LIMUNHS2017

25TH–26THNOVEMBER2017

CRISIS:THESIXDAYWAR

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CONTENTS

IntroductiontotheDirectorate.........................................................................................3

IntroductiontotheCommittee..........................................................................................2

TheSixDayWar................................................................................................................5Introduction..............................................................................................................................5Background................................................................................................................................6

PoliticalBackground......................................................................................................................6EconomicBackground...................................................................................................................8ReligiousBackground....................................................................................................................9

Currentsituationandaims.......................................................................................................10EgyptianandSyriancabinet.....................................................................................................11Bibliography.............................................................................................................................17

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INTRODUCTIONTOTHECOMMITTEEDearDelegates,WelcometotheLIMUN-HSCrisisSimulation!Youarenowactingasdecision-makersintheeventsleadinguptotheSixDayWarintheMiddleEast,atimethatcanbebestdescribedasconvolutedandtense.TheSixDayWar(alsoreferredtoasthe1967War)beganonthe5thJune1967,andthetruecausesofthewarremainuncleartothisday–theamountoftheoriesandconclusionsissimplyoverwhelming.Nevertheless,the1967Warbearssimilaritieswithmanyofthe“proxy”warsoftheColdWar,aswellasnumerousconflictsthatbeganaftertheColdWar.Thisconflictisagoodexampleofthefactthatdiplomacyisanextremelyintricateanddifficultskilltomaster;neithersideoftheSixDayWaracknowledgedtheimportanceofthisskill.Thus,duetothelackofdiplomacy,eachsideassumedtheworstabouttheother,whichonlyheightenedthetension,andeventuallyresultedinalarge-scaleeruptionandwar,theresultsofwhichwestillseeintheWestBankandtheGazaStriptoday.Thecrisissimulationwillbeginalittleearlierthantheactualwar,soyouwillhaveachanceto‘changehistory’and,perhaps,avoidtheactualwar.Rememberdelegates,thatwarsarenotallaboutthemilitary.TheSixDayWarhappenedin1967,whichwasstilloneofthehotter(moretense)phasesoftheColdWar,andthesuperpowers(USAandUSSR)weregreatlyinvestedintheoutcomeoftheconflict.Or,rather,foralongtimetheywishedtoavoiditaltogether.Sodelegates,dobearinmindallthenuancesofthebuild-uptowar.WesincerelyhopeyouenjoytheSixDayWarcrisis.Nomatterwhowinsandwholoses,crisisisaboutexploringnewpossibilitiesandenjoyingyourself.Neverbeshytosuggestanideaorsendinadirective–youneverknowhowitcanhelpyourblocoryourcharacter.WearealllookingforwardtowelcomingyouattheconferenceinNovember!KatrinaMarinaCrisisDirector

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INTRODUCTIONFROMTHECHAIRSDearDelegates,LookingforwardtomeetingeveryoneintheIsraelicabinetasthisismyfourthcrisisinvolvingtheZioniststate.AtWarMUN,Ichairedthe1948IsraelicabinetandhadanexcellenttimeasPMDavidBen-Gurion,howeverforthiscrisisIwillnothaveacharacterbutwillbetheretosupportyouthroughoutcommitteesession.IhavestudiedthehistoryanddiplomacyoftheArab-Israeliconflictaswellastheinterferenceofglobalsuperpowers.ThiscrisiscommitteewillalsobeanintroductiontotheColdWarintheMiddleEastandhowithadmonumentaleffectontheconflict.FeelfreetoaskmeanyquestionsabouttheIsraelicabinet,yourposition,yourdirectivesorrulesandprocedure.AlsofeelfreetoaskaboutmyviewsontheArab-Israeliconflict.HamzahSheikh,ChairoftheIsraeliCabinet.DearDelegates,MynameisKinzaKhanandIamasecond-yearstudentatCityUniversityofLondon.IamdelightedtointroducemyselfastheAssistantChairfortheIsraeliCabinet.Sincetheageof13IhavebeenengagedintheLondonModelUnitedNationsConference(MUNC).Startingasadelegate,IwonawardsformydebatingskillsandIwassoonpromotedasachair.ThisledmetotheprestigiousroleofchairingtheSecurityCouncil.AlongsideChairing,IbecameUndersecretaryGeneralwhichIenjoyedthoroughlyandsoonIwashonouredtobecomeSecretaryGeneral.Throughouttheyears,mypassionforMUNChasflourished.Ihaveenjoyedmeetingnewpeople,creatingstrongfriendships,workinginateamandbeingknowledgeableaboutourworld.Ihopeyouenjoythenextconferenceandcreatealastingresolutionwhichreflectsyourhardwork.Goodluckdelegates.KindestRegards,KinzaKhan,AssistantChair,IsraelCabinet

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DearDelegates,HelloandwelcometoLIMUN-HSandtheEgyptian/SyrianCabinet!MynameisIvanandIwillbeyourchairduringthiscrisissimulation.Asmembersofthecabinet,itisimportantthatyouallworktogetherefficiently,lookoutfordetails,butalsodon’tlosesightofthebiggerpicture.“Knowledgeispower”andagreattool,soresearchisnecessaryforanyeffectivecabinet.Wehopeyouenjoytheconferenceandtakeadvantageofthegreatopportunitypresentedtoyou.Welookforwardtoseeingyouall,andgoodluck!IvanSrbulov,ChairofEgyptian/SyrianCabinet.

