LAVON AFFAIR Meaning and
Definition
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The Lavon Affair refers to a covert operation that took place in the early 1950s involving Israeli intelligence agents who were tasked with conducting a series of false-flag bombings in Egypt. The term itself specifically denotes this controversial event, which had long-lasting implications for Israeli-Arab relations.
In more detail, the Lavon Affair refers to the secret plot orchestrated by Israel's intelligence agency, the Mossad, to carry out a series of bombings in Egypt. The operation aimed to destabilize Egyptian-American relations, as well as sabotage Nasser's regime by assigning blame to Egyptian Muslims and potentially sparking anti-Western sentiments. The false-flag attacks targeted British and American institutions, including libraries, cinemas, and post offices.
However, the operation was eventually exposed when one of the operatives was caught in the act of planting a bomb. The subsequent arrest and subsequent trial of the Israeli agents generated an international scandal, inciting public outrage in Egypt and straining diplomatic relations between Egypt and Israel.
The Lavon Affair is often seen as a significant event as it shed light on the lengths to which intelligence agencies were willing to go to achieve their objectives, including the use of false-flag attacks. Furthermore, it became a point of contention in Israeli society, with debates revolving around the ethics and efficacy of such covert operations.
Etymology of LAVON AFFAIR
The term "Lavon Affair" refers to a controversial incident that took place in the 1950s, involving a failed Israeli covert operation known as Operation Susannah or Operation "Balsam", named after the code name for the operation. The operation aimed to destabilize relations between Egypt and the Western powers by staging terrorist attacks on American and British targets in Egypt without implicating Israel.
The word "Lavon" in the term "Lavon Affair" refers to Pinhas Lavon, who was the Defense Minister of Israel at the time. He was accused of giving the orders for the covert operation, and his involvement became the center of the political scandal and subsequent intrigue. The affair had significant political repercussions in Israel, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and a major controversy within Israeli society.
