Suez Crisis: UN Resolution on Ceasefire – November 7, 1956

On November 7, 1956, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a significant resolution concerning the Suez Crisis. This resolution called for all nations involved in the conflict to cease hostilities and assist in securing and supervising a ceasefire.

Context and Background

The Suez Crisis erupted in late October 1956 when Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway for global trade and previously controlled by British and French interests. In response, Britain and France, in collaboration with Israel, launched a military intervention aimed at regaining control over the canal and toppling Nasser.

The UN General Assembly’s Role

With escalating conflict and rising international tensions, the United Nations became a focal point for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. On November 7, 1956, following intense discussions and recognizing the urgency of the situation, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 1001. The resolution called for an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of all foreign troops from Egyptian territory, and for the creation of a United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF).

Aftermath and Significance

The UN General Assembly’s resolution was instrumental in de-escalating the Suez Crisis. Within days, the United States exerted significant diplomatic and financial pressure on Britain, France, and Israel to comply with the UN’s call for a ceasefire. Eventually, hostilities ceased, and UN peacekeeping forces were deployed to oversee the withdrawal and stabilize the region.

The crisis marked a pivotal moment in post-World War II geopolitics. It illustrated the decline of British and French influence in the Middle East, underscored the growing influence of the United States and the Soviet Union, and marked a significant moment in the development of UN peacekeeping operations. The successful deployment of UNEF became a model for future UN peacekeeping missions.