The Six Day War 1967 Flashcards
What is Keffiyeh
symbol for Palestinian Nationalism dating back to 1936 Arab revolt in Palestine
When was the Cairo Conference?
1964
What key decisions were made during the Cairo Conference 1964?
1)Headwater Diversion Plan agreed on. Syria and Lebanon would use Egyptian and Saudi money to divert fresh water from River Jordan away from Israeli settlements and farms in Negev dessert. If that did not work, it was agreed all Arab states would prepare for war against Israel
2)Creation of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation
unite Arabs and lead Palestinians in the struggle to regain lost land. It was responsible for the welfare of Palestinians in Syrian, Lebanese and Jordanian refugee camps.
Also set up PLA so Palestinians could join an army of their own0
3)Nasser’s leadership of Arab world confirmed, hje had proved he was anti-Israeli without war
When was the UAR
1958-1971
What was the UAR
-Syria and Egypt to join creating massive pan-arabic country lead by Nasser
-Idea had much approval but it proved difficult to unite these diverse groups of Arabs
-Syria left in 1961, finding treatment unfair as a junior partner
-Egypt called itself UR till 1971, just after Nasser’s death.
What was the impact of the Cairo conference of Israel?
-Unthreatened: Egypt and Syrian troops poorly trained, UN peacekeepers preventing attack from Sinai, PLA only had 12,000 members at its peak.
-Threatened by Headwater Diversion Plan: 1967 Israel committed airstrikes on canal construction in Syria to prevent water crisis.
Why did tensions rise between Syria and Israel?
-1965: Fatah fighters laid explosives to destroy canal taking water from Sea of Galilee to Negev desert. Israeli’s disarmed the bomb but publicised it; giving Yasser Arafat (leader of fatah) attention
-1966: New Syrian government gained power and increased support for Fatah (100 attacks 65-67) . Nasser & Syria defence pact for if either is attacked. Fatah raids were a failure (11 israelis killed) and Israeli reprisals meant attack to Fatah in Jordan and Lebanon
-7 April 1967 the dogfight: Syrian gunners shoot (purposely provocative) Israeli tractor in Golan Heights (a UN Demilitarized zone). Israeli fighter jets sent to destroy gunner but also destroyed Syrian towns on the way. 6 Syrian jets lost
Why did tensions rise between Jordan and Israel?
-1966: Israeli patrol drove near landmine near Israel-Jordan border and 3 Israeli policemen killed. King of Jordan sent apology to prevent escalation but it did not reach on time.
-RAID OF SAMU
When was the Raid of Samu?
13 November 1966
What events in the Raid of Samu?
600 Israeli troops and armoured vehicles sent into West Bank with the target of small town Samu. 15 Jordanians killed, Jordanian jet shot down and Samu reduced to rubble.
Israel claimed it was a way of forcing the Fatah to stop
Why did tension rise between Egypt and Israel?
13th MAY 1967: USSR gave Nasser false report that Israel troops were massing on the Syrian border. Due to defence pact and Nasser not wanting to look like a coward and prove the allegations from Syria & Jordan, he planned to fight back.
- 16 MAY: UN peacekeepers told Egyptians not to attack Israel
-23 MAY: Nasser closed the Straits of Tiran, reducing Israel’s ability to trade and get oil
-30 MAY: Nasser signs defence treaty with Jordan and Jordanian forces put under command of an Egyptian General.
USSR involvement in ME
-USSR wanted to protect their southern border and advance communism so became involved with Middle East
-USSR helped Egypt by making arms deal
-USSR supported Syria 1966 extremist government and claims of Israeli aggression
-False report to Egypt about Israeli invasion of Syria
-USSR says they will help military if USA helps Israel
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USA involvement before six day war
President expresses Egypt’s blockage of Straits of Tiran was illegal but also for Israeli not to fight back with military
-Tried to resolve war with negotiations
-US secretary of state says they wont restrain Israel
Evidence that Israel’s actions were defensive:
-Fatah fighters tried to blow up canal to Negev desert
-Nasser closed Straits of Tiran
-Attacks on Jordanian and Lebanese Fatah as reprisal
-Syrian soldiers shot first at tractor in Golan Heights
Evidence that Israel’s actions were aggressive
-Sent 600 men in raid of Samu after death of 3 policemen
-Israeli tank enters Golan heights purposely to provoke Syrian gunners and have an excuse to attack
