Nasser And Six-day War

Описание: Today marks the anniversary of the Six-Day War. On 5 June 1967, Israel launched strikes against Egypt, Jordan and Syria, claiming it was trying to prevent attacks from these countries that it had been striking over several months due to attacks by pro-Palestine resistance fighters. Aided by the US, Israel went on to invade and occupy Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, Egypt-administered Gaza Strip, Jordan-administered West Bank, Jerusalem’s Old City and Syria’s Golan Heights.

At the time, Egypt was led by one of its most popular presidents, Gamal Abdel Nasser (1918-70). He’d beaten the British, French and Israelis in the 1956 Suez War, and his Pan-Arabism and Pan-Africanism changed the landscape of his country and the region. 

Listen to Nasser’s TV interview in 1967, where he spells out, in no uncertain terms, his take on Israel and the US, just before the conflict broke out. 

Nasser remained resolute even after Egypt’s defeat in the Six-Day War. Many believe if he hadn’t died in 1970, Egypt would still be fighting to free all the occupied lands. His successor, Anwar Sadat (1918-81), did manage to liberate the Sinai Peninsula, but only after recognising Israel and starting diplomatic ties following a 1979 agreement. In the years since, Egypt has signed many bilateral deals with Israel on energy, food and agricultural products.

Hence, the Six-Day War remains a controversial topic amongst Africans and Arabs alike. 

Now, compare Nasser’s words with what Egypt has done following the 7 October 2023 escalation of Israel’s 77-year occupation of Gaza, where, amongst other things, Egypt has restricted aid to Gaza by denying trucks from crossing into Rafah. One Egyptian company reportedly generated $2 million per day in 2024 as it charged Palestinians fleeing Israel’s military onslaught and siege.