THE WAR OF 1967
After the war of 1948, Israelis’ war of Independence and Palestinians’ “Nakba,” or catastrophe, there was no peace between Israel and the defeated Arab states. There was only an armistice, or the end to fighting.
The Arab countries did not want to recognize Israel, in part because they had lost to it in the war but also because recognizing Israel would mean that the Arab countries had given up on Palestinian refugees being able to return to their homes. Nineteen years later, tensions remained high.
WAR BEGINS
In 1967, the president of Egypt readied Egypt’s troops and threatened to attack Israel. There are many explanations why this took place.
One explanation is that there were unresolved issues from the war of 1948. Another explanation is that Egypt received false information from the Soviet Union which had been helping supply Egypt and Syria with weapons. Some also argue Egypt may have prepared for war because the Egyptian president hoped foreign powers would intervene on behalf of Egypt as they had before in 1956. As news of Egypt’s threat spread, Israel prepared its troops. On June 5, 1967, Israel launched a surprise attack on Egypt’s air bases.
A six-day war had begun.
The 1967 War, also known as the Six-Day War or the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, began on June 5, 1967, and ended on June 10, 1967. For neighboring Arab countries and Palestinians, it would become known as the “Naksa,” meaning set back. The war was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab states (primarily Egypt, Syria, and Jordan). This war transformed the map of the Middle East.
SURPRISE ATTACK
In response to Egypt’s threat, Israel unleashed air raids and struck Egypt’s planes while they were still on the ground. Within hours, the base was destroyed.
Later that day, Israel targeted air bases in Syria and Jordan. These surprise attacks dealt great damage to the Arab air force and showed Israel had a strong military. Israel also sent their troops to attack at ground level. War spread as Syrian and Jordanian soldiers joined Egypt in the fight. But by the end of the six days, Israel had won.
THE WAR'S LEGACY
After the war, Israel controlled several areas: the Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, West Bank, and Golan Heights. Israel occupied, or ruled over these areas, and their populations, but did not make them part of Israel. It also took over, or annexed, East Jerusalem, including the Old City of Jerusalem.
It made the city part of Israel but did not force its Palestinian inhabitants to become Israeli citizens. The old city of Jerusalem is an important religious and cultural center for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Gaining control of all of Jerusalem was very important to Israel.
The war changed the map of the Middle East. After 1967, Israel controlled more land and people than ever before. Many Arab peoples were unhappy with Israel’s expanding control. It had a huge impact on the Palestinians who lived in those territories. Many were under Israeli control but were not Israeli citizens. This meant they were controlled by an Israeli military government, but could not vote for representatives, or on laws which controlled their lives. Thousands more Palestinians were expelled or fled their homes and are refugees to this day. In the following years, Palestinian resistance to Israeli rule grew.
All the lands Israel occupied in 1967 are still at the center of the conflict. Unfortunately, it has been difficult for Israel, the Arab countries, and Palestinians to find a peaceful resolution. The war in 1967 is an important event in Middle Eastern history, with consequences that are still felt today.