\’Yom Kippur War shows it\’s almost impossible to predict conflict,\’ Rivlin says

 

Speaking at a special state ceremony honoring the fallen of the war, the president said that it was incumbent upon Israelis to continue to criticize their leadership in order to ensure that a similar trauma is avoided in the future.

 

"Forty-two years have passed," the president said. "During this time, we have carried the memory of that war, a war which shaped an entire generation and changed the face of this country."

 

"Israeli society must be critical of its leaders day by day, hour by hour," Rivlin said. "And it is incumbent upon the leadership to be exposed to questions. This is the essence of real democracy."

 

The Yom Kippur War broke out after Egypt and Syria launched a surprise, coordinated attack against Israeli forces in the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Although Israel managed to recoup the territory that it lost in the initial Arab blitz, it did so at a steep price – over 3,000 soldiers killed.

 

The political and military leadership came under fire for failing to foresee the Egyptian-Syrian attack.

 

"People ask if it could happen again, and the answer must be \’Yes\’," Rivlin said. "Questions are asked about the intelligence agencies\’ ability to foresee war. The enemy of today is not the enemy of tomorrow, and the enemy of today is not necessarily a friend. The ability to predict is almost impossible."