| − | The 1967 '''Six-Day War''' resulted when the [[Egypt]]ian ruler [[Gamal Abdel Nasser]] closed off the Gulf of Aqaba, which was the only access [[Israel]] had to the [[Red Sea]]. Israel responded with massive air strikes against several Arab nations, including Egypt, killing many Arabs and destroying their militaries. Israel conquered [[Jerusalem]], the West Bank, the [[Sinai Peninsula]] and Golan Heights. Palestinians in Jerusalem were offered the opportunity to become Israeli citizens, but many declined, leaving them without a country {{fact}}. | + | The 1967 '''Six-Day War''' resulted when the [[Egypt]]ian ruler [[Gamal Abdel Nasser]] closed off the Gulf of Aqaba, which was the only access [[Israel]] had to the [[Red Sea]]. Israel responded with massive pre-emptive air strikes against several Arab nations, including Egypt, killing many Arabs and destroying their militaries. Israel conquered [[Jerusalem]], the West Bank, the [[Sinai Peninsula]] and Golan Heights. Humiliated, Egyptian President Abdel Nasser announced his resignation, but later agreed to continue to lead Egypt. |
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| + | Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol cited principles of self-defense for his approval of airstrikes on Egypt and battles with Jordanian and Syrian forces. Eshkol told a British newspaper, "The threat of destruction that hung over Israel since its establishment and which was about to be implemented has been removed. For the first time in 19 years, Jews are again free to pray at the Wailing Wall and at other shrines sacred to Judaism in Jerusalem and Hebron."<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/10/newsid_3047000/3047177.stm</ref> |
| | + | This War reportedly displaced 500,000 Palestinians, and Israel offered the Palestinians in Jerusalem the opportunity to become Israeli citizens, but many declined.<ref>''Id.''</ref> |