DearDelegates,MynameisMuslimaandIamasecondyearMedicalGeneticistatQueenMaryUniversityofLondon.IhavebeentakingpartinModelUnitedNationssincetheageof14.Sincethen,IhavebeenaDelegate,Chair,SecretaryGeneralandIamcurrentlyservingasaDirectorforseveralHighschoolconferences.Ihopeyouallmakethemostoutoftheconferenceand,leavewiththeeverlastingMUN-fever.Ilookforwardtomeetingyouall!MuslimaSheikhUmmay,AssistantChairofEgyptian/SyrianCabinet.

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THESIXDAYWARINTRODUCTION

ByMay31st1967thesituationinbetweenIsraelandEgyptwasverytenseandwarseemedalmostinevitable.Whathappenedoverthepastfewmonthstoraisethetensionandletthesituationgetthisfar?HerearethekeyeventsbetweenIsraelanditsneighbours:Onthe13thMay1967,theEgyptiangovernmentwasgiventopsecretinformationbytheKremlinthatIsraelwasgoingtoattackEgypt,whichsubsequentlyledtoafullmilitarisation(preparationforwar)inEgypt.This,inturn,meantthatSyriawasalsobuildingupitsforces,asaresultofthe1966Syria-EgyptPact(aPactwhichstatedtheincaseofanattackononecountrytheotherwoulddefendit).Onthe23rdMay,theIsraelisencounteredanotherbigproblem,whenPresidentNasser(ofEgypt)declaredthattwoislandsontheStraitsofTiranwouldbeblockedbyEgypt.ThisinconveniencecameatagreatcostfortheIsraelis,whousedtheStraitsforexportpurposes.TheIsraelis,extremelyreliantonthesupportoftheUS,askedLyndonB.Johnson(thenPresidentoftheUS)forpermissiontoleadanoffensiveagainstEgypt.Onthe26thMay,LyndonB.JohnsonissuedastatementprohibitingIsraelfromdoingso;theUSpresidentdeclaredthatifIsraelweretoattackEgypt,theywillnotgetanysupportfromtheUS.Inthemeantime,theEgyptiangovernmentwasactingsimilarlytotheiradversary.PresidentNassersentanEgyptiandelegationtoMoscow,toaskKremlinforsupportandpermissiontogotowarwithIsrael.Moscowdeniedthisrequest.Thesituationseemscritical,asbothsidesareadamantinwagingwaragainsteachother.ThekeynoteaboveisthatduringthisperiodtherewasalmostnodirectcommunicationbetweenIsraelandEgypt.Theycouldonlyseetheactionsthattheotherweretakingandtrytoguesswhatwashappening.IsraelseeingEgyptandSyriastarttomobilizemeantthattheycouldonlyassumetheotherwaspreparingtoattackthemandtrytomakefurtherpreparationsforaninvasion.Overall,diplomacyisweak,andbothDefenceMinistershaveeveryreasontobelievethatonesidemayattacktheotherinnotime,notknowingthatbothsuperpowersareveryafraidofsendingtheiralliestowar.Nevertheless,warscanstillbeavoided,ifdecisionsaremadewithextracaution,andthegovernmentthinksnotone,nottwo,butthreestepsahead.

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BACKGROUND

PoliticalBackgroundFollowingthe1948Arab-IsraeliWar,manyPalestinianswereforcedtopermanentlyleavetheirhomesinthelandthatbecameknownasIsrael.TensionsremainedbetweenIsraelanditsneighboringArabcountriesinthecomingyears,includingduringthe1956SuezCanalcrisis,whereinEgyptianPresidentGamalAbdelNassersoughttonationalise,andblockIsrael’stradeutilisationof,theCanalrunningthroughEgypt.Thisblockade,whilepartiallysuccessfulonastrategicfront,neverthelesssignificantlyincreasedhostilitiesbetweenEgyptandIsrael.Alongwithregionaltensions,globalconflictsalsoincreasedthescopeofdangerousuncertaintyfortheArabcountries.TheColdWartensionsoftheera,duringthe50s-60spromptedexternalparticipationintherelationshipbetweenIsraelanditsneighbours;theSovietUnionequippedEgypt’sdefenses,whileIsraelreceivedairandlandvehiclesfromFranceandBritain,andbackingsupportfromAmerica.Differenceswerealsoseenintheopponent's’strategicaims;Israel,withitsdefenceoperationsledbyYitzhakRabin,furtherstrengtheneditsmilitarycapabilitybyfixingitsarmedforceswithadeterminationtobevictorious.Meanwhile,EgyptianpresidentNasserhadlessertrainedforcesashefocusedongrowinganArabnationalistmovementtocombatIsrael.However,thenationsthemselveswererootedinmanyinternalconflicts,makingregionalunitydifficultasmistrustandsuspicionsofrevolutionsweregrowingbetweenthecountries.Nevertheless,certainformationsdidemerge,suchastheshort-livedUnitedArabRepublicfrom1958-1961,betweenEgyptandSyria,untilthelatterbecameindependent.Inthemidstofthisturmoilforstability,Jordan’sKingHussein,whowasoftentoutedasapeacemaker,oftencameclosetodiscussingpeacewithIsrael,buttheseeffortsultimatelywereunsuccessful.Conflictsatborders-ofbothlandandwater-continuedtodevelopovertime,causingirritationtotheopposingsides.Israel,sharingaborderwithbothSyriaandEgypt,wassusceptibletotheprospectofattacksfromeithernation.ThiscametoaheadonNovember13th,1966,whenthevillageofSamu,intheWestBankunderJordan’scontrol,wasstruckbytheIsraelDefenceForces.ThisactionwasseverelyreprimandedbytheUnitedStates,whichinturnsubduedIsraeliaggressiontowardsitsneighbours,butdidnotcombatthecausesoftensionswholly.EventstookamoretenseturnbytheApril7th,1967cross-borderbattlebetweenIsraelandSyria,wheretheattackonanIsraelitractorinthedemilitarisedzonelaunchedanairandlandbattle,causingcasualtiesonbothsides.

