Lesson of Yom Kippur War: Violations Can't Be Fixed By Gizmos - by Dr. Aaron Lerner

...The lessons? #1. Serious security violations of agreements and understandings should be addressed by insisting on the enforcement of the agreement. #2. Gizmos are a poor substitute for compliance.

Dr. Aaron Lerner..
IMRA Weekly Commentary..
06 October '16..
Link: http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=71554

Back on 30 September 2001, speaking at the main memorial service for those who died in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon noted that Israel was surprised in that war by Egypt because the Egyptians did not honor the 1970 cease-fire agreement and thus the lesson of the Yom Kippur War is that one must always pay attention when agreements are not honored.

It was worse than that.

Now we know the following:

#1 The Egyptians moved anti-aircraft missiles close to the Suez Canal the very moment that the cease-fire went into effect.

#2 The US had a spy plane that flew over the area that first day and photographed the violations. They were aware that first day that the Egyptians had violated the agreement. It should be noted that at the time the US asked Israel to provide evidence and for several days said it was waiting for evidence of violation.

#3 While BEFORE the agreement was signed, the US promised Israel that if the Egyptians moved up their missiles that the US would press the Egyptians to pull them back, when they finally had to face up to the violation, the US explained that they could not pressure Egypt. To be clear: discussions of the agreement held between Israel and the US focused on the Israeli concern that Egypt would move the missiles. This was anything but a minor footnote.

#4 The US ultimately compensated Israel with "black boxes" for Israeli aircraft that were meant to offset the damage to Israel's security caused by the Egyptian violation.

#5 The "black boxes" weren't enough. Those same anti-aircraft missiles ultimately provided invading Egyptian forces protection from the Israeli Air Force at the opening of the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Conclusion: The failure of the United States to honor its commitment facilitated the devastating Yom Kippur War by making the invasion of the Sinai by Egypt possible!

The lessons?

#1. Serious security violations of agreements and understandings should be addressed by insisting on the enforcement of the agreement.

#2. Gizmos are a poor substitute for compliance.

Suffice it to say that this is a lesson that I fear our leadership has failed to learn.

Our "quiet for quiet" approach that allows our enemies do practically anything they want in preparation to attack us in gross violation of agreements (Gaza) and UNSC resolutions (Lebanon) as long as they don't shoot too much certainly doesn't indicate that any lessons have been learned from the past.

I hope with all my heart to be proven wrong.

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IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis - Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on Arab-Israeli relations
Website: www.imra.org.il

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