📖 Background Reading: The Six-Day War (1967)

The Six-Day War was fought between 5–10 June 1967 and involved Israel against a coalition of neighbouring Arab states — primarily Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. It remains one of the most significant and swiftly decisive conflicts of the 20th century.

Tensions had been building for years. Arab nations, particularly Egypt under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, had long opposed the existence of the State of Israel, which was established in 1948. In May 1967, Egypt expelled United Nations peacekeeping forces from the Sinai Peninsula and blockaded the Strait of Tiran — a vital shipping route for Israel — effectively cutting off Israeli access to the Red Sea. Israel viewed this as an act of war.

On 5 June 1967, Israel launched a pre-emptive strike, destroying the Egyptian air force on the ground within hours. Over the next six days, Israeli forces seized the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. A ceasefire was declared on 10 June.

The war dramatically redrew the map of the Middle East. Israel tripled the territory under its control. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced. The conflict deepened long-standing tensions and set the stage for ongoing disputes over land, sovereignty, and identity that continue to this day. For New Zealanders, understanding events like this helps us engage meaningfully with global affairs and the responsibilities of citizenship in an interconnected world.

✅ Part 1: Comprehension Questions

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✏️ Part 2: Critical Thinking and Reflection

💡 Sentence starter: "As New Zealanders, learning about the Six-Day War is important because it helps us understand..."