Israel has made public documents from the Defense Ministry and army, revealing warnings from Prime Minister David Ben Gourion in 1956 and 1957 about the challenges of controlling the Gaza Strip. The release marks the 70th anniversary of the Sinai campaign, during which Israeli troops occupied Gaza in October 1956, only to withdraw months later under international pressure.
Ben Gourion viewed the capture of Gaza as a necessary but burdensome move, given the presence of Egyptian forces there before the war. However, he was concerned about maintaining control over the territory. In a meeting with the Cabinet on October 28, 1956, and again with senior officers on April 4, 1957, he expressed his reservations, stating that Gaza was an "embarrassing objective" that Israel needed to take but would rather see "swallowed by the sea" if he believed in miracles.
The population of Gaza was a significant concern for Ben Gourion, with approximately 300,000 Arabs living there, including 180,000 to 190,000 refugees. He acknowledged that authorities could maintain order during Israel's brief control but noted the presence of an underground Egyptian network. Ben Gourion understood the frustration of communities near Gaza, such as Nahal Oz and Nirim, which suffered from infiltrations, thefts, and fedayeen attacks.
Despite these concerns, Ben Gourion described the Sinai campaign as a "luxury war" and cautioned against using it as a model for future conflicts. He warned that future wars would bring bombings to Tel Aviv and Haifa, resulting in civilian casualties. Shimon Peres, then Director General of the Defense Ministry, wrote about Ben Gourion's contradictory decisions to go to war and then withdraw, as well as Israel's diplomatic isolation at the time.
The released archives also shed light on Israel's cooperation with France, intelligence efforts, and aerial operations during the Sinai campaign. Additionally, they document the evacuation of 65 Jews from Port Said to Israel on November 17, 1956. These documents provide valuable insights into Israel's military and diplomatic strategies during this period.
Ben Gourion's concerns about Gaza were not new, as he had previously described it as an "embarrassing objective" in the Knesset in March 1957. His warnings highlight the complexities of Israel's relationship with Gaza, which have persisted to this day. The release of these archives serves as a reminder of the historical context surrounding Israel's control over Gaza.
The Israeli government has made these documents public, offering a unique perspective on the country's military and diplomatic history. By examining these archives, researchers and historians can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges Israel faced during the Sinai campaign and the complexities of its relationship with Gaza.
Key points
- Ben Gourion viewed the capture of Gaza as a necessary but burdensome move.
- The population of Gaza was a significant concern for Ben Gourion, with approximately 300,000 Arabs living there.
- The released archives shed light on Israel's cooperation with France, intelligence efforts, and aerial operations during the Sinai campaign.
