ABSTRACT
From the first moments of war, the Egyptian radio repeatedly broadcast: “The honor of our fathers, the honor of our children, the honor of the entire nation is in your hands. Stand fast! Be firm!” This slogan also appeared in the operation orders issued to Egyptian units. The war was, for the Arabs, more for Arab honor than for territory. The Egyptians and Syrians wanted to prove to themselves, and to the world, that they could fight. They didn’t expect to defeat the IDF. They did hope to reinstate the Arab-Israeli dispute on the agenda of international debating tables but, above all, they wanted to restore their national, military and personal honor. A self-respect lost following repeated defeats.
