Jewish History Moment - Sinai War - Suez Canal 1956

After Egypt conquered the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip in 1948, fedayeen terrorists began cross border attacks on the Jewish kibbutzniks and farmers in Israel. In 1956 when Gamal Abdul Nasser, the leader of Egypt closed the Suez Canal and cut of shipping from Israel's Port of Eilat, Israel was ready to attack. Initially French and British troops participated. They joined Israel in order to maintain their hold on the Middle East and to prevent the encroachment of communism as Egypt was making closer ties with the Soviet Union. But Israel did almost all the fighting, taking the entire Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip in a matter of days. A year later, in an American brokered deal, Israel relinquished control of those areas back to Egypt. But she gained vital information that lead to the swift victory of the Six Day War in 1967, when she again liberated the Sinai and Gaza. This Jewish history moment was brought to you by Israel National Radio. For more news and politics on Israel and the Jewish world visit http://www.IsraelNationalRadio.com for free streaming a audio and podcasts.