Middle East 681
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 22, 1953. End Date changed
from October 28, 1953. Settlement changed from None.
MID#3417
Dispute Number: 3417
Date(s): September 25, 1953 to January 22, 1958
Participants: 652 Syria/666 Israel
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 26–100 deaths
Narrative: In 1953, Israel began work on a drainage canal near Lake Tiberias and the
Sea of Galilee. The project was intended to divert water from the Jordan River basin
and direct it toward the Negev Desert. This project had been the cause of a serious
clash between Israel and Syria in 1951 when the Israeli project had trespassed into
the demilitarized zone. A ceasefire was established in that dispute, and the border was
relatively calm until 1953.
In September 1953, Israel suddenly began work on the water diversion proj-
ect again. UN officials requested that Israel halt work on the canal until it could
resolve its dispute with Syria. Israel ignored this request and a subsequent formal
request from the UN Security Council. The United States also threatened to with-
hold aid to Israel if it did not stop work on the canal. Israel retained its right to
work on the project according to lines demarcated in the 1949 armistice treaty
with Syria. From March 1954 through November 1957, both sides were involved
in a number of disputes related to the borders of the demilitarized zone, the water
diversion project, and fishing rights in the Sea of Galilee and on Lake Tiberias.
The most severe clash took place in December 1955 when Israel attacked Syria
in retaliation for an attack on Israeli fishermen. Israel’s invasion of Syria in the
demilitarized zone resulted in 37 battle deaths and was condemned by the United
Nations. Another serious clash was reported in July 1957 and was the last incident
reported for six months. In January 1958, Syria joined with Egypt to form the
United Arab Republic, and its military was placed under President Nasser’s com-
mand. The tension with Israel continued without resolution of the Lake Tiberias
and the demilitarized zone conflict.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 1953.
MID#3403
Dispute Number: 3403
Date(s): February 28, 1954
Participants: 652 Syria/666 Israel
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: An Israeli government aircraft was spraying fields near its border with
Syria when it came under attack by ground fire. Israel protested.