The Gates of Gaza - Israel's Road to Suez and Back, 1955-57 (Paperback, New Ed)

The secret alliance between Israel, Britain and France to destroy Nasser's rule in Egypt was a pivotal event in the history of the modern Middle East. The Suez Crisis brought about both a humiliation for the old imperial powers and a remarkable victory for Israel. The author was General Moshe Dayan's personal assistant during the campaign, and here provides an account based on his own diaries and research. It describes the factors that resulted in Ben Gurion's decision to enter the clandestine pact with France and Britain, the victory in Sinai and the subsequent withdrawal in the face of pressure from the United Nations. The author sees the conflict as a crucial event in securing the new nation's position in the Middle East and providing a breathing space before the great Arab challenge of 1967.