Nasser: A Popular Failure in the Arab-Israeli Conflict?
TITLE
Assess the view that Nasser was a ‘popular failure’ in his handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
ESSAY
Nasser's handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict was a complex and contested issue, leading to varying perspectives on his success or failure in the matter. This essay will assess the view that Nasser was a 'popular failure' in his handling of the conflict, considering his actions and their outcomes.
Nasser's rise to power in Egypt and his subsequent presidency marked a significant shift towards Arab nationalism and defiance of Western powers, particularly in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict. His initial actions, such as arming fedayeen guerrillas and nationalising the Suez Canal, were seen as bold moves to challenge Israel and assert Arab strength. The Suez Crisis of 1956 brought Nasser considerable popularity in the Arab world, portraying him as a hero who stood up to Western imperialism.
However, Nasser's confrontational approach towards Israel and his emphasis on military solutions ultimately proved detrimental. The 1967 Six-Day War, in which Israel decisively defeated Egypt and its Arab allies, revealed the weaknesses in Nasser's strategies. His policy of brinkmanship and the closing of the Straits of Tiran backfired, leading to a devastating military defeat for Egypt. This failure to anticipate the consequences of his actions and to adequately prepare for the conflict tarnished Nasser's image as a strong and capable leader.
Furthermore, Nasser's continued insistence on using force to liberate Palestine, despite repeated setbacks, highlighted his inability to adapt his approach to the evolving dynamics of the conflict. The formation of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964 and the escalating tensions with Israel did not result in significant gains for the Arab cause. Nasser's refusal to consider diplomatic alternatives and his reliance on military solutions alienated potential allies and perpetuated the cycle of violence in the region.
While Nasser's commitment to pan-Arabism and Palestinian rights endeared him to many in the Arab world, his failure to achieve tangible successes in the Arab-Israeli conflict raises questions about his legacy as a leader. Despite his popularity and charisma, Nasser's inability to secure lasting peace and justice for the Palestinian people underscores the limitations of his approach and the challenges of achieving meaningful change through military means alone.
In conclusion, while Nasser's stance on Arab nationalism and anti-imperialism resonated widely, his handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict can be viewed as a 'popular failure' due to his lack of strategic foresight, overreliance on military tactics, and inability to secure lasting solutions. Despite his enduring popularity in the Arab world, Nasser's legacy in the context of the conflict is marked by missed opportunities and unresolved challenges.
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HISTORY
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NOTES
Assess the view that Nasser was a ‘popular failure’ in his handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The Arab defeat in the 1948‒49 War spurred Nasser and other army officers to overthrow King Farouk in 1952. By 1954, Nasser was the President of Egypt. Nasser was determined to be the champion of Arab nationalism by defying the West and making it a unifying movement. The Israelis were angry because Egypt had been encouraging Palestinian raids into Israel; they wanted to show Nasser as militarily weak. In February 1955, Israeli troops destroyed the Egyptian army headquarters in Gaza killing 35 soldiers. However, far from humiliating Nasser, it spurred him on to arm and train fedayeen guerrillas to conduct attacks in Israel.
He also struck an arms deal with Czechoslovakia which led to the Suez Crisis. Britain and the United States withdrew their loan for the building of the Aswan Dam and in retaliation, Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal Company in July 1956 with the intention of using the profits to build the dam.
On 29 October 1956, Israel invaded Egypt and on the following day Britain and France requested that they cease fighting otherwise they would use force. The Israelis agreed but the Egyptians refused. The US condemned the action of Britain and France, and on 6 November the UN ordered them to withdraw. Nasser was regarded as a hero in the Arab world; he had gained complete control of the Suez Canal. Nasser had emerged as a popular leader and the Arab states became even more anti-western. In 1957, a Treaty of Arab Solidarity was signed by Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Nasser’s charismatic leadership promoted the rising tide of Arab nationalism. In 1958, Syria and Egypt formed the United Arab Republic; it only lasted for three years but Nasser’s popularity remained strong.
In 1963, Nasser saw a new threat from Israel when the Israelis were in the process of completing a project to divert 75% of the water from the River Jordan to Israel. Nasser regarded this as an act of aggression to the whole Arab world. He called for a conference of Arab leaders resulting in the formation of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964. Nasser then denounced a speech by the Tunisian President suggesting that Arab states recognize Israel along the lines of the 1947 United Nations Palestine partition plan. He insisted that the only solution was to use force to liberate Palestine. Raids against Israel were encouraged.
Through a series of miscalculations, he goaded Israel to launch a pre-emptive air strike on Egypt on the morning of June 5, 1967. In November 1966, he had signed a defence agreement with Syria and tension was high on the Israeli–Syrian border because of the raids. On 13 May, the Soviet Union warned the Egyptian government that the Israelis were moving armed forces to the border with Syria which was untrue. Nasser knew this was untrue but he wanted to show that he was the leader of the Arab world and he embarked on a policy of brinkmanship with Israel which included closing the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping. The Israelis’ response was to launch a pre-emptive attack which resulted in defeat for the Arabs.
Despite his defeat, Nasser was able to retain his popularity in the Arab World until his death in 1970 by emphasizing his commitment to pan-Arabism, his firm belief in Palestinian rights, and the eventual destruction of Israel. His failure to realize his aim of destroying Israel did not destroy the support of the people.