Not for me Vanessa - I lived it - not only did I live it on that October Shabbat/ Yom Kippur Day I was married and 7.5 months pregnant with our oldest son. As an American born and raised - I moved to Israel in 1971 - it was my "first" war. My oldest will be 53 in December 2026 and my husband is deceased. I dont discuss it too much - but there is plenty out there about it.
Every Yom Kippur I light a yizkor candle to remember the 2800 soldiers we lost - and the 9,000 - 10 K plus wounded- it was a very long recovery - and for many of us still alive it continues to haunt us. I watched the operation nickle grass airlift from October 14 1973 fly over Tel Aviv on ts way to Lod Airport (Now Ben Gurion) I watched our chief of staff Dado Elezar z"l every evening on television briefing us while I sat with black out curtains on our sliding glass doors. We painted the headlights on our cars blue.
On October 6, 2023 I had also lit a Yizkor candle to remember
Milchmet Yom HaKippurim/ מלחמת יום הכיפורים)-
Well ..... the very next day we had October 7, 2023. We were again attacked by surprise! 50 years later and yet again discovered Egypt’s involvement after discovering the underground tunnels connected to Rafah going in and out of Egypt, with munitions. Despite the protests against the IDF going into Rafah, the tunnels were uncovered - that didn't stop the usual crowd wearing kaffiyas and some American Jews from anti IDF protests, they held up signs for ceasefire and alleging genocide. Like the anti Israeli protests in NYC in 1973 - we had a re-run on October 8, 2023 of anti Israel protests yet again in NYC, and all over the world. What is going on today has been happening for many years - and the propaganda against Israel is always the same.
I am cognizant that I am speaking to a new generation of adults who are not 53, and I suspect that not too many of you want to hear what I have to say - so please continue your research, write, watch and disseminate the factual events not the continued lies/misinformation that are published regularly - I was a witness.
PS : My oldest son is part of the generation of the Children of the Winter of 1973 - we promised them a dove, and we didn't deliver.
👏👏👏 An incredible article by Vanessa Berg loaded with fascinating facts I never knew about one of the most important conflicts in recent Middle Eastern history and of the twentieth century! I enjoyed this piece immensely and learned a great deal! For those who’d like to learn more about the Yom Kippur War I’d recommended the following volumes:
• The Yom Kippur War: The Epic Encounter That Transformed the Middle East by Abraham Rabinovich
• Eighteen Days in October: The Yom Kippur War and How It Created the Modern Middle East by Uri Kaufman
• The War of Atonement: The Inside Story of the Yom Kippur War by Chaim Herzog
• The Eve of Destruction: The Untold Story of the Yom Kippur War by Howard Blum
• The Two O'Clock War: The 1973 Yom Kippur Conflict and the Airlift That Saved Israel by Walter J. Boyne
And in the middle of the night, President Richard Nixon received a call from Golda Meir. She said they were under attack, could America please help. Nixon remembered his mother, Hannah, reading the Hebrew Bible to him before bed every night. She once told him that if he was ever called on to help Israel, he must be there for them. Nixon recalled her words. He went against Kissinger and his entire cabinet and sent everything Golda said they needed and more. I'm sure Nixon has been rewarded for this by our Lord.
"The Nixon Administration initiated Operation Nickel Grass, an American airlift to replace all of Israel’s lost munitions. This was huge – planeload after planeload of supplies literally allowed munitions and materiel to seemingly re-spawn for the Israeli counter effort. 567 missions were flown throughout the airlift, dropping over 22,000 tons of supplies. An additional 90,000 tons of materiel were delivered by sea. According to Abraham Rabinovich, “while the American airlift of supplies did not immediately replace Israel’s losses in equipment, it did allow Israel to expend what it did have more freely.”
