A Nation in UniformA Nation in Uniform

Israel’s security problemsIsrael’s security problems

1949-19771949-1977

The way To Suez 1949-1956The way To Suez 1949-1956 Infiltrators become Fedayeen and attack Israel’s cities Infiltrators become Fedayeen and attack Israel’s cities

and settlements. They are sponsored by Egyptian and settlements. They are sponsored by Egyptian IntelligenceIntelligence

Israel responds with retaliatory raids. The tension Israel responds with retaliatory raids. The tension between Israel and the Arab states increases. between Israel and the Arab states increases.

Gamal Abdel Nasser, president of Egypt (1954), leads Gamal Abdel Nasser, president of Egypt (1954), leads a Pan Arabist and Anti colonial ideology. The West a Pan Arabist and Anti colonial ideology. The West sees him as a threatsees him as a threat

Czech arms deal (1955) changes the balance of Czech arms deal (1955) changes the balance of power. The Egyptians blockade the Tiran Straitspower. The Egyptians blockade the Tiran Straits

Nasser nationalizes the Suez CanalNasser nationalizes the Suez Canal

The Suez War – October 1956The Suez War – October 1956 Israel joins Britain and France to fight against Nasser Israel joins Britain and France to fight against Nasser

regime by attacking the Suez Canal. regime by attacking the Suez Canal. Israel drops paratroopers at the Mitla Pass, giving its Israel drops paratroopers at the Mitla Pass, giving its

allies the pretext for a call to an Egyptian and Israeli allies the pretext for a call to an Egyptian and Israeli withdrawal from the canalwithdrawal from the canal

Egyptian refusal causes launch of British-French Attack Egyptian refusal causes launch of British-French Attack - “Operation Musketeer”. Israeli troops succeed in - “Operation Musketeer”. Israeli troops succeed in destroying Fadyeen bases in the Gaza strip and take destroying Fadyeen bases in the Gaza strip and take over all the Sinai Peninsula in 100 hours. France and over all the Sinai Peninsula in 100 hours. France and Britain face difficulties and Nasser stays in power.Britain face difficulties and Nasser stays in power.

Soviet’s threat to intervene causes the Americans to Soviet’s threat to intervene causes the Americans to force a cease fire and an immediate withdrawal. Israel force a cease fire and an immediate withdrawal. Israel freedom of navigation in Tiran Straits is guaranteed. freedom of navigation in Tiran Straits is guaranteed.

The Drift to the Six Days War – 1967The Drift to the Six Days War – 1967 Syrian’s Headwater Diversion Plan (in order to Syrian’s Headwater Diversion Plan (in order to

cut Israel water supply) attracts Israeli attacks cut Israel water supply) attracts Israeli attacks and escalates tension in the regionand escalates tension in the region

Due to a false Soviet intelligence report, about Due to a false Soviet intelligence report, about a forthcoming Israeli invasion of Syria, Egyptian a forthcoming Israeli invasion of Syria, Egyptian troops enter the de-militarized Sinai Peninsula, troops enter the de-militarized Sinai Peninsula, forcing out UN peace forces (May 15, 1967). forcing out UN peace forces (May 15, 1967).

Few days later the Egyptians closed the Tiran Few days later the Egyptians closed the Tiran Straits– defined by Israel as a Casus Belli Straits– defined by Israel as a Casus Belli since 1957.since 1957.

Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Egypt sign a mutual Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Egypt sign a mutual defense treaty. Nasser declares his intention to defense treaty. Nasser declares his intention to wipe out Israel. wipe out Israel.

The Israeli FearThe Israeli Fear Nasser (end of May 1967): “The armies of Nasser (end of May 1967): “The armies of

Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon are poised Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon are poised on the borders of Israel ... to face the challenge, on the borders of Israel ... to face the challenge, while standing behind us are the armies of Iraq, while standing behind us are the armies of Iraq, Algeria, Kuwait, Sudan and the whole Arab Algeria, Kuwait, Sudan and the whole Arab nation. This act will astound the world. Today nation. This act will astound the world. Today they will know that the Arabs are arranged for they will know that the Arabs are arranged for battle, the critical hour has arrived. We have battle, the critical hour has arrived. We have reached the stage of serious action and not of reached the stage of serious action and not of more declarations." more declarations."

