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The Battle of Karameh took place during the Six-Day War of 1967.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Battle of Karameh occurred in March 1968, following the Six-Day War of 1967, during the subsequent War of Attrition.
Moshe Dayan was the Prime Minister of Israel during the Battle of Karameh.
Answer: False
Explanation: Moshe Dayan served as the Minister of Defense during the Battle of Karameh; Levi Eshkol was the Prime Minister at that time.
Operation Asuta was a separate Israeli operation targeting bases north of the Dead Sea.
Answer: False
Explanation: Operation Asuta was a concurrent Israeli raid targeting guerrilla bases south of the Dead Sea, planned alongside the Karameh operation, not north of it.
The CIA reportedly warned the PLO about the impending Israeli attack.
Answer: True
Explanation: According to reports, Jordanian officers relayed intelligence from the CIA to Arafat, warning him of the impending Israeli operation.
The Israeli school bus incident on March 18, 1968, was unrelated to the Karameh operation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The school bus incident, which occurred just days before the Karameh raid, was cited as a significant factor influencing the Israeli cabinet's decision to approve the operation.
What conflict was the Battle of Karameh a part of?
Answer: The War of Attrition
Explanation: The Battle of Karameh occurred during the War of Attrition, which followed the Six-Day War of 1967.
What was the outcome of Operation Asuta, which occurred concurrently with the Karameh raid?
Answer: It resulted in significant Jordanian and Fatah casualties with no Israeli casualties.
Explanation: Operation Asuta, conducted concurrently, resulted in casualties for Jordanian soldiers and Fatah fighters while the Israeli forces sustained no losses.
According to Abu Iyad, who tipped off Arafat about the impending Israeli attack?
Answer: The CIA via Jordanian officers
Explanation: Abu Iyad, a deputy to Yasser Arafat, stated that Jordanian officers received information about the impending attack from the CIA and subsequently alerted Arafat.
Which event immediately preceded the Israeli cabinet's debate and approval of the Karameh raid?
Answer: The Israeli school bus incident near Be'er Ora.
Explanation: The Israeli school bus incident on March 18, 1968, served as a catalyst, immediately preceding the Israeli cabinet's discussion and authorization of the Karameh raid.
How did the Israeli military's planning for operations like Karameh begin?
Answer: As early as 1966, even before Jordan controlled the West Bank.
Explanation: Declassified military documents indicate that planning for operations along the Jordan River, including aspects relevant to Karameh, commenced as early as 1966.
What was the role of the informant 'Grotius' in relation to the Karameh operation?
Answer: He was a former Fatah member providing intelligence to Israel.
Explanation: 'Grotius' was identified as a former Fatah member who served as an intelligence informant for Israel, likely contributing to the planning of the operation.
The Battle of Karameh was primarily an engagement between Israeli forces and the Syrian Army.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary combatants were the Israeli Defense Forces against a combined force of the Jordanian Army and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), not the Syrian Army.
One of Israel's stated objectives was to capture Yasser Arafat during the Karameh operation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Capturing the PLO leader Yasser Arafat was explicitly stated as one of Israel's objectives for the Karameh raid.
The primary combatants on the side opposing Israel were solely PLO fighters from Fatah.
Answer: False
Explanation: The forces opposing Israel included not only PLO fighters, primarily from Fatah, but also elements of the Jordanian Army.
The Jordanian forces at Karameh consisted mainly of infantry units with limited armored support.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Jordanian forces deployed significant armored support, including a Patton tank battalion, alongside artillery and infantry units.
Yasser Arafat was a key commander on the Jordanian and PLO side during the battle.
Answer: True
Explanation: Yasser Arafat, as the leader of Fatah and a prominent figure in the PLO, played a significant command role on the Palestinian side during the battle.
The Jordanian Army unexpectedly remained neutral and did not engage Israeli forces.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to Israeli expectations, the Jordanian Army provided significant resistance, engaging Israeli forces with artillery and armor.
Israel's intelligence accurately predicted the Jordanian Army's limited involvement.
Answer: False
Explanation: Israeli military planners were surprised by the extent of the Jordanian Army's engagement, indicating their intelligence regarding its involvement was inaccurate.
Israel's primary objective was to secure water resources near Karameh.
Answer: False
Explanation: Israel's stated objectives included destroying fedayeen camps, capturing Yasser Arafat, and punishing Jordan, not securing water resources.
Israel underestimated the size of the PLO presence in Karameh before the attack.
Answer: True
Explanation: Intelligence assessments prior to the operation indicated that Israel underestimated the scale of the PLO presence within Karameh town.
