The Ramadan War How it Changed the World |
Written by Nuraz |
Salaam (WRWB). This article is unique. I won’t really mention any citations like I normally do. But it is islamic and will be mostly historical.
WW2 - (1939-1949)
During WW2 Jewish people had suffered heavy casualties and had lived in horror at times of Anti-Semitism with Hitler’s Nazis taking over 90% of all Europe. Fast forwarding to 1943 where Jewish immigrants flocked there in hopes of survival further taking over already Palestinian land. Basically Great Britain had signed documents in 1939 making Israel and Palestine share the land (jointly-occupied).
Furthermore the growth of Zionism had taken place. Zionism in summary was this movement in belief of having a Jewish state primarily occupied by Jewish people. So when the Jews had migrated to Palestine and this idea of Zionism had occurred with already living inhabitants (The Arabs) chaotic things were bound to happen.
As Arab nationalism had grown across the region, they grew bitter of the Jewish just coming in and claiming it’s their own land. To make matters even worse, the British government had withdrawn from Palestine occupation in 1948 and had put Palestine under question with the UN. Of course in Britain fashion before war happened they had left the scenario.
Throughout 1947-1948, the Arab state grew in turmoil. In 1920 the population of Palestinians and Jewish people was a ratio of 1:10. Meaning that 90% of the people were Palestinian and 10% were Jewish. The population, 750,000. 675,000 vs 75,000.
Fast forward to 1947 the population had risen to 1.9 million. As the Palestinian occupants? 1.2 Million. Whilst the Jewish people around 650,000-700,000. 63% were Palestinian and 31% were Jewish, with the rest of the percentage (5%) being others.
That alone tells you the land's status certainly changed. And it would become worse. As throughout 1947-1948, Palestinian families started to get kicked out of their homes. Some even shot at their homes. Territory slowly faded away from the hands of these people as the belief of a Jewish State was labeled for this massacre. Jewish living space in other words, which sounds really familiar considering just 2-3 years ago, a certain individual would claim the same.
In 1948 the issue of Palestine was brought to the UN, and they had decided that this land of Palestine and Israel would be split. One state being Muslim (for the Palestinians). Whilst another state was to be made the Jewish State (for the Israelites).
Building Up to the Six Days War - (1950-1967)
A sudden war grew colder as two major superpowers had basically made the entire world their playground. Areas like the Korean Peninsula, Vietnam, Central Africa, and Central America were all good examples. Of course this Palestine-Israel issue would be tested and played by the hands of both superpowers.
Throughout the years 1950-1967, the Palestinian population and Israel population grew differently. Palestinian land was shrinked as the opposite side of the Israelites had territory increased. In 1967 the population of the land would be 2.7 million. 2 million of them Israel, 700,000 of them being Palestinians. (80% vs 20%).
In fear of an incoming invasion from the Arabs, the Israelites declared war and had attacked the Arab World. The US in favor of this war chose Israel. The USSR chose the Arab countries. That being Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Palestine. Both superpowers were to send military aid throughout the duration of the conflict in competition with each other. And now came the infamous Six Days War.
Of course the Six Days War lasted Six Days in June 1967. Israel gained the Gaza Strip which was owned by Egypt at the time. And Israel had gotten other territories such as the West Bank from Jordan, Sinai Territory from Egypt, and Golan Heights from Syria.
And Israel basically smashed the rest of the Arab countries in just Six Days. Casualties in their favor. As roughly 2,000 casualties on Israel’s side vs the Arab’s 15,000-18,000.
This loss had enraged the Arabs, and you can say they were not ready to give up yet.
The Ramadan War (Yom Kippur War) - (1967-1973)
Like I had said Arab Nationalism didn’t end there. They got bloodthirsty for revenge. Their territory was to be seized and the Israelites basically boasted around the region with the victory of the Six Day War. But this would all change.
On October 6th 1973 a surprise attack was launched by the Egyptians in hope of retrieving stolen territory back. Shortly after Syria followed in hopes of taking back their stolen territory, the Golan Heights.
Following such an attack, the Israelites were damaged initially, but managed to get their foot back to action thanks to aid from foreign countries around the world and had started to fight back.
This didn’t stop the arrival of the global superpowers yet again, as the Cold War remained a tense rivalry. Just like the Six Day war, the USSR was to aid the Arab Nations. Where the US was to ally Israel for the duration of the war.
Israel managed to recoup strength, both sides fighting fiercely, as Egypt finally got grip on their territories; The Suez Canal and the Sinai Peninsula. Fighting still went on in the month of Ramadan, hence where the name comes from. Throughout the world though, note that this conflict is usually labeled as the Yom Kippur War but both are still the same war, just different names. And fighting would finally stop on October 25th 1973, as a ceasefire was put in place by the UN.
Although there wasn’t any clear victor in this war military wise, this highly boosted the Arab Nationalism, because of the fact that they can fight Israel toe to toe. As Israel this time didn’t have the edge with their quick attacks in the Six Day War.
Effects of the Ramadan War - (1973-present)
The war affected the political landscape. Territories that were taken during the Six Day War were all recouped by their occupying nations. Peace efforts were made within the region such as the signing of the Camp David Accords.
There was also the use of new military techniques. New Anti-Tank missiles were introduced and were highly effective against Israel, penetrating their defense in the process.
Arab Nationalism also increased like I had said, but many despite peace efforts were still hesitant on declaring Israel a proper nation.
Speaking of nations. The grip of Palestine was unfortunately still even worse today, as both parties had fought a conflict, known as the Gaza War that is still ongoing all the way back from October 7th 2023, as Israel continues to retain the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the Arab region. It is said that roughly 5-7 million people in Palestine are currently dislocated within their own region.
This war didn’t affect just the Arab landscape. It also affected the world. As a matter of fact some say that this war also got the two global superpowers to come closer together and to settle their differences.
Don't forget that oil was a hefty resource in the Arab region and it attracted loads of foreign forces to even occupy earlier in the century. This war made global oil prices skyrocket and caused fatigue in the oil industry.
Conclusion
To conclude the article, we can learn from how wars changed the landscape of a people. These series of wars had all changed the course of the Arab speaking world and even the entire world, impacting us on a daily level basis.
And we can take away how being united with your brothers, like the Arabs, brings great victory. As you're strong together compared to the strength of fighting individually. As we can see that with Zionism and Arab Nationalism. It also shows how big of a history geek I am. But that’s besides the point.
I hope we can all take away from this historical article and you learned from it. May Allah (SWT) forgive our past sins. Salaam (WRWB)