A Nation in Uniform

1
A Nation in Uniform

• Israels security problems
• 1949-1977

2
The way To Suez 1949-1956

• Infiltrators become Fedayeen and attack Israels
  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

3
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.
• Soviets threat to intervene causes the Americans
  to force a cease fire and an immediate
  withdrawal. Israel freedom of navigation in Tiran
  Straits is guaranteed.

4
The Drift to the Six Days War 1967

• Syrians 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.

5
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."

6
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).

7
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

8
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.

9
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.