ABSTRACT
The 1956 war left Israel in occupation of the Sinai peninsula. Had she remained there the whole character of the ArabIsraeli conflict would have been changed. This chapter illustrates the importance of American pressure in restoring the situation to that existing before 1956. It provides information on the nature of the important American 'commitment' to keep the Straits open to Israeli shipping. The chapter presents the Israeli understanding of the nature of the American 'committment'. The forces of Israel have been withdrawn to a considerable extent but still hold Egyptian territory at Sharm el-Sheikh at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba. Recognizing that withdrawal by Israel must be followed by action which would assure progress towards the creation of peaceful conditions. The basic pledge of all the members of the United Nations is that they will settle their international disputes by peaceful means and will not use force against the territorial integrity of another state.
