Lead-up to war

The first step leading to the outbreak of war occurred on April 7, 1967 when Israel launched a major attack on Syrian artillery positions and terrorist bases and the Golan Heights. During the operation six Syrian MiG fighters were shot down and Israeli jets deliberately flew low over the Syrian capital of Damascus. This provocation inflamed tensions between the Arabs and Israelis.

The signing of the Arab Defence Pact between Syria, Egypt and Jordan- May 30 1967

Not long after this the Soviet Union passed on intelligence information to the Syrian government. It stated that the Israelis had amassed an invasion force on the Syrian border and were preparing to attack. There is no evidence that this information was correct, but it helped push Syria and Egypt towards war with Israel.

Because Syria felt threatened, Egypt was brought into the crisis due to the 1966 defence pact. Although Nasser was not keen on a war against Israel he took actions which brought the prospect of war closer. In mid May he sent troops into the Sinai Desert and ordered the UN peacekeepers to leave.

In response to this action and the Soviet tip-off, the Israeli army was mobilised and Egypt, Syria and Jordan declared states of emergency.

Arab propaganda leading up to the Six Day War

On May 22 Nasser closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping, isolating the Israeli port city of Eliat. This same action had been the cause of the 1956 Suez War.

Three days later armies from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria moved towards the border with Israel. On May 30 Jordan joined the Egypt-Syria pact, forming the Arab Defence Pact.

During this time the Arab media played a vital role in the lead up to hostilities. Newspapers and radios waged a propaganda war against Israel. (See right) This made it impossible for Arab leaders to consider negotiation and it convinced the Israelis of Arab intentions.

By June 4 1967 Israel was surrounded by Arab forces that greatly outnumbered the Israelis. War was imminent.