The Suez Canal, significant for its contribution to Egypt’s local economy, faces a prospective rival – the ambitious Ben Gurion Canal Project. This article discusses the potential implications of this rival route, its challenges, and ensuing security concerns.
Potential Implications And Future Prospects Of The Ben Gurion Canal Project
- Israel is believed to have a vested interest in exerting control over the Gaza Strip, driven by the potential economic prospects that lie within. The realization of these prospects heavily depends on achieving peace and political stability in the region.
- The proposal is to carve a canal through the Israeli-controlled Negev Desert. The canal would start from the Gulf of Aqaba’s edge, an eastern arm of the Red Sea near Israel’s southern tip and south-western Jordan. It would lead to the Eastern Mediterranean coast.
- This proposal presents an alternative to the Suez Canal, currently controlled by Egypt. The Suez Canal connects the Red Sea’s western arm to the southeastern Mediterranean through the northern Sinai peninsula.
- This plan, known as the Ben Gurion Canal Project, was first considered in the 1960s. Its completion would disrupt global maritime dynamics by breaking Egypt’s Suez Canal monopoly, the shortest path between Europe and Asia.
- However, the construction of this canal faces formidable obstacles, including logistical, political, and financial challenges. Given the current circumstances, the project seems more of a fantasy.
Suez Canal’s Impact On Global Maritime Trade
- The Suez Canal, opened in 1869, brought a revolution in global maritime trade.
- It connected the Mediterranean and Red Seas, eliminating the need for ships to travel around Africa when moving between Europe and Asia.
- The distance from London to Bombay (now Mumbai) was reduced by more than 41 percent.
Traffic In The Suez Canal
- The 2022-23 fiscal year saw around 26,000 vessels cross the Suez Canal. This counts for about 13 percent of global shipping.
- Despite its critical role, the canal has issues.
- Issues With The Suez Canal
- The Suez Canal is the world’s largest shipping bottleneck. It’s 193 km long, 205 m wide, and 24 m deep.
- It suffers from chronic congestion, despite being widened and deepened over time.
The Suez Canal Blockages
- In March 2021, a massive cargo ship named Ever Given got stuck in the canal.
- The blockade lasted for over a week, causing a ‘traffic jam’ that held up an estimated $9.6 billion of goods daily.
- Conflict Over Control Of The Suez Canal
- Egypt’s control of the canal has been contentious for nearly 70 years.
- Conflict erupted in 1956 when President Gamal Abdel Nasser decided to nationalize the canal. The UK, France, and Israel attacked Egypt in an attempt to regain control.
The Suez Crisis
- The Suez Crisis ended with the countries attacking Egypt experiencing military victory.
- Despite this, Egypt achieved a significant political triumph, maintaining control over the canal.
- The canal was closed for over six months due to the conflict.
- This event was a turning point in the Cold War. The threat of Soviet intervention was crucial in halting the allied assault on Egypt.
Subsequent Arab-Israeli Wars
- The Suez Canal was also a central point in the Arab-Israeli wars of 1967 and 1973.
- As a result of these conflicts, the canal was closed from 1967-75.
Economic Significance Of The Suez Canal
- The Suez Canal is vitally important to Egypt’s economy.
- All toll revenue from the canal goes to Egypt, boosting its local economy.
- For the 2022-23 fiscal year, the Suez Canal Authority reported record toll revenues of $9.4 billion.
- This sum equals almost 2% of Egypt’s GDP, which the World Bank reports as $476.8 billion.
Western Perspective
- For Western countries, a shipping route through Israel would be beneficial.
- The Ben Gurion Canal Project is an ambitious plan. It was named after Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion (1886-1973).
- It involves building a canal across Israel. The canal would connect the Mediterranean with the Gulf of Aqaba.
- Its aim is to create an alternative to the Suez Canal. This could boost the economic development
- The project is mentioned in a declassified 1963 US government memorandum.
- The memo suggests the use of nuclear explosives to dig the canal.
- This plan includes creating a canal 160 miles long.
Challenges In Construction
- The construction of the canal has been halted for several reasons.
- The complexity and cost of the project are major hurdles. It’s estimated to be around $100 billion.
- This cost is significantly higher than the expense of widening the Suez Canal.
Route And Security Concerns
- The planned route for the Ben Gurion Canal is over 100 km longer than the Suez Canal.
- This is due to the terrain and topography limitations.
- Because of its length, many ships might prefer the older, shorter Suez Canal route.
- Additionally, the canal’s security is a concern, given the constant military threats in the region.