Topic 2: The escalating conflict, 1964-73

Question 1

What were the 3 key decisions made at the Cairo Conference in 1964?

Answer 1

1. The Headwater Diversion Plan - this was the diversion of the River Jordan to prevent water flow into the Sea of Galilee to restrict Israel’s access to fresh water. This would be achieved using Egyptian and Saudi money.
2. The formation of the PLO which would unite and lead all Palestinians in the struggle to regain their lost land. The PLA was also created (an army).
3. Nasser’s leadership of the Arab world was confirmed.

Question 2

Who was the founder of Fatah?

Answer 2

Yasser Arafat

Question 3

What event increased the publicity and popularity of Arafat?

Answer 3

Fatah’s attempted bombing to destroy the canal which which took fresh water from the sea of Galilee

Question 4

Why did Israel invade Samu?

Answer 4

An Israeli patrol drove over a landmine near the Israeli-Jordanian border which killed 3 Israeli policemen. Although King Hussein of Jordan wrote a letter of apology to Israeli prime minister Levi Eshkol, it didn’t arrive in time.

Question 5

How many IDF members were sent to Samu?

Answer 5

600 troops, 11 tanks and 60 military vehicles. Altogether 15 Jordans, 7 Israelis and 3 villagers were killed and Samu was reduced to rubble.

Question 6

What were the causes for the ‘dog fight’ in the DMZ in the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria in April 1967?

Answer 6

Syrian gunners fired on an Israeli tractor in the Golan Heights DMZ. In retaliation Israel sent planes to attack resulting in a ‘dog fight’. Israel also took the opportunity to destroy Syrian attempts to build the Headwater Diversion Plan.

Question 7

How did the USSR trick Nasser?

Answer 7

The USSR told Naser that Israel was massing troops on the Syrian border to attack Syria. This was untrue. In order not to seem like a coward, Nasser started to move troops into the Sinai.

Question 8

What was Israel’s first move in the 6 day war?

Answer 8

On June the 5th, Israel’s prime minister, Levi Eshkol, launched a first strike. At 7.45 am Israeli jets attacked Egypt’s air bases in the Sinai and Suez: by mid-morning the Egyptian air force was wiped out.

Question 9

How many Arabs and Israelis were killed in the 6 day war?

Answer 9

20,000 Arabs and 779 Israelis

Question 10

What was UN Resolution 242?

Answer 10

UN Resolution 242 called for Israel to leave their occupied territories (Sinai, Gaza, West Bank and Golan Heights) in exchange for the Arab states recognising Israel’s right to exist. It was rejected by Palestinians and Arab states however it was the basis of future peace talks.

Question 11

What were the ‘Three Nos’ established at the Khartoum conference in August 1967?

Answer 11

No peace (with Israel)
No recognition (of Israel)
No negotiations (with Israel)

Question 12

How long and expensive was the Bar Lev Line?

Answer 12

150 km and $300 million

Question 13

What organisation carried the Dawson’s Field hijacking in 1970?

Answer 13

PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine)

Question 14

Why did the PFLP carry out the Dawson’s Field hijackings?

Answer 14

They wanted the release of Palestinian fighters held in British, German, Swiss and Israeli jails as well as gaining international attention.

Question 15

What were some features of the Dawson Field hijackings?

Answer 15

Four aircraft were hijacked by members of the PFLP and three of these aircraft were forced to land at Dawson’s field, a remote desert airstrip in Jordan. While the majority of the 310 hostages were freed, the remaining 56 Jewish passengers were held hostage until Israel freed four PFLP prisoners.

Question 16

Why was King Hussein of Jordan not happy with the PLO after the Dawson’s Field hijackings?

Answer 16

King Hussein was furious at the PLO as they increasingly challenged his position as leader of Jordan and eventually expelled them from Jordan. 2000 Palestinian fighters were killed and the PLO was forced to set up new headquarters in Lebanon.

Question 17

Who carried out the massacre at the Munich Olympics in 1972?

Answer 17

The Black September Organisation

Question 18

What were the aims of the BSO at the Munich Olympic massacre?

Answer 18

The immediate release of 234 Palestinian prisoners

Question 19

What were the events of the Munich Olympic massacre of 1972?

Answer 19

In the early hours of the 5th of September 1972, eight armed members of the BSO entered the Olympic Village and killed two Israeli athletes (a weightlifter and a wrestling coach) and took 9 athletes hostage. However as the athletes were being taken to an airfield by the terrorists, a failed rescue attempt by German Police saw the remaining hostages killed as well as 5 terrorists and a German police officer.

Question 20

What organisation manipulates the world’s oil supply?

Answer 20

OPEC

Question 21

How did Egypt ensure an effective surprise attack in the Yom Kippur War in October 1973?

Answer 21

-The attack was on the holiest Jewish day of the year which meant that TV and radio was silent which meant messages had to be communicated via soldiers on motorbikes.
-Egypt used high pressure water guns to break down the sand wall.
-Egypt carried out artillery bombardment on the Bar Lev Line.
-Arab soldiers fought with a sense of togetherness as they had nothing to lose.
-Soviet SAM-3 missiles countered the Israeli air-force.

Question 22

What were the features of Syria’s attack on the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War?

Answer 22

On the 6th of October 1972, Syria concurrently attacked the Golan Heights with 60,000 troops which overwhelmed the Israeli defences. 2 days later, Israel launched a counter attack on the Golan Heights however this was slowed down due to the Syrian’s Soviet made infra-red fighting equipment. After 4 days of fierce fighting, Israel was superior and Syrian troops were in retreat. Israel’s tanks pushed into Syria and were soon threatening Damascus.

Question 23

What were the features of Egypt’s attack on the Sinai during the Yom Kippur War?

Answer 23

On the 6th of October 1973, constant artillery bombardment allowed Egypt to cross the canal within 3 hours. Israel was overwhelmed by the force of Egypt’s army however when Sadat gave the order to his army to advance further into the Sinai Egypt soon became out of reach of the SAM-3 missiles, making them vulnerable to Israeli air strikes. A massive tank battle then took place in the Sinai in which 260 Egyptian tanks were destroyed and 20 Israeli tanks were destroyed. By the end of the second week of fighting the Egyptian forces had retreated back to the Suez. Taking a bold risk, Israeli tanks led by General Ariel Sharon took control of a small gap in the middle of the two Egyptian armies in Sinai. During the tough fight, he ordered 750 Israeli paratroopers to sneak across the Suez Canal. The next day 50 tanks were floated over the Canal on inflatable rafts to reinforce them. Meanwhile, a massive mobile bridge was towed across the desert by 12 Israeli tanks towards the Canal. On 19 October, the bridge was put in place and Israeli tanks and troops poured over the Canal. They quickly destroyed Egyptian SAM-3 missile sites, which meant the Israeli war planes could now safely join in the fight.

Question 24

What did the US send to Israel which helped them win the war?

Answer 24

$2.2bn worth of military supplies

Question 25

Why did Israel eventually back down in the Yom Kippur War?

Answer 25

Arab states pulled the ‘oil weapon’ on the US in which they threatened to stop selling oil to the US if Israel didn’t back down. This worked as under US pressure, Israel agreed to a ceasefire.