On Sunday we took a trip to Ammunition Hill and Hebrew University to see sights of the Six Day War. The Six Day war was started when The Old City was blocked off due to Jordanian seize, Nasar (leader of Egypt) makes a pact with surrounding countries, kicks out troops from Sinai, and blocks the strait of Tiran, so Israel's leader Yitzhak Rabin wants to go to war. At this point Israel is surrounded on all sides by enemies, and Israel decides to surprise attack all the armies. On the first day of war, June 5th we attack troops by surprise, destroyed the Syrian, Egyptian and Jordanian Air Forces. On the first day of war we won. Within two days we took over the west bank and on days five and six, we take the Golan Heights from Syria. In total Israel gained, the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip from Egypt, Golan Heights from Syria, and the West Bank and Jerusalem from Jordan.
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| The view of Jerusalem from Ammunition hill |
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| The trenches on Ammunition Hill |
During the Six Day War, living in Jerusalem was very difficult. The city was under a Jordanian seize. Nothing could go in or out of the city except Israeli aid to its citizens only once a week. The city was divided by Israeli parts and Jordanian parts always filled with soldiers. In the city there were also many "no man's lands", here no one was allowed to live in these areas and much of the city was filled with snipers, the snipers would be on top of walls and would just shoot any one if they wanted to. In addition, Jews were unable to visit the holy sites such as the Western Wall and the Jewish cemetery.
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| Picture of Jerusalem in the bunker |
During the Six Day War, Ammunition Hill was the biggest battle fought. Ammunition Hill was a fortified Jordanian Military post in Jordanian occupied East Jerusalem. On the second day of the war the Paratroopers landed on Ammunition Hill, and took it back. Also during this time Hebrew University of Jerusalem was in Jordanian-held territory and was not accessible.
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| The view from Hebrew University |
Did you think the soldiers who fought on Ammunition Hill were heroes?
Absolutely; I think that anyone who fought for this country to be of existence was a hero. I think we can all agree how magical this place is, and after learning all the history about it that I have, I've had the opportunity to appreciate it that much more because it wasn't so straight forward, or easy to call ours. Because of that, I have so much more of a respect for anyone who fought for this country, and for anyone who died fighting for this country, and they are most definitely heroes. And now because of that knowledge, I view Israel as so much more.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with Jenna. These soldiers risked their lives to conquer Ammunition Hill. Although many died, who were still heroes, they were successfully able to win the battle. In doing so they secured a major win for Israel. They fought to defend their country, and even more impressively made their own contribution to the overall success of Israel.
ReplyDeleteI 100% believe they are heroes. Anyone that fights for their country is, in my opinion. They did so much for Israel and that should not be taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteI was sadly not on this tiyul, but from what I learned before I believe that if you fight for Israel then you are a hero. They fought to defend their country, and with the soldiers Israel was able to win.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think these soldiers were heroes. They sacrificed so much and worked so hard to make sure that we were able to keep our holy land while also risking their lives in the process. Even though many died, they had a large and lasting contribution to our country, and for that they will be recognized and remembered for years to come.
ReplyDeleteI do think that they are heroes because they had fought long and hard for a cause in which they all believed in.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think they were heroes. They fought with everything they had for Israel, and even though not all of them survived, they made sacrifices which enabled others to.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that they are heroes because they had to fight for Israel whether they wanted to or not and they risked their lives by doing so.
ReplyDeleteI agree that they are heroes because they sacrifice their lives for the state of Israel and we were able to gain a lot of international respect and a lot of land as a result.
ReplyDeleteOf course they were hero's. They were literally fighting in their backyards, for their families, Israel, and all of the Jewish people.
ReplyDeleteI believe they were heroes because they were willing to give their lives for their state and their religion.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely think that the soldiers who fought on Ammunition Hill are heroes. Anyone that fights for the existence of Israel, for my ability to live free and learn here for a semester, is a hero and someone that even though I do not know personally, someone that I will thank forever. Being able to live here is down to the people who defend us, so it's important to recognize their importance.
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