The Jordanian Army's 2nd Armored Division was involved in the fighting.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Jordanian forces included their 2nd Armored Division, which provided substantial support during the battle.
Which two main groups constituted the forces opposing Israel at Karameh?
Answer: The Jordanian Army and the PLO
Explanation: The forces opposing Israel at Karameh were a coalition of the Jordanian Army and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Which of the following was NOT one of Israel's stated objectives for the Karameh attack?
Answer: Securing the West Bank territory
Explanation: Israel's stated objectives focused on military and punitive actions against fedayeen bases and leadership, not on securing West Bank territory.
Which key Israeli leader served as Defense Minister during the Battle of Karameh?
Answer: Moshe Dayan
Explanation: Moshe Dayan held the position of Minister of Defense for Israel during the period of the Battle of Karameh.
Who was the head of state of Jordan during the Battle of Karameh?
Answer: King Hussein
Explanation: King Hussein was the reigning monarch of Jordan during the time of the Battle of Karameh.
How did the Jordanian Army's response differ from Israeli expectations?
Answer: They provided significant resistance with artillery and armor.
Explanation: Contrary to Israeli assumptions, the Jordanian Army actively engaged Israeli forces with substantial artillery and armored support.
What was the Israeli military's assessment of the PLO's strength in Karameh prior to the attack?
Answer: They believed it was a minor outpost.
Explanation: Prior to the operation, Israeli military intelligence underestimated the size and significance of the PLO presence in Karameh, viewing it as a minor base.
What was the Israeli military's objective regarding Yasser Arafat during the Karameh operation?
Answer: To capture him.
Explanation: A primary objective for the Israeli military during the Karameh operation was the capture of Yasser Arafat, the leader of the PLO.
The Battle of Karameh, a significant engagement during the War of Attrition, took place on March 21, 1968, and extended for approximately fifteen hours.
Answer: True
Explanation: The engagement commenced on March 21, 1968, and persisted for approximately fifteen hours, situated within the context of the War of Attrition.
The Israeli forces involved in the battle numbered approximately 5,000 personnel.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Israeli forces comprised approximately 15,000 personnel, supported by tanks and artillery.
Israel planned a direct frontal assault on Karameh, avoiding bridge crossings.
Answer: False
Explanation: Israel's plan involved a pincer movement utilizing crossings of the Allenby and Damia bridges, not a direct frontal assault.
The Israeli Air Force dropped leaflets urging the Jordanian army to join the attack against the PLO.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Israeli Air Force dropped leaflets to the Jordanian army, but these conveyed assurances of no harm if they did not intervene, not an invitation to join the attack.
Palestinian fighters primarily used conventional warfare tactics during the battle.
Answer: False
Explanation: Palestinian fighters, or fedayeen, primarily employed guerrilla warfare tactics, utilizing the urban terrain of Karameh for defense.
During the Israeli advance, Yasser Arafat and many PLO fighters were captured.
Answer: False
Explanation: While many PLO fighters were killed or captured, Yasser Arafat and a significant number of fighters managed to flee eastward into the surrounding hills as Israeli forces advanced.
Israel lost approximately 5 tanks during the Battle of Karameh.
Answer: False
Explanation: Israel lost or damaged 27 tanks during the battle, with four being left behind.
The Battle of Karameh was the first instance of Palestinian fighters using suicide bombing tactics.
Answer: True
Explanation: The battle is noted as the first known instance where Palestinian fighters employed suicide bombing tactics, a method that would recur in subsequent conflicts.
Israeli casualties were estimated to be fewer than 20 killed.
Answer: False
Explanation: Estimates for Israeli killed soldiers range from 28 to 33, exceeding the figure of 20.
Jordanian casualties were significantly higher than Israeli casualties.
Answer: True
Explanation: Jordanian casualties (40-84 killed) were higher than Israeli casualties (28-33 killed), although PLO casualties were the highest.
Approximately 500 PLO fighters were killed during the battle.
Answer: False
Explanation: Estimates for PLO killed fighters range from approximately 100 to 200, not 500.
The Israeli paratroopers destroyed the entire Fatah camp within Karameh town.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Israeli paratroopers destroyed most of the Fatah camp, the claim that the *entire* camp was destroyed is not supported, and significant demolition occurred during withdrawal.
The battle resulted in the capture of approximately 150 PLO fighters.
Answer: True
Explanation: Estimates indicate that between 141 and 150 PLO fighters were captured during the battle.
What was the primary date of the Battle of Karameh?
Answer: March 21, 1968
Explanation: The Battle of Karameh took place on March 21, 1968.
What was the approximate strength of the Israeli forces during the battle?
