Gaza Becomes the Target Because of Ben Gurion Canal Project?
This, in turn, would pose formidable competition to the Suez Canal, historically marred by several disruptions, including Israeli blockages and closures during periods of conflict.
The Ben Gurion Canal Project, originally conceived in the 1960s by David Ben-Gurion, has resurfaced in the spotlight due to its potential impact on global geopolitics.
The ambitious plan aims to create an alternative maritime route linking the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, offering a strategic bypass of the Suez Canal. Despite facing persistent challenges related to politics, funding, and logistics, this project holds the promise of significantly altering international shipping routes if successfully completed.
David Ben-Gurion (1886–1973) was a prominent Zionist leader from Poland and is known as the founding father of Israel. He served as the first prime minister of Israel in 1948. The Ben Gurion Canal Project, a long-planned canal construction project initiated by Ben-Gurion in the 1960s, aims to create an alternative maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea, bypassing the Suez Canal.
Johan Chairil
If completed, the canal would have a significant impact on global trade and geopolitics, creating a new shipping route between Europe and Asia and reducing Egypt's control over global shipping.
The Ben Gurion Canal
One of the key features of the Ben Gurion Canal Project is its proposed length, exceeding the Suez Canal by over 100 kilometers. This elongation is primarily attributed to the constraints posed by the surrounding terrain and topography. However, despite its potential benefits, concerns persist regarding the preference of established shipping routes, even if the new canal is operational.
The connection between the Ben Gurion Canal Project and the ongoing conflict in the region has garnered significant attention. Speculation has arisen over the project's proposed path and its potential intersection with the northern border of Gaza, leading some to postulate that the canal could even be redirected to traverse through the territory.
This supposition has fueled discussions on the inherent link between the project and the conflict, with Gaza potentially leading to a major second canal in the region. Additionally, there are speculations that Israel’s attacks on Gaza are influenced by the anticipated final port of the Ben Gurion Canal Project, further intertwining the two narratives.
June 2021 saw Israel proclaim its intent to launch the Ben Gurion Canal Project as part of the Abrahamic Accords between Israel and multiple Arab nations. Despite this announcement, the project has yet to materialize due to strong opposition from several Arab countries, who view it as a contentious endeavor with far-reaching political and strategic consequences.
If brought to fruition, the Ben Gurion Canal Project has the potential to significantly impact global trade and geopolitics, presenting a new shipping route between Europe and Asia while diminishing Egypt's control over international shipping.
Competition to Suez
This, in turn, would pose formidable competition to the Suez Canal, historically marred by several disruptions, including Israeli blockages and closures during periods of conflict. Moreover, the projected cost of the Ben Gurion Canal Project is estimated to reach as high as $100 billion, a staggering figure that further underscores the magnitude and complexity of this initiative.
The possible termination of the canal in Gaza adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious project. These intricate dynamics contribute to the project’s controversial nature, amplifying concerns and opposition from various stakeholders due to its broader implications.
In summary, the Ben Gurion Canal Project, initially envisioned over five decades ago, has emerged as a focal point of intensifying geopolitical discourse, entwined with regional conflict, strategic maneuvering, and the potential to transform global trade routes.
Whether it will come to fruition amidst vehement opposition and multifaceted challenges remains to be seen, but its impact, if realized, could be profound and far-reaching.