Egypt Breaks Diplomatic Relations with the United States
1967-06-06
The June war followed a rapid breakdown of arrangements left by the Suez crisis. Egypt demanded the withdrawal of the United Nations Emergency Force and closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping. Johnson tried to assemble international support for reopening the waterway while urging restraint, but those efforts did not prevent war. Israel attacked on 5 June, and military developments quickly overtook the planned diplomatic contacts. [1]
On the second day of the June 1967 war, Egypt’s government withdrew recognition of the United States. Egyptian officials and Cairo Radio alleged that American aircraft were helping Israel. In Washington, Assistant Secretary of State Lucius Battle denied the allegation directly to Egyptian Ambassador Mustafa Kamel and said the United States would respond reciprocally. [4]
Only a day earlier, Kamel had joined other Arab chiefs of mission in a meeting with Under Secretary Eugene Rostow. Egypt’s vice president had postponed a planned visit to Washington after fighting began. Kamel urged President Lyndon Johnson to receive the Arab ambassadors and challenged Washington to clarify its position as diplomatic efforts gave way to war. [5]
The break removed the normal embassy relationship while leaving limited representation possible through protecting powers. Egypt maintained an interests section under India’s embassy in Washington; the United States established its own under Spain’s embassy in Cairo on 7 June. Full diplomatic relations would remain suspended until February 1974. [3] [2]
Related Diplomats
Sources
- The 1967 Arab–Israeli War
The Prewar Crisis; The War and Its Aftermath; withdrawal of UNEF, Straits of Tiran, June 5–10 occupations and Resolution 242
- U.S. Department of State: recognition and diplomatic relations with Egypt
Recognition; Diplomatic Relations
- Office of the Chief of Protocol: diplomatic representation of Egypt in Washington
Rows for 22 January 1924, 10 October 1946, and 6 June 1967
- Ambassador Nolte reports Egypt’s withdrawal of recognition
FRUS, 1964–1968, vol. XIX, document 178, pp. 328–329; telegram 8618; RG 59, POL 17 US–UAR
- State Department meeting with Arab chiefs of mission as war begins
FRUS, 1964–1968, vol. XIX, document 162, pp. 307–309; circular telegram 208191
Related Reading
Cite This Article
Egypt Breaks Diplomatic Relations with the United States. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record be9bb2bf0ba1364fb615. https://chanceries.org/research/history/egypt-rupture-1967-30442ad9fa/