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OnMay131967,theUSSRsentanoticetoCairothatIsraelitroopswereconvergingontheSyrianborderinpreparationofanattack.Thisinformationwasfalse,andhistoriansstatethatthismayhavebeenamovebytheSovietUniontopromptthesubsequentwar,inanefforttodisruptIsraelandtheUS,whowerealsooccupiedbytheeventsinVietnam.OnMay14,Egyptbeganmobilisingitsarmedforces,andEgyptianBattleOrderNo.1wasissued,raisingthealertforimminentwar.Thefollowingday,Israelalsobegandirectingunitstotheborderfront,andsentwordtoEgyptthattheseactionswerebeingtakenasaresponsetotheArabpreparations.TheexpulsionofUNpeacekeepers,whohadbeenpresentintheSinaiPeninsulaandGazaStripsince1957,wasalsodemandedfromEgypt.ThisdemandwasgrantedbyUNSecretaryGeneralUThantonMay18,1967,although

reluctantly,statingthatthewithdrawaloftheUNEmergencyForcesmay“havegraveimplicationsforpeace”.TheremovalofthetroopsledtoNasserclosingtheStraitsofTiranonMay22,andeffectivelyblockingIsraelisshipsattheentrancetotheGulfofAqaba.Theresponsestothiseventareoftencitedastheturningpointintheconflict,withtheclosurebeingacatalystfortheSix-DayWartocome.FollowingtheblockadeoftheStraits,IsraeliPMLeviEshkolcalledformilitarisationofitsforces,withthenationproclaimingtheclosurewas“anactofaggressionagainstIsrael”.However,inanefforttohaltfurther

escalationbytalkingbeforephysicalaggression,IsraeliforeignministerAbbaEbandiscussedthesituationwithUSA’sPresidentJohnson,andwaswarnedtonotbeginstrikes,whilstheworkedonopeningthewaterways.EbanagreedandrelayedthemessagebacktotheIsraelitroops,notifyingthemofatwoweekwaitbeforetakingfurtheraction.Atthistime,NasserhadmovedtroopsintotheSinaidesert,andheldanewsconferenceonMay28,wherehespokeoftheneedforaunifiedArabfrontagainstIsraeliaggression.ThissweepingfeelingofnationalismbroughtconcerntoKingHussein,whodeliberatedovertheimpactsofbeinginvolvedintheimminentwar.KingHusseinandNassersignedaJordan-EgyptdefenceagreementinCairoonMay30,allowingJordantojoininonthepresentEgyptian-Syrianalliance,andsothattheJordaniankingcouldcalmthegrowingtensionsofinternalconflictbyitsownPalestiniancitizens.Bytheendofthemonth,themajorityofIsraeliresidentswereinvolvedinwartimepreparations,withable-bodiedmenreadyinuniform,whilecivilianwomenandchildrenraisedfundsforarms,madeprovisionsfortroopstoeat,anddonatedbloodatbloodbankssetupinthecountry.

