In 1967, tensions were high between Israel and its Arab neighbors. When false Russian intelligence informed Egypt of Israel planning an attack on Syria, a close ally, Egypt began preparing for armed conflict and Gamal Abdel Nasser ordered 40,000 soldiers along with 3,000 tanks to the Sinai border. News of this impending attack spread and Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon joined.
“We shall not enter Palestine with its soil covered in sand, we shall enter it with its soil saturated in blood” -Gamal Abdel Nasser (Six Day War: Crucial Quotes, 1965)
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(Six Day War Maps, 2000)
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“With regard to military plans, there is complete coordination of military action between us and Syria. We will operate as one army fighting a single battle for the sake of a common objective - the objective of the Arab nation.” (Nasser, 1967)
“The existence of Israel is an error which must be rectified. This is our opportunity to wipe out the ignominy which has been with us since 1948. Our goal is clear – to wipe Israel off the map” -President of Iraq (Six Day War: Crucial Quotes, 1967)
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When the intelligence was proven false, rather than compromise and stop marching, possibly looking weak, Nasser continued with his planned massacre of Israel without any provocation. Rather than avoid war, Nasser pursued an unnecessary conflict.
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Nasser announced that the Straits of Tiran would be cut off to Israel. As Israel relied on this for trade, it took this restriction as a declaration of war. After eight days Levi Eshkol, the Minister of Defense, gave his post to Moshe Dayan, who believed that a siege is justification for a strike.
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(Xenakis, 2016)
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(Six Days in June, 1967)
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Nasser continued to rally his people who partied in the streets at the prospect of war with Israel. However, Israeli citizens reacted differently, a nation wide economic shutdown began so they could focus all efforts on the war. Instead of being elated, they were scared for their lives and turned parks into mass graves, preparing for an all encompassing slaughter.
One Israeli stated, "I remember that in my heart I had decided that if we were conquered I would turn on the gas and we [herself and her young children] would die together." (Six Days in June, 29:28). |
Having realized the economic ramifications of the blockade, Dayan decided to launch preemptive strikes. On June 5, 1967 Israel's air force deployed at 7:50 am to take out eighteen Egyptian air bases, destroying 280 planes while also incapacitating Syria and Jordan's air forces. Simultaneously Israel launched tanks into the Sinai Peninsula leading to several Egyptian losses and a retreat that resulted in the capture of 20,000 Egyptian troops. Rather than stem further conflict, the Israeli army compromised with the POWS, released lower level soldiers while higher ranking officials were detained for questioning.
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(Halon, 1967)
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(Israel's War-Hero Politician, 1967)
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Meanwhile in Jordan, despite the shell firing into Israel, Israel gained control of Jerusalem. Israel put up their flag in the Jewish quarter and finally gained access to the Western Wall.
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(The Six Day War: Israeli Troops Capture Western Wall in East Jerusalem, 1967)
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OutcomeBy the end of the conflict Israel gained a lot of territory including: Sinai Peninsula, Jerusalem, Golan Heights, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. A ceasefire was proposed, originally rejected by Syria and Egypt; however, as more territory was lost, both countries changed position and signed.
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(Borders/Territory, 2017)
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