(contents)
Chapter 3 The grace of Allah – Oil boom (22)
085 1st Oil
shock - Oil as a weapon (2/3)
On 6th October 1973, the Ramadan War began with a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria. The Egyptian army had crossed the Suez Canal and landed on the Sinai Peninsula where the Israel had occupied after Six-Day War in 1967. The Syrian army broke through the defense line of the Israeli army on the Golan Heights, where also had been occupied by Israel since 1967. Israeli troops faced the enemies simultaneously from both sides of the country, namely in the Sinai Peninsula and on the Golan Heights. At the first stage of the campaign, the war was in favor of Sadat and his allies. There was a rumor that Israel might use nuclear weapons as the ultimate weapon.
Israel doesn’t affirm
nor deny the possession of nuclear weapons. But the international society
shares the same opinion that Israel conceals nuclear weapons. And no one has no
question that Israel might use nuclear weapons for its survival in ultimate
crisis. Israel might be willing to do any means to achieve its end. Israel
could expect strong support from the United States. Israel might say that even
the United States had used nuclear weapon during the World War II or they could
stop the war in an early stage by using nuclear weapons. Generally speaking,
the inhuman campaign of victorious countries during the war had not raised the
dispute after the war. Israel knew the history well.
The ultimate weapon,
fortunately, was not used in the war. The Israeli army quickly revived and
counterattacked the Arab coalition army. The battle resulted in a stalemate on
October 8th, the third day of the war. Serious situation which Sadat
was afraid of appeared earlier than his expectation. Sadat aimed to ceasefire through
mediation by third countries while Arab coalition was in favor in the battle
field. But his expectation resulted in failure.
(To be continued ----)
(From an ordinary citizen in the cloud)
