In the 1960s Europe made a fateful decision.
In the ’50s, Europe and Israel were friends. Britain supplied main battle tanks and the French sold light tanks and fighter bombers. They saw in Israel an embattled outpost of Western ideals in a blighted, backward Middle East.
Then, in the ’60s, before the Six Day War, the French reneged on their promises to deliver already-paid-for fighters and missile boats. The UK became reluctant to sell their latest tank.
In the 1960s Europe made a fateful decision.
In the ’50s, Europe and Israel were friends. Britain supplied main battle tanks and the French sold light tanks and fighter bombers. They saw in Israel an embattled outpost of Western ideals in a blighted, backward Middle East.
Then, in the ’60s, before the Six Day War, the French reneged on their promises to deliver already-paid-for fighters and missile boats. The UK became reluctant to sell their latest tank.
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The Six Day War stunned the world. The tiny country of Israel had successfully fought off the most powerful armies of the Arab world and tripled its territory. The Soviet Union’s attempt to unite the Arab world under its leadership was given an embarrassing defeat.
In response, a humiliated Arab world expelled their Jewish citizenry, and Egypt, the USSR, and the PLO redoubled their efforts against Israel. Egyptian artillery dueled with Israeli artillery. Israeli and Egyptian pilots fought for control of the skies of the Sinai. The PLO sent waves of terrorists across the border. By the time a new cease fire was agreed upon, this War of Attrition would produce almost as many casualties as the Six Day War.
The Six Day War stunned the world. The tiny country of Israel had successfully fought off the most powerful armies of the Arab world and tripled its territory. The Soviet Union’s attempt to unite the Arab world under its leadership was given an embarrassing defeat.
In response, a humiliated Arab world expelled their Jewish citizenry, and Egypt, the USSR, and the PLO redoubled their efforts against Israel. Egyptian artillery dueled with Israeli artillery. Israeli and Egyptian pilots fought for control of the skies of the Sinai. The PLO sent waves of terrorists across the border. By the time a new cease fire was agreed upon, this War of Attrition would produce almost as many casualties as the Six Day War.
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It’s the last day of the war.
Pressure was building to finish the conflict, from the outside and from the inside. The Soviets were worried that a total collapse of the Syrian army would irreparably damage their influence in the region. The Arab countries were screaming bloody murder about Israeli aggression. The Europeans were disconcerted by the quickness of Israel’s victories. And, the Arabists in the U.S. State Department were moaning about the damage to relations with the oil producing countries of the Persian Gulf.
It’s the last day of the war.
Pressure was building to finish the conflict, from the outside and from the inside. The Soviets were worried that a total collapse of the Syrian army would irreparably damage their influence in the region. The Arab countries were screaming bloody murder about Israeli aggression. The Europeans were disconcerted by the quickness of Israel’s victories. And, the Arabists in the U.S. State Department were moaning about the damage to relations with the oil producing countries of the Persian Gulf.
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As Day Five began, it was clear that the war for Israel’s survival was over. What was left were loose ends. Or, maybe I should say, one very important loose end.
Syria.
For years Syria had been shelling communities in the north, confident that her impregnable positions on the Golan would deter any counter attack by Israeli forces. Artillery barrages were a fact of life for those living within range of Syrian guns.
As Day Five began, it was clear that the war for Israel’s survival was over. What was left were loose ends. Or, maybe I should say, one very important loose end.
Syria.
For years Syria had been shelling communities in the north, confident that her impregnable positions on the Golan would deter any counter attack by Israeli forces. Artillery barrages were a fact of life for those living within range of Syrian guns.
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As the sun rose on Day Four, the war was essentially over. There was only a little more fighting and dying left to do.
In the Sinai, some Egyptian units were still putting up a fight, and the Jordanians continued an organized retreat. But by 3:30 p.m., Egypt would accept a cease fire, and a few hours later the last major battle in the Sinai (at Kalat a-nahal) would wind down. Just after midnight, Israeli units would begin linking up and consolidating their victories on the eastern side of the Suez Canal.
As the sun rose on Day Four, the war was essentially over. There was only a little more fighting and dying left to do.
In the Sinai, some Egyptian units were still putting up a fight, and the Jordanians continued an organized retreat. But by 3:30 p.m., Egypt would accept a cease fire, and a few hours later the last major battle in the Sinai (at Kalat a-nahal) would wind down. Just after midnight, Israeli units would begin linking up and consolidating their victories on the eastern side of the Suez Canal.
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