The Fight of Israel for Survival in 1973, US Support, and its World-Shattering Significance for Yair Davidiy
The Yom Kippur War
by Yair Davidiy
Contents:
Introduction.
Influence of the War on Yair Davidiy.
Treason in High Places?
Yom Kippur
The War in the South.
Nuclear Weapons and the US Air Lift.
Egypt Defeated
The War in the North.
The Threat of World War
Casualties
Some Results of the War:
# Increased US Involvement with Israel. # Israeli Society and Politics. # Yair Came!
Introduction.
The Yom Kippur War of October 6 to 25, 1973 was between Israel and Egypt in the south. In the north the war was fought mainly between Israel and Syria. The Syrians were also helped by forces from Iraq, Morocco, Jordan, Palestinian volunteers, North Korean pilots, and Russian advisors and military experts. Both Egypt and Syria received supplies and war material from Russia. Israel was replenished by the USA. Towards its end Russia was on the verge of sending 80,000 or more troops to save the Arabs. The USA went on a military war alert. The USA War Footing was backed by Britain even though previously the British barred the use of their facilities for the transference of supplies to Israel.
Influence of the War on Yair Davidiy.
The Yom Kippur War changed my life.
At the time I was a student in Australia. After graduating from high-school I had more or less wasted about three years. I then broached the subject of a higher education. I got to University with a Government scholarship that included a modest but adequate living allowance. When the War came, I was not studying as I should have been. In effect I was wasting the opportunity that had been given me. Technically I had been born Jewish but had been brought up in an extremely assimilated atmosphere. At University I had become more involved with Judaism and was attempting to live as a fully-fledged Torah-observant Orthodox Jew.
The Yom Kippur War greatly perturbed me. Less than six months later, in March 1974, I arrived in Israel. Israel has never been the same since. Neither have I. Though we have had our differences I have never left. Nowadays though I might wish to go abroad for a short time to visit family, or spread the Brit-Am/Hebrew Nations message the Israelis will not let me. I am treated like a National Treasure that cannot leave the country. The official excuse for this concern is a relatively small (in my opinion) debt I managed to incur to an Israeli governmental agency. So I stay here. It could be worse. There are many who would be willing to change places with me. After such a long time it is somewhat surprising that, deep down inside, the State of Israel and I actually still like each other.
In Israel I learned Hebrew in an Ulpan while working on a religious kibbutz. I then went to a Yeshiva or institute of higher Jewish Studies. After that I served in the IDF for 18 months following which for many years I did about one month a year of annual military service all over the country and sometimes in Lebanon. I worked, studied, married, begat children, divorced, and moved around. History took place besides me, in front of me, and even with my own participation! At present Divine Providence has placed my humble self in charge of Brit-Am/Hebrew Nations and the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel. For more details of the undoubtedly fascinating life and interests of Yours Truly see our article,
Brit-Am Movement History
Treason in High Places?
The Israelis Did not Prepare themselves as they could have nor Make a Pre-Emptive Strike.
The Israelis in the Yom Kippur War lost many lives and wounded. The whole country was in danger. Before the War broke out there were numerous intelligence reports and unmistakable evidence that the Arabs intended to attack. The Israelis were aware that War was about to break out on the day that it did. They hoped to avert it by diplomacy or delay it if possible. It also broke out a few hours earlier than expected. The Israelis assumed they would be better prepared than they were.
Officially the Israelis claim they did not launch a pre-emptive strike as they could have done and had done in1967 for psychological reasons. They did not want to appear the aggressor . They wished that it be quite clear in the eyes of the world that the Israelis had been attacked and were not the attackers.
# When the presentations were done, the prime minister [Golda Meir] hemmed uncertainly for a few moments but then came to a clear decision. There would be no preemptive strike. Israel might be needing American assistance soon and it was imperative that it would not be blamed for starting the war. 'If we strike first, we won't get help from anybody', she said. #
Another reason given is that they wanted to sustain a moderate defeat to give the Arabs back their sense of honor. This it was thought would prepare the way for a Peace Agreement. In effect that is what was to happen. Such an explanation may sound far-fetched and like something out of the world of Conspiracy Theory nonsense. Nevertheless it is what was, and sometimes still is, expressed. The idea was widely accepted in the Establishment, in Academia, amongst journalists, intellectuals, and probably also in the military. At a subconscious level it was as if a large body of influential personages had made a pact between them to betray the State of Israel and sacrifice the lives and happiness of thousands of their fellow citizens. This mode of thought still prevails in certain circles today.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) is a day on which for ca. 25 hours no food or water is taken. Most Jews in Israel observe this fast even though many of them are otherwise non-observant. The Synagogues are full and there is not much traffic on the roads. This was to help the Israelis somewhat since it was easier to mobilize everybody. The roads and communication lines were unhampered.
