The Six-Day War - 40 Years Later

A significant anniversary in the history of Israel/Palestine

Jun 4, 2007

June of 2007 marks forty years since the Six-Day war in 1967. It was during this time that Israel occupied much of the Gaza and West Bank in Palestine.

The Six-Day was was a pre-emptive move against several of Israel's Arab neighbours, in particular Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. It was during this military move that Israel went beyond the negotiated "Green Line," set in 1948, and into much of what is now known as the Occupied Territories.

Peace activists who are in favour of a two-state solution, usually point to the Six-Day was as a turning point in the history of the Middle East, and encourage the borders of Israel to return to their pre-1967 settings. While ideal, it is certainly something that cannot happen overnight and would require the agreement of both sides of the equation.

Forty years of history is a long time to just overcome with a simple statement. Israel's security would have to be guaranteed -- no small task in a land that has bred the kind of extremism that leads to terrorism. Settlements would have to be dismantled and the people relocated. Extremism works on both sides, and many Zionists will not leave those areas quietly.

This is a situation where land has to be swapped for peace, and peace has to be ensured -- no small feat. People sometimes forget that the peace process in the Middle East is exactly that: a process. No miracles are going to happen, and whatever will ultimately happen will likely take years. Many peace activists are either overly idealistic or optimistic when it comes to Israel/Palestine.

This summer, particularly during the second week of June, numerous actions will be taking place around the world to commemorate these forty years. Numerous marches and rallies organized by peace groups, particularly those focussing on that part of the world, will happen, including in Israel itself. Indeed, when it comes to peace in the Middle East, Israel has one of the largest peace movements around, likely because these are the people who live with the daily threat of terror.

Indeed, it is easy to pontificate about what is going on in Israel/Palestine from our comfortable, safe surroundings. The main thing we need to take away with us in light of this somber occasion is the reminder that occupation is wrong and breeds violence. When safety and security becomes more important than land, and when an entire nation is stopped being seen as oppressors and innocent people targetted for crimes of terror, then maybe there is a chance.

The journalist and historian Gwynne Dyer spoke at my high school years ago, and in response to a question said that the situation in Israel/Palestine was so complicated that even, "G-d cannot sort out the Middle East." Us mere mortals should not fool ourselves into thinking we have all the answers.

The copyright of the article The Six-Day War - 40 Years Later in Peace Making is owned by Paula Kirman. Permission to republish The Six-Day War - 40 Years Later in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.