A Game-Changer in the Middle East? Economic, Security, and Geopolitical Implications.

A Game-Changer in the Middle East?

Israel has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct a 160-mile canal, the Ben-Gurion Canal, connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. This waterway would bypass the Suez Canal, challenging Egypt's long-standing monopoly on the crucial shipping route between Europe and Asia.

The canal would begin at the Israeli port city of Eilat on the Red Sea, cross the Jordanian border, flow through the Arabah Valley and enter the Dead Sea before heading northward around the Gaza Strip, eventually reaching the Mediterranean. Its depth would exceed that of the Suez Canal by 10 meters, allowing the passage of the world's largest ships.

Proponents of the project predict significant economic benefits, with annual revenues estimated at £7.7 billion. They also see the canal as a tool to counter China's growing economic influence and its Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, the canal's rock walls would require less maintenance compared to the sand walls of the Suez Canal.

However, security concerns remain due to ongoing regional conflicts. The project is named after Israel's founding father, David Ben-Gurion, and was first conceived in the late 1960s.

Historically, Egypt blocked Israeli vessels from accessing the Suez Canal from 1948 to 1950, impacting Israel's trade and oil imports. The canal was also closed to international shipping during various periods, including eight years following the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israel believes an alternative canal would eliminate dependence on the Suez Canal and the Straits of Tiran. Some envision the project as a catalyst for regional cooperation and peace. A potential two-state solution or a union of independent states could allow the canal to traverse both Israeli and Palestinian territories, fostering economic interdependence.

As the global economy evolves and power dynamics shift, the Ben-Gurion Canal could emerge as a game-changer. It has the potential to reshape trade routes, bolster regional economies, and redefine geopolitical alliances in the Middle East and beyond.