War 1973
events - Egypt
Yom Kippur is the holiest day in Judaism. Radios/televisions/shops all shut and soldiers were home on leave.
Egypt launches a surprise attack on Sinai. Israeli airfields/army bases and Bar Lev Line bombed. 10,500 shells fired in first minute.
High pressure water cannons shot at Bar Lev Line to create 70 passages. Engineers build temporary bridges after around 3 hours and 23,000 Egyptians pour into Sinai
Egyptians were well armed. Israeli jets shot down by SAM3 missiles and 300 Israeli tanks destroyed by Soviet Sagger anti-tank missiles.
Yom Kippur War 1973
cause
Egypt wanted to show Israel it was not invincible so it would consider Sinai for peace deal. Sadat needed peace to restore Egyptian economy
Yom Kippur War 1973
event- Syria
At the same time, Syria launches invasion of Golan Heights with 60,000 troops vs the 400 stationed Israeli troops. Israel was caught by surprise and took 72 hours to fully mobilise (radios were off so troops had to go around and alert manually, at least roads were clear as everyone was at synagogue).
Israel tanks overpower Syria and cause retreat. IDF then pursues Syria forces to capital Damascus.
Syrian President Assad calls for Sadat to step up attack to relieve pressure on Syria. Sadat pushes further than advised from generals and is now outside range of SAM-3 missiles, making them vulnerable to air strikes.
Massive tank battle in Sinai. 260 Egypt tanks destroyed, 20 Israeli ones. 100,000 Egypt troops retreat and form defensive line at Canal.
$2.2 billion of US military equipment arrives 15 October and Israeli tanks destroy Egypt SAM3 missile bases. Israel could now join on air
Yom Kippur War 1973
what led to cease fire?
23 October: Egyptian army surrounded with 4 days of food. Desperate situation so Sadat accepted UN call for ceasefire. However Israel kept advancing into Egypt to capture more land..
USSR tell USA they will send troops to Egypt if peace is not reached. USA go on nuclear alert and USSR back down.
Other Arab states commit an oil embargo on USA forcing them to put pressure on Israel to accept ceasefire
Yom Kippur War 1973
aftermath
ISRAEL
#Israeli victory but large losses:
-9,500 troops wounded/killed
-Blow to confidence: survived because of Egypt/Syrian tactical error and US support.
-Israelis blamed government for not being ready. Meir and Dayan (Defence minister) resign
EGYPT
30,000 casualties, SAM3 missile sites destroyed, Suez still not usable
Arab pride: overrunning Bar Lev Line was a military achievement. could argue
loss was due to US support to Israel. Sadat seen as worthy Nasser
successor
Gained no land
USA
realised need for peace in ME. Almost was sucked into nuclear war. Realised reliance on ME for oil and had to rethink support of Israel, perhaps force it to negotiate peace.
SYRIA
brief glory but Golan Heights remain in Israeli hands
