URL; http://www.sixdaywar.co.uk/
On the menu on the left, is a link to a list of quotes of people from Israel and the Arab countries made during the time of this war or the time preceding it, compiledon a British website dedicated to the Six Day War and providing details about all aspects of it. These quotes give much insight into how the leaders in these countries felt in regards to the situation, and as this war has been discussed in class as well as a couple of quotes (one of which stated that the Syrians would not make peace with Israel and wanted to drench the land in their blood and toss them back into the sea), these quotes will further my understanding. The following quotes stood out to me as particularly significant;
"In view of the fourteen incidents of sabotage and infiltration perpetrated in the past month alone, Israel may have no other choice but to adopt suitable countermeasures against the focal points of sabotage. Israel will continue to take action to prevent any and all attempts to perpetrate sabotage within her territory. There will be no immunity for any state which aids or abets such acts." - PM Levi Eshkol speech
This quote is significant because it demonstrates the Israeli motive to fight for what they perceived as their need to survive in the Middle East. Mention is made of 14 incidents of sabotage and infiltration, which would've been the reasons they would have needed to fight; if they wanted to survive, they would need to make every attempt they could to protect themselves when every country around them is against them. Their fate depended on it.
“All Egypt is now prepared to plunge into total war which will put an end to Israel” - Cairo Radio
The significance here is that Egypt (and most likely other Arab nations who shared common goals) would do anything to eliminate Israel, showing the hatred these surrounding countries had for Israel and how they desperately wanted to destroy Israel.
The limitations of these quotes are that although they were made in context of this war, it is not guaranteed that EVERYONE in Egypt for instance hated Israel and wanted a 'total war' in order to end Israel's existence. These quotes reflect the beliefs of those who could publicize their beliefs. Someone else who would have had no way of letting their opinions reach the public might have disagreed. But these quotes do say much about the popular opinion at the time.
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