May 22nd, 1967: Crisis Erupting

On May 22-23, 1967 Gamal Abdel Nasser the then President of Egypt ordered the straights of Tiran closed. The Straits of Tiran were and still are an important waterway for Israel, allowing Israel to trade with Asian countries. After doing so Nasser declared his infamous words: "Ahlan Wa-sahlan". If Israel wants war: "You are welcome[to come fight]". In fact Israel did see this as an act of war, as they did in 1956 when the closing of the straights lead to "The Sinai Campaign", in Israeli invasion of Sinai in an effort to regain access to the straits. The closing of the straits was the beggining of a major international crisis which would change the Middle East, until today possibly forever in an event deemed the "The Six Day War", which would start in early June of that year. (Source: Six Days of War, Michael B. Oren)