Nixon’s initiated aerial resupply operation to Israel started on 13 October. Nicknamed NICKEL GRASS, the airlift soon proved the value of maintaining a responsive and efficient military airlift system. For the next 32 days, MAC C-141 and C-5 cargo transports streamed steadily into Lod International Airport at Tel Aviv from onload points throughout the United States carrying urgently needed war materials.
The war spanned nearly three weeks, from Oct. 6 through Oct. 25, 1973. Most fighting had ended by October 26. But it was the swift and certain actions of America’s president that gave Israel a fighting chance and allowed her to defeat the enemies who attacked her.
1) Portugal only consented to the airlift because Nixon threatened to back an Azorean independence movement if they didn’t. They didn’t do it willingly.
2) The article doesn’t address the single biggest mystery about the war - how close did Israel come to using nuclear weapons. There is no definitive information on this but it is believed by many that Israel came within 24 hours of using them on Cairo, Damascus and possibly Aswan Dam if the Arab offensive was not blunted. Supposedly, Sadat said he was not interested in destroying Israel but wanted to be in a strong enough position to get Sinai back, but Assad supposedly was ready to risk a nuclear war if he could break into northern Israel.
That is an important point, since Israel’s nuclear arsenal is widely considered to be its ultimate guarantee of survival
The Yom Kippur War by Abraham Rabinowitz covers all these points except #3, evacuation of children from the Golan.
It highlights the negative effects of Aman (military intelligence) chief Gen Eli Zeira, who was convinced there would be no war and suppressed evidence to the contrary. Israeli commandos had installed taps on the Egyptian military network but Zeira reported to the Cabinet that no unusual activity had been revealed by them. He didn't mention that he had not ordered the taps activated yet.
Zeira went out of his way to discredit Nasser's son in law as a double agent, even promoting a film about that.
It's a fascinating read that goes from the highest level of diplomacy to the most detailed combat item.
As Mark Twain said “history rhymes”. The kibbutzim suffered also then as on October 7. Not that they were attacked directly but by losses of their members. Kibbutz members were known as the most fearless fighters and they were always known to be the first attackers. Meanwhile the crops had to be harvested and all activities needed help. A call for volunteers was issued and the world community responded. You can read about mine experience in this post:
Just watched Golda with Helen Miran last night and it was so powerful. The fact that Israel was such a new nation state is amazing. Today that military is by far the strongest in the world in my eyes. Glory to Hashem 🙏🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱
Thank you Vanessa .. always good to be reminded, especially the detail.
I remember reading a book about Nasser's son in law. If I am not mistaken, Israel had listening devices within the Egyptian military / armed services, but apparently the power had been switched 'off'.
I recall that whilst Israel suffered heavy losses, they were soon on the road to Damascus, and got very close to the city.
Important and interesting facts about that October war . The circumstances that preceded the war in terms of preparation and readiness are appallingly similar to those before October 7 2023 war although not everything has come to light yet .
I thank Vanessa Berg for reminding us that a country can survive a war and still deserve answers from its leaders. Soldiers should never have to purchase, with their blood, the correction of assumptions that officials refused to question. The detail that grabs me is Motti Ashkenazi standing outside the prime minister’s office demanding accountability. One reservist understood what powerful institutions struggle to admit: surviving the consequences does not excuse the failure. I admire the courage that kept Israel alive. I also admire the nerve to demand answers afterward. No title, reputation, or election victory should buy immunity from scrutiny.
<<<The Forgotten History of the Yom Kippur War>>>
Not for me Vanessa - I lived it - not only did I live it on that October Shabbat/ Yom Kippur Day I was married and 7.5 months pregnant with our oldest son. As an American born and raised - I moved to Israel in 1971 - it was my "first" war. My oldest will be 53 in December 2026 and my husband is deceased. I dont discuss it too much - but there is plenty out there about it.
