Transcript A nation in uniform - Jewish Virtual Library

A Nation in Uniform
Israel’s security problems
1949-1977
The way To Suez 1949-1956
 Infiltrators become Fedayeen and attack Israel’s cities
and settlements. They are sponsored by Egyptian
Intelligence
 Israel responds with retaliatory raids. The tension
between Israel and the Arab states increases.
 Gamal Abdel Nasser, president of Egypt (1954), leads
a Pan Arabist and Anti colonial ideology. The West
sees him as a threat
 Czech arms deal (1955) changes the balance of
power. The Egyptians blockade the Tiran Straits
 Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal
The Suez War – October 1956
 Israel joins Britain and France to fight against Nasser
regime by attacking the Suez Canal.
 Israel drops paratroopers at the Mitla Pass, giving its
allies the pretext for a call to an Egyptian and Israeli
withdrawal from the canal
 Egyptian refusal causes launch of British-French Attack
- “Operation Musketeer”. Israeli troops succeed in
destroying Fadyeen bases in the Gaza strip and take
over all the Sinai Peninsula in 100 hours. France and
Britain face difficulties and Nasser stays in power.
 Soviet’s threat to intervene causes the Americans to
force a cease fire and an immediate withdrawal. Israel
freedom of navigation in Tiran Straits is guaranteed.
The Drift to the Six Days War – 1967
 Syrian’s Headwater Diversion Plan (in order to
cut Israel water supply) attracts Israeli attacks
and escalates tension in the region
 Due to a false Soviet intelligence report, about
a forthcoming Israeli invasion of Syria, Egyptian
troops enter the de-militarized Sinai Peninsula,
forcing out UN peace forces (May 15, 1967).
 Few days later the Egyptians closed the Tiran
Straits– defined by Israel as a Casus Belli
since 1957.
 Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Egypt sign a mutual
defense treaty. Nasser declares his intention to
wipe out Israel.
The Israeli Fear
 Nasser (end of May 1967): “The armies of
Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon are poised
on the borders of Israel ... to face the challenge,
while standing behind us are the armies of Iraq,
Algeria, Kuwait, Sudan and the whole Arab
nation. This act will astound the world. Today
they will know that the Arabs are arranged for
battle, the critical hour has arrived. We have
reached the stage of serious action and not of
more declarations."
Six Days of War - June 5-10 1967
 Due to the failure of an American – British attempt to
find a diplomatic solution, Israel decides to launch a
pre-emptive air attack.
 Arabs Air forces are destroyed on the ground, giving
Israel air superiority.
 Israel launches an attack on Egyptians troops in Sinai,
and reached to Suez Canal in 4 days (June 5-8).
 False Egyptian victory reports convince King Hussein
of Jordan to attack Israel. Although IDF's strategic
plan was to remain on the defensive along the
Jordanian front, Israeli reserve forces strike back and
take over the West Bank, including East Jerusalem
(June 6-8).
 After a Syrian ground attack and massive artillery
bombings, Israel forces take control of the Golan
Heights (June 9-10).
After the Six Days War
 Khartoum Resolution (meeting between Arab leaders,
9/1967): No peace with Israel, No recognition of Israel,
No negotiations with it
 U.N Security Council Resolution 242 (11/1967):
“Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in
the recent conflict; Termination of all claims or states of
belligerency… every State in the area [has a] right to live in
peace within secure and recognized boundaries” Land for
Peace formula.”
 War of Attrition (1968-1970) – Nasser initiative to
exhaust Israel ends after 17 months of bombardments
with 367 Israeli casualties and about 10,000 Egyptian
casualties. The borders stay the same
The Yom Kippur War 1973
 Surprise attack by Egypt and Syria.
 Israel is caught unprepared and the Arab armies
gain territory
 After the recruiting of reserve units, Israel strikes
back.
 In the Golan Heights, Israel gets as far as 25 Miles
from Damascus.
 Israel forces cross the Suez Canal and get 60 Miles
from Cairo, while entrapping the Egyptian 3rd Army.
 Regardless of the military results, the war perceived
in Israel as a failure, and in Egypt as a victory.
The peace process with Egypt 1977
 After the Yom Kippur War, direct talks between
Israel and Egypt (first time since 48) bring
armistice and later a separation of forces.
 The dynamic of talks and the change of
government in Israel, bring the Egyptian
president, Anwar Sadat, to declare his
willingness to visit Israel and talk peace
(11/1977).
 With American involvement the Camp David
Accord (and later on a peace agreement in 1979)
is signed. Israel withdraws from every Inch of
Sinai, but the peninsula will stay de-militarized.
 Other Arab states and the PLO refuse to join the
talks. Egypt is condemned by the Arab world.