The Protracted Conflict

As soon as the UAR and Israel agreed to a Suez ceasefire, with the prospect of serious negotiations toward a settlement, civil war in Jordan became inevitable.

Whatever Nasser may have said, now and then, for demagogic purposes, the destruction of Israel is not essential to him or to the UAR government. Naturally he (and any Egyptian government) does not want in his neighborhood an Israel so strong astobea real and constant threat. Naturally, also, Nasser cannot willingly accept the invasion and conquest of Egyptian territory. But it does not follow that Nasser (or another Egyptian leader) must therefore seek “to drive the Israelis into the sea”—if indeed he ever did use this over-quoted phrase.

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James Burnham

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As soon as the UAR and Israel agreed to a Suez ceasefire, with the prospect of serious negotiations toward a settlement, civil war in Jordan became inevitable.

Whatever Nasser may have said, now and then, for demagogic purposes, the destruction of Israel is not essential to him or to the UAR government. Naturally he (and any Egyptian government) does not want in his neighborhood an Israel so strong astobea real and constant threat. Naturally, also, Nasser cannot willingly accept the invasion and conquest of Egyptian territory. But it does not follow that Nasser (or another Egyptian leader) must therefore seek “to drive the Israelis into the sea”—if indeed he ever did use this over-quoted phrase.