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OnJune2,MeirAmit,theheadofIsraeliintelligenceagencyMossad,flewtoWashingtonDCtodiscusstheinevitabilityofwartoUSDefenceSecretary,RobertMcNamara,statingthatawarwasneededsoonerthanlaterinordertominimisedisruptiontoIsraelieconomyanddailylife.Hestatedthatitwouldbecompletedinunderaweekandwithlessthanthe6000casualtiesenduredduringthe1948war.AmitreturnedtoIsraelandrelayedthisnewstothePMthenextday.ThedecisiontoengageincombatwasratifiedbytheIsraelicabinetthefollowingmorning,andwasinlinewithNasser’spredictionsthatanattackwouldarriveonthe4thor5thofJune,duetohisobservationsofIraqitroopsmovingacrosstheValleytowardsIsrael.Thewarhadnowbegun.OnthemorningofJune5,theIsraeliforcessoughttoplaceOperationFocusintoaction,bywayofaseriesofstrikestargetingairforcesofArabtroopsontheground.Extensivepreparationsandtraininghadgoneintothisattack,includingbuildingvisualandaudiofamiliaritywithairbaselayoutsandlanguagesinJordan,Egypt,andSyria.AfterasuccessfulseriesofbomblaunchesonEgyptinthemorning,IsraelrepeatedthedestructiononJordanianandSyrianairforces.ThiseffectivelydefeatedtheArabforcesintheskies,grantingIsraeldominanceovertheairspace.Fightingalsobrokeoutingroundtroopsoverthenextfivedays.IsraelendedtheirsiegebycapturingtheGazastripandSinaidesertfromEgypt,GolanHeightsfromSyria,andWestBankandEastJerusalemfromJordan.

EconomicBackground

Asmentionedabove,thekeyeconomiclead-uptothecurrentmomentwasEgypt’sclosingoftheStraitsofTiran.ThisclosedoffIsraelfrommanyinternationaltraderoutesandmuchmoreimportantlycutitofffromIranianoil,oneofitsmostimportantlocaltradingpartners.ThiswasseenasmassiveeconomicembargoonIsrael.ManywithintheIsraeligovernmentdescribedtheimpactitwouldhaveonthelifeofallcitizensasintolerableandmanyarguedthattheclosingofthestraitshadtobereversedinorderforIsrael’seconomicandsocialwellbeingtocontinue.TheclosingoftheportcreatedmilitaryandeconomicpressureonIsraeltofindawayaroundtheembargo.Themostobviouscandidateswerediplomaticandtrade,howeverthesehavenotprovedfruitfulyetandtherehadbeenanamassingofforcesontheIsraeli-Syrian-Egyptianborder.ThisforcesaverylimitedandimportanttimeronIsrael,canitfindawayaroundtheblockadebeforethelackofresources-especiallyoil-cripplesit?TheSixDayWarrevolvesaroundvariouspoliticaltiesandrelationships,butthedominothatfellandledalltobelievethecrisiswasinevitablewastheclosingoftheStraitsofTiran.

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ReligiousBackgroundReligionisattheheartofterritorialdisputesandconflictsbetweenIsraelandthesurroundingcountries.FollowersofJudaismandIslamlayclaimto“thePromisedLand”andtheHolyCityofJerusalem.However,this“PromisedLand”orthe“LandofIsrael”asit’sreferredtoinJudaismhasveryindefinitegeographicallimitsanditsbordersvarydependingonwhatBiblicaltextoneconsults.AccordingtotheBible(Genesis15:18-21)GodgavethePromisedLandtoAbraham,thecommonpatriarchalfigureinthe3majorAbrahamicreligions(Christianity,IslamandJudaism).

‘OnthatdaytheLordmadeacovenantwithAbramandsaid,“ToyourdescendantsIgivethisland,fromtheWadi[a]ofEgypttothegreatriver,theEuphrates—thelandoftheKenites,Kenizzites,Kadmonites,Hittites,Perizzites,Rephaites,Amorites,Canaanites,GirgashitesandJebusites.’

Later,inGenesis26:3,GodmakesthispromiseagaintoIsaac,Abraham’sson.ItisalsostatedthatthiswouldapplytoalldescendantsofAbraham.

‘Stayinthislandforawhile,andIwillbewithyouandwillblessyou.FortoyouandyourdescendantsIwillgivealltheselandsandwillconfirmtheoathIsworetoyourfather

Abraham.’

Numbers34:1-12outlinesthebordersofthePromisedLandinaspeechfromGodtoMoses,wholedtheIsraelitesoutofEgypt.OntheleftisamapshowingthespecifiedboundariesinaccordancewiththeaforementionedBiblicalpassage.

However,theoriginalpromiseofGodinGenesis15included

MapshowingthebordersofthePromisedLand,basedonBiblicalpassages.

MapshowingthegeneralbordersofthePromisedLand,asdescribedinGenesis15.

