In 1956, President Nasser
of Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal and blockaded its entrance with
sunken ships. In order to defend Egypt's position, the Sinai Peninsula became a huge military base
on the very borders of Israel.
The
situation rapidly developed into a full-scale emergency for Britain and
France in particular. Their trade, especially their oil imports, was
suddenly and seriously affected. Many people here will remember the
introduction of petrol rationing which accompanied the growing
crisis.
