Six-Day War: Prime Minister Eshkol's
Statement on Military Situation
(June 5, 1967)
On the first day of the 6-Day War, June 5, 1967, Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol addressed the Knesset, who had gathered in the basement of their building, and informed them of the full gravity of the situation. After giving the Knesset members a short synopsis of the events leading up to that point, Eshkol conceded that the assistance the Israeli government had sought from political elements in the West and the East
was not coming and Israel was defending herself alone. The Israeli Prime Minister concluded his remarks to the Knesset by officially announcing an expansion of his governing coalition, with the addition of the opposition Gahal and Rafi parties. At the new expanded cabinet's first meeting a day earlier, on June 4, 1967, the members decided to engage in an all-out offensive against the Egyptian forces which proved extremely successful. After moderate debate in the Knesset the new cabinet was approved. While Eshkol was addressing the Knesset members in the Knesset basement, Jordanian artillery was shelling the building. To read the full address to the Knesset by Prime Minister Eshkol, please click here.
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