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Tension and conflict, 1956 to 73
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Two major wars, in 1967 and 1973, and the rise of Palestinian armed groups shaped the Middle East.
The Six-Day War, 1967
Tension grew as Nasser closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping and massed troops.
In June 1967 Israel struck first and defeated Egypt, Jordan and Syria in six days.
Israeli gains: Sinai, Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
It was a turning point: more Palestinians came under Israeli rule.
In June 1967 Israel struck first and defeated Egypt, Jordan and Syria in six days.
Israeli gains: Sinai, Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
It was a turning point: more Palestinians came under Israeli rule.
Palestinian resistance
The PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation) became the main Palestinian organisation; Yasser Arafat became its leader in 1969.
In Black September (1970) Jordan expelled the PLO after fighting.
At the Munich Olympics (1972), the Black September group killed 11 Israeli team members.
In Black September (1970) Jordan expelled the PLO after fighting.
At the Munich Olympics (1972), the Black September group killed 11 Israeli team members.
The Yom Kippur War, 1973
In October 1973 Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Yom Kippur, a Jewish holy day.
Israel recovered and pushed back, but Arab states had shown they could fight effectively.
The Cold War shaped the conflict: the USA supported Israel; the USSR supplied Egypt and Syria.
Israel recovered and pushed back, but Arab states had shown they could fight effectively.
The Cold War shaped the conflict: the USA supported Israel; the USSR supplied Egypt and Syria.
Why was the Six-Day War a turning point?
- Israel captured large areas including the West Bank and Gaza.
- About a million Palestinians came under Israeli rule.
- This created the issue of occupied territories at the heart of later conflict.
Answer: Israel's capture of territory created the occupied territories at the centre of later disputes.
Six-Day War (June 1967): Israel took Sinai, Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. The PLO rose under Arafat; Black September (1970) and the Munich Olympics attack (1972). Yom Kippur War (October 1973): a surprise Arab attack, with the superpowers backing opposite sides.
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