Answer: 15,000 personnel
Explanation: The Israeli forces comprised approximately 15,000 personnel, supported by significant armor and artillery.
How did Israel initially plan to attack Karameh?
Answer: A pincer movement crossing the Jordan River bridges.
Explanation: The Israeli strategy involved a pincer movement, utilizing crossings of the Allenby and Damia bridges to encircle Karameh.
What message did the Israeli Air Force drop via leaflets to the Jordanian army?
Answer: Assurances of no harm if they did not intervene.
Explanation: Leaflets dropped by the Israeli Air Force informed the Jordanian army that Israel intended no harm to them if they remained neutral.
What type of warfare did Palestinian fighters primarily employ within Karameh town?
Answer: Guerrilla warfare using urban terrain
Explanation: Palestinian fighters utilized guerrilla tactics, leveraging the urban environment of Karameh for defense against the Israeli assault.
What happened to Yasser Arafat and many PLO fighters as Israeli forces entered Karameh?
Answer: They fled eastward into the surrounding hills.
Explanation: As Israeli forces advanced into Karameh, Yasser Arafat and numerous PLO fighters retreated eastward into the adjacent hills.
What was the approximate number of Israeli tanks lost or damaged in the battle?
Answer: 27
Explanation: Israel lost or damaged approximately 27 tanks during the course of the Battle of Karameh.
What significant tactical innovation was first observed among Palestinian fighters at Karameh?
Answer: The deployment of suicide bombers
Explanation: The Battle of Karameh marked the initial documented instance of Palestinian fighters employing suicide bombing tactics.
What was the overall tactical outcome for Israel at Karameh?
Answer: Destruction of the Karameh camp but heavy losses and withdrawal.
Explanation: Tactically, Israel succeeded in damaging the Karameh camp, but incurred significant losses and ultimately withdrew, failing to achieve all objectives.
What was the fate of the Karameh camp structures after the battle?
Answer: Approximately 175 houses were demolished by Israeli forces.
Explanation: During their withdrawal, Israeli forces demolished approximately 175 houses within the Karameh camp structures.
Which group was primarily responsible for the guerrilla tactics within Karameh town?
Answer: The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) fighters
Explanation: The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) fighters, particularly those from Fatah, were primarily responsible for employing guerrilla tactics within the urban environment of Karameh town.
Israel achieved a decisive victory on the political and psychological level after the battle.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Israel achieved tactical objectives, the battle resulted in a significant political and psychological victory for the PLO and Jordan, bolstering Palestinian morale and challenging the perception of Israeli invincibility.
Jordan displayed captured Israeli military vehicles in Amman to symbolize their resistance.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the battle, Jordanian forces paraded damaged and abandoned Israeli vehicles in Amman as a potent symbol of their resistance and the perceived failure of the Israeli operation.
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 248 praised Israel's actions at Karameh.
Answer: False
Explanation: United Nations Security Council Resolution 248 unanimously condemned Israel's raid into Jordanian territory and its disproportionate use of force, rather than praising its actions.
The Battle of Karameh led to a decrease in support and recruitment for the fedayeen.
Answer: False
Explanation: The battle was a significant propaganda victory that led to a surge in support and recruitment for the fedayeen, particularly Fatah.
King Hussein of Jordan publicly supported the PLO's claim to victory by stating 'we are all fedayeen.'
Answer: True
Explanation: King Hussein's declaration 'we are all fedayeen' signified his alignment with the Palestinian cause and the growing influence of Palestinian groups within Jordan.
The aftermath of Karameh saw improved relations between the PLO and Jordanian authorities.
Answer: False
Explanation: The increased strength and political assertiveness of the PLO post-Karameh led to growing tensions with Jordanian authorities, eventually contributing to the events of Black September and the expulsion of Palestinian groups from Jordan.
The battle helped shift the international perception of the Palestinian issue from a refugee problem to a claim for statehood.
Answer: True
Explanation: The battle's propaganda value significantly contributed to framing the Palestinian issue internationally as a legitimate claim for statehood, moving beyond a purely humanitarian refugee crisis.
Following the battle, the PLO relocated their main bases further inland, away from the Jordan River.
Answer: True
Explanation: The vulnerability exposed along the Jordan River prompted the PLO to shift their main concentrations further into the mountains.
The UN Security Council Resolution 248 condemned Israel's disproportionate use of force.
Answer: True
Explanation: UN Security Council Resolution 248 explicitly condemned Israel's raid and its disproportionate use of force against Jordanian territory.
The Battle of Karameh significantly boosted the morale and self-perception of Palestinians.