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moreterritorythanmentionedinNumbers34,andDeuteronomy1:8isseenlargelyasthefulfilmentofthepromise.‘See,Ihavegivenyouthisland.GoinandtakepossessionofthelandtheLordsworehewouldgivetoyourfathers—toAbraham,IsaacandJacob—andtotheirdescendantsafterthem.’InDeuteronomy19:8-9itisfurtherstatedthatbyfollowingGod,theJewishpeoplecanpotentiallyacquireevenmoreterritory.‘IftheLordyourGodenlargesyourterritory,ashepromisedonoathtoyourancestors,andgivesyouthewholelandhepromisedthem,becauseyoucarefullyfollowalltheselawsIcommandyoutoday—tolovetheLordyourGodandtowalkalwaysinobediencetohim—thenyouaretosetasidethreemorecities.’ThisconceptofthePromisedLandiscentraltoZionism-thenationalmovementoftheJewishpeoplethatsupportsthere-establishmentoftheJewishhomelandinthepreviouslyspecifiedregions.However,theJewishpeoplearen’ttheonlyoneswithaclaimtothearearootedinreligioustexts.AccordingtotheQur’an,Abraham’sfirstbornson,IshmaelwasalsopromisedtheaforementionedlandandthisissignificantasIshmaelisthesonofAbrahamfromwhomArabsclaimdescent.Jerusalemisparticularlycentraltothereligiousdisputes.TheTempleMountinJerusalemholdsseveralsignificantlandmarksinIslam.TheDomeoftheRockontheTempleMountinJerusalemisbelievedtobetheplacewhereProphetMuhammadstartedhisjourneytoHeaven.Jerusalem’sTempleMountalsohousestheAl-AqsaMoscuewhichisconsideredthethirdholiestsiteinIslam.AccordingtoIslamictradition,MuhammadledprayerstowardstheAl-AqsaMosqueuntiltheseventeenthmonthofhisjourneytogetherwithhisfollowersfromMeccatoMedina.Thereligioustensionsareunlikelytosubsideanytimesoonasitisvirtuallyimpossibletodividethedisputedterritoriesfairlyandsoeveryoneiscontent.

CURRENTSITUATIONANDAIMS

Eachcabinetshouldconsiderthefollowingforavictoriousoutcome:• Diplomacyisakeytoolforanynegotiationprocess.Agoodcommanderwilldeviseastrongtacticaloffence/defenceplan.Butagreatcommanderwillhaveacunningstrategy,whichwillhelppre-empttheactionsoftheadversary.Thisincludesholdingpotentialmeetingswithyouralliesandmaybeevenyouradversaries.• Ifdiplomacyfails,remembertousedeception.Deceptionisoneofthemostcrucialtoolsinwar,i.e;youmakeyouradversarybelieveyouaremovingyourtroopsinonedirection,butinrealityyouareplanningonstrikingfromacompletelydifferentdirection.

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• Don’tforgetnuances,suchasreconnaissancetechniques;fromhumanintelligencetosignalandimageintelligence–allofthesewillbeabletogiveyouabetterunderstandingofyourenemy’spreparationlevels.• However,checkwhoyouralliesare–youdon’twanttohaveaspyworkinginyourcabinet,andifyoususpectanyoneyoumustdeviseaplantogetridofthetraitor.• KnowingwhoyouralliesareappliesforthewholeCabinet(forexample,theIsraelicabinetwillmostlikelytakeadvicefromtheUS,andtheEgyptiancabinetwillrelyheavilyontheUSSR),aswellastoindividualcharacters.• Remembertokeepyourfriendsclose,butyourenemiescloser.Specificgoals:• ThiscrisiswouldbeconsideredasuccessforIsraelif:

• IsraeliendedwithclosertiestotheUS(despiteit’sgreatinvolvementinVietnamatthemoment)• Israelhadaccesstoopenseasandaneasywaytotradewithallit’spartners(mostnotablyUSandIran)

• ThiscrisiswouldbeconsideredasuccessforEgyptandSyriaif:• IsraelisconvincedtodisarmorthereisaguaranteeofpeaceintheregionandpotentialforfutureIsraeliaggressionislimited• ThereiscertaintyintheregionthatIsraelwillnotposeathreat(militaryoreconomic)• MiddleEasterncountriesaremoreunitedasaregion

EGYPTIANANDSYRIANCABINET

1) President:GamalAbdelNasser

In1952,Nasserleadthe‘FreeOfficer’smovement’andhelpedoverthrowKingFarouk.NasserbecamePrimeMinisterin1954;hewastheonlycandidate,winning99.9%ofthevoteandhisconstitutionwinning99.8%ofthevote.Soonafter,in1956,heestablishedEgyptasa‘socialiststate.’WiththatbeingtheonlypartyandIslamastheofficialreligion,NasserwasthemostinfluentialandpowerfulleaderintheArabworld.TheArabswereimpressedandinspiredbythepoliticalvictoriesunderNasser’sname.HegaveanewmeaningtoArabnationalism.NasserdevelopedcloserelationswiththeSovietBloc;usingthemasasourceoffinancialaid.AlthoughthepublicknewthatNasserwasnotsofondofIsraeldueitbeingaJewishstate,in1964,SyriacondemnedEgyptfornotattackingIsraelandtheir‘NationalWaterCarrier,’theysaidthattheywere“hidingbehindtheskirts”oftheUNpeacekeepingforcebetweenEgyptandIsrael.Overall,thePrimeMinisterhasdominantleadershippowerinthecabinet,responsibleforcreatingacohesiveandefficientcabinet.TheyarealsoresponsiblefortheactionsoftheCabinet.2) MinisterofInterior:ShaarawiGomaa

