On June 5th 1967 Israel launched a series of strikes against Egyptian airfields. These attacks crippled the Egyptian Air Force and began the conflict that would become known as the Six-Day War. Over the following days Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon all threw their military support behind Egypt. These reinforcements proved wholly inadequate, however, and in less than a week Israel stood victorious and its borders considerably expanded.
The Six-Day War has proved to be a significant point in the history of the Middle-East. The resulting territorial changes gave Israel a strong defensible border that has remained largely unchanged for almost 50 years. Their impressive victory also shored up Israel’s geopolitical position and established the Israel Defence Forces as the dominant military force in the region. This victory didn’t come without controversy, however. Why did Israel strike first? How was this surrounded nation able to come out on top? And what has the lasting legacy of the Six-Day War been?
Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin talking to soldiers in the field May 30th 1967, by Israeli Government Press Office
Tensions had existed between Israel and her neighbours since the First Arab-Israeli War and the resulting formation of the State of Israel. In 1956 these tensions erupted once again with the Suez Crisis. While this conflict did little to cool relations in the region it did see the Sinai Peninsula become a demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and her largest neighbour, Egypt. Though a UN peacekeeping force ensured peace in Sinai, if only temporarily, there was little they could do along Israel’s other boarders. When war came in ’67 it was Syria that proved to be the flashpoint.
Israel had long been a target for Palestinian guerrilla forces. While Egypt and Jordan had been reluctant to aid these forces in any way Syria had done little to curb attacks across their borders. In light of this policy Israel became increasingly belligerent toward Syria; even threatening to invade and overthrow the Syrian regime if these attacks continued. Since 1966 Egypt had been in a mutual defence pact with Syria and any such invasion demanded that Egypt retaliate.
When Egypt received false reports in May from the Soviet Union of an Israeli invasion force amassing on the Syrian border President Nasser, understandably, reacted. The UN force in Sinai was dismissed and Egypt began to amass troops there as a threat against any Israeli attack on Syria. Though it had been discovered that the Soviet reports were false Egypt was reluctant to back down.
Nasser had received sharp criticism for his lack of action over Israeli excursions into Syria and Jordan in 1966 and ’67 and was unwilling to lose face once again. The threats of invasion also pushed Egypt to move against Israel or leave it able to act unchecked in the region. Egypt defended its actions claiming that the build-up of troops was a deterrent against Israeli aggression and insisted that it would not act unless provoked.
By the end of May the situation had escalated with Jordan signing a mutual defence pact with Egypt and allowing the Iraqi army to mobilise alongside its own on the Israeli border. Egypt also closed the Straits of Tiran on May 22nd, cutting off Israeli access to the Red Sea. In the wake of the Suez Crisis Israel had asserted that any such closing of the Straits would be considered an act of war. They reiterated this stance during Egypt’s mobilisation and used the closing of the Straits as their casus belli on the 5th of June.
Israeli troops inspect a downed Egyptian aircraft, by יחזק×ל (×—×–×™) רחמי×
With superior training and the element of surprise the Israeli Air Force was quickly able to knock out its Egyptian counterpart. As its aircraft were attacking from the skies Israel launched a ground offensive at the defences in the Sinai Peninsula. After some initial resistance the Egyptians ordered a full retreat. Over the following days the Israeli forces chased the Egyptian army across Sinai, inflicting heavy casualties along the way, and on June 8th they reached the peninsula’s western coast.
In the wake of Israel’s attack Nasser looked to Syria and Jordan for support. Using the confusion over events to his advantage he convinced them that the Israeli airstrikes had been unsuccessful and that Egypt was on the offensive. Both nations attacked Israel and quickly discovered how erroneous Nasser’s information was.
Relying on their superior training and quick turnaround time the Israeli Air Force replicated their earlier victory over Egypt by quickly destroying the Syrian and Jordanian aircraft and runways. With total air superiority established Israel sent troops into the Jordanian controlled West Bank and quickly had Eastern Jerusalem encircled. Two days later, on June 7th, the Israelis captured Jerusalem, Nablus, and Bethlehem. The Jordanian forces retreated across the River Jordan leaving Israel in control of the West Bank.
With Sinai, Gaza, and the West Bank all under control Israel turned her sights on Syria and the ending of the Six-Day War. A high and rough plateau, the Golan Heights create a natural barrier between Israel and Syria. Holding the aerial advantage, however, allowed Israeli command to strike at the Syrian fortifications and on June 9th they launched a ground offensive through the Golan Heights.
Isreali troops from the 'Shaked' unit in Sinai, by רפי רוגל
Despite fierce resistance the Syrians were forced to withdraw and by the end of June 10th Israel was in control of the Golan plateau. The next day a ceasefire was signed and the Six-Day War was brought to an end. The result was a resounding Israeli victory; Arab casualties stood at a staggering 20,000 to the fewer than 1,000 Israelis killed while the territory under Israel’s control also tripled in size.
The Israeli victory wasn’t without controversy. The use of pre-emptive strikes has always been a contentious issue and many people have taken issue with Israel’s justification for their attack. Commentators have also asked questions of the extent of the United State’s involvement in the conflict.
The greatest controversy, however, emerged from Israel’s territorial gains. Thousands were displaced as a result of the fighting with the majority of refugees coming from the Golan Heights and the West Bank. While the Sinai Peninsula was gradually returned to Egypt Israel maintained control over the rest of its territorial gains. This has remained a constant source of friction in the Middle East generating numerous wars and countless acts of violence.
Patrick talks with a panel of experts about the Six-Day War. Join ‘Talking History’ as we look at the history and legacy of this conflict. How did it start? Was Israel’s attack justified? What has the legacy of the war been? And what role did the US, UK, and Soviet Union play?
Patrick also talked with Padraig Lenihan about his biography of the 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, 'The Last Cavalier: Richard Talbot'. A full list of 'Talking History' book recommendations can be found here.
