Six-Day War Andy Baldwin, Jonathan Colner, Sophia Kecskes, Madeleine Matheis, Will Schreiber, and Lucy Wyman

Map of the Conflict

Timeline of the Six-Day War June 5, Day 1 - Israel destroys most of Egyptian air force. Jordan, Syria and Iraq attack Israel. June 6, Day 2 - Fighting continues on all fronts. June 7, Day 3 - Jerusalem taken. Blockade of Straits of Tiran broken. June 8, Day 4 - Israel consolidates hold on West Bank. June 9, Day 5 - Israel and Syria in heavy fighting on the Golan. June 10, Day 6 - Israel gains control of the Golan Heights.

Israeli Points of Contention Syrian-Israeli relations were tense, and the 1966 battle near the Sea of Galilee increased Israel's threat perception. The UNEF, which was stationed along the Egypt- Israel border and had greatly reduced conflict, was removed at the demands of Egypt. Nasser closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping, which was seen as an act of war. After Israeli attempts at negotiation, it became clear that if Israel didn't attack first, the Arabs would.

More Israeli Points of Contention In short, there was peril for Israel wherever it looked. Its manpower had been hastily mobilized. Its economy and commerce were beating with feeble pulses. Its streets were dark and empty. There was an apocalypse air of approaching peril. And Israel faced this danger alone. -Abba Eban, Israeli Foreign Minister

Arab Points of Contention After the failure of the United Arab Republic, Nasser and Syria sign a defensive pact, tying Egypt to the tensions between the Syrian-Fatah alliance and Israel. The Arab world sees unwillingness to fight in Israel as they attack Jordan, instead of the obviously Fatah-tied Syria. Many Arab countries still refuse to recognize Israel as a country. Nasser is unwilling to yield passage through the Straits of Tiran Nasser demands rights of the Palestinians.

Soviet Union's Key "Mistake" On May 13, 1967, the USSR informs Nasser that Israel was deploying large amounts of troops on the border with Syria. However, this report turned out to be false. Whether this was an accident or done on purpose is open to debate. Whatever the motivations, Nasser retaliates by massing his own troops in the Gaza Strip, prompting a real Israeli concentration of troops, ultimately leading to war.

Key People Gamal Abdel Nasser, President of Egypt: Initiated the conflict due to misinformation from the Soviets, did so with this statement: "Our basic objective will be the destruction of Israel. The Arab people want to fight." Announced his resignation on June 8th after losing Sinai to Israelis, to the grief of many Arabs who saw him as a figure of Arab pride and hope. Hafez al-Assad, President of Syria: Threats from Israel caused the beginning of the conflict. During war Syria lost Golan Heights, a blow which his presidency never recovered from. Moshe Dayan, Israeli Defense Minister: Together with Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin led assault on Arabs, planning and authorizing most of the attacks. Was more conservative in choosing what to capture than his colleagues. Levi Eshkol, Prime Minister of Israel: More enthusiastic about risky attacks than Dayan, but deferred most military decisions to he and Rabin. U Thant, Secretary General of the United Nations: Agreed to pull UN troops from Sinai as per request of Egypt, allowing war to begin. Condemned Israeli attacks, tried to defuse situation and convince Nasser not to go to war. Had little power, though.

Key Battles June 5 - Israeli preemptive air strike crippled Egyptian Air Force. June 7-8 - Israeli conquest of Sinai Peninsula and Gaza. June 5-7 - Israeli forces invaded the West Bank and captured Jerusalem. June 9-10 Israel invaded Golan Heights in Syria.

Outcome of the Conflict The end of the war saw Israel in a much stronger strategic position. Israel had seized the Gaza Strip, the Sinai peninsula, the West Bank and the Golan Heights Within the territory gained lived 1.3 million palestinians and as a result of the war the "Palestinian problem" became Israel's problem and grew in prominence. Israel's image changed from an underdog to a powerful nation, profoundly affecting the Jewish mindset. United States' relations with Arab states deteriorated UN resolution 242 called for the return of conquered territory. Egypt, Jordan and Israel accepted the resolution, however Israel was unwilling to release all the territory, namely, East Jerusalem. This led to continued tensions.

Sources Kristen Schultze - The Arab-Israeli Conflict John Stoessinger - Why Nations go to War The Turning Point: June 1967 T. G. Fraser - The Arab-Israeli Conflict