Background
The issue developed after years of attacks by Israel and Egypt against each other. Egypt abrogated the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936, began restricting Israeli shipping, and in 1955 turned to Czechoslovakia to purchase weapons. In July 1956 the United States withdrew financial assistance for Egypt's Aswan Dam project, leading Egypt to nationalize the Suez Canal Company. In September, the Security Council convened to consider "the situation created by the unilateral action of the Egyptian government in bringing to an end the system of international operation of the Suez Canal" and "actions against Egypt by some Powers, particularly France and the United Kingdom, which constitute a danger to international peace and security and are serious violations of the Charter of the United Nations".
In October the Security Council passed Resolution 118 calling on the sovereignty of Egypt to be respected and the operation of the Suez Canal to be insulated from the politics of any country. However, Israel invaded Egypt shortly after. An American draft resolution calling on Israel to withdraw from Egypt to behind armistice lines was vetoed by France and the United Kingdom who joined Israeli forces in the invasion. Security Council Resolution 119 passed on October 31 admitted its failure to maintain international peace and security invoking the 1950 "Uniting for Peace" resolution triggering an emergency special session of the General Assembly.
Read more about this topic: First Emergency Special Session Of The United Nations General Assembly
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