French and British failure signaled the end of colonialism
CAIRO: The repercussions of the 1956 Suez War, known as the Tripartite Aggression, transgressed local and regional levels to have a worldwide impact, an expert told The Daily Star Egypt.
“The effects of the Suez war overcame local and regional levels, and it cemented the legitimacy of the 1952 Egyptian Revolution, intensifying its Arabism, said Dr Abdel-Aleem Mohammed, Head of Israeli Studies at the Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies.
The 50th anniversary of the end of the war was celebrated last Saturday in the city of Port Said, which straddles the Suez Canal and witnessed much of the fighting.
Abdel-Aleem said “The Suez War confirmed the emergence of a bi-polar world, with the United States and the Soviet Union as the two world super powers. For old colonial powers like France and Britain, this signaled their decline.
“It also confirmed that Israel is a tool of colonialism, something Abdel-Nasser was saying at the time, he added.
Then Egyptian President Gamal Abdel-Nasser had nationalized the Suez Canal on July 26 of that year (the anniversary of the revolution), effectively wresting it from French control.
France and Britain did not take too kindly to Nasser’s decision, and along with Israel launched an invasion on Oct. 31, 1956.
The Soviet Union threatened to fire missiles at France and Britain if the war was not stopped. The United States also discouraged a continuation of the fighting.
“Abdel-Nasser read the world map correctly, Abdel-Aleem said.
Abdel-Aleem added that the invasion also brought to light an agreement between France and Israel, where in return for their help in the invasion, France would provide Israel with their nuclear power program.
The importance of the Suez Canal stems from its location as a link between the Mediterranean and Red seas. The alternative route is around the African continent at its southern tip.
Abdel-Aleem believes the decision to nationalize the Canal was a correct one. “It is a vital resource and should belong to the country. It was built by the hands of our grandfathers, he said.
The Suez Canal is an important source of foreign currency for Egypt In 2006, revenue from the Suez Canal is expected to reach a record LE 21.7 billion ($3.8 billion), up around 10 percent from last year, a Suez Canal Authority official said on Monday.
