Israel Egypt Conflict and Iraq War

Israeli-Egypt Conflict and Iraq War

Israeli-Egyptian Conflict

On June 5, 1967, Israel launched a surprise attack on Egypt which quickly spread to involve other neighboring states with both ground and air troops becoming involved in the conflict. Israel claimed that the attack was provoked by a massive Egyptian build-up of military forces along the Israeli border. On May 27 of that year the President of Egypt, Abdel Nasser, had stated that Egypt's basic objective was the destruction of Israel (BBC, 1967). Although Israel had consistently attempted to negotiate with its neighbors, their overtures were repeatedly rejected (Bard, 2008). Intelligence indicated the Arab states were preparing to go to war against Israel with Egypt, Jordan, and Syria being aided by Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Algeria. On May 16 President Nasser ordered the withdrawal of United Nations Emergency Forces from the Egyptian-Israeli border. Later that month Egypt had signed a pact with Jordan declaring an attack on one was an attack on both. This was seen by Israel as a clear sign of preparation for war. Israel claimed a preemptive strike was necessary because the element of surprise was the only way it could stand any chance of defending itself against the increasing threat from neighboring states (BBC, 1967).

Subsequently, Nasser asserted to U.S. President Lyndon Johnson that his troop in the Sinai Peninsula had been to defend itself against a possible Israeli attack. In fact the U.S. State Department had warned Egypt that there were rumors that there might be a conflict. In fact the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) assessed that Nasser's military presence in the Sinai was defensive, stating that "Armored striking forces could breach the UAR's double defense line in the Sinai in three to four days and drive the Egyptians west of the Suez Canal in seven to nine days. Israel could contain any attacks by Syria or Jordan during this period" (Hammond, 2010).

Given the criteria presented in the spectrum of justification for war this conflict may be classified as an easier-to-justify preventative war. The Arab states had indeed demonstrated acts of hostile intent, preparatory steps toward hostile action, and made inflammatory rhetoric in the face of reasonable offers of negotiation. Since there is some room for doubt that an attack was pending this war cannot be classified as justified. Whether or not Israel was morally justified in taking this action is debatable, however when placed in the context of the time a strong argument may be made that it was.

Iraq War