Every Yom Kippur I light a yizkor candle to remember the 2800 soldiers we lost - and the 9,000 - 10 K plus wounded- it was a very long recovery - and for many of us still alive it continues to haunt us. I watched the operation nickle grass airlift from October 14 1973 fly over Tel Aviv on ts way to Lod Airport (Now Ben Gurion) I watched our chief of staff Dado Elezar z"l every evening on television briefing us while I sat with black out curtains on our sliding glass doors. We painted the headlights on our cars blue.
On October 6, 2023 I had also lit a Yizkor candle to remember
Milchmet Yom HaKippurim/ מלחמת יום הכיפורים)-
Well ..... the very next day we had October 7, 2023. We were again attacked by surprise! 50 years later and yet again discovered Egypt’s involvement after discovering the underground tunnels connected to Rafah going in and out of Egypt, with munitions. Despite the protests against the IDF going into Rafah, the tunnels were uncovered - that didn't stop the usual crowd wearing kaffiyas and some American Jews from anti IDF protests, they held up signs for ceasefire and alleging genocide. Like the anti Israeli protests in NYC in 1973 - we had a re-run on October 8, 2023 of anti Israel protests yet again in NYC, and all over the world. What is going on today has been happening for many years - and the propaganda against Israel is always the same.
I am cognizant that I am speaking to a new generation of adults who are not 53, and I suspect that not too many of you want to hear what I have to say - so please continue your research, write, watch and disseminate the factual events not the continued lies/misinformation that are published regularly - I was a witness.
PS : My oldest son is part of the generation of the Children of the Winter of 1973 - we promised them a dove, and we didn't deliver.
LINK to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epRXQoGwbVY
Thank you for writing about The Yom Kippur War of 1973.
G'mar Chatimah Tovah
👏👏👏 An incredible article by Vanessa Berg loaded with fascinating facts I never knew about one of the most important conflicts in recent Middle Eastern history and of the twentieth century! I enjoyed this piece immensely and learned a great deal! For those who’d like to learn more about the Yom Kippur War I’d recommended the following volumes:
• The Yom Kippur War: The Epic Encounter That Transformed the Middle East by Abraham Rabinovich
• Eighteen Days in October: The Yom Kippur War and How It Created the Modern Middle East by Uri Kaufman
• The War of Atonement: The Inside Story of the Yom Kippur War by Chaim Herzog
• The Eve of Destruction: The Untold Story of the Yom Kippur War by Howard Blum
• The Two O'Clock War: The 1973 Yom Kippur Conflict and the Airlift That Saved Israel by Walter J. Boyne
And in the middle of the night, President Richard Nixon received a call from Golda Meir. She said they were under attack, could America please help. Nixon remembered his mother, Hannah, reading the Hebrew Bible to him before bed every night. She once told him that if he was ever called on to help Israel, he must be there for them. Nixon recalled her words. He went against Kissinger and his entire cabinet and sent everything Golda said they needed and more. I'm sure Nixon has been rewarded for this by our Lord.
https://newswithviews.com/hannah-nixon-raised-the-president-who-saved-israel/
America supplied the following:
"The Nixon Administration initiated Operation Nickel Grass, an American airlift to replace all of Israel’s lost munitions. This was huge – planeload after planeload of supplies literally allowed munitions and materiel to seemingly re-spawn for the Israeli counter effort. 567 missions were flown throughout the airlift, dropping over 22,000 tons of supplies. An additional 90,000 tons of materiel were delivered by sea. According to Abraham Rabinovich, “while the American airlift of supplies did not immediately replace Israel’s losses in equipment, it did allow Israel to expend what it did have more freely.”
Nixon’s initiated aerial resupply operation to Israel started on 13 October. Nicknamed NICKEL GRASS, the airlift soon proved the value of maintaining a responsive and efficient military airlift system. For the next 32 days, MAC C-141 and C-5 cargo transports streamed steadily into Lod International Airport at Tel Aviv from onload points throughout the United States carrying urgently needed war materials.
The war spanned nearly three weeks, from Oct. 6 through Oct. 25, 1973. Most fighting had ended by October 26. But it was the swift and certain actions of America’s president that gave Israel a fighting chance and allowed her to defeat the enemies who attacked her.
