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Arabs win war of 1967

            After World War 2 ended Soviet Union send many agents to western countries to act as »sleepers«. They were to live ordinary lives, but be able to act on orders from Moscow (when planned revolution and/or invasion of these countries happened). After creation of state of Israel in 1948 Jews from Soviet Union emigrated to Israel. To take advantage of this Soviets placed sleepers into Israel. Some reached high positions in the army and political structure. They had to be specially cerefull as Israeli counter-inteligence was getting better and better.

            When one such agent learned of plan to attack Egypt and Syria in mid-May 1967 he notified Moscow. Soviet leadership saw this as an opportunity to expand its influence on Arabs and, as Israel was leaning more and more toward United States, to curb American expasion to Middle east (Israel was not yet as big strategic US partner as it is today-it baceme after this war). Any large American involvement was not likely as United States were deeply involved in Vietnam war and anti-war mood was setting in. UN Security council colud be easily paralised as Soviets would veto any resolutions that would hinder Arabs. The question remains how would United Kingdom and France react. They did ally with Israel 11 years ago, but that operation was a fiasco.

            There was not much time. Syrian and Egyptian presidents were invited to Moscow and told about this plan. While leaders were discussing political side army leadership were discussing military side. While not wanting to seem to interfere with conduct of defences too much Soviets gave some suggestions. Any large strenghtening of Arab defences was not feasible (not enough time) but Soviets did send some air defence weapons (manned by Soviet crews).

Arabs will let Israelis enter their airspace and then hit them. This will serve as indicator that Israel was agressor and will let Arabs fight over their territory. They knew, that Israel air force will be stretched to the maximum. After defeating their air force they would invade Israel. Soviets prepare weapons to be suplied to Arabs in event of high losses.

            Israel air force strike on 5. June in early morning. But Arabs are waiting for them. Israelis fly low and are hard targests for radars, but MiG-21s hit them hard. Israelis fight hard, but they expected light or no opposition. By 10 am, only three hours into attack, over 100 Israel planes are destroyed and about 60 Arab, mainly Egyptian. Israel commanders are shocked. They expect counter-attack any moment. In early afternoon 10 Egyptian Tu-16 (out of 30) bomb Tel Aviv. Altough they are protected by fighters, 7 are shot down. Meanwhile figter-bombers attack Isarel airfields. By evening, Israel loses over 2/3 of it's fighters. Now Arabs sense their time has come.

            Lebanon and Jordan remain neutral. Both countries were warned about attack and strenghten units near borders. Syrian plan to attack through Jordan (with their permision) to Mediterranean sea and cutting northern Israel from rest, while Egyptians plan to attack from Gaza to Jordan and thus cutting Negev Desert from rest of Israel.

            Artilery bombardment and air strikes follow through the night. Egyptians use remaining Tu-16 bombers to attack troop concentrations. Syrian and Egyptian armor and infantry cross borders at 7.00 on 6. June. They are met with stiff oposition, but without air force, Isreal army is vulnerable when on the move. Also their army was prepared for attack and is not dug in.

            United States demand emergency sesion of Security council. They propose resolution to order Arabs to return to pre-war borders. Soviets oppose. Egyptian ambasador is quoted: "They cooked this soup. They will have to eat it and we wil not wait for it to cool". United States demand cease fire. They threaten to start sending weapons to Israel. But their goverment is divided. If they help Israel with high-tech weapons (namely airplanes), war efort in Vietnam might suffer. Another fact is, that Israel did not use American planes but mainly French and French are not willing to be entagled in another war with Israel. Memory of 1956 war is still vivid. Soon it becomes clear that Soviets are replacing Arab loses and that some of their planes are in fact piloted by Soviet crews. Israelis demand quick action. United States starts sending tanks and artillery, but no airplanes.

While less than 30 miles separate Egypt from Jordan, they face bulk of Israel's best units. In some places fedayeen help (they see Arab victory as their ticket home). Altough they lack military training, their fiercesnes and courage often help braking Israel's lines. Israelis fiercely counter-attack, but are beaten back. While Egyptians concentrated their best units on this push, they didn't attack on large scale on other areas of border. They widen Gaza salient, so that is not so vulnerable to counter-attack (in OTL this salient bacame Gaza strip). They also encircle city Eliat on Akab gulf and reached border with Saudi Arabia. On 15. June forward elements of Egyptian army reach border with Jordan.

Egyptians and Jordanians celebrate. Some 15.000 Israeli soldiers are traped in Negev pocket. Egyptian loses are high, some units losing over 50% of men and tanks. After achiving their goal, they consolidate gains and dig in.

Meanwhile Syrians are faster, as most of Israel army was poised against Egypt. They reach Mediterrean sea on 12., but are pushed back by determined Israel counter-attack. But this counter-attack loses strength as Syrian air force concentrates their effort to beat it back. They again reach Mediterrean on 14. After this, they also dig in.

After cutting Israel to three pieces, Syria and Egypt propose cease fire to Israel. While United States send waepons to Israel, this is not nearly enough to replace losses. From 14. to 19. Israelis try several counter-attacks on both fronts, but are beaten back with high casulties. On 20. Isral acepts cease-fire.

All over Arab world (specially countries than Israel has defeated in war of 1948 and Palestinian refugee camps) people are celebrating. On 22. Israel goverment agrees to negotiations with Egypt and Syria.

Arab conditions are simple: Israel must cede all territory that was not given to them in UN resolution about division of Palestine (Arabs keep territory they occupied in 1948 but should go to Israel), return of refugees and restoration of their property, Egypt gets Eilat and thus prevents Israel acess to Gulf of Akaba and demilitarisation of 15 kilometers wide strip on all Israeli borders. Jerusalem is given status of international city with joint Israeli-Jordan comission dealing with matters concerning whole city while matters concerning either east (Jordan) or west (Israeli) part are responsibility of national goverments. Arabs agree to recongnise Israel in these borders and normalise relations.

Naser in seen as largest Arab hero since Saladin (or maybe even larger) as he defeated the westerners twice.

Moscow is pleased as it has increased its influence in Arab world. Surely anti-colonial movements will see this as a sign that Soviets are willing to help any nation that is under attack. Commmunist movement in Persia will most likely benefit from this.