Israeli Perspective

From the Six-Day War to the First Intifada
The Six-Day War broke out on June 5, 1967 and ended six days later on June 10.

During the month preceding the war Egypt stationed armored units and troops in the Sinai Desert (in violation of agreements), signed a mutual defense pact with Syria, Jordan and Iraq, while Egyptian President, Jamal Abdul Nasser delivered inciting speeches about going to war with Israel to destroy the Zionist state.

In Israel there was a considerable amount of consternation; the government and the public felt this was an existential threat to the country's existence, unmatched since the War of Independence.

With no other choice and in order to prevent being trapped, Israel delivered a preemptive blow which came as a surprise to the enemies. In some three hours the Israeli Air Force destroyed the air forces of Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Jordan, thus enabling its ground forces to move freely. Israel achieved a brilliant victory which changed the history of the land of Israel.

It lifted the spirits of the Israelis, and there was a feeling of euphoria; some saw the victory as a Messianic religious experience.

Palestinian Perspective

Intifada 1987
In 1967 there was a war
And the whole land of Palestine was occupied.
Tragedy drenched the land.
In every house there was a sad old man;
In every village, poverty;
And in every refugee camp, an orphaned child.
They thought the problem had ended, and they
were rid of us forever;
They thought that after the agony we would lose
our patience and perseverance,
But we told them again and again: We reject
Camp David; it is rejected.
Camp David, and those who created it — rejected.
We reject autonomy — it's a failure, it's resented.
We reject elections — they invalidate our rights,
replace our rulers and splinter us into factions.
We have only one demand:
An eternal state with independence forever!
Sameeha Khalil

Causes for the outbreak of the Intifada, which erupted on December 9, are rooted in 40 years of national deprivation, 20 years of Israeli occupation and policies whose aim was to erase the reality, national identity and the very existence of the Palestinian people on its land. The result was a national, popular uprising — the Intifada — which didn't grow out of a vacuum, but was simmering just under the surface until the historical moment sparked the explosion. Anyone who really looked could see it coming.