Six Days of War - June 5-10 1967Six Days of War - June 5-10 1967 Due to the failure of an American – British attempt to Due to the failure of an American – British attempt to

find a diplomatic solution, Israel decides to launch a find a diplomatic solution, Israel decides to launch a pre-emptive air attack. pre-emptive air attack.

Arabs Air forces are destroyed on the ground, giving Arabs Air forces are destroyed on the ground, giving Israel air superiority. Israel air superiority.

Israel launches an attack on Egyptians troops in Sinai, Israel launches an attack on Egyptians troops in Sinai, and reached to Suez Canal in 4 days (June 5-8).and reached to Suez Canal in 4 days (June 5-8).

False Egyptian victory reports convince King Hussein False Egyptian victory reports convince King Hussein of Jordan to attack Israel. Although IDF's strategic of Jordan to attack Israel. Although IDF's strategic plan was to remain on the defensive along the plan was to remain on the defensive along the Jordanian front, Israeli reserve forces strike back and Jordanian front, Israeli reserve forces strike back and take over the West Bank, including East Jerusalem take over the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (June 6-8).(June 6-8).

After a Syrian ground attack and massive artillery After a Syrian ground attack and massive artillery bombings, Israel forces take control of the Golan bombings, Israel forces take control of the Golan Heights (June 9-10).Heights (June 9-10).

After the Six Days WarAfter the Six Days War Khartoum Resolution (meeting between Arab leaders, Khartoum Resolution (meeting between Arab leaders,

9/1967): No peace with Israel, No recognition of Israel, 9/1967): No peace with Israel, No recognition of Israel, No negotiations with it No negotiations with it

U.N Security Council Resolution 242 (11/1967): U.N Security Council Resolution 242 (11/1967): “Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in “Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict; Termination of all claims or states of the recent conflict; Termination of all claims or states of belligerency… every State in the area [has a] right to live in belligerency… every State in the area [has a] right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries” Land for peace within secure and recognized boundaries” Land for Peace formula.”Peace formula.”

War of Attrition (1968-1970) – Nasser initiative to War of Attrition (1968-1970) – Nasser initiative to exhaust Israel ends after 17 months of bombardmentsexhaust Israel ends after 17 months of bombardments with 367 Israeli casualties and about 10,000 Egyptian with 367 Israeli casualties and about 10,000 Egyptian casualties. The borders stay the samecasualties. The borders stay the same

The Yom Kippur War 1973The Yom Kippur War 1973 Surprise attack by Egypt and Syria.Surprise attack by Egypt and Syria. Israel is caught unprepared and the Arab armies Israel is caught unprepared and the Arab armies

gain territorygain territory After the recruiting of reserve units, Israel strikes After the recruiting of reserve units, Israel strikes

back. back. In the Golan Heights, Israel gets as far as 25 Miles In the Golan Heights, Israel gets as far as 25 Miles

from Damascus.from Damascus. Israel forces cross the Suez Canal and get 60 Miles Israel forces cross the Suez Canal and get 60 Miles

from Cairo, while from Cairo, while entrappentrapping the Egyptian 3rd Army. ing the Egyptian 3rd Army. Regardless of the military results, the war perceived Regardless of the military results, the war perceived

in Israel as a failure, and in Egypt as a victory. in Israel as a failure, and in Egypt as a victory.

The peace process with Egypt 1977The peace process with Egypt 1977 After the Yom Kippur War, direct talks between After the Yom Kippur War, direct talks between

Israel and Egypt (first time since 48) bring Israel and Egypt (first time since 48) bring armistice and later a separation of forces.armistice and later a separation of forces.

The dynamic of talks and the change of The dynamic of talks and the change of government in Israel, bring the Egyptian government in Israel, bring the Egyptian president, Anwar Sadat, to declare his president, Anwar Sadat, to declare his willingness to visit Israel and talk peace willingness to visit Israel and talk peace (11/1977).(11/1977).

With American involvement the Camp David With American involvement the Camp David Accord (and later on a peace agreement in 1979) Accord (and later on a peace agreement in 1979) is signed. Israel withdraws from every Inch of is signed. Israel withdraws from every Inch of Sinai, but the peninsula will stay de-militarized.Sinai, but the peninsula will stay de-militarized.

Other Arab states and the PLO refuse to join the Other Arab states and the PLO refuse to join the talks. Egypt is condemned by the Arab world.talks. Egypt is condemned by the Arab world.