Middle East The Six Day War

Consequences/Importance of the Cairo Conference

Headwater Diversion Plan: Using Egyptian & Saudi money, Syria and Lebanon would divert water from the Sea of Galilee, Israel would then be unable to use the sea of Galilee to provide water for new settlements in the Negev Desert.

Setting up of the PLO/PLA: PLO = Palestinian Liberation Organisation - political organisation to regain lost land and be responsible for the welfare of refugees.

PLA = Palestinian Liberation Army - official trained and funded army that Palestinians could join.

Nasser’s leadership of the Arab world confirmed: Nasser demonstrated tthat he was anti-Israeli and could bring different Arab states together, this fell apart in the 1960’s which was a cause of the 6-Day War

Consequences/Importance of the establishment of the Fatah

Prepared to use violent tactics to establish a Palestinian state: Believed Israel had no right to exist, believed Palestinians had to take action themselves and not rely on other Arab states.

1965 attack on Israeli national water carrier: Needed publicity and to do something to prevent its members from leaving to join the newly-formed PLA, laid explosives to destroy water transport from Sea of Galilee to Negev Desert, bomb was discovered and defused by Israelis however made Arafat a hero and thousands joined the Fatah.

Syrian support: 1965-67, Fatah launches over 100 raids on Israel from Jordan, Lebanon & Syria, 1966 new Syrian government increased support for Fatah (training, funds, weapons) and accused Nasser of not doing enough due to UN peacekeepers on Gaza/Israel border, Nasser signed a defence pact with Syria as a result.

The Samu Incident

11 Nov 1966, 3 Israeli policemen are killed by a landmine near the Jordan border. Israeli PM Levi Eshkol sends 600 troops and 11 tanks into the West Bank, aiming for Samu where they suspected Fatah attackers were based, they ran into 100 Jordanian soldiers, 15 Jordanians, 1 Israeli, 3 villagers killed, village destroyed.

Consequences/Importance of the Samu incident

US was furious with Israel: Jordan was US’s only Arab ally, Jordan had been trying to establish good relations with Israel, Eshkol defended himself claiming it was legitimate and was needed to send a message to Jordan and others.

Jordan tried to stop Fatah attacks from West Bank: Samu incident led to protest in Jordan who felt King Hussein needed to do more for Palestinians, however in reality he tried to prevent more reprisals by limiting Fatah activity.

Caused issues between Nasser (Egypt) and Hussein (Jordan): To deflect from his issues, Hussein criticised Nasser and accused him of cowardice/hiding behind UN peacekeepers, made Nasser likely to take action.

Narrative account on the events that led to the Six Day War (1967)

Tension between Israel and Syria: Fertile Israeli land near Sea of Galilee, had been DMZ since 1949, 7th April, Syrian gunners from the Golan Heights fired on an Israeli tractor, Israeli jets attacked gunners, also hit Syrian villages, dogfight ensued, Syria lost 6 jets and got chased back to Damascus, Moshe Dayan later suggests that the tractor was deliberately sent in.

USSR & Nasser: Head of IDF demanded that Syria stopped supporting Fatah or Israel would invade, USSR told Nasser Israel was preparing invasion and Nasser didn’t want to look weak. Nasser mobilised his army, sent away peacekeepers away, closed the Straits of Tiran to Israel, demanding that Israel return all the land from 1948-49 War and signed a treaty with Jordan.

Israel and the USA: Instead of giving into Nasser’s demands, Eshkol put the Israeli army on alert/called up reserves. 31st May, USA suggests Israel take action to open the Straits of Tiran, Eshkol appointed Moshe Dayan as defence minister, Dayan then sent reserve troops home to confuse the enemy but launched air attacks on Egypt at dawn on the 5th of June.

Narrative account on the events that led to the Six Day War (1967)

Israeli attack, 5th June: Having sent reserve troops home for the weekend, Israel attacked Egypt, 11am, 309/340 Egyptian aircraft were destroyed and Israel controlled the skies. IDF tanks then crossed Sinai under air cover, by the 7th of June, Israeli forces had reached the Suez Canal.

Jordan enters the war: Israel appealed to Jordan to stay out, but they had signed a deal with Nasser, Jordan bombarded Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem whilst sending troops into Jerusalem. The IDF counter-attacked and occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, UN ceasefire between two states agreed on the 7th of June.

Israel captures the Golan Heights (Syria): Israel had focused first on Egypt and Jordan - IDF only focused on Syria after the 7th of June. By the 9th, Israel had captured the Golan Heights and advanced 30 miles into Syria.

Consequences/Importance of the Six-Day War

UN Resolution 242: Put forwards “Land for Peace” plan: Israel should withdraw from recently occupied territories, Arab states should recognise Israel, “Just settlement to refugee problem”. Israel said they would negotiate with each state separately, Arab leaders came up with “3 no’s” (peace, recognition, negotiation), Nasser and King Hussein said they would be prepared to accept 242 if Israel withdrew from all occupied territories first.

Suez Canal/War of Attrition: Suez Canal was unusable due to sunken ships, it was now the border between Israel and Egypt, Egypt and Israel raided and bombarded each other’s towns and military positions, the USSR gave Egypt SAM3 missiles and sent 20,000 troops to build bases, USA gave Israel weapons and aid, 1.5 million Egyptian forced to flee homes, 1000 Israelis killed with a ceasefire called in 1970.

Occupied Territories: Israel now controlled Sinai, Gaza, all of Jerusalem, the West Bank, Golan Heights with all of them having religious and/or tactical significance, Israel annexed East Jerusalem and all other areas were placed under Israeli military control.

Increase in Palestinian refugees: 300,000 Palestinians chose not to stay in West Bank - fled to refugee camps in Jordan, conditions in camp were poor, unemployment and poverty were high. In Lebanon, refugees were banned from working as lawyers, doctors or engineers. Arab states wanted Israel to pay for refugee solutions. Many joined Fatah - HQ moved to Jordan.