Israel and its Arab neighbours have often been at war.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] The PLO was established by Nasser in 1964.
2. [1] Syria had supported PLO raids into Israel from 1965 and there were small clashes between Syria and Israel.
3. [1] In May 1967 Nasser learned of large Israeli troop movements close to the Syrian border.
4. [1] Egypt moved troops into Sinai.
5. [1] Nasser made the UN peacekeeping troops in Sinai withdraw.
6. [1] Israel started to mobilise its forces.
7. [1] Nasser closed the Straits of Tiran.
8. [1] Jordan signed a mutual defence agreement with Syria and Egypt.
9. [1] The Israeli government approved a plan for a pre-emptive strike against the Arab states.
10. [1] The Israeli air force destroyed the Arab air forces before they could leave the ground.
11. [1] They lost land such as Gaza and the Golan Heights.
12. [1] Israel launched a surprise attack and the Arab forces never recovered.
13. [1] The Arab air forces were destroyed on the ground and never took off.
14. [1] The Arab countries were defeated in six days.
15. [1] The Egyptians were pushed back to the Suez Canal and the Syrians lost the Golan Heights.
16. [4-5] Explanation: The war was a disaster because Arab countries suffered overwhelming military defeat in six days, leading to massive territorial losses (Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Golan Heights) which tripled Israel's size.
17. [1] After the Suez War the British Prime Minister had to resign.
18. [1] Suez helped cause the end of the French Fourth Republic.
19. [1] Suez showed that Britain and France were not great imperial powers anymore.
20. [1] Nasser had a great victory and became leader of the Arab countries.
21. [1] In the Yom Kippur War oil was first used as a weapon by the Arabs.
22. [1] OPEC announced an oil embargo on countries that supported Israel in the war.
23. [1] The Yom Kippur War made the Israelis realise that a diplomatic solution was needed.
24. [4-6] Argument for Suez War importance: It was a disaster for Britain and France, exposing their diminished global power and leading to political fallout (British PM's resignation, end of French Fourth Republic). Nasser emerged victorious, strengthening pan-Arab nationalism.
25. [4-6] Argument for Yom Kippur War importance: It was more significant for introducing oil as a political weapon. OPEC's oil embargo and price hikes against Israel's supporters triggered a global energy crisis, demonstrating unprecedented Arab leverage and compelling Israel to seek diplomatic solutions.