Israel attacked Egypt in 1956, and Britain and France stood behind her. This led to the Suez Crisis of 1956. Though French and British troops withdrew by December 1956, Israel refused to withdraw from the Gaza strip and Shermul Sheikh. Israel eventually withdrew in March 1957.

Hostilities between the Arabs and Israel continued throughout the sixties. On January 7, 1965, certain water installations were bombed on the Israeli side of the Jordan border. On June 4, 1967, Israel attacked the United Arab Republic and destroyed a large number of her aircraft. Fighting started on many fronts. The U.S. agreed to supply 58 phantom bombers to Israel in 1968. Most of the fighting was done by the United Arab Republic, Syria and Jordan. The war lasted for about a week. The Arabs were completely defeated. A cease-fire was declared in compliance with a resolution of the Security Council.

Israel occupied the entire Sinai Peninsula, advanced the Suez Canal and captured the Gaza strip. The whole of Jerusalem came under her control and she also overran the whole of Jordan.

After the cease-fire, the Geneva Conference was held in December 1973. In January 1974 and September 1975, Egypt and Israel signed two agreements on the disengagement of their troops in the Sinai Peninsula, the credit for which goes to Dr. Kissinger, the Secretary of State of the U.S. His astute diplomacy succeeded in winning over Egypt to the side of the U.S. Ultimately, the Camp David Accord was signed on September 18, 1978, between Egypt and Israel and a Treaty was signed between them on March 26, 1979.

Exhibit 16.8
The Wailing Wall and a mosque in Jerusalem

The U.S. is greatly interested in the existence and strengthening of Israel. The U.S. can rely on Israel to strengthen her position in the Middle East. She can also use Israel for all purposes, in case of a war, in that region. Thus Israel occupies a unique position among the policy makers of the U.S.