Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 SMI; site sun.uucp Path: utzoo!lsuc!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!decwrl!sun!cramer From: cramer@sun.uucp (Sam Cramer) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: The 1967 War Message-ID: <3382@sun.uucp> Date: Wed, 19-Mar-86 12:03:23 EST Article-I.D.: sun.3382 Posted: Wed Mar 19 12:03:23 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 26-Mar-86 18:52:39 EST References: <93@ubc-vision.UUCP> <1372@mtuxo.UUCP> <159@dione.rice.EDU> <3350@sun.uucp> <99@cad.UUCP> <1706@ihlpg.UUCP> Reply-To: cramer@sun.UUCP (Sam Cramer) Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc. Lines: 109 Raif Hijab claims that "A careful reading of the history of events leading to the 1967 Six War (one not restricted to the Israeli interpretation) would clearly show that Israel had planned the war years in advance, that it was clearly not a defensive war, and that Israel was engaged in provocation to start a war." Such a "careful reading" of history is grossly at odds with the facts. Years before the 1967 war Arab leaders were threatening war with Israel. Egyptian leader Nasser stated on Radio Cairo on May 18, 1962 that "we will launch a full-scale war when the right moment comes." Arab preparations for the attack began approximately 3 weeks before the war itself. On May 14, 1967 Egypt mobilized its troops and started deploying 90,000 troops and 900 tanks into forward positions in the Sinai peninsula. On May 16 Nasser demanded the removal of UN peace-keeping troops from the Sinai. Before the UNEF troops pulled out the Egyptians opened fire on them at El-Quseimah and Al-Sabah. On May 17 Radio Cairo's "Voice of the Arabs" stated "all Egypt is now prepared to plunge into total war which will put an end to Israel." On May 18, with the evacuation of UN troops, the "Voice of the Arabs" announced, using Hitlerian terminology, "As of today, there no longer exists an international emergency force to protect Israel. We shall exercise patience no more. We shall not complain any more to the UN about Israel. The sole method we shall apply against Israel is a total war which will result in the extermination of Zionist existence." On May 20 Hafez Assad, then Syrian Defense Minister and now Syrian President, stated "Our forces are now entirely ready not only to repulse the aggression, but to initiate the act of liberation itself, and to explode the Zionist presence in the Arab homeland. The Syrian Army, with its finger on the trigger, is united... I, as a military man, believe that the time has come to enter into the battle of liberation." On May 27 Nasser stated "Our basic objection will be the destruction of Israel. The Arab people want to fight." and said "The meaning of [the Egyptian occupation of] Sharm el-Sheikh is a confrontation with Israel. Adopting this measure obligates us to be ready to embark on a general war with Israel." The next day Nasser stated "We will not accept any... coexistence with Israel... Today the issue is not the establishment of peace between the Arab states and Israel... The war with Israel is in effect since 1948." As the war drew closer and as Nasser was able to enlist more Arab leaders in his encirclement of Israel the exterminationist rhetoric echoed through out the Arab world. Iraqi President Arif stated on May 31 that "Our goal is clear: to wipe Israel off the map." Let's not forget the valiant role of the PLO in this "struggle". PLO Chairman Shukeiry (Arafat's predecessor) said on June 1 "The Jews of Palestine will have to leave... Any of the old Palestinian Jewish population who survive may stay, but it is my impression that none of them will survive." Algerian President Boumedienne chimed in on June 4, saying "The Arab struggle must lead to the liquidation of Israel." On June 5, the eve of the war, Radio Damascus broadcast "Oh ye Arabs!... throw them into the sea, engrave your history with blood, fire and steel.. Ho! our powerful army, continue your march to Tel Aviv." and went on to state on June 7 "Soldiers of the fronts of Jordan, Syria, Sinai, Gaza and Khan Yunis - the holy march is on! Fight! Kill them, slaughter them and then cleanse their blood off your weapons on the shores of of Jaffa, Acco and Haifa." [Evidently it is such statements by the Syrians that lead some to characterize the Syrian Ba'ath party, in power since 1963 as of a "secular, progressive and nationalist character, with just a hint of Euro-socialism"!] But I guess that all the preceding evidence is not "based on a careful reading of history" - who knows, it may even have originated in the "Israeli War [sic] Ministry"! -- Sam Cramer uucp: {cbosgd,decwrl,hplabs,seismo,ucbvax}!sun!cramer arpanet: cramer@sun.arpa