Six Days: How the 1967 War Shaped the Middle East by Jeremy Bowen – Reviewed by Guy Portman
Over a six-day period in 1967, Israel fought and defeated an Arab coalition consisting of Egypt, Jordan and Syria. Tensions had been mounting as a result of Egypt’s President Nasser blocking the Straits of Tiran thus preventing Israeli shipping from passing through. Nasser, the hero of the Arab world, believed bloodshed would be avoided and that he would win a political victory; but if his action did result in war, he was adamant his soldiers could defend Sinai on the country’s eastern border. He was sorely mistaken.
After much clandestine preparation, Israel launched a blitzkrieg-style assault. Egypt’s air force was largely destroyed on day one, the majority while still on the ground. The ensuing land assault culminated in catastrophic casualties in Sinai for the emasculated Egyptian army shorn of air support. Despite the calamity, Nasser used propaganda, primarily radio, to project victory.
Next Israel targeted Syria and Jordan, who despite fighting bravely were no match for the well-equipped and organised IDL. Under mounting international pressure, Israel opted against marching on Damascus and brought an end to the fighting.
‘The Six Day War’ saw the victor seize East Jerusalem, Golan Heights, Gaza and the West Bank, territory it continues to occupy to this day. The author presents it as a bittersweet triumph due to the already existing hatred it intensified.
This rigorously researched text boasts a simple, accessible writing style. Through its numerous interviews, journalist Bowen imbues his account of the conflict with a personal touch. However, it is a very long book, and in this reader’s opinion excessively so. The aftermath of the war, particularly the content devoted to its legacy could have been shortened considerably. As it was penned in 2012, this aspect has dated somewhat.
