The Six Day War 1967

Question 1

What was the Cairo Conference 1964?

Answer 1

It was a conference attended by the leader of all members of the Arab League, held in the context of a dispute between Israel and Syria over ownership of the River Jordan.

Question 2

What was the impact of the Cairo Conference 1964 on Arab states?

Answer 2

Arab states were prepared to work together and take joint action against Israel, causing concern among some Israelis.

Question 3

How did the Cairo Conference confirm Egypt’s position in the Arab world?

Answer 3

The conference confirmed Egypt as a leading Arab nation and solidified Nasser’s role as the leader of the Arab ‘world’ as he organized the conference.

Question 4

What were the outcomes related to Palestinian issues after the Cairo Conference?

Answer 4

1. The conference highlighted the problems of Palestinian land and refugees.
2. The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) was established to be responsible for Palestinian welfare.
3. The PLO created the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) to fight for liberation, but it attracted only around 12,000 soldiers.

Question 5

What issues were brought to the forefront by the Cairo Conference regarding Palestine?

Answer 5

The conference highlighted the problems of Palestinian land and refugees.

Question 6

What organization was established to address Palestinian welfare following the Cairo Conference?

Answer 6

The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) was established to be responsible for Palestinian welfare.

Question 7

What military force did the PLO create to fight for liberation, and how many soldiers did it attract?

Answer 7

The PLO created the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA), but it attracted only around 12,000 soldiers.

Question 8

How did the Cairo Conference present Israel as a threat to Arab states?

Answer 8

1. Israel’s plan to divert the River Jordan was perceived as a threat.
2. This led to the Headwater Diversion Plan, diverting sources of the River Jordan to prevent Israel from using it for new settlements or farms.
3. Arab states declared that if Israel proceeded with the diversion, they would prepare for war. However, the IDF, with support from the USA and France, remained a superior force to Arab armies.

Question 9

Why was Israel’s plan to divert the River Jordan perceived as a threat?

Answer 9

The plan was seen as a threat as it had the potential to impact water sources crucial for Israel.

Question 10

What was the response to Israel’s plan, leading to the Headwater Diversion Plan?

Answer 10

The Headwater Diversion Plan was implemented, diverting sources of the River Jordan to prevent Israel from using it for new settlements or farms.

Question 11

How did Arab states react to Israel’s plan, and what declaration did they make?

Answer 11

Arab states declared that if Israel proceeded with the diversion, they would prepare for war.

Question 12

Despite the threat of war, what advantage did the IDF have over Arab armies?

Answer 12

The IDF remained a superior force to Arab armies with support from the USA and France.

Question 13

What events in 1966–1967 escalated tensions between Israel and Syria?

Answer 13

Tensions between Israel and Syria escalated due to Syrian support for Fatah raids on Israel.

Question 14

How did tensions between Israel and Jordan escalate in the same period?

Answer 14

Israel’s raid on Samu escalated tensions between Israel and Jordan.

Question 15

Who founded Fatah, and what was the organization’s goal?

Answer 15

Fatah was founded in 1959 by Yasser Arafat, aiming to create a Palestinian state replacing Israel. Fatah means ‘conquest.’

Question 16

How did Fatah use violence to achieve its goals?

Answer 16

Fatah employed violence, conducting 70 raids between 1965 and 1967, attacking villages, military targets, and bombing roads, all aimed at destroying Israel.

Question 17

In which countries did Fatah have bases, and why not in Gaza?

Answer 17

Fatah had bases in Jordan (West Bank), Lebanon, and Syria. Gaza was excluded due to the presence of UN troops.

Question 18

How did Israel respond to Fatah’s actions, and what was the impact on Arafat’s profile?

Answer 18

Israel always retaliated, increasing Arafat’s profile. However, the retaliation often hit Jordan and Lebanon, leading to reduced support for Arafat in those regions.

Question 19

What kind of support did Syria provide to Fatah?

Answer 19

Syria provided support to Fatah in the form of weapons and money and initiated training campaigns. In 1966, a new Syrian government increased support, crucial for expanding Fatah’s actions.

Question 20

What accusation did Syria make against Nasser, and how did it lead to an agreement?

Answer 20

Syria accused Nasser of not helping, resulting in the Egyptian-Syrian Pact of November 1966. This pact stipulated mutual assistance in case of an attack, strengthening their collaboration.

Question 21

What event occurred on November 11, 1966, on the Israel-Jordan border, and what was the suspected cause?

Answer 21

A landmine explosion on the border killed three Israeli policemen and injured six. Fatah was suspected, but no one claimed responsibility.

Question 22

How did Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol respond to the suspected attack?

Answer 22

On November 13, 1966, Levi Eshkol sent 600 troops, 11 tanks, and 60 military vehicles to the village of Samu in the West Bank. The troops gathered villagers in the central square and began dynamiting their homes. About 100 Jordanian soldiers attacked, resulting in 15 Jordanians, 1 Israeli, and 3 villagers dead. Samu was reduced to rubble.

Question 23

What were the consequences of the Samu incident for Israel?

