This Day in History: 5 June 2020
5 June 1967
53 years ago, today, Israel responded to a build-up of Arab forces along its borders by launching attacks against Egypt and Syria, initiating the Six-Day War. Jordan subsequently entered the battle, but the nations were no match for Israel's superior armed forces. In the six days of fighting, Israel managed to occupy the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, the Golan Heights of Syria, and the West Bank and Arab sector of East Jerusalem, that were previously under Jordanian rule. On June 11, a United Nations cease-fire took place, but Israel had more than doubled its size. When Israel claimed the Old City of Jerusalem from Jordan, many wept in prayer at the Western Wall.
Nevertheless, the UN Security Council requested Israel to withdraw from the occupied regions, but they declined, and instead set up military administrations in the territories. They let it be known that the claimed areas would be returned in exchange for Arab recognition of the right of Israel to exist and guarantees against future attack. When Arab leaders met to discuss this, they decided upon a policy of no peace, no negotiations and no recognition of Israel, as well as plans to defend the rights of the Palestinian Arabs in the occupied territories. However, Egypt would eventually negotiate with Israel, resulting in the return of the Sinai Peninsula, in exchange for full diplomatic recognition of Israel. The claims to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank were given to the Palestinians, who opened 'land for peace' talks with Israel in the 1990s. Despite this, a permanent Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement remains unsettled.
Want to find out more about the Six-Day War? Click here for more information, or here for a video with more details on the matter.
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