Setting the Southern Border

MAP 8

El Arish El Arish

Rafah Rafah

Beersheba Beersheba

Kantara Kantara

Kosema Kosema

Bir Gafgafa Bir Gafgafa

Suez Suez

Aqaba Aqaba

A Tur A Tur

Sharm el-Sheikh Sharm el-Sheikh

M E D I T E R R A N E A N S E A

Suez

Canal

Gulf of

Eilat

L E G E N D

Turkish order, 1861

Jennings proposal

British-Turkish agreement, 1906

Border of 1906

Modern Israel border

N

40 km

25 mi

North at top. Outline is stylized. Scale applies along the Israel-Egypt border region.

MAP-008 · map

HISTORICAL MAPS

MAP 8 Setting the Southern Border

Boundary proposals and agreements, 1861 to 1906, with the modern border shown for reference

Great Britain wanted to move the border with the Ottoman Empire, then under strong German influence, further from the Suez Canal. In 1892, the Turks agreed to allow Egyptian guard stations near the Gulf of Eilat. In April 1906, the Turks finally gave in to British pressure.

The firm stand of the commander of the Turkish police station at Um Rashrash, now known as Eilat, played a pivotal role in shaping the modern border between Israel and Egypt in this strategic area, which was vital for access to the Red Sea and trade routes.

Today, the area once patrolled by Ottoman forces forms the southernmost point of Israel and the site of the city of Eilat, a major port and tourist destination. The modern border between Israel and Egypt, finalized through diplomatic agreements, follows this historic line, with Taba marking the frontier checkpoint.

KEY DATES

The Turks agree to allow Egyptian guard stations near the Gulf of Eilat.

April 1906 The Turks finally give in to British pressure.

Um Rashrash Turkish police station, now Eilat. Its commander’s firm stand shaped the border.

Taba Frontier checkpoint on the modern border between Israel and Egypt.

Reading the map Lines show the 1861 order, the Jennings proposal, the 1906 agreement and border, and today’s Israel border for reference.

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