The Six Day War

The Summary of the Conflict The Six Day War, also known as the Third Arab-Israeli War,  was fought between June 5th and June 10th 1967 by Israel and neighboring states of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. After a period if high tension and open Egyptian propaganda of "pushing Jews to the sea" led by Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, the war began on June 5th with Israel's ferocious pre-emptive strike against Egyptian air fields. The outcome was decisive victory of Israel. Israel gained control of the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula (from Egypt), the West Bank and East Jerusalem (from Jordan), and the Golan Heights (from Syria). For the first time in Israeli history since 1948, the Jews were able to enter and to pray at the Wester Wall where Jordanians in the late 1960's installed public lavatories.

The War Timeline June 5th and 6th Early in the morning, the Israeli Air Force launches a series of raids against Egyptian airfields, attacking 19 bases and destroying 285-309 aircraft. The strikes eliminate 85% of the Egyptian air force.  The Jordanian, Syrian and Iraqi air forces attack oil refineries in Haifa Bay and an airfield in Megiddo. By evening, Jordan's air force is wiped out, the Syrians lose two-thirds of their total air strength, and the Iraqi air force loses several planes. After two days, Israel has destroyed 400 enemy aircraft, 94% of them on the ground. Israel loses 26 aircraft in action. During this time, Jordanian forces lob thousands of shells into Jewish West Jerusalem, destroying hundreds of buildings and killing 20 people

June 7th After successful advances against the Jordanians in and around Jerusalem, and after 24 hours of internal debate and diplomatic outreach, the Israelis take over the Old City of Jerusalem. Before entering the city, Israel PM, Levi Eshkol sends a letter to King Hussein proposing that Jordan halt its attacks on Israeli territory, agree to a ceasefire, and begin  peace talks. There is no response from Jordan.   June 9th Israel begins ground operations against Syrian, hoping to secure its northeastern border after nearly two decades of Syrian attacks on the Galilee June 10th The war ends with Israeli forces in control of the Sinai Peninsula up to the Suez Canal, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights.

June 19th Israel offers Egypt and Syria return of the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights for a peace settlement to be negotiated directly. In the Golan, Israel offers to withdraw to the international border, not including territory conquered by Syria in 1948. The offer was transmitted through the United States, but turned down. Egypt and Syria refuse to negotiate with Israel   June 27th Israel officially annexes East Jerusalem. Because of the numerous holy sites in the Old City, Israel pointedly decides to respect the sensitive nature of these sacred places, ceding civilian authority over the Temple Mount to the Islamic Wakf authority. That day, the Knesset passes the Protection of Holy Places Law, stating: "The Holy Places shall be protected from desecration and any other violation and from anything likely to violate the freedom of access of the members of the different religions to the places sacred to them or their feelings with regard to those places." 

September 1st November 22nd The following year: Eight Arab heads of state attend an Arab League summit in Khartoum, Sudan, passing the "Khartoum Resolutions," also known as "The Three No's: No to peace with Israel No to recognition of Israel No to negotiations with Israel   November 22nd The United Nations Security Council passes Resolution 242, calling for "withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict in exchange for Arab acceptance of Israel." The following year: In the year following the Six-Day war, the PLO solidified its position in the West Bank and Gaza. Between September and December of 1968, the PLO launched 61 terrorist attacks against Israel, mostly against civilian targets, such as factories, movie theaters and private homes.

How the Conflict Was Resolved Israel had a stronger, better-equipped, and well trained army of soldiers full of battle moral and a sense of purpose which led to serious loses on lives and equipment of the Jordanian, Egyptian, and Syrian army. Those loses, confusion between soldiers, and general inability of Arab military leaders significantly weakened their army which eased Israel's progress in capturing the Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights. By June 10th, Israel had completed its final offensive in the Golan Heights, and ceasedfire was signed the day after. Factors described above led to the complete defeat of the Arab armies.

Lessons that Can Be Learned Israel demonstrated that it was able and willing to initiate strategic strikes in order to protect its territory and defeat its enemy. Egypt and Syria learned atactical lessons and launched attack in 1973 (The Yom Kippur War) in, fortunately, unsuccessful attempt to reclain their lost territory. The Arab-Israeli conflict was/is/will be one of the issues that affect the whole world, and for many observers it seems to be an unresolvable  until Arab states recognize the independence and sovereingty but most importantly the existence of Israel and the fundamental right of Jewish people to their holy land itself.