Class 12: From War to War, 1956-1967

Outstanding Issues

• water: Eric Johnson's efforts to promote Jordan Valley Authority (Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) failed in 1953. Israeli diversion of Jordan River waters within Israel to Negev 1956-63, so Syrian dams 1964 and further tensions 1966-67.
• refugees: Kennedy's effort (Joseph Johnson) fails in 1961-62.
• in exchange for Hawk missiles to Israel?!

Regional Developments

• Eisenhower Doctrine (Jan-March 1957)
• United Arab Republic (1958-61) of Egypt with Syria
• Iraqi Revolution of 1958 and US intervention in Lebanon
• Kennedy's dilemmas: Egypt in Yemen after 1962 overthrow of Yemen monarchy.
• Lyndon B Johnson 1963-68: backing to Israel and to conservative Arab regimes with the oil.
• offensive US arms to Israel 1964-67
• Soviet arms to Egypt and Syria...Egypt-Syria mutual defense treaty Nov. 1966, joined by Jordan in 1967
• Mapai Party politics: Levi Eshkol replaces Ben Gurion as PM in 1963: Eshkol can no more afford to appear weak on Arabs than Nasser can appear to be weak on Israel!

Precipitating Events - (PBS 50 Years War video #6 - 20 mins)

• Samu, West Bank raid by Israel - Nov. 13, 1966
• Israeli air victory over Damascus - April 7, 1967
• Soviet report to Egypt of Israeli massing to attack Syria - May 12, 1967.
• Egyptian parade to Sinai - May 14, 1967
• partial withdrawal of UNEF? - May 18, 1967
• Egypt occupies Sharm el-Sheikh - May 21, 1967
• Straits of Tiran closed - May 22, 1967

June War of 1967: Israel's choice (map)

• June 5, 1967 - Israeli attack (video clip #7 - 1 min) and destruction of the Egyptian and Syrian air forces.
• June 6-7: capture of Sinai, Gaza, West Bank, and East Jerusalem
• June 8-10 capture of Golan Heights (video clip #8 - 10 mins)
• June 8: attempted destruction by Israel of the USS Liberty