The Six-Day War: Diplomacy

A forum titled “From Diplomacy to War: June 1967 Revisited” was held marking the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Arab-Israeli Six-Day War. Opening remarks were made by Yuval Rabin, son of then-Israeli chief of staff Yitzhak Rabin. Foreign policy analysts looked back at the events and diplomacy leading up to the conflict, the U.S. role, and the lessons learned. Ambassador Parker, then-political counselor at the U.S. embassy in Cairo, and Nicholas Rostow, son of then-undersecretary of State for political affairs Eugene V. Rostow, talked about America, its diplomats, and the descent to war. Moshe Raviv, then-aide to Israeli foreign minister Abba Eban, and Michael Bar Zohar, author of Embassies in Crisis: Diplomats and Demagogues Behind the Six-Day War, talked about the Israeli aspect, from diplomacy to warfare. The participants responded to audience members' questions. close