Answer: True
Explanation: The battle served as a major morale booster, enhancing Palestinian self-perception and strengthening their resolve in the face of Israeli military action.
The battle led to the expulsion of Palestinian groups from Jordan in 1971.
Answer: True
Explanation: The increased tensions and power struggles between the PLO and Jordanian authorities, exacerbated by the events following Karameh, culminated in the expulsion of Palestinian groups from Jordan in 1971.
Which UN Security Council resolution condemned Israel's raid on Karameh?
Answer: Resolution 248
Explanation: United Nations Security Council Resolution 248 was passed, condemning Israel's military actions during the Battle of Karameh.
How did the Battle of Karameh affect recruitment for Palestinian groups like Fatah?
Answer: There was a surge in recruitment and volunteer applications.
Explanation: The battle's outcome generated widespread support, leading to a substantial increase in volunteer applications and recruitment for Palestinian guerrilla organizations.
What was the political significance of King Hussein's statement 'we are all fedayeen'?
Answer: It aligned Jordan with the Palestinian cause against Israel.
Explanation: King Hussein's declaration symbolized Jordan's alignment with the Palestinian struggle and acknowledged the growing influence of Palestinian nationalism within his kingdom.
What long-term consequence did the increased PLO strength after Karameh have on Jordan?
Answer: Growing tensions eventually led to the expulsion of Palestinian groups from Jordan.
Explanation: The enhanced power of the PLO post-Karameh created friction with the Jordanian monarchy, ultimately leading to the expulsion of Palestinian groups in 1971.
How did the battle change the international perception of the Palestinian issue?
Answer: It was framed as a legitimate claim for Palestinian statehood.
Explanation: The battle's impact helped elevate the Palestinian issue on the international stage, framing it as a political struggle for statehood rather than merely a refugee problem.
How did Jordan leverage the captured Israeli equipment after the battle?
Answer: They displayed the vehicles publicly in Amman.
Explanation: Jordan publicly displayed captured and damaged Israeli military vehicles in Amman as a symbol of resistance and a counter-narrative to the Israeli operation.
What strategic shift occurred in PLO positioning after the Karameh battle?
Answer: They concentrated forces further into the mountains.
Explanation: Following the Israeli raid, the PLO relocated their primary bases from the Jordan River valley to more inland mountainous regions.
How did the Battle of Karameh contribute to the internationalization of the Palestinian issue?
Answer: By providing a propaganda victory that drew global attention to Palestinian claims.
Explanation: The battle's outcome served as a significant propaganda success, drawing considerable international attention to the Palestinian cause and their claims for statehood.
What was the immediate impact of the battle on the PLO's strategic location?
Answer: They relocated their main bases further into the mountains.
Explanation: The vulnerability of bases near the Jordan River prompted the PLO to shift their main operational centers further inland into the mountainous terrain.
Israeli military historians generally agreed that the Karameh operation was a strategic success.
Answer: False
Explanation: Some Israeli military historians and participants later acknowledged the operation as a mistake, citing underestimation of Jordanian resistance and questioning its overall strategic success given the difficulties and losses.
Arab historians viewed the battle as a blow to the perception of Israeli invincibility.
Answer: True
Explanation: Arab historiography generally interprets the Battle of Karameh as a crucial psychological victory that challenged and diminished the prevailing notion of Israeli military invincibility.
The Battle of Karameh is commemorated in Palestinian art and national narratives.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Battle of Karameh holds significant symbolic value and is frequently commemorated in Palestinian art, literature, and national narratives as a pivotal moment of resistance.
What did some Israeli participants and historians later say about the Karameh operation?
Answer: It was a mistake due to underestimating Jordanian resistance.
Explanation: Post-operation analyses by some Israeli participants and historians suggested it was a strategic miscalculation, particularly concerning the underestimation of the Jordanian Army's response.
According to Arab historians, what perception did the Battle of Karameh shatter?
Answer: The idea of Israeli military invincibility.
Explanation: Arab historians widely viewed the battle as a significant event that undermined the perception of Israeli military invincibility, particularly after the Six-Day War.
How did Jordanian and Palestinian historiography interpret the battle?
Answer: As a significant psychological victory against Israeli invincibility.
Explanation: Jordanian and Palestinian historical accounts predominantly frame the battle as a crucial psychological triumph that challenged the myth of Israeli military invincibility.
The Battle of Karameh is often seen as a turning point that solidified the narrative of:
Answer: Palestinian resistance and the claim to statehood.
Explanation: The battle is widely regarded as a pivotal event that reinforced the narrative of Palestinian resistance and bolstered their claims for statehood.