The Man Who Tried to Prevent War: Levi Eshkol’s Efforts to Avert the Six-Day War

The Decision-Making Process Before the Six-Day War and Prime Minister Levi Eshkol’s Attempts to Prevent the Conflict

Between June 5 and 10, 1967, Israel decisively defeated the armies of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, capturing the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank. On June 19, 1967, the Israeli government offered to return the territories in exchange for full peace. However, the response from the Arab states, delivered at the Khartoum Arab League Summit in August 1967, was clear: “No recognition, no peace, no negotiations.” These “Three No’s” reinforced the position of the right-wing and settlement supporters in Israel’s political landscape.

Levi Eshkol, who passed away in 1969, was not fully recognized for his immense contribution to building Israel’s military and ensuring victory in June 1967 until after his death. The war claimed the lives of 790 Israeli soldiers and left 2,500 wounded.

This film is dedicated to Ilan Ganani and all the fallen soldiers of the IDF who gave their lives in the Six-Day War. (The film is based on real events, though it should not be considered an exact reconstruction of the events and characters depicted).