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Egypt 1967 - A Very Personal Defeat

(Guardian-UK) Amira Nowa - The days and events preceding the 1967 Middle East war are indelibly carved in my memory. In May 1967, Gamal Abdel Nasser, the president of Egypt, announced that he was sealing off the Gulf of Aqaba to all Israeli shipping. He dismissed international monitors and moved huge numbers of Egyptian troops into the Gaza Strip and all along the border with Israel in an incredible show of muscle that was hailed and cheered by Egyptians. Concurrently, a torrent of patriotic martial songs flooded our ears. On 5 June 1967, the news was released that war had finally broken out and that Egypt's soldiers were fighting valiantly and ferociously. We understood about the bravery, but the ferocity came as a huge surprise. We had been led to believe that marching into Israel would be a piece of cake. We had absolutely no idea about the pre-emptive air strike that virtually annihilated our air force from day one. On 9 June, the announcement of a speech by Nasser kept everyone guessing. We were hoping he would declare the all-out victory once and for all. However, he announced his resignation. After the speech, throngs of people came out on the streets demanding that Nasser stay as head of state. For years, Nasser acted like big daddy. When the danger of his disappearance became a reality, it was unthinkable. How would Egypt survive without him? In a matter of hours all the streets of major cities were swarming with wailing women and crying men, all shouting "Stay, Nasser, stay." People knew, though, that the country had met with a colossal defeat. Soldiers and officers returning from the front, looking haggard and scruffy, became a familiar sight.
2010-05-28 10:23:47
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