Causes Leading The 1967 War Between Israel And Arab Nations

The most important cause of the 67 war was the aggressive statements and speeches the Egyptian President Nasser made. In these statements and speeches, he talked of the impending extermination of the state of Israel which he hoped would reassure the Arab world that he was still determined in destroying Israel. By doing so he was trying to Ð''save face' which included saving his declining reputation and influence. This declining popularity and influence was showcased in the early 1960s when Syria pulled out the United Arab Republic and the prolonged fighting of Egyptian troops in Yemen. Nasser was only so daring in making these speeches as Ben-Gurion had left office and was replaced by Levi Eshkol who was perceived to be much weaker. As a result of Nasser's threatening speeches and statements, the Israelis went to the Americans for reassurance that they would not oppose any military action against Egypt as they did not want a repeat of a Sinai campaign where a successful military campaign came to nothing because of political pressures. This reassurance came in the form of Dean Rusk, the American Secretary of State saying: "I don't think it's our business to restrain anyone". This meant that the Israelis held the knowledge that military action against Egypt was a viable action. Furthermore, the immediate preceding actions of Nasser before the war added to the tensions between the two countries Ð'- e.g. the sending of troops close to the Israeli boarder, his demand of the withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping force between the Egyptian-Israeli border and the closure of the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli ships. Overall the actions of Nasser were the main contributing factors which led to inception of the 67 war. Without the threatening and aggressive speeches and without Nasser's demand for the withdrawal of UN troops, Israel would not have reached the extent of attacking Egypt.