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NasserfirstmetGomaain1957,whenGomaawasservingatarmystaffheadquarters.Afterwhich,GomaaheldpostsintheGeneralIntelligenceAgencyandwaspartofNasser’spoliticalbureau.In1961,hewasappointedGovernorofSuez.ThisledtoNasserappointingGomaaasthenewMinisterofInteriorin1966.Overall,theMinisterofInteriorisresponsiblefortheprotectionandsafetyofthecitizensintheircountry.Itoverseescustoms,immigration,emergencymanagementandthecoastguard.3) MinisterofForeignAffairs:MahmoudRiad

Riadfoughtinthe1948Arab-Israeliwar,andwaspartoftheEgyptiandelegation;whomsignedthe1949armisticewithIsrael.ThismakesRiadanexpertinArabaffairs.Moreover,Riadhasexperienceinbeinganarmyofficer.Hespentnineyearsinthearmy,afterwhichhejoinedtheMinistryofForeignAffairsin1952.Also,in1955,hewasappointedasanambassadortoSyria.In1962,hebecameaPermanentRepresentativetotheUnitedNations.Afterthis,hebecameMinisterofForeignAffairsin1964.Overall,theMinisterofForeignAffairsisresponsibleforinternationalrelationsandforthedomesticaffairsofforeignterritories.Theyhaveresponsibilityandpoweroverforeignmissions,includingembassies.4) MinisterofDefence:ShamsBadran

Badranhasaneducationalbackgroundinmilitary.ThisallowedhimtobecometheHeadoftheMilitarySecurityservicesduringthemid-1960s.Moreover,hewasoneofthebesthelperstowardsAbdulHakimAmer;servingastheofficemanager.In1966,BadranwasappointedMinisterofDefence.Withthisrole,Badranhasstrongcontroloverthemilitary.Overall,theMinisterofDefencehasoverallresponsibilityformanagingthecountry’smilitary5) MinisterofDefence:AminHoweidi

AminHoweidireplacedBadranasDefenceMinisterinJune1967.Howeidihasaneducationalbackgroundinmilitary,thusallowinghimtotakeupteachingatthemilitaryacademy.Moreover,hehasexperienceinplanningmilitaryoperationsinthearmedforcescommand.HesupportedNasserinthe1952revolution,ashewaspartoftheFreeOfficers.Inaddition,HoweidihashadexperiencebeinganambassadortoMoroccoandIraq.Afterwhich,heactedasMinisterofNationalGuidanceandthenMinisterofStateforCabinetAffairs.Finally,NasserappointedhimDefenceMinisterandDirectorofGeneralIntelligencein1967.6) MinisterofDefence:Abdul-HekimAmer

Amertookpartinthe1952revolution;playingaleadroleinthemilitarytohelpoverthrowKingFarouk,thushelpingbringNassertopower.In1953,AmerwasappointedEgypt’sChief-of-Staff,andcommander-in-chiefforthejointmilitarycommandestablishedbySyria

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andEgypt.Duringthe1956Suezwar,AmerledEgyptianforcesagainstbothalliedBritish-FrenchandIsraeliforces.Unfortunately,Amerwasdetainedbyrebelsduringthe1961Syriancoupd'étatandasaresult,wassentbacktoCairo.Moreover,from1964,AmeractedasVicePresidentandDeputySupremeCommandertoNasser.7) SecondSecretaryoftheBa’athParty:SalahJadid

SalahJadidhasalongandrichhistoryinboththemilitaryandpolitics.HestudiedattheHomsMilitaryAcademy,andenteredtheSyrianArmyin1946,andclimbedtherankstobecomeMajorGeneral.JadidwasoriginallyamemberoftheSyrianSocialNationalistParty(SSNP),butlaterbecameamemberoftheArabSocialistBa'athParty,ledbyMichelAflaqandSalahal-Dinal-Bitar,inthe1950sthroughanassociateofAkramal-Hawrani.Evenso,JadidremainedclosetotheSSNP;hisbrother,Ghassan,wasoneofitsmostprominentmembersinSyria.Hechangedallegianceagaininthe1950s,whenhebecameamemberoftheArabNationalistMovement,apartysupportingGamalAbdelNasser'sideologicalbeliefs.JadidsupportedSyria'sascensionintotheUnitedArabRepublic(UAR),aunionrepublicconsistingofEgyptandSyria.8) President:Nureddinal-Atassi

Atassiwasamedicaldoctorbytraining,andinthatcapacityaidedtheAlgerianforcesagainsttheFrenchintheAlgerianWarofIndependence.Thoughalong-timeideologueofthepowerfulBaathParty,AtassibecameitsGeneralSecretaryaswellasPresidentoftheRepublicin1966.Mr.Atassihadledthehard-linewingoftheBaathPartythatseizedpowerinacoupin1966.Nureddinal-AtassistudiedattheUniversityofDamascus,wherehegraduatedinmedicinein1955.Doctorbyprofession,heenteredpoliticsinthe1960sasamemberofthepartyoftheRenaissanceArabSocialist(Baaz).AfterthecoupofMarch1963whichledtotheBaathtopower,AtassibecameMinisteroftheInterior.OnFebruary23,1966therewasacoupd'etatoftheregionalleftandAtassibecamePresidentoftheRepublicandAtassire-establisheddiplomaticrelationswithEgypt,whichjoinedinthepolicyofintransigencefromIsrael.9) PrimeMinister:YusufZuayyin

AmemberoftheBa'athParty,heservedasPrimeMinisterofSyriain1965andagainfrom1966.Preferringaprivatelife,notmuchisknownaboutYusufZuayyinotherthanhisdedicationandloyaltytotheBa’athPartyandthePresident,Nureddinal-Atassi.10) ForeignSecretary:IbrahimMakhous

LikeYusuf,littleisdocumentedaboutIbrahim;however,whileastudent,hefoughtinthe1948Arab-IsraeliWarasavolunteerfortheArabforces.DuringtheAlgerianWarofIndependence,whichbeganin1954,heservedasavolunteerphysician.

