The Six Day War Richelle, Nick, Collin, Sean, Adrian Jess

Six Day War While the previous map showed a before and after visual of land control, this map depicts how Israel gained land. Israel made inconceivable progress across Sinai in just six days.

Arab and Palestinian Points of Contention Palestinians felt that they had to keep up with Israeli’s hostile rhetoric Lead to Palestinian political and military revival Nasser established PLO to coordinate military when needed for more organization Rise to political power of Ba’thists in Syria was last action before escalation to fighting Egypt signed mutual defense pact with Syria Soviets told Nasser that Israeli troops intended to invade Syria. Nasser had to act because of defense pact. But Israeli troops never showed.

Nasser moved troops into Sinai Nasser proclaimed a state of emergency for Egyptian armed forves Syrian leadership accused Nasser of “hiding behind the sheltering skirts of the United Nations Emergency Force” This sparked anti-Zionist demonstrations from Arabs Message on radio rallied people together to once and for all end Israel’s very existence, and start battle Overwhelming feeling of Arab Nationalism Arab and Palestinian Points of Contention

Israeli Points of Contention Attacks on Israel were increasingly intense In August, 1966, Egypt and Syria battled near the Sea of Galilee and then signed a mutual defense pact; Israel perceived this as a threat On May 14th, 1967, Egyptian troops moved into the Sinai On May 22nd, as he had been threatening, Nasser closed the Straits of Tiran Israel again saw Egypt and its allies as aggressors when Jordan joined the mobilizing troops on May 21 st and signed a mutual defense agreement 9 days later On June 3 rd, Israel attempted to negotiate the reopening of the Straits with Egypt’s vice president, but failed To Israelis, it was simply a question of who would strike first

Key Players U Thant – The United Nations Secretary General who decided to comply with the Egyptian demand to withdraw the UNEF troops patrolling the border of Egypt and Israel. He knew it was a bad idea but felt he had to do it because UNEF had no legal right to be there without the consent of the host country. “The umbrella was removed at the precise moment it started to rain.” Abba Eban, Israeli Foreign Minister Nasser- Decided, as a politician, that it would be more beneficial to ride the popular wave of extremism and comply by starting a war rather than fighting against the emotions of his people. He started/sparked the war by prohibiting Jewish access to the Gulf of Aqaba, which had been previously available for use by both countries. May 22, Nasser announces this in a dramatic, aggressive speech.

Key Players General Moshe Dayan- Popular for his success in the 1956 Sinai Campaign. Appointed to Military of Defense upon popular demand after Nasser’s speech and four days before the war officially began. A strategic study in London concludes, “…The Israeli Defense Force provided a textbook illustration for all the classical principles of war: speed, surprise, concentration, security, information, the offensive- and above all, training and morale.” Basically, he was personally responsible for swift the Israeli victory.

Key Battles Fatah raids and small battles at the Israeli-Syrian border led up to the Six-Day war. 7:45AM, Monday, June 5 th, The Six-Day War began with Israel eliminating 304 Egyptian, 53 Syrian, and 28 Jordanian aircrafts. On the Egyptian front:  The air force elimination created a major advantage lasting throughout the rest of the conflict, leaving Arab forces as easy targets.  Israeli Armed Forces took control of the Gaza Strip, and the entire Sinai up to the Suez Canal by the end of the week.  Cease-fire was called by Nasser on June 8 th.

Key Battles On the Jordanian Front:  Again the lack of air force was brutal for the Arabs.  West Bank was captured by Israel on June 7 th ; Jordan called for a cease-fire later that day. On the Syrian Front:  Israel didn’t even start fighting Syria until June 9 th, after Egypt and Jordan had been defeated.  The battles in Syria only lasted less than a day, as a cease- fire was called by Syria by midnight the same day.

Outcome Although the Palestinians were angry about the outcome, Americans were pleased. The six day war strengthened the relationship between Israel and the United States. After Israel’s victory, United States’ influence was extended in the Middle East Israel lost 777 men 15,000 Egyptians dead, 2,500 Syrians dead and 8,000 Jordanians dead Many Palestinians were frustrated with the war’s outcome. Now Israel ruled ¾ million Palestinians after capturing the Gaza, West Bank and Sinai.

Credits Authors of presentation: Richelle Nick Collin Adrian Sean Jess Sources: Fraser, T. G. The Arab-Israeli Conflict. 3rd ed. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, Print. Information also collected from: The Arab-Israeli Conflict by Kirsetn E. Schultze Why Nations Go To War by John Stoessinger