Emily, Mackenzie, Elizabeth, Acacia, Sydney, Grace

The 1967 Six Day War

Timeline 7:45 AM, Monday, June 5, the Six

Day War began with Israel launching the first strike

The IDF crossed into the Sinai and West Bank. Syria, Jordan and Egypt counter-attacked the same day

June 7: Battle on West Bank ended when Israel captured East Jerusalem. King Hussein agreed to cease-fire

June 8: Egypt agreed to a cease-fire

June 9: Syrian-Israeli fighting started

June 10: Shortly after midnight, Syria agreed to a cease-fire, ending the war

Arab/Palestinian Points of Contention

Around 1957, El Fatah (the Conquest) was formed in by disenfranchised and displaced Palestinians, with Yasser Arafat as its primary leader.From Syria, Fatah carried out commando attacks in resistance against the Israeli state.Nasser established the PLO in 1964, partly in an effort to control the Palestinian fedayeen, and the PLA was incorporated into factions of the Egyptian armed forces. But Nasser had to walk the delicate line of containing the Palestinians while also representing Arab Nationalism.By May of 1967, the Fatah had escalated their attacks, which Israel saw as a presage for war with Syria.But rather than back down, Nasser—facing criticism from other Arab countries—demanded that the UNEF troops withdraw from the border. Furthermore, he then closed the Straits of Tiran.

Israeli Points of ContentionIsrael found itself in an increasingly vulnerable position, as it was surrounded by hostile countries.This feeling of isolation was increased when an appeal to Western powers went largely ignored—the US was heavily involved in Vietnam, while the British and the French were resolved not to become involved.As such, the Israelis went on the offensive, and struck Syrian and Egyptian air forces (on the ground) first.

Gamal Nasser, President of Egypt – He closed the Straits of Tiran, forcing Israel into war. Planned and ordered the Egyptian attack on Israel.

Hafez al-Assad, President of Syria – Ordered the Syrian attacks on Israel, pressured Egypt into alliance and war

Levi Eshkol, Prime Minister of Israel – Sent a message to Jordan saying that Israel would not attack unless Jordan initiated violence

King Hussein of Jordan – Signed a defense pact with Egypt. Worried that the Palestinian guerillas’ aggression towards Israel would bring an attack on Jordan, undermining his authority

Moshe Dayan, Israeli Defense Minister – Formally marked the return of the Jews to their holiest site, the Old City

Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States – Imposed an arms embargo to France and Israel

Key Figures_________________________________

Important Battles• 6 June: The Battle of Ammunition Hill takes place in the northern part

of Jordanian controlled East Jerusalem

• 7 June: The Old City is captured by the IDF.

• 10 June: The Moroccan Quarter including 135 houses and the Al-Buraq mosque is demolished, creating a plaza in front of the Western Wall

• 28 June: Israel declares Jerusalem unified and announces free access to holy sites of all religions.

Source: wikipedia

The six day war ends on June 10, 1967 Arabs loose half their military equipment and Jordanian air force completely

destroyed by Israeli army Arab casualties over 18,000 while Israel loses only around 700 soldiers Israel comes out of the war in control of the Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, The

West Bank, and Jerusalem, as well as having successfully secured on their borders.

Nasser (Egyptian leader at the time) resigns following Israeli takeover of the Sinai Peninsula.

Those refugees placed on the west bank of the river forced to relocate to the eastern bank

Another 350,000 Palestinians become refugees (they either escaped to Jordan or succumbed to Israeli control due to Jordan’s involvement in the war on the west bank.

1,300,000 Arabs now under Palestinian control War spikes Palestinian nationalism (rise in guerilla organizations such as AL

Fattah and the PLO which commenced attacking Israelis) As a result, the UN passes resolution 242 in November 1967 in an attempt to

achieve “just and lasting peace” However, Israel ignores this.

Outcomes of the Six Day War

Schultze, Kirsten E. The Arab-Israeli Conflict. Pearson, 2008. Print.

Stoessinger, John. Why Nations Go to War. Wadsworth Publishing, 2010. Print.

Sources