The 1973 Arab-Israel War

The 1967 war ("Six Day War") left Israel in control of land previously belonging to Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. The Sinai Penninsula, stretching from the Suez Canal to the Red Sea, is part of Egypt. Gaza, a Palestinian city, and its surroundings had also been ruled by Egypt. In the North Israel occupied the strategic Golan Heights, wrested from Syria. Most importantly, Israel captured Jerusalem's eastern neighborhoods including the Old City, and the West Bank. The West Bank is the area between Israel (within its 1967 borders) and the river Jordan. After the 1948 war and until 1967 this territory, including East Jerusalem, was exclusively Palestinian in terms of its population, and was ruled by Jordan.

In 1973 Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, a Jewish day of fasting and rest. Jordan did not join the military effort but backed the Arab goals. After initial victories the Arab armies were repelled, and Israel crossed beyond the borders of the territory it had occupied, into Egypt and Syria. After ceasefire Israel withdrew from this newly captured land. The disengagement agreements that followed even returned to Egypt and Syria small parts of land occupied by Israel in 1967.

In spite of its ultimate victory, Israel's military reputation suffered. It had not foreseen the attack, and allowed initial victories by the Arabs. Unlike in the Six Day War, when the Arabs were quickly and overwhelmingly defeated, in 1973 they were perceived both by themselves and the Israelis to have fought well.

Many Arab observers, including Edward Said, emphasize the boost to Arab morale caused by the creditable performance of the Arab armies. These observers speak of the "myth of Israel's invincibility" that, they believe, was ended by the 1973 war.

At the time of the war the Arab League declared an oil embargo on Western countries seen as supporters of Israel, and this caused a major inflationary spiral and other economic difficulties in the West and throughout the world.

The role of the United States as the single superpower with a decisive influence in the Middle East was confirmed during the negotiations following the ceasefire, which took place under American auspices.

The "disengagement process" eventually led to the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, concluded in 1978. The peace deal established the principle of "land for peace" as the basis for future peace negotiations between Israel and the Arab countries. Eventually, it became the basis also for talks between Israel and the Palestinians.