The War in the South.
The war of 1973 had been preceded by that of 1967 which had left Israel reaching up to the Suez Canal. The Sinai Peninsula between Israel and Egypt is to the east of the Canal. It had never really belonged to Egypt but under British administration had been allowed to fall into Egyptian hands. The area of Sinai had pertained to the Tribes of Judah and Simeon. In the future Ezekiel ch.47 indicates that there will be a different division of the Land of Israel. According to a straightforward reading it would appear that the region of Sinai shall be divided (from north to south) between the Tribes of Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulon, and Gad.
There had been a War of Attrition (1967-1970) in the Canal area and many lives had been lost. The constant conflict and its tensions may have weakened Israeli resolve in 1973. Israeli defences at the time consisted of a few lightly fortified outposts along the canal with larger mobile forces to their rear. There were ca. 450 (sic.) Israeli soldiers spread out in 16 fortified posts facing ca.100,000 Egyptian soldiers, 1,350 tanks and 2,000 guns and heavy mortars. The Egyptians swarmed across the Suez Canal. All but one of the Israeli outposts were overrun. Many of the Israelis fought to the death and inflicted serious casualties. Israeli armor forces attempted attacks on the Egyptians but were beaten back with very heavy losses. The Egyptians had overwhelmingly greater force. The Egyptian infantry also used RPG missiles fired from the shoulder against Israeli tanks with great effect. This took the Israelis by surprise. There was little they could do against it. Israeli aircraft attempted to strike the Egyptians but were stopped by an extensive shield of Russian SAM missiles all along the line. Many planes with their pilots were lost.
Nuclear Weapons and the US Air Lift.
On the third day, during the night of October 8-9, Minister of Defence, Moshe Dayan told PM Gold Meir that "this is the end of the third temple." It may be that the ammunition and weapon stocks were extremely low. Israel may have considered a nuclear option. On October 9 U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger told the Israelis, "The President [Nixon] has agreed - and let me repeat this formally - that all your aircraft and tank losses will be replaced." The airlift was successful thanks to the co-operation of Portugal. Every other nation was afraid of Arab retribution or simply against Israel and would not allow supply factors to use their facilities. So too, the USSR replenished Arab losses and upgraded its weaponry.
Egypt Defeated
The Egyptian were surprised by their own success. They stabilized their forces east of the Canal under the SAM missile barrier protection. The Syrians in the north had achieved a similar initial success but had been stopped. They urged the Egyptians on. Russia and Yugoslavia supplied new tanks and other weapons. The Egyptians attempted a surge forward.
Meanwhile the Israelis had recovered their composure. Armor units received accompanying forces of infantry and armored personnel carriers with high-powered machine guns. This would help counter the Egyptian infantry firing RPG missiles. Israeli forces met the Egyptian attack and stopped it. During the fighting several Israeli units penetrated a gap between the Egyptian armies. Different types of prefabricated or improvised bridges were brought to the Canal and it was crossed. It took some time for the Egyptians to realize what was happening. Highly mobile Israeli armor, parachute, and general infantry forces began to roam the western side of the Canal. This was in effect in the back of the Egyptian armies. The SAM missile alignment was destroyed opening up the Egyptians to almost unimpeded visits by the Israeli air force. The Egyptian armies east of the Canal were cut off from supplies and from water. They were ultimately saved from dying of thirst only due to US and USSR intervention. The Israelis were in the African part of Egypt. General Arik Sharon was leading one of these forces. Sharon was especially instrumental in exploiting the breakthrough to a more devastating effect than may otherwise have been envisaged. The Israelis attacked military installations, and general infrastructure. Major Egyptian cities including Cairo itself were in danger of capture. Then came the Cease-Fire.
The War in the North.
The 1967 War had left Israel in control of the Golan Heights. These are rocky heights continuing from Syria which is higher than Israel. They look down into Israel and the Sea of Galilee area. Before the Six Day War (1967), the Syrians had constantly harassed Israeli border communities by firing artillery shells from the Golan Heights. About 80,000 mostly Circassians (Muslims oriignally from the Caucasus Mountain area) and Druze had lived on the Heights but after the 1967 war they were displaced. A prominent township had been Kuneitra. In Biblical terms the Golan was part of Bashan which could also have extended far to the north. It had belonged to the Tribes of Dan and Manasseh.
