Forty-five years ago, Israel and its neighbours fought a war that set into motion events that are still felt today. Although the Six Day War is well documented, the web presents us with the ability to reread the same breaking news that gripped the world in June 1967.
This sampling of stories is not intended to be comprehensive history. Rather, it illustrates the gamut of emotions felt during that war and foreshadows the conflict that remains today.
June 4: War could be hours away
From the Sydney Sun-Herald: The British prime minister, Mr. Wilson, yesterday warned that war could be only hours away. And, in Tel Aviv, today, the new Israeli defence minister, Gen. Moshe Dayan, declared that Israel would fight and win its own battles, with Israeli troops. [http://bit.ly/6day39]
June 5: War in Mideast – Arab-Israel feud erupts
JERUSALEM (AP) – For the third time in 20 years, war broke out today in the Middle East between Israel and its Arab neighbours. Gunfire sounded in Israel and in three of its Arab neighbours – Egypt, Jordan and Syria. The Arabs, sworn to destroy Israel, were battling the Jewish state’s forces on two fronts, at Egypt’s Sinai frontier and on the Syria and Jordan borders. Each side accused the other of lighting the fuse for the explosion which, as in 1956, threatened to involve the major powers. [http://bit.ly/6day23]
June 6: Israel claims land and air successes as Britain and U.S. declare neutrality
From The Guardian: Israel claimed early today that it had achieved victory in the air by destroying 374 Arab aircraft… In Moscow, the Soviet government condemned Israel for an act of aggression and demanded that it should immediately and unconditionally stop all military action… The American State Department declared U.S. neutrality “in thought, word, and deed…” [http://bit.ly/6day24]
June 7: Ram’s horn signals a victory
JERUSALEM (UPI) – A Jew in a paratrooper’s uniform blew a triumphant blast on a ram’s horn at the Mandelbaum Gate today and signalled the fall of Jordan’s old section of the Holy City to Israeli forces. For the first time in 20 years, Israelis prayed at their Wailing Wall. There was fighting, bloodshed, prayer and joy. [http://bit.ly/6day25]
June 8: Egyptians crushed in Sinai Desert
(UPI) – Israel jubilantly declared victory over its Arab enemies Wednesday 60 hours after the first shots were fired in the Mideast war. The Jewish state then called for “permanent peace” in the Middle East. [http://bit.ly/6day26]
June 9: Arab leader blames West for ‘setback’
From the Milwaukee Journal: President Gamal Abdel Nasser of the United Arab Republic announced his resignation in a speech, radio reports in Beirut, Lebanon, said Friday… “We cannot hide the fact that we have suffered a grave setback,” he added. [http://bit.ly/6day27] (Note: from the following day: Nasser stays on – “I am complying with the will of the people.”) [http://bit.ly/6day28]
June 10: Soviet breaks off Israel relations
MOSCOW (UPI) – The Soviet Union today broke relations with Israel and threatened to take sanctions against the Jewish nation unless it immediately stops military operations against the Arab states. The Israeli ambassador was told to close his embassy and leave the country as soon as possible. [http://bit.ly/6day29]
Next time, the war ends and a new reality sets in.