End of the Six-Day War. Israel won the so-called Yom Kippur War, defeating the Arabs, despite being outnumbered, and vastly expanding its borders. On June 5, 1967, Israel had responded to Arab troop buildups along its borders with a simultaneous attack against Egypt and Syria. Jordan also intervened, but the Arab armed forces were no match for Israel’s. When the Six-Day War ended, Israel found itself controlling an area three times larger than its original size. The true prize of war was the Old City of Jerusalem, taken from Jordan. Many gathered to weep in prayer at the Western Wall of the Second Temple. Arab leaders accepted the ceasefire and met in August to discuss Israel’s future, deciding not to recognize the country, to reject peace and negotiations, and to continue to support the Palestinians in the occupied territories.