As in Egypt the Syrians were protected by a sophistical Russian missile shield. Many Israeli planes were to be lost as a result. The Israelis were also attacked by Russian planes manned by North Korean pilots. The Israelis were caught unprepared and undermanned. They were outnumbered by more than nine to one. Their inferiority in weaponry was even more disadvantageous. About 180 Israeli tanks faced 1,400 Syrian tanks. The Syrian attacks were ferocious. Initially they overwhelmed Israeli forces. They were stopped piecemeal due to the determination of Israeli soldiers and their commanders in the field. In several places the determined stand of one or two (sic) Israeli soldiers jumping from tank to tank and giving the impression that they numbered many more managed to slow the Syrians down. The Israelis managed to bring their artillery more into play. Israeli planes coming in from the Mediterranean attacked the Russian Radar and electronic nerve center in Damascus. This seriously affected the Russian missile system allowing Israeli planes a more free hand against Syrian tanks. Syrian infrastructure was also attacked, including Syrian ports. A Russian ship was sunk. From the Golan Heights the Israelis began to push the Syrians back and were on the verge of taking Damascus when the Ceasefire came into effect.
The Threat of World War
Before the Ceasefire was applied both Egypt and Syria appeared to be suddenly facing an overwhelming disaster.
The Russians under Brezhnev considered direct physical intervention. A Russian fleet together with 6000 naval infantrymen was sent to the eastern Mediterranean. 50,000 troops as well as other units in Southern Russia were placed in preparation.
President Richard Nixon reacted to the Russian movements by placing US Forces at Defense Condition Three which is quite close to actual war preparedness. The US was ready for war. On October 26 the tension broke and a Ceasefire was agreed on.
Casualties
Israel suffered between 2,521 and 2,800 killed in action. An additional 7,250 to 8,800 soldiers were wounded. Some 293 Israelis were captured.
Israeli captives were often tortured and murdered by both the Egyptians and Syrians. The Syrians were especially cruel and proud of it.
Arab losses were about 10 times as high as those of the Israelis, if not more. The Arabs also suffered losses to their infrastructure of great seriousness.
Some Results of the War:
# Increased US Involvement with Israel.
The USA henceforth became the main supporter of Israel. The strategic value of Israel was greatly appreciated. In addition a spark was ignited in American hearts and their attachment to Israel increased.
Yom Kippur War changed U.S.-Israel ties
Holiday brings 25th anniversary of pivotal conflict
MATTHEW DORF
As a direct result of the war, the United States quadrupled its foreign aid to Israel, and replaced France as Israel's largest arms supplier. In fact, the doctrine of maintaining Israel's "qualitative edge" over its neighbors was born in the war's aftermath.
Before the war, Congress managed to pass annual loans to Israel in the $535 million range by a few votes. But after the war, Israel began to receive about $2.1 billion a year, half in loans and half in grants. Almost all of the money went to purchase American-made military hardware. Five years later, Israel began to receive $3 billion in grants as a result of the Camp David accords, which led to the 1979 Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty.
# Israeli Society and Politics.
The Likud Party lead by Menachem Begin won the Israeli elections in 1977. This was followed by a virtual revolution in Israeli society. The unbroken hegemony of the previous ruling class had been broken or, at least for the time-being, unseated. The long-term effects of Israeli dissatisfaction with how the country had not been prepared for the war was probably the single major cause for the change in government. This conclusion is valid despite the fact that previous elections had been held since the War and the change in attitude had not then overwhelmingly expressed itself.
# Yair Came!
As a result of the War, Yair Davidiy came to Israel possibly sooner than he otherwise may have done. This was of great significance, especially to Yair Davidiy.
#From a Brit-Am/Hebrew Nations perspective the war marked another phase in the re-assertion by Judah of its national rights. It alos led to an arousal with Joseph and increased involvement of Manasseh with Judah and the Promised Land.
Some Sources.
Peter Allen, The Yom Kippur War. The politics, tactics, and individual actions by which Israel repelled the Arab invasion of 1973, USA, 1982.
Yom Kippur War - October War
By SpeedyMedia on October 12, 2011 | From speedymedia.blogspot.com