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ISRAELICABINET11) PrimeMinister:LeviEshkol

BornintheKievGovernorateoftheRussianEmpire1895,heleftforOttomanPalestinein1914,soontobecomeoneoftheleadersoftheJudeaWorkers'Union.HevolunteeredfortheJewishLegionduringtheFirstWorldWarandhewasamemberoftheHaganahHighCommandfrom1940to1948.AfterIsraelsucceededingainingindependenceandthe1948Arab-IsraeliWar,LeviwasappointedDirector-GeneraloftheMinistryofDefense,embarkingonhispoliticalcareer.EshkolisservinghisthirdtermasPrimeMinisterandholdsprominenceinimprovingforeignrelations.Asheisincommandofmilitaryandintelligenceaffairs,healsostandsasthechiefcivilservantofIsrael'sgovernment.EshkolhasgivenhisdefenseportfoliotoMosheDayanafterformingaNationalUnityGovernment,howeverasaformerMinisterofDefense,EshkolisstronglyinfluentialinIsraelipoliticswhileengagingwiththeinternationalcommunity.12) MinisterofDefense:MosheDayan

Bornasthesecondchildonthefirstkibbutz,MosheDayanwasthecommanderoftheJerusalemfrontinthe1948Arab-IsraeliWarbeforeChiefofStafffortheIsraelDefenseForcesbetween1953-1956.HeretiredfromtheIDFin1958andjoinedMapai,aleft-wingpartythatwasledbyDavidBen-Gurion.YoudefectedthepartwhenLeviEshkolbecamePrimeMinisterandformedtheRafipartywithotherBen-Gurionloyalists.EshkolhadtoputasidehisdisdainforyouwhenformingtheNationalUnityGovernment,whichmadeyouMinisterofDefenseasaconditioninformingthecoalition.AsthePrimeMinisterwishestolimitDayan'scontrolovermilitaryaffairs,DayanisindeedanexpertinmodernwarfareandIsrael'sinvolvementinEgypt,especiallyafterpersonallyorderingraidsthroughoutthe1956invasionoftheSinai,beforecommandingtheIDFinthesamepeninsuladuringtheSuezCrisis.DayanhasacloserelationshiptoUSarmedforcesandisimmenselypopularamongsttheIsraelipopulation.13) ForeignMinister:AbbaEban

BorninCapeTownbeforemovingtoBelfast,AbbaspentmostofhisyouthintheUnitedKingdom,studyingClassicsandOrientalLanguagesatQueens'College,Cambridge.HebecameamemberoftheFederationofZionistYouthandcontinuedtoresearchlanguagesatCambridge,beforeworkingfortheWorldZionistOrganizationinLondonattheoutbreakoftheSecondWorldWar.HewasaliaisonofficertotheUnitedNationsSpecialCommitteeonPalestine,wherehewassuccessfulinpushingResolution191.HebecameaprominentdiplomatinhisskillforlanguagesandservedasIsraeliAmbassadortotheUnitedNationsfrom1950-1959.Uponhisengagementinpolitics,AbbabecameMinisterofForeignAffairs,buildingonhisworkthatreceivedstrongsupportfromtheinternationalcommunityforIsrael.

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14) ChiefofStaff:YitzhakRabin

BorninJerusalemtoUkrainianimmigrants,RabinhasanextensivecareerintheIsraeliDefenseForce.Heservedduringthe1948Arab-IsraeliwarandwasamemberoftheIsraelidelegationtothearmisticetalkswithEgypt,whichledtothe1949ArmisticeAgreements.Asoneofthemostseniormembersofthemilitarythathadremainedinhighservice,RabinhadoversawthemilitarydevelopfromasuccessoroftheHaganahtoamodernmilitarypower.HewasappointedChiefoftheGeneralStaffofbyLeviEshkolin1964.EventhoughEshkolwasaformerMinisterofDefense,hislackofexperiencemakesyouthemostinfluentialIsraeliinmilitaryaffairsatthetimebeforeMosheDayanhadtakencontroloftheMinistryofDefenseintherecentformationoftheNationalUnityGovernment.15) CommanderoftheIDF:GeneralUziNarkiss

