Three major wars between 1956 and 1973 hardened the conflict, redrew the map of the Middle East, and — paradoxically — eventually created the conditions for the first real attempt at peace.
The Suez Crisis (1956)
When Egypt's Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal, Britain, France and Israel launched a coordinated attack. US and Soviet pressure forced a humiliating withdrawal — a turning point that confirmed the decline of British and French power in the region and the rise of the superpowers as the decisive external players.
The Six-Day War (1967)
In a pre-emptive strike, Israel defeated Egypt, Jordan and Syria in six days and seized the Sinai, Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. This was the most consequential war of the period: it created the occupied territories that sit at the heart of the conflict to this day, and produced UN Security Council Resolution 242, with its "land for peace" principle.
The Yom Kippur War (1973)
Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Although Israel recovered militarily, the war shattered the sense of Israeli invincibility and restored Egyptian pride under Sadat — making negotiation politically possible. It also triggered an Arab oil embargo with global economic shockwaves.
Let's complete a cause-and-consequence table for the three wars.
| War | Key consequence | Effect on peace prospects |
|---|---|---|
| Suez (1956) | Superpowers eclipse Britain/France | Sets the Cold War frame for the conflict |
| Six-Day War (1967) | Israel takes the occupied territories; Res. 242 | Creates the central territorial dispute |
| Yom Kippur (1973) | Restores Egyptian standing; oil embargo | Makes negotiation politically possible |
Discuss: which war was the most significant turning point in the struggle for peace, and why?
Q1. What territories did Israel gain in the Six-Day War of 1967?
Q2. Explain the "land for peace" principle of UN Security Council Resolution 242.
Q3. "The Yom Kippur War of 1973 did more to advance the cause of peace than any peace initiative." To what extent do you agree? Support your answer with evidence.