Prime Minister Golda Meir's address to the nation on the occasion of the
Yom Kippur war (Oct 6, 1973)
Citizens of Israel
Shortly before two pm today, the armies of Egypt and Syria opened an
offensive against Israel, launching a series of air, armoured and artillery
attacks in Sinai and on the Golan Heights. The Israel Defense Forces have
entered the ght, and are beating back the assault. The enemy has suffered
grave losses
The rulers of Egypt and Syria have long planned this violation of the
cease- re. Contemptibly, the aggressors are now spreading the falsehood
that it was Israel that opened re. But the responsibility for the renewal of
the ghting and for the bloodshed lies with them alone
Our enemies had hoped to surprise the citizens of Israel on the Day of
Atonement, when so many of our people are fasting and worshipping in
the synagogues. The aggressors thought that on this day we would not be
ready to ght back. We were not caught by surprise
For several days now our Intelligence Services have been aware that the
armies of Egypt and Syria were preparing a joint offensive. Israel Defense
Force patrols established that large armed forces were massed in offensive
deployment in the vicinity of the Suez Canal and on the Golan Heights.
The reports of the patrols con rmed the information already in our hands.
Our forces were placed in position to meet the danger
We are in no doubt that we shall prevail, but we are also convinced that
this renewal of Egyptian and Syrian aggression is an act of madness. We
did our best to prevent the outbreak. We appealed to quarters with political
in uence to use it in order to frustrate this infamous move of the Egyptian
and Syrian leaders. While there was still time we informed friendly
countries of the con rmed information that we had of the plans for an
offensive against Israel. We called on them to do the utmost to prevent
war, but the Egyptian and Syrian attack has started
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The Israel Defense Forces are ready to repel the enemy's attack. Early this
morning a partial call-up of reserves was approved and got under way
In view of the gravity of the information, I was obliged to call a meeting of
the Cabinet on the Day of Atonement. The offensive started while the
Cabinet was in session. The Cabinet authorized the IDF to take all action
on the battlefront required by the situation to achieve victory. Ministers
were authorized to issue the necessary emergency orders
Citizens of Israel
This is not the rst time that we have been compelled to endure ordeal by
battle. I am con dent that none among us will fall prey to panic. The
mobilization will no doubt cause hardships and interference in the normal
course of life and work but we must try to accept these dif culties as we
have done in the past, with full understanding. We are called upon to
demonstrate responsibility and discipline in our conduct. We must be ready
for every burden and sacri ce needed for the defense of our survival, our
freedom and our independence. Let us, then, conduct ourselves so as to be
worthy of our soldiers of Israel who are valiantly doing their duty in the
air, in the armoured forces, on the ships, in the artillery, in all units and
services in the outposts, in the villages and settlements, along the lines of
re in all sectors
We have full con dence in the spirit and the strength of the IDF to
overcome the enemy. The victory of the IDF is our certain assurance of life
and peace
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