Aftermath of the 1967 War

Question 1

What was one of the conditions outlined for Israel after the recent conflict?

Answer 1

Israel had to return the territories it occupied during the recent conflict.

Question 2

What was a demand placed on Arab countries concerning Israel’s rights?

Answer 2

Arab countries must recognize Israel’s right to security and its right to exist.

Question 3

What was one of the conditions related to the refugee issue after the conflict?

Answer 3

The refugee problem must be settled fairly.

Question 4

When was UN Resolution 242 adopted, and what was its focus?

Answer 4

1. UN Resolution 242 was adopted on November 22, 1967.
2. It proposed a Land for Peace solution.

Question 5

How did Israel respond to UN Resolution 242?

Answer 5

Israel was willing to negotiate with Egypt, Jordan, and Syria over occupied territories but was not willing to withdraw from them.

Question 6

What was the Palestinian reaction to UN Resolution 242?

Answer 6

Palestinians found it insulting as it referred to them as a ‘problem’ and said nothing about their right to return to their former homes.

Question 7

How did the Arab states, particularly the Arab League, respond to UN Resolution 242?

Answer 7

1. In August 1967, at the Arab League Conference in Khartoum, all states declared Israel had no right to exist, issuing the Three Nos - No peace, No recognition, and No negotiations.
2. Despite this, Egypt and Jordan appeared to accept UN Resolution 242, with Nasser emphasizing that Israel must withdraw from occupied territories first.

Question 8

What became the new ‘border’ between Israel and Egypt after the Suez Crisis, and how was the canal affected?

Answer 8

1. Suez became the new ‘border’ between Israel and Egypt.
2. The canal was blocked with sunken ships, and troops faced each other across the canal.

Question 9

Why did Egypt need to reopen the Suez Canal, and what obstacle did Israel create?

Answer 9

1. Egypt needed to reopen the canal for economic reasons.
2. Israel, not allowed to use the canal, made it impossible for Egypt to remove the sunken ships and reopen it.

Question 10

How did Nasser seek assistance in rearming against Israel, and what support did each side receive?

Answer 10

1. Nasser asked the USSR for help in rearming against Israel.
2. USSR provided fighter planes, anti-aircraft missiles, and 20,000 troops to build 80 missile bases for Egypt. Israel continued to receive support from the US in funding and weapons.

Question 11

What events led to the War of Attrition between Egypt and Israel from March 1969 to August 1970?

Answer 11

1. By mid-1968, Egyptian forces frequently bombed and raided Sinai targets.
2. Israeli forces retaliated by raiding and bombing Egyptian towns, cities, and oil refineries.

Question 12

What brought about a ceasefire in August 1970, and what were the consequences of the conflict?

Answer 12

1. In August 1970, both sides agreed to a ceasefire arranged by the USA, as neither could win.
2. Egypt’s economy was badly affected by bombing and the lack of income from the Suez Canal.
3. Over 1.5 million Egyptians were forced to leave their homes, and around 1000 Israelis were killed.

Question 13

How much additional land did Israel acquire after the 6-day war, and what challenge did this pose?

Answer 13

1. Israel finished the 6-day war with 350% more land.
2. This posed the challenge of deciding what to do with the newly acquired territories.

Question 14

Who controlled the Golan Strip after the 1967 War?

Answer 14

Syria.

Question 15

What were the characteristics and strategic implications of the Golan Heights after the 6-day war?

Answer 15

1. fertile land and fresh water.
2. home to 100,000 Syrians.
3. Syria could now no longer attack Israelis in Galilee but Israel could fire on Syria including Damascus

Question 16

Who controlled the Gaza Strip after the 1967 War?

Answer 16

Egypt.

Question 17

What were the characteristics and strategic implications of the Gaza Strip after the 6-day war?

Answer 17

1. Home to over 350,000 people, mainly Palestinians.
2. The region had been granted self-government.
3. The self-government arrangement aimed to prevent Fedayeen raids launched from Gaza.
4. This move allowed Israel to exert more control and security in the area.

Question 18

Who controlled the West Bank after the 1967 War?

Answer 18

Jordan

Question 19

What were the characteristics and strategic implications of the West Bank after the 6-day war?

Answer 19

1. Fertile land located next to the River Jordan.
2. Home to 600,000 Palestinians.
3. Served as a buffer zone between Israel and Jordan.
4. Dispute over ownership, as Jordan believed it belonged to them.

Question 20

Who controlled the Sinai after the 1967 War?

Answer 20

Egypt

Question 21

What were the characteristics and strategic implications of the Sinai after the 6-day war?

Answer 21

1. Served as a buffer between Israel and Egypt.
2. Legally belonged to Egypt and contained Egypt’s only oil supplies.
3. Prevented the use of the Suez Canal.
4. Secured Israel’s trade through the Gulf of Aqaba.

Question 22

Who controlled East Jerusalem after the 1967 War?

Answer 22

Jordan

Question 23

What were the characteristics and strategic implications of East Jerusalem after the 6-day war?

Answer 23

1. Contained holy sites for both Jews and Muslims.
2. Israel incorporated it into its territory.
3. Palestinians in the area were forced to move to the West Bank.

Question 24

What were the considerations for Israel regarding the annexation of territories?

Answer 24

Annexing posed a risk of Arab majority with citizenship, returning was a security risk, and keeping it secured Israel but was expensive to police.

Question 25

What challenges did Palestinian refugees face under Israeli control?

