I. SignificanceII. Tensions to 1967III. Soviets' RoleIV. Israel Decides To StrikeV. War in SinaiVI. War with JordanVII. Revenge on the GolanVIII. A New MideastI. SignificanceJun 5th-10th 1967Rose from hostility between Israel and Arab states but because of 2 other rivalries. Without these, wars probably wouldn’t have broken out.War between many Arab states; they tended to compete with one another.Between United States and Soviet Union. SU helped push Arabs into war.Turning points!Transformed geopolitics of middle east.1967/1947-49: Israel was content to stay within existing borders. Arabs gave them the opportunity to seize more land.The 6 day war was the third clear cut victory in 20 years. High point of Israeli initiative. After 1967, it was no longer 9 miles wide; it was no longer vulnerable to be cut in halfTransformed Palestinian morale. Much of it came under Israeli control. Realized they (Palestinians) would have to stand on their own. Created far more independent national organizations.Nature: now Israel versus Palestine rather than Israel versus Arab states.II. Tensions to 1967The most powerful Arab state—Egypt, led by Gamal Abdel Nasser, was cautious to work with Israel.1960: the only solution to Palestine is to get rid of Israel. This militancy reflected two dynamics:sense of injustice and humiliation. Israel was seen as an alien entity imposed on the Arab world. No on asked for the Jews to enter this land. Psychological and cultural push toward militancy.Internal instability of Arab regimes. Hadn’t had time to develop viable political institutions. The way to gain support was to take a very strong public stance against Israel. This had consequences.Syria 1966 coup: Alawites (small minority) dominated government in Syria…many resented this regime. However, hostility to Israel became the central people and unified everyone. Took a number of daring moves. Fired on Israeli fishermen, farmers, etc. Sponsored Palestinian terrorist attacks in Israel.Levi Eshkol (weak shadow of Ben Gurion) often overreacted to support Israel’s toughness. By 1967, war between Israel and Syria seemed like a good possibility. The bold Syria had a ready (tough) counterpart.Arab states (Egypt, Iraq & Syria; radical pro-soviet states. Pro-western states Jordan & Saudi Arabia) wanted to show themselves and others that they were tough and had a strong front against Israel. They were competing with one another.By early 1967, Arab politics and aggressive Israeli responses were increasing the risks of war.III. Soviets' Role--Saw benefit in war between Israel andSU weapons would boost if the Arabs won the war. If they lost, it would increase Arab dependency on the SU, increasing the economic more as well.SU feared that the weapons Israeli would out tech the Arabs and were also afraid that the Israeli’s would attack southern Russia.May 13 1967, told Egypt Israel was putting pressure on Syria and that they should mobilize their forces. Goal: get Egypt to take charge to get pressure off Syria. Long-term goal: push the whole region to war. Lie: Russia told Syria and Egypt that there were Israelis on Syria’s borders. Once word spread out this, Nasser felt that he had to act to not be humiliated.10 days after this, Nasser took 3 steps.1) Nasser moved bulk of army into Sinai peninsula.2) rejected UN peacekeepers from Sanai and Gaza3) closed gulf of aquaba again.Knew this was dangerous. Nasser knew this would lead to war.1) Sinai buffer2)UN trip wire3) Opening of Aquaba.IV. Israel Decides To Strike--Although Nasser pushed the region to war, he refused to strike Israel.Wanted to revive reputation short of war, hoped that Israel wouldn't respond. Would’ve given him best of both worlds.SU warned Nasser not to strike first, Central to SU’s strategy. Would give Soviet’s an excuse to attack Israel’s weaponry.His military strategy was to first attacking Abu Agheila—held the key to Sinai. Use this Abu Agheilato hammer the Israeli army. Hope to lure Israel into a trap. So Egypt was waiting for Israel to make the first move. They couldn’t though because their reserves couldn’t stay mobile for too long. Israeli’s were convinced they were facing another war of annihilation.--Israeli’s were loosing confidence, began making coffins, cemeteries, etc. Israeli cabinet decided to take first charge. Was scared they they’d be accused of being an aggressor…but would counter this and say the closing of Aquaba was the first blow.--Israel chose was only because of what they perceived as a threat.1967 as in 1948, it was Israel existence, which bread Arab hostility.V. War in SinaiPhase 1: campaign began in June with air attacks on Egypt. Time for 7:45 when Israeli’s knew Egyptian pilots went on their coffee breaks. Ruined many of their combat planes, Egyptian air force, largest in Middle East, was no more.Phase 2: brigades racing across Sinai Peninsula, attacks on Abu Agheila. They knew much about it so they tailored their attacks to weaken its flaws. Taking this blew open door to Sinai. 2000 Egyptians died, many trying to retreat Egypt proper and Suez Canal.--3 days, entire Sinai Peninsula was in Israeli hands.Before SU could even intervene the world was over.VI. War with JordanBecause of their terrible loss, Egypt refused to admit defeat.(46 min) Nasser told King Hussein that Egypt dominated many aspects of the war. Hussein had no information to contradict Nasser’s admittance of defeat. But King Hussein was deceived my Nasser to thinking they could defeat the Israeli’s. Not going to war may be more dangerous than going to war…due to how many Jordanians who be upset if he decided not to go to war.IAF destroyed ½ of army units and the Jordan air force. Seize Jerusalem and west bank. King Hussein lost half of his kingdom.VII. Revenge on the GolanDesire for revenge became uncontrollable. Syrian’s fought hard when Israeli’s attacked them at Golan Heights. But in the end, Israel had total air superiority so they were bound to be defeat. Syrians fled Golan after this. Had taken control over Egypt, Jordan, and now Syria.Egypt, Jordan, and Syria: What could they have done to avoid war?VIII. A New MideastIsrael now had much more territory than before. Had much more defensible borders, up to Suez Canal and Jordan river (but no one had control over Suez Canal). Many Arabs dead in the end.--What accounted for this?Not weapons: on both ends they were fairly equal.Israeli troops were all literate. Not