There was much tension between Israel and its neighbours. DEPTH STUDY G: ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS SINCE 1945

Mark scheme

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

1. [1-4] 'Eisenhower attempted to reach a diplomatic settlement of the British-French-Egyptian dispute.'
2. [1-4] 'The US proposed the formation of a Suez Canal Users' Association (SCUA).'
3. [1-4] 'The proposals for SCUA were rejected.'
4. [1-4] 'The US put pressure on Britain and France to accept a ceasefire.'
5. [1-4] 'A ceasefire was agreed on 6 November 1956.'
6. [1-4] 'The US was uncomfortable with the way Britain and France treated Egypt.'
7. [1-4] 'The United States voted in favour of UN resolutions which condemned the invasion.'
8. [1-4] 'In the aftermath, the Eisenhower Doctrine was created.'
9. [2-3] 'Israel continued to modernise its forces with aid from the USA, Britain, France and West Germany.'
10. [2-3] 'The Arabs continued to receive military support from the USSR.'
11. [2-3] 'Border skirmishes continued between Israeli and Palestinian guerrilla groups.'
12. [2-3] 'A new Syrian government became even more violently anti-Israel.'
13. [2-3] 'The formation of the PLO was a threat to Israeli existence.'
14. [2-3] 'The USSR misinformed Syria and Egypt of Israeli forces massing on the Syrian border.'
15. [2-3] 'Nasser put 100 000 troops on alert by the Israeli border.'
16. [2-3] 'Nasser ordered the UN force to leave Egyptian territory.'
17. [2-3] 'The Israeli air force made a pre-emptive strike against Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian airfields.'
18. [4-5] 'On 22nd of May, Nasser closed the Straits of Tiran, which led into the Gulf of Aqaba, to Israeli shipping. The Israelis regarded this as an act of aggression against Israel and claimed that the USA, France and Britain had guaranteed free passage for all shipping through the Gulf of Aqaba in 1957. The Americans suggested to an Israeli delegation in Washington that Israel should take action on its own to open the Straits and this led to war.'
19. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons (e.g., Nasser's blockade of the Straits of Tiran and pre-emptive Israeli strike).
20. [2-3] 'Israel was attacked on 6 October.'
21. [2-3] 'The Egyptians captured land in Sinai.'
22. [2-3] 'The Arab states underestimated the strength of the Israeli forces.'
23. [2-3] 'Israel had a powerful ally in the United States.'
24. [2-3] 'Syria recaptured the Golan Heights.'
25. [2-3] 'Egyptian and Syrian casualties included at least 16 000 who were killed in battle.'
26. [4-6] 'It could be argued that Israel was successful because the Arab states made mistakes. To start with, the Arabs made rapid progress with the Egyptians expanding into Sinai and the Syrians retaking the Golan Heights. To some extent the Arabs had overreached themselves. Within three days of the initial attack, the Israelis had organised their forces and started to fight back. The Arabs had underestimated the military superiority of the Israelis and suffered heavy casualties and lost land.'
27. [4-6] 'However, it could also be argued that Israel was successful because of its own strength and support from their allies. Although the invasion was unexpected, the Israelis were able to gather their forces quickly and respond decisively. They suffered far fewer casualties than the Arabs and their forces were strengthened by US tanks. The US proved to be a valuable ally as Nixon refused to broker a ceasefire until Israel had recovered all of its lost land.'
28. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides (A L4 answer will have a minimum of three explanations (2 on one side; 1 on the other). Fuller explanation of one issue to be given two marks. An answer which only has one explanation on one side of the argument cannot be awarded more than 8.)
29. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far' (As Level 4 plus evaluation.)