Answer 25

Around 1 million lived in the West Bank and Gaza, East Jerusalem residents were evicted.

About 300,000 fled to Jordan, facing harsh conditions in refugee camps.

Many joined guerrilla groups like Fatah.

Arab states refused citizenship, arguing it was Israel’s responsibility.

Israel believed in reciprocity with Jewish refugees and limited job opportunities for Palestinians.

Question 26

How many Palestinians lived in the West Bank and Gaza?

Answer 26

Approximately 1 million Palestinians lived in the West Bank and Gaza.

Question 27

Where did around 300,000 Palestinian refugees flee to?

Answer 27

About 300,000 Palestinians fled to Jordan.

Question 28

What conditions did Palestinian refugees face in camps?

Answer 28

They faced harsh conditions in refugee camps, lacking sanitation.

Question 29

What was the response of many Palestinian refugees to their situation?

Answer 29

Many joined guerrilla groups, with Fatah being a prominent choice.

Question 30

Did Arab states grant citizenship to Palestinian refugees?

Answer 30

No, Arab states refused citizenship, arguing it was Israel’s responsibility.

Question 31

What was Israel’s perspective on the refugee situation?

Answer 31

Israel believed in reciprocity, drawing parallels with how it handled Jewish refugees.

Question 32

What were the job consequences for Palestinians in this context?

Answer 32

Palestinians faced limited job opportunities, affecting professions such as doctors and lawyers.

Question 33

What triggered the rise of Palestinian militancy?

Answer 33

The realization that Arab states couldn’t destroy Israel after the 6 Day War led many Palestinians to turn to militant organizations as their last hope.

Question 34

When was the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) formed?

Answer 34

The PFLP was formed in 1967.

Question 35

What did the PFLP believe would draw attention to the Palestinian cause?

Answer 35

The PFLP believed that international attacks would garner greater publicity and force the world to address the Palestinian cause.

Question 36

When did the PFLP join the PLO?

Answer 36

In 1968, the PFLP became a part of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Question 37

Describe a significant event involving the PFLP in September 1970.

Answer 37

Between September 6th and 9th, 1970, the PFLP hijacked four international airplanes, taking hostages. After keeping 56 Jews hostage, they were eventually released in exchange for PFLP prisoners by September 30th.

Question 38

Who led Fatah?

Answer 38

Fatah was led by Yasser Arafat.

Question 39

What was Fatah able to do after the Six Day War?

Answer 39

Fatah was able to recruit many new members and acquire better weapons by utilizing those left by Arab armies during the war.

Question 40

When did Fatah join the PLO?

Answer 40

In 1967, Fatah became a part of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Question 41

Describe a significant event involving Fatah in 1968.

Answer 41

In March 1968, Israel attacked and destroyed Fatah headquarters at Karameh in Jordan, taking 150 prisoners in retaliation for Fatah’s attack on a school bus. Israel faced international condemnation for using excessive force.

Question 42

What happened to Fatah in 1969?

Answer 42

Fatah’s strength grew with 5,000 new recruits, and it carried out over 2,000 attacks on Israel. The IDF responded with massive retaliation, including bombing Fatah bases in Lebanon and Syria. Yasser Arafat became the chairman of the PLO and Fatah.

Question 43

Is the PLO officially designated as a terrorist organization?

Answer 43

No, the PLO is not officially designated as a terrorist organization.

Question 44

How has the status of the PLO changed over time?

Answer 44

The status of the PLO has changed in different contexts over time.

Question 45

Have certain factions within the PLO been accused of engaging in terrorism?

Answer 45

Yes, some factions within the PLO have been accused of engaging in terrorism in the past.

Question 46

What was the name of the Palestinian extremist group that emerged after September 1970?

Answer 46

The group was named Black September.

Question 47

What is the most famous attack attributed to Black September?

Answer 47

The most famous attack was at the Munich Olympics on September 5, 1972, where eight members shot two and took nine Israeli athletes hostage.

Question 48

What happened during the attempt by West German police to free the hostages in Munich?

Answer 48

When West German police attempted to free the hostages, all nine athletes and five terrorists were killed.

Question 49

Were there subsequent attacks by Black September?

Answer 49

Yes, on September 19, 1972, the group sent 51 letters and parcel bombs to Israeli diplomats around the world, killing one in London. Further letter bombs were sent later in the year.

Question 50

Did Black September claim responsibility for the attacks on Israeli diplomats?

Answer 50

Although some attacks were signed ‘Black September,’ the group never actually claimed responsibility. Some commentators even suggest Israel might have sent them.

Question 51

How did Israel respond to Fatah raids into the country?

Answer 51

All Fatah raids into Israel were reciprocated by the IDF launching massive attacks on Fatah.

Question 52

What was Operation Wrath of God?

Answer 52

Operation Wrath of God was launched after the Munich Olympics to hunt and kill those responsible. PM Golda Meir ordered air attacks on Syria and instructed Mossad to find the culprits.

Question 53

Did these actions deter Palestinians?

Answer 53

No, Palestinian militants became heroes and attracted more members to Fatah/PLO despite Israeli responses.

Question 54

How did terrorist attacks impact the Palestinian cause internationally?

Answer 54

The attacks gained huge publicity but were mostly negative, generating sympathy for Israel.

Question 56

What did the negative publicity lead to?

Answer 56

Negative publicity led to international feelings that dialogue was needed, prompting Arafat to speak to the UN in 1974.