# Suez Crisis at 70 Reveals Hidden French Humiliation Archival footage exposes how French authorities censored the 1956 military failure from public view. - **Source:** [RFI English](https://www.rfi.fr/en) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c39b7ad5-db18-4270-bada-45580bcc98b2 ## Seventy Years of Silence Seventy years after the 1956 Suez Crisis, newly analyzed archival footage reveals the extent of French censorship. While the military operation against Egypt was a tactical success, it ended in a diplomatic disaster. French authorities deliberately excluded images of their troops withdrawing from cinema newsreels to protect the nation's perceived global influence. ## Nationalization and Geopolitical Tensions In July 1956, Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, ending European control over the vital waterway. This move followed the United States' withdrawal of funding for the Aswan High Dam. Nasser sought to assert Egyptian sovereignty, while France and the UK viewed his actions as a direct threat. ## The Secret Sèvres Agreement In October 1956, representatives from France, the UK, and Israel met secretly in Sèvres to orchestrate a military intervention. The plan involved an Israeli invasion of the Sinai, followed by a European ultimatum demanding withdrawal. This maneuver was designed to provide a pretext for the two powers to occupy the canal zone. ## Military Action and Deception Fighting began on October 29, with French fighter jets flying under Israeli markings to conceal their involvement. Despite methodical bombing of Egyptian air bases, the intervention faced immediate international condemnation. The United Nations General Assembly demanded a ceasefire, while the Soviet Union issued nuclear threats against the invading European nations. ## The Role of Censorship State-controlled company Actualités Françaises produced newsreels that omitted critical scenes of the withdrawal. Footage showing UN troops replacing national flags and the destruction of the Ferdinand de Lesseps monument in Port Said was kept from the public. These omissions aimed to maintain the illusion of French strength during a period of decline. ## Nasser's Political Victory Although Egyptian forces were defeated militarily, Nasser emerged as the clear political winner of the conflict. The nationalization of the canal was ultimately accepted by the international community. The crisis solidified Nasser's status as a hero of pan-Arab nationalism and highlighted the shifting power dynamics of the post-colonial era. ## End of Imperial Influence The Suez Crisis marked a turning point where France and the UK faced the limits of their colonial power. Disowned by the United Nations and pressured by the United States and the Soviet Union, France was forced to negotiate with the new superpowers. This humiliation fundamentally altered France's international standing and policy. ## Historical Legacy and Impact The crisis accelerated the decline of European colonial influence in the Middle East. It also influenced internal French politics, contributing to the creation of the Unified Socialist Party in 1960. Today, the archival footage serves as a reminder of how governments manipulate information to manage their image during times of crisis. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20261106-suez-canal-crisis-at-70-reveals-the-humiliation-france-tried-to-keep-hidden-ina — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._