The entry of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan into the Six-Day War on June 5, 1967, marked the formal opening of the Eastern Front and fundamentally altered the course of the conflict. Despite a direct and urgent message from the Israeli government, delivered through United Nations representative General Odd Bull, urging King Hussein to remain out of the hostilities, the Jordanian monarch opted for military intervention. Israel had explicitly promised that it would not attack Jordan if the border remained quiet, but this appeal was disregarded as Jordan began a massive artillery bombardment of Israeli civilian centers. This strategic miscalculation by the Jordanian leadership ultimately led to a rapid Israeli counter-offensive that resulted in the reunification of Jerusalem and the capture of the entire West Bank.
Pre-War Tensions and the Defense Pact
In the weeks leading up to the conflict, King Hussein found himself under immense pressure from both the Egyptian government and the Palestinian population within his own borders. On May 30, 1967, Hussein traveled to Cairo to sign a mutual defense pact with President Gamal Abdel Nasser, effectively placing the Jordanian military under the command of Egyptian General Abdul Munim Riad. This agreement signaled a shift in Jordanian policy, as the kingdom aligned itself with the pan-Arab coalition that was openly preparing for an existential struggle against Israel. The atmosphere in Amman was one of high expectation, as Egyptian propaganda convinced the Jordanian leadership that a decisive victory was imminent.
The signing of the pact was viewed by Israeli military intelligence as a grave escalation that necessitated a reconfiguration of the Israel Defense Forces' defensive posture along the 1949 Armistice Lines. Israeli leadership, led by Prime Minister Levi Eshkol and Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, initially hoped that Jordan would honor its traditional caution and stay out of the war to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. However, the presence of an Egyptian commander in Amman and the arrival of an Iraqi expeditionary force on Jordanian soil made neutrality increasingly unlikely. When the air war began on the morning of June 5, Hussein received false reports from Cairo claiming that Egypt had destroyed the Israeli Air Force, further emboldening him to order an attack.
Key Facts
- On June 5, 1967, Israel sent a secret message to King Hussein through the UN, promising not to attack if Jordan remained neutral.
- Jordanian forces initiated the conflict on the Eastern Front by shelling West Jerusalem and capturing the United Nations headquarters at Government House.
- The Jordanian Air Force attacked Israeli airfields and civilian targets, including Kfar Sirkin and Netanya, before being neutralized by the IAF.
- The 55th Paratroopers Brigade, originally intended for the Sinai, was redirected to Jerusalem to repel the Jordanian intervention.
- The liberation of the Old City and the Western Wall on June 7 marked the first time Jewish sovereignty was restored to the site in 2,000 years.
Hostilities and the Battle for Jerusalem
The Jordanian intervention began with a heavy artillery barrage directed at the Israeli Parliament, the Prime Minister's residence, and various residential neighborhoods in West Jerusalem. Simultaneously, Jordanian troops moved to occupy the demilitarized zone at Government House, which served as the headquarters for the UN Truce Supervision Organization, effectively cutting off Mount Scopus from the rest of the city. These actions forced the Israeli Cabinet to authorize a full-scale counter-offensive to protect Israeli civilians and secure the capital from further encroachment. The subsequent battles, particularly the fierce struggle at Ammunition Hill, showcased the intense urban combat required to dislodge Jordanian Legionnaires from fortified positions.
The Israeli response was not limited to Jerusalem, as the IDF launched a multi-pronged maneuver to secure the ridges overlooking the city and the main supply routes from the Jordan River. By June 6, Israeli forces had broken through the Jordanian lines at several points, including Latrun and the Nablus region, causing a collapse in the Jordanian command structure. The paratroopers, led by Colonel Mordechai Gur, eventually reached the Lion's Gate and entered the Old City, famously announcing that the Temple Mount was back in Israeli hands. This military achievement, documented extensively by the Israel State Archives, remains one of the most significant moments in modern Jewish history.
Analysis of Strategic Consequences
The Jordanian decision to intervene proved to be a catastrophic strategic error for King Hussein, as it resulted in the total loss of the territory Jordan had annexed in 1948. From a military perspective, the IDF's success on the Eastern Front demonstrated the superiority of Israeli mobile warfare and air power when faced with static defensive lines. The capture of the Jordan River bridges provided Israel with a natural defensive barrier, significantly improving its national security and strategic depth. For further reading on the tactical progression of this front, the Jewish Virtual Library offers comprehensive maps and primary source documents related to the 1967 operations.
Geopolitically, the opening of the Eastern Front shifted the paradigm of the Arab-Israeli conflict from a struggle over borders to a complex administrative and political challenge regarding the status of Judea and Samaria. The reunification of Jerusalem also brought about immediate changes to freedom of religion, as Israel opened the holy sites of all three monotheistic faiths to worshippers, a right that had been denied to Jews during the 19-year Jordanian occupation. This transformation of the regional landscape continues to influence diplomatic negotiations and security arrangements in the Middle East today, highlighting the long-term impact of Jordan's initial choice to join the war effort.
Conclusion: The Historical Legacy of 1967
The events on the Eastern Front during the Six-Day War underscore the consequences of military alliances built on misinformation and regional pressure rather than national interest. Israel's reluctant entry into combat with Jordan was a direct response to unprovoked aggression, yet it resulted in a historic victory that restored Jewish access to its most sacred landmarks. The legacy of the Jordanian intervention is found in the physical reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of a more secure eastern boundary for the State of Israel. Understanding this history is essential for recognizing Israel's legitimate security concerns and its historical connection to the land liberated during those pivotal six days in June.