The October 1973 War and the Saudi Position

Abstract

The research aims to shed light on the war that took place between the Zionist entity and the Arab countries (Egypt, Syria) in 1973 AD in order to demand the return of the usurped Arab lands occupied by (Israel). The Egyptian and Syrian forces launched surprise air and ground attacks on (Israeli) positions in the Sinai Peninsula and the occupied Golan Heights. The war witnessed heroism and great challenges. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had a major and effective role, despite the lack of borders adjacent to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with (Israel), but it intervened effectively, whether politically or economically, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supported the Arab countries surrounding it, especially Egypt, Syria and Jordan. This comes within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, its Arab and Islamic duty, and its weight in the regional environment. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia used (oil) as a weapon in the battle, and called on the Arab and Islamic oil-exporting countries to boycott all those who support (Israel), especially the United States of America and Britain as a weapon of political pressure. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also cut off oil exports to the United States of America. As the largest supporter of Israel, in October 1973, the decision to ban Arab oil led to a major global crisis and an unprecedented rise in oil prices. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also provided financial support to both Egypt and Syria to finance military operations, in order to maintain the momentum of the battle against the (Israeli) enemy until victory was achieved, and to cover the financial deficit in both Egypt and Syria. King Faisal bin Abdulaziz played a major and important role in participating with his Arab brothers in their fateful battle against the Zionist occupation.