Who started the 1967 War?(my question)

Question | 06/12/02 | Me

[madison46]

I read within the last few months an article stating why Isreal went to war in 1967...and that since that time Egypt has admitted that they were planning to strike. Does anyone have that source or know of such a recent(last 3-4months) article?

I'm battling a guy at work about this. He says Isreal started the 1967 war, I say it was the Arabs.

Thanks,

madions46

[nightdriver]

All I have is my memory, but you are right. The Arabs (Egyptians included) started it.

Their battle cry was "Push Israel into the sea!"

[Semper Paratus]

Isreal struck first by destroying the Egyptian Air Force on the ground June 6.
The Egyptians started the war by blockading Isreal from the Red Sea, which is considered an act of war, about 2 weeks prior.

[Puppage]

The guy you're battling with is a numbskull. Egypt, Syria, and Jordan attacked Israel in 1967. Israel fought them all off, and took the land.....just like ANY conquering victor has done since the begining of time. The 3 attackers listed above, also received aid for, among other countries...Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

These attacking countries LOST, now they want a "do over"? Unreal.

[ImphClinton]

Sorry didn't see the article.

However as I recall Israel did start the war. Egypt Syria Jordan et all were building up to go to war. Israel had inteligence to this effect and the Arabs were talking of pushing Israel into the ocean. Thus early in the morning Israel took out the Arabs Air Forces. Six days latter the Arabs were soundly defeated and Israel was within 20 miles of Cairo.

[RaceBannon]

Israel was being threatened by all her Arabneighbors then. Gamal nassar said they were going to push Israel intothe sea. Then, the Arabs blockaded the town of Eliat. That is an act of war. Israel then struck with her aircraft at Egyptian targets. The arabs started the war by blockading the port city. Israel did fire the first shots, but Egypt blockaded the city. Arabs started it.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Egypt recently declassified documents proving their intention to attack and destroy Israel. It had been Nasser's stated intention all along to destroy Israel. The Israelies got wind of this, and mounted what was supposed to be a 2-day operation to destroy the Egyptian airforce, which ended up lasting 6 days and taking lots of land.

NPR had an author on yesterday who did a lot of research on this: Writer Michael Oren's new book is Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East. (Oxford University Press)

You can listen to the interview on the net at http://freshair.npr.org/guestInfoFA.cfm?name=2002/michaeloren

[AzSteven]

Of course, the important question is 'Who ended it (in victory)?'

[ImphClinton]

Guess it depends on the deffination of Started the War.

Seems to me these terroist bombings in Israel also started a new war. Unfornately the idiots in the world don't seem to get it. Guess untill they are attacked it is OK to murder innocent civilians by sending suicidal cowards into crowds with bombs and a large life insurance policy for thoes they left behind.

[foolish-one]

Depends on how a war is "started". I'm generally pro-Israel, but if firing the first shot is the criteria in determining who started a war, even their own biased JDL admits that (with justifications). Can't change or ignore facts. (Well, you can if you want, I guess. Liberals do.) See: http://www.adl.org/ISRAEL/Record/conflicts.html

[spqrzilla9]

The arabs "started" the war by engaging in acts of war such as shutting off Israel's access to its own ports ( the Straits of Tiran ). The Israelis fired the first shot with preemptive strikes.

[Morgan in Denver]

Quick reply, Israel did start the 1967 war. Arab states were on the border, ready to invade and Israel struck first. There are numerour sources to read about it but I believe that's what happened. To the issue, I can only suggest "so what?" There was no Palestine then either.

[LarryLied]

America caused it. Colin Powell and George W. Bush were responsible.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Egypt threatened war, threw out the UN peacekeepers who had been stationed on the border, massed troops on Israel's borders, and blocked Israel's port of Eilat (an act of war under international law), but did not fire the first shot. Israel fired the first shot by bombing Egypt's airforce before it could get off the ground.

Israel then warned Syria and Jordan to stay out of the war, but both attacked Israel (Syria right away, IIRC, and Jordan two days later). Israel didn't fire a shot at Syria or Jordan until they attacked Israel first.

[sphinx]

A naval blockade is an act of war. Israel had every right to strike.

[newwahoo]

You've got it right. Everyone thinks about when the bullets first flew, but a blockade is de facto declaration of war.

[spqrzilla9]

Here's a link http://www.salon.com/books/int/2002/06/12/oren/index.html

[BearCub]

No, Israel struck first. But they were responding to acts of war on the part of Egypt, Syria and Jordan (i.e., a blockade and threatening force build-ups). The first 'act of war' was the blockade. Israel had every right under international law to attack.

[SJackson]

You might try The 1967 Six-Day War

Israel struck preemptively, in the face of severe provocation which included escalating terrorist attacks, a blockade of shipping (an act of war), and massive troop buildups on her borders. The Arab’s intentions, per Nasser on May 30, six days before the war began.

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 declarations.