AsthecommanderoftheIsraelDefenseForcesunitsintheCentralRegion,GeneralNarkisshasahugeamountofresponsibilityinrunningthefrontlineofoperationsforIsrael.BorninJerusalemtoPolishparents,hegrewupthroughouttheBritishMandateandwasactiveinoperationaspartoftheHaganahforce.Narkissbecameasuccessfulheadofoperationsinthe1948war,withafocusonsecuringpartsofJerusalemandconfrontingJordanianmilitary.StudyingafterwardsattheFrenchMilitaryAcademyasanIsraelimilitaryattaché,NarkissisanassetfortheIDFincommandinggroundoffensivesandurbanwarfare.16) FinanceMinister:PinchasSapir

PinchasSapirwastheFinanceMinisterofIsraelfrom1963-68.Hewasreferredtoas‘thefather’oftheIsraelieconomyduetohisconsiderablehardeffortstofostereconomicdevelopment.HewasaninfluentialIsraelipoliticianwhowasnotedforsecuringfundsandmilitaryaidsforIsrael.Sapirusedhis‘blacknotebook’toobserveeconomicmattersandensureditwascarriedwithhimalways.HeworkedhardtoattractforeigninvestmenttoIsrael,andhischarismawouldencouragebusinessmentoestablishtheirbusinessinIsrael.IfSapir’spersonalitywasn’tcharmingenough,hewouldusehisinitiativetoattractinvestors.Sapiroffereddealstoinvestors,wherehewouldfinanciallysupportthemtosetuptheirbusiness.SapirwasanexcellentFinanceMinisterasunderhisleadership,theeconomyboomedandoftenreached10%annualgrowth.17) MinisterofInformation:YisraelGalili

YisraelGaliliwastheInformationMinisterofIsraelfrom1967to1969,hisaimwastotakechargeof‘informationservices’.Hewasacabinetministerwithoutportfolioandwasresponsibleforinformationactivities,ensuringthepublicacknowledgedthehardworkoftheIsraeliforce.HewasalsoamemberoftheprestigiousForeignAffairsandDéfenseCommitteeandontheMinisterialCommitteeforSettlement.GaliliwaschieflyresponsiblefortheterritoriesoccupiedbyIsraelduringthesix-daywar.Galili’sabilitytocreatepoliciesregardingtheoccupiedterritoriesallowedthereturnofsomeareasthroughapeaceagreementaswellasasettlementwithothers.

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18) MinisterofInternalAffairs:HaimMoshe

HaimMoshe,throughouthispoliticallife,servedasaministerfrom1948to1970.InIsrael’sfirstelectionin1949,MoshebecametheMinisterofInternalAffairs.Followingacabinetreshufflein1952,helosttheInternalAffairsPortfoliobutanotherreshufflein1955allowedhimtoregainhispositionofInternalAffairs.Afterthe1959elections,MoshereturnedtothecabinetasMinisterofInternalAffairs.Hisrole,inthestateofIsrael,isonethatisresponsibleforlocalgovernment,citizenships,andvisas.Beforethesix-daywar,Moshewasthemostvocalministerwhoopposedapre-emptiveIsraeliattackashebelievedallcircumstanceswereagainstIsrael.MoshebelongedtoareligiousZionismcampwhichheldconsiderablepowerbeforethesix-daywarthereforemanyNationalReligiousPartyministersagreedwithMosheastheytoobelievedwarwasnotthebestoption.EventhoughMosheopposedthewar,Mosheeffortsaidedintheestablishmentofanationalunitygovernment.19) MinisterofJustice:Ya’akovShimshonShapira

Ya’akovShimshonShapirawastheMinisterofJusticeinIsraelfromJanuary1996toJune1972,andfrom1972to1973.ShimshonwasagainsttheideaofsendingalltheArabs,whowereborninIsraeltoIraq,hebelievedtheyshouldremaininIsraeldespitethisviewbeingopposedbymany.AsaJusticeMinister,ShimshonwasverydeterminedtoachievethegoalofkeepingtheIsraelicitizensinsideIsrael.Furthermore,heopposedtheannexationofEastJerusalemaftertheSix-dayWar,ShimshonwasamanwhobelievedinhispeopleandaimedtoensuretheirprosperityregardlessofiftheirheritagewasArabicornot.20) MinisterofthePolice:EliyahuSasson

EliyahuSassonbecametheMinisterofPoliceinJanuary1967.TheMinistryofPublicSecuritywasagovernmentagencyofIsrael.Itwasthestate-widelawenforcementagencyandoverseestheIsraelPolice,theIsraelPrisonServiceandtheIsraelNationalFireandRescueServices.SassonwasfarmoreknowledgeablethanotherministersashewasborninDamascus,educatedinBeirutanddeployedasaspyandadiplomat,makinghimmoreknowledgeableabouttheMiddleEastincomparisontoanyoneelse.Sasson’sexperienceandvastknowledgeallowedhimtomakecorrectpredictions.HepredictedtheArabstateswouldrefuseIsrael’speaceoffer,whichtheydid.DuetothisSassonwaschosentoworkalongside10ministersandcreatedadraftsettlement,inwhichIsraelofferedEgyptandSyriaadealbasedontheinternationalbordersandIsrael’ssecurityneeds.

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