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The escalating conflict, 1964 to 73
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The Six Day War of 1967 transformed the map of the Middle East. Terrorism and a second war in 1973 followed.
The road to war, 1964 to 67
The Arab League's Cairo Conference (1964) led to the creation of the PLO.
Syria backed Fatah raids into Israel. Israel launched a raid on Samu in Jordan in 1966. On 7 April 1967 Israeli jets shot down Syrian planes.
The USSR wrongly told Egypt that Israel was massing troops against Syria. Nasser sent UN peacekeepers out of Sinai and closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping.
Syria backed Fatah raids into Israel. Israel launched a raid on Samu in Jordan in 1966. On 7 April 1967 Israeli jets shot down Syrian planes.
The USSR wrongly told Egypt that Israel was massing troops against Syria. Nasser sent UN peacekeepers out of Sinai and closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping.
The Six Day War and after
On 5 June 1967 Israel attacked first, destroying most of Egypt's air force on the ground. In six days it captured Sinai, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
UN Resolution 242 called for Israel to withdraw from occupied land and for all states to live in peace: 'land for peace'.
More Palestinians became refugees. Palestinian groups turned to terrorism: the PFLP hijacked planes in 1970; Jordan expelled the PLO in 1970; Black September killed Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics (1972).
UN Resolution 242 called for Israel to withdraw from occupied land and for all states to live in peace: 'land for peace'.
More Palestinians became refugees. Palestinian groups turned to terrorism: the PFLP hijacked planes in 1970; Jordan expelled the PLO in 1970; Black September killed Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics (1972).
Yom Kippur War, 1973
Nasser died in 1970; Anwar Sadat led Egypt and expelled Soviet advisers in 1972.
On 6 October 1973, the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack and made early gains.
Israel, resupplied by the USA, fought back and crossed the Suez Canal before a ceasefire.
Arab oil producers used oil as a weapon against the West.
On 6 October 1973, the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack and made early gains.
Israel, resupplied by the USA, fought back and crossed the Suez Canal before a ceasefire.
Arab oil producers used oil as a weapon against the West.
Explain why Israel won the Six Day War so quickly.
- Israel attacked first on 5 June 1967.
- It destroyed most of Egypt's air force on the ground.
- With control of the air, Israeli forces advanced rapidly on every front.
Answer: A surprise first strike gave Israel air control and rapid victory.
Cairo Conference 1964, PLO. Samu 1966, 7 April 1967. Six Day War 5 to 10 June 1967: Sinai, Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Golan. Resolution 242. PFLP hijacks 1970; PLO expelled from Jordan 1970; Munich 1972. Sadat; Yom Kippur War October 1973; oil weapon.
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