The Six Day War, which took place in June 1967, was a conflict between Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. The question of who was the aggressor in this war is a complex one, as both sides had their reasons for engaging in hostilities.
From the Israeli perspective, the war was a preemptive strike to counter what they perceived as an imminent threat from Egypt. Egypt had closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping, which Israel considered an act of war. Additionally, Egypt had amassed troops in the Sinai Peninsula and signed defense pacts with Jordan and Syria, further escalating tensions.
On the other hand, the Arab states viewed Israel’s actions as aggressive. They argued that Israel’s preemptive strike was an act of aggression and that the mobilization of troops was a defensive measure. The Arab states also pointed to the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the displacement of Palestinians as a root cause of the hostilities.
In summary, while Israel initiated the military action that led to the Six Day War, the context of the conflict involves a complex interplay of actions and perceptions from both sides. The question of who was the aggressor depends largely on one’s perspective and interpretation of the events leading up to the war.