The 1967 War and the Occupation of the West Bank & Gaza

The 1967 War and the Occupation of the West Bank & Gaza

The 1967 War, also known as the Six-Day War, was a pivotal moment in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It resulted in the occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights by Israel, radically altering the political and geographical landscape of the Middle East. The consequences of the war have had profound and lasting impacts on the Palestinian people, shaping their current political situation and their struggle for self-determination. In this blog post, we will examine the events of the Six-Day War, its causes, and the long-term consequences of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

The Context: Rising Tensions

The years leading up to the 1967 war were marked by escalating tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The Arab-Israeli conflict had already seen significant battles and wars, including the 1948 Arab-Israeli War (also known as the War of Independence to Israelis or the Nakba to Palestinians), and the 1956 Suez Crisis. By 1967, the relationship between Israel and its Arab neighbors—particularly Egypt, Syria, and Jordan—had become increasingly hostile.

Several factors contributed to the tensions that would eventually lead to the outbreak of war in June 1967:

1. The Suez Crisis Fallout: After the 1956 Suez Crisis, when Israel, Britain, and France attacked Egypt following Egypt’s nationalization of the Suez Canal, the relationship between Israel and Arab nations had deteriorated. Egypt's President Gamal Abdel Nasser emerged as a leader of Arab nationalism, and his rhetoric against Israel became more intense in the years leading up to 1967.

2. Palestinian Guerrilla Activity: Palestinian guerilla groups, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), had been carrying out attacks against Israel from neighboring Arab countries, particularly Jordan and Syria. This led Israel to be increasingly concerned about the security of its borders.

3. Egyptian Military Build-Up: In May 1967, Egypt amassed a large military force in the Sinai Peninsula, near Israel’s borders, in a show of strength. Nasser also expelled the UN Emergency Force (UNEF), which had been stationed in the Sinai to maintain peace, and began blockading the Straits of Tiran, a vital shipping route for Israel.

4. Arab Unity: The Arab League was also increasingly united in its opposition to Israel, with Nasser calling for the Arab nations to rally together in a collective stand against the Israeli state.

The Outbreak of the War: June 5–10, 1967

The war officially began on June 5, 1967, when Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, citing the Egyptian military build-up and the closure of the Straits of Tiran as direct threats to its security. Israel’s decision to strike first was based on the belief that a coordinated attack by Egypt, Syria, and Jordan was imminent.

Israeli Air Strikes: In the opening hours of the war, Israel launched a surprise airstrike, known as Operation Focus, that destroyed most of Egypt’s air force while it was still on the ground. This gave Israel air superiority throughout the conflict, allowing its forces to strike with great effectiveness.

The Sinai Peninsula: Israel quickly defeated the Egyptian forces in the Sinai Peninsula. Within three days, Israeli troops had captured large parts of the region, including the strategically important Gaza Strip and Sharm El-Sheikh, which controlled access to the Red Sea.

Jordan and the West Bank: As the war unfolded, Jordan, which had controlled the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 1948, joined the conflict on the side of the Arab states. In response to Jordan’s entry into the war, Israeli forces launched an offensive against Jordanian positions in the West Bank. Within two days, Israel captured the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which held religious significance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike.

Syria and the Golan Heights: Meanwhile, Syria launched attacks on Israeli positions in the Golan Heights. Israel’s military responded swiftly and captured the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau that provides high ground overlooking northern Israel.

Ceasefire: After six days of intense fighting, the United Nations brokered a ceasefire on June 10, 1967, bringing an end to the hostilities. By the end of the war, Israel had captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula—territories that it would continue to control for years to come.

The Occupation: Consequences for Palestinians

The 1967 war had profound and lasting consequences for Palestinians, as the territories of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem—which had previously been under Jordanian and Egyptian control—came under Israeli military occupation. This marked the beginning of one of the most contentious and protracted occupations in modern history.

1. Displacement and Refugees

In the aftermath of the war, approximately 300,000 Palestinians were displaced from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Many of these individuals had already been displaced during the 1948 Nakba, and the 1967 war compounded their suffering, creating a new generation of Palestinian refugees.

Thousands of Palestinians fled to neighboring countries, such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, while many others sought refuge in other parts of the West Bank and Gaza.

2. Israeli Settlements

One of the most controversial aspects of the Israeli occupation was the establishment of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. Beginning in the 1970s, Israel began building settlements on land it had captured in the war, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These settlements were considered illegal under international law, although Israel has disputed this claim.

The establishment of these settlements has led to the fragmentation of Palestinian land, creating a complex network of settlements, military zones, and Palestinian communities. Over time, Israeli settlers grew in number, and today, there are hundreds of thousands of Israelis living in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

3. The Status of Jerusalem

The capture of East Jerusalem in 1967 was one of the most significant outcomes of the war. Israel claimed Jerusalem as its undivided capital, but Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The status of Jerusalem remains one of the most sensitive and unresolved issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Since 1967, Israel has pursued policies of Judaization in East Jerusalem, including the construction of settlements and the demolition of Palestinian homes. The Palestinian population in East Jerusalem has faced ongoing displacement, with restrictions on movement and access to services.

4. Military Occupation and Human Rights Violations

The military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip by Israel has been marked by severe restrictions on Palestinian movement, the construction of settlements, and the imposition of military law on Palestinians. Palestinians living under occupation have faced widespread human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, home demolitions, and violence from both Israeli settlers and the Israeli military.

Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have had limited access to basic services, including healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. The Israeli government has imposed blockades on Gaza, which have had a devastating impact on the economy and quality of life for the residents there.

The Long-Term Impact: Ongoing Conflict

The occupation of the West Bank and Gaza has been a central issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for more than 50 years. Despite several attempts at peace, including the Oslo Accords in the 1990s and various other negotiations, a lasting resolution to the conflict has remained elusive.

The continued Israeli occupation, the expansion of settlements, and the lack of progress toward Palestinian statehood have contributed to ongoing unrest and violence. For Palestinians, the occupation remains a source of deep frustration, as their aspirations for an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip continue to be blocked by Israeli policies.

Conclusion: The Legacy of the 1967 War

The Six-Day War of 1967 was a turning point in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem has created a situation of displacement, human rights abuses, and ongoing conflict that continues to shape the lives of millions of Palestinians today. For Palestinians, the war and its aftermath are seen as a period of loss and betrayal, as their hopes for independence were dashed by the continued Israeli occupation.

The legacy of the 1967 war still looms large in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the unresolved issues of borders, refugees, and the status of Jerusalem continue to be the focus of intense debate and negotiation. Understanding the history of the Six-Day War and its aftermath is essential for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of the modern conflict and the challenges to achieving lasting peace in the region.

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