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3. The Ben Gurion Canal Project: A Viable Alternative to the Suez Canal?

As geopolitical and economic issues in the Middle East continue to dominate global discussions, a concept from the 1960s is resurfacing: the Ben Gurion Canal project. Named after David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister and a key figure in the creation of the Jewish state, this ambitious initiative proposes linking the Gulf of Aqaba at Israel’s southern tip (Eilat) with the Mediterranean Sea near Ashkelon. If realized, this 292.9 km canal—almost one and a half times the length of the Suez Canal—would not only be an extraordinary engineering achievement but also a powerful strategic and economic tool in an ever-evolving region.

A Historical and Strategic Legacy

The idea of an alternative canal is hardly new. In the aftermath of the Suez Crisis in the 1950s, Israel, cut off from reliable access to this critical maritime route, began considering the development of an independent passage to secure its trade routes. By 1963, a declassified document even suggested using 520 underground nuclear explosions to expedite the excavation of such a canal in the Negev Desert—a daring plan that, although extreme, symbolized Israel’s determination to reduce its reliance on a vulnerable canal susceptible to blockages and international tensions.

Outstanding Technical and Economic Features

The envisioned Ben Gurion Canal project boasts several notable advantages:

• Route and Size: Starting at Eilat, the canal would cross the Israeli desert, potentially passing close to Gaza, before reaching the Mediterranean coast near Ashkelon. At a length of 292.9 km, it would far surpass the 193.3 km of the Suez Canal.

• Capacity and Innovation: The canal is designed with two lanes to allow for simultaneous traffic in both directions. Its dimensions would be capable of accommodating the largest commercial vessels, with greater depth and width than the Suez Canal.

• Massive Investment: With cost projections ranging from $16 to $55 billion, the scale and complexity of the project highlight the immense technical and financial resources required to bring this infrastructure vision to life.

Economic and Geostrategic Stakes

In addition to its technical specifications, the Ben Gurion Canal is viewed as a potential alternative to the Suez Canal, whose strategic importance is constantly evolving. The Suez currently handles around 12% of global trade and 30% of container traffic, yet it has faced several disruptions—most notably during the Suez Crisis and the recent blockage by the Ever Given—highlighting its inherent vulnerabilities. A new maritime route, under Israeli control, could significantly alter global trade flows and shift the economic dynamics of the region. For some analysts, such a corridor would provide Israel and its allies with considerable leverage over international trade and energy transit.

Controversies and Regional Repercussions

The Ben Gurion Canal project has stirred significant controversy, raising several important issues:

• Impact on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: The proposed route, which could pass close to or even through sensitive areas such as Gaza, raises concerns about the potential use of the project to alter borders or exert further control over Palestinian territories.

• Reactions from Neighboring Countries: A canal controlled by Israel would challenge Egypt's longstanding dominance over the Suez Canal, a major source of income for the country. Moreover, the project could be viewed by the Arab world and beyond as a unilateral attempt to shift the regional balance of power.

• Technical and Financial Challenges: With its staggering cost and the environmental challenges associated with such a large-scale infrastructure project, the actual construction of the canal remains a complex endeavor, both technically and politically.

Future Outlook

The Ben Gurion Canal project has been a topic of discussion and speculation for decades, and its realization hinges on several critical factors: regional stability, international alliances, and the political will of all parties involved. Some see the project as an opportunity to strengthen Israel’s economy and secure alternative trade routes, while others worry that it could escalate tensions in an already volatile Middle East.

For the time being, the canal remains primarily a vision—an ambitious undertaking that embodies both Israel’s aspirations for economic independence and the ongoing geopolitical challenges in a region in search of innovative solutions to its deep-rooted issues.