The Suez Crisis (1956) — Conflict over access to the Suez Canal
A deep analysis of the Second Arab-Israeli War
The Suez Crisis, also known as the Second Arab-Israeli War, revolved around the possession and access to the important Suez Canal, a shipping link between the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The conflict led to a war in the Sinai between Egypt, Israel, the United Kingdom and France. This article explains how the Suez Crisis arose and the consequences of the conflict.
In 1869 the Suez Canal was opened, after ten long years of hard work, financed by the Egyptian and French governments. The Suez Canal Company (or in French: Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez) took control of the canal. Although French investors held the majority of shares, Egypt also had a significant stake in the company.
Immediately after completion, the Suez Canal was of great strategic value. It became the fastest sailing route between the Mediterranean Sea on the one hand and the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean on the other hand. This made it easier for the European superpowers to control their colonies, trade overseas and import oil from the Middle East.
