As a result of the June 1967 war, Israeli armed forces gained control of the Palestinian-populated territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula and the Syrian Golan Heights. Pending legitimate endorsement of their status, these territories were subjected to what is technically termed ‘belligerent occupation’ i.e., were subject to international law, in particular to the Hague regulations of 1907 and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 which specify that the basic duty of the occupying power is to preserve the existing situation.

As a result of the 6 October 1973 war, what became known as ‘Kissinger's shuttle diplomacy’ began, launched on 21 December in the ceremonial opening of a Middle East peace conference in Geneva, co-sponsored by Dr Kissinger on behalf of the US government and Mr Gromyko on behalf of the Soviet government. Invitations to participate were accepted by Egypt, Jordan and Israel, but declined by Syria, which established its position in a statement published on 22 December:

In fact, the Syrian position was already clear to Kissinger, when he visited Syria in connection with the invitation to the conference – the first visit by an American Secretary of State for eighteen years. Israel had objected to three paragraphs in the invitation.