Egypt and China in big trouble as Israel want to build another Suez Canal
TEL AVIV : Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, Israel is preparing to create an alternative to the Suez Canal. It would be named Ben Gurion Canal. This canal will connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Arabian Sea, serving as a substitute for the Suez Canal.
This raises the question of why Israel wants to create an alternative to the Suez Canal. As per experts, the 15-month-long war in Gaza is not only an existential struggle between Israel and the Palestinians but also a global geo-economic war between the United States and its adversaries, specially China. In this context, Israel, with the help of America, wants to create an alternative canal that would not be under the control of Middle Eastern countries.
Where Will Ben Gurion Canal Pass Through?
It is noteworthy that the concept for the Ben Gurion Canal was first introduced in 1963, an artificial waterway, which is 260 to 300 kms long, passes through the Negev Desert, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea.
The proposed route map for the canal includes the central Gaza Strip. It will start in Gaza and join the Gulf of Aqaba. Gulf of Aqaba is the place from where cargo ships can easily navigate through the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea and beyond.
What makes the Ben Gurion Canal special?
The project envisions two lanes (each 50 meters deep and 200 meters wide) to accommodate large ships. In comparison, the Suez Canal has only one lane, which means that congestion could lead to significant delays. In 2021, the Ever Given container ship’s blockage caused $9.6 billion worth of goods to be stuck for six days. Therefore, the proposed waterway in Israel would feature exceptional construction, including the “Project Ploshare” under the TOR Secret Program, which involves the detonation of 520 two-megaton nuclear bombs (totaling over 1 gigaton) as part of the ‘nuclear excavation’ plan from the Lawrence Livermore Labs in the 1960s.
Challenges in Building The Canal
Israel faces several challenges in the Ben Gurion Canal project, the biggest hurdle in the project is the massive budget. It is believed that the cost to build the canal is in billions of dollars, making it difficult for Israel alone to build it. Additionally, there are major security concerns. One end of the canal is near the area controlled by Houthi rebels, who could easily target ships and vessels with cheap drones. Similarly, groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza could pose a threat to the security of the canal.
The Benefits For Israel
The Ben Gurion Canal could provide long-term strategic benefits to Tel Aviv and America. Both the countries could capture a share of the 12 percent of shipping that passes through the Suez Canal, and by offering cheaper transit to partners and other allies. US and Israel could also undermine China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as the BRI project heavily depends on Egypt’s Suez Canal.