For this most important gesture, I will always love President Richard Nixon, raised a Quaker by a mother who knew the truth of the Lord's Word.
1) Portugal only consented to the airlift because Nixon threatened to back an Azorean independence movement if they didn’t. They didn’t do it willingly.
2) The article doesn’t address the single biggest mystery about the war - how close did Israel come to using nuclear weapons. There is no definitive information on this but it is believed by many that Israel came within 24 hours of using them on Cairo, Damascus and possibly Aswan Dam if the Arab offensive was not blunted. Supposedly, Sadat said he was not interested in destroying Israel but wanted to be in a strong enough position to get Sinai back, but Assad supposedly was ready to risk a nuclear war if he could break into northern Israel.
That is an important point, since Israel’s nuclear arsenal is widely considered to be its ultimate guarantee of survival
That is almost certainly the reason Nixon insisted to Kissinger that Israel be saved.
The Yom Kippur War by Abraham Rabinowitz covers all these points except #3, evacuation of children from the Golan.
It highlights the negative effects of Aman (military intelligence) chief Gen Eli Zeira, who was convinced there would be no war and suppressed evidence to the contrary. Israeli commandos had installed taps on the Egyptian military network but Zeira reported to the Cabinet that no unusual activity had been revealed by them. He didn't mention that he had not ordered the taps activated yet.
Zeira went out of his way to discredit Nasser's son in law as a double agent, even promoting a film about that.
It's a fascinating read that goes from the highest level of diplomacy to the most detailed combat item.
As Mark Twain said “history rhymes”. The kibbutzim suffered also then as on October 7. Not that they were attacked directly but by losses of their members. Kibbutz members were known as the most fearless fighters and they were always known to be the first attackers. Meanwhile the crops had to be harvested and all activities needed help. A call for volunteers was issued and the world community responded. You can read about mine experience in this post:
https://barrylederman.substack.com/p/ebrief-from-life-5-opportunity-to?r=o30r9&utm_medium=ios
Michael Doran did a fantastic series about that war at tikvah fund. Well worth watching for very in depth analysis.
Does he address the nuclear issue?
Thanks for a really interesting history.
Just watched Golda with Helen Miran last night and it was so powerful. The fact that Israel was such a new nation state is amazing. Today that military is by far the strongest in the world in my eyes. Glory to Hashem 🙏🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱
Thank you Vanessa .. always good to be reminded, especially the detail.
I remember reading a book about Nasser's son in law. If I am not mistaken, Israel had listening devices within the Egyptian military / armed services, but apparently the power had been switched 'off'.
I recall that whilst Israel suffered heavy losses, they were soon on the road to Damascus, and got very close to the city.
Hussein was such a worm. He warns Israel about the war then actually fights against Israel in it "because he had to." He always to have it all ways.
Thank you for this refresher. Am Yisrael Chai! Gmar hatima tova!
Important and interesting facts about that October war . The circumstances that preceded the war in terms of preparation and readiness are appallingly similar to those before October 7 2023 war although not everything has come to light yet .
I thank Vanessa Berg for reminding us that a country can survive a war and still deserve answers from its leaders. Soldiers should never have to purchase, with their blood, the correction of assumptions that officials refused to question. The detail that grabs me is Motti Ashkenazi standing outside the prime minister’s office demanding accountability. One reservist understood what powerful institutions struggle to admit: surviving the consequences does not excuse the failure. I admire the courage that kept Israel alive. I also admire the nerve to demand answers afterward. No title, reputation, or election victory should buy immunity from scrutiny.
As the siren went off and announcmnet on Galei Tzahal (IDF Army Radio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HsXcN4sZZg
Fascinating read about this episode in Israel’s history, thanks for sharing this story❣️🙏🇮🇱✝️🇮🇱🙌🇮🇱😻