The 1967 Six-Day War and the progression of Israeli-Arab relations

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relationship between the State of Israel and the Arab world, and how it has and continues to be complex and ever-evolving. The paper will particular attention to the 1967 Six Day War, and how it fundamentally altered the trajectory of Israel and its Arab neighbors. The establishment of a Jewish state in the midst of all the surrounding Arab countries was seismic, and many of them did not accept Israel's presence or existence. In the Six Day War, Israel's neighbors sought to wipe Israel off the map but in the end, Israel delivered a resounding victory and reshaped the geopolitical structure of the Arab world. They decimated the Arab armies and occupied vast swaths of land, delivering a blow to the morale of Arab countries and the dream of pan-Arabism, or Arab unity. For better and for worse, the 1967 Six Day War cemented Israel's place in the region, which has had lasting ramifications. In analyzing this through a range of government records, scholarly articles, news sources and NGO-compiled data, the data indicates that Israel's victory in 1967 was a turning point. In addition, modern day geopolitical concerns in the region are and will be affected by Israel's existence and its power.