Answer 23

The incident led to international condemnation for Eshkol and Israel. It also destroyed relations between Israel and Jordan, with the USA expressing fury.

Question 24

How did King Hussein of Jordan respond to the Samu incident, and what pressure did he exert?

Answer 24

King Hussein faced riots criticizing him for failing to protect Jordan. He pressured Nasser to act against Israel to divert attention from himself.

Question 25

What event took place on April 7, 1967, near the Golan Heights?

Answer 25

Syrian guns fired on an Israeli tractor in the demilitarized zone near the Golan Heights.

Question 26

How did Israel respond to the incident near the Golan Heights?

Answer 26

In retaliation, the Israeli air force attacked the gun positions and some Syrian villages.

Question 27

What was the consequence of the Israeli air force attack?

Answer 27

The Syrian air force took to the skies, leading to an air fight where the Syrians lost six planes, and the remaining planes retreated to Damascus.

Question 28

What impact did the Dog Fight of April 7, 1967, have on Syrian pride and relations between Israel and Syria?

Answer 28

The loss of six planes in the air fight was a blow to Syrian pride and further damaged relations between Israel and Syria.

Question 29

What were the actions of the USSR, Nasser, the USA, and Israel in May and June 1967?

Answer 29

The actions of these nations increased tensions in the Middle East.

Question 30

What was the consequence of the heightened tensions in the Middle East?

Answer 30

The increased tensions led to Israel’s decision to go to war against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.

Question 31

What did the USSR inform Nasser about on May 13, 1967?

Answer 31

The USSR told Nasser that Israeli troops were gathering on the Syrian border, preparing for an attack. However, this information was later found to be false or possibly deliberately fabricated.

Question 32

How did Nasser respond to the information from the USSR?

Answer 32

Nasser, under the pressure of the information, ordered the Egyptian army to prepare for war. On May 14-16, he gave the order for Egyptian troops to move into Sinai, leading to the evacuation of UN peacekeepers on May 18.

Question 33

What action did Nasser take on May 22, 1967?

Answer 33

Nasser closed the Straits of Tiran (Gulf of Aqaba) to Israeli ships or those bringing supplies to Israel.

Question 34

What demand did Nasser make to Israel on May 29, and how did Israel respond?

Answer 34

Nasser threatened Israel with attack unless they allowed Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and returned all land taken during the 1948-9 war. Israel ignored the demands, putting the IDF on military alert, and telling civilians to prepare for war.

Question 35

What significant events occurred on May 30-31, 1967?

Answer 35

Egypt and Jordan signed a defense treaty promising military aid if Egypt went to war with Israel. The USA declared its support for any action taken by Israel to reopen the Straits of Tiran.

Question 35

Who was appointed Israeli Defence Minister on June 1-4, 1967, and what was his stance on war?

Answer 35

Moshe Dayan was appointed Israeli Defence Minister. He wanted war, believing Israeli forces were superior and not wanting to give Arabs time to prepare.

Question 35

When did Israel launch its attack in secret?

Answer 35

Israel launched its attack on June 4, 1967, in secret.

Question 35

What occurred on June 7, 1967, during the Six-Day War?

Answer 35

The IDF won control of Sinai from Egypt and captured Jerusalem. Jordan accepted UN calls for a ceasefire.

Question 35

Why did Nasser believe he needed to act in May 1967?

Answer 35

1. Nasser genuinely believed Syria was about to be attacked by Israel due to false reports from the USSR.
2. He aimed to demonstrate that he was still the ‘leader’ of the Arab world.
3. Eshkol looked like a weak leader after the attack on Samu, and Nasser may have believed he would give in to his demands and not attack Syria.
4. Nasser may have expected UN troops to refuse to leave Sinai, making war unlikely.

Question 36

What happened on June 5, 1967, during the Six-Day War?

Answer 36

The Israeli air force attacked and destroyed Egyptian, Syrian, and Jordanian air forces and airfields. The IDF advanced into Gaza, gaining control of the Gaza Strip from Egypt.

Question 36

Detail the events of June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War.

Answer 36

The IDF won control of the West Bank from Jordan. Egypt accepted UN calls for a ceasefire.

Question 36

Describe the events of June 10, 1967, during the Six-Day War.

Answer 36

The IDF won control of the Golan Heights from Syria. Syria accepted UN calls for a ceasefire.

Question 37

Describe the events of June 6, 1967, during the Six-Day War.

Answer 37

The IDF land forces advanced into the Sinai Desert towards the Suez Canal. Jordanian and Israeli forces fought for control of Jerusalem.

Question 37

What transpired on June 9, 1967, during the Six-Day War?

Answer 37

The IDF launched an attack on the Golan Heights.

Question 38

What were the casualties during the Six-Day War?

Answer 38

779 Israelis were killed, and 20,000 Arabs lost their lives.

The Israelis also captured 70,000km2 of land from Arab states, who suffered significant losses in aircraft and tanks.

Question 39

How was Israel’s attack perceived in terms of justification and tactics during the Six-Day War?

Answer 39

1. Israel’s attack was seen as justified due to Arab aggression before the war.
2. The Israeli military received great admiration for its tactics and execution, while Arab forces were humiliated.