![]() On 25 June 1952, the Eilat was declared to have a port – albeit one with very basic facilities a fully functioning port would be developed over the coming years. ![]() ĭuring this period the Straits had limited relevance to Israel's economy between 19, only ten ships destined for Eilat passed through the Straits of Tiran, all of them having a foreign maritime flag. Although the resolution referred only to the Suez, Israel believed it would induce a change in Egyptian policy on the Straits of Tiran. On 1 September 1951, the United Nations Security Council Resolution 95 was passed it called upon Egypt to "terminate the restrictions on the passage of international commercial shipping and goods through the Suez Canal wherever bound". Israel also prepared military plans to force Egypt to let their ships pass, should diplomatic means prove to be unsuccessful. Israel first complained to the United Nations about Egyptian interference with shipping in June 1951 at this time the complaints were solely about the Suez Canal, as the Straits of Tiran were not relevant (the Port of Eilat did not open until 1952, and even then only to small boats). This occupation is now an accomplished fact. Taking into consideration certain velleities which have manifested themselves recently on the part of Israel authorities on behalf of the Islands of Tiran and Sanafir in the Red Sea at the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba, the Government of Egypt acting in full accord with the Government of Saudi Arabia has given orders to occupy effectively these two islands. The Egyptian Government communicated its accord with Saudi Arabia to the UK and the US on 30 January and 28 February 1950 respectively: In December 1949 Egypt started to erect military installations on the uninhabited islands of Tiran and Sanafir and the Sinai coast opposite the islands to control the straits. The capture of Umm Rashrash, and thus Israeli access to the Gulf of Aqaba, was not subject to the Egyptian–Israeli armistice agreement, because that agreement had been signed three weeks prior on 24 February 1949. On 10 March 1949, Israeli forces took control of the area around the coastal village of Umm al-Rashrash, later renamed Eilat, as part of Operation Uvda, giving Israel access to the Gulf of Aqaba, which leads to the Straits of Tiran. The Straits of Tiran and Suez Canal remained formally closed to Israeli vessels from the creation of Israel in 1948 until the Suez Crisis in 1956. Since all land trade routes were blocked by other Arab states, Israel's ability to trade with East Africa and Asia, mainly to import oil from the Persian Gulf, was severely hampered. History 1948–1951 Īt the start of the Arab–Israeli conflict in May 1948, Egypt blocked passage through the Suez Canal to Israeli-registered ships and to ships (Israeli or otherwise) carrying cargo to and from all Israeli ports. Prior to this point, an average of only two vessels per year travelled to Eilat. However, this had limited economic relevance prior to 1956 – construction of the Port of Eilat was only begun in 1952, and was only able to take oceangoing vessels from March 1956. The Straits of Tiran route served Israel's only port on the Gulf of Aqaba, Eilat. The current status is set by the Egypt–Israel peace treaty of 1979. This reoccurred after further deterioration of the relationship between the two countries in the mid-1960s Egypt renewed the blockade in 1967, leading to the Six Day War. They were opened partially following the 1956 Suez Crisis, wherein Israel invaded Egypt with the explicit intention of ensuring access to these waters. Egypt began to strengthen a blockade of Israeli shipping as relations between Israel and Egypt deteriorated further between 19. Israeli vessels have a freedom of navigation through the Egyptian-controlled Suez Canal and Straits of Tiran.Įgypt controlled the Suez Canal and Straits of Tiran, and did not recognize Israel after the two countries signed an armistice agreement to end the 1947–1949 Palestine war. Historical point of contention between Egypt and Israel Diagram of Egypt's blockade of Israeli passage through the Suez Canal and Straits of Tiran
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