On October 6, 2023, Egypt marked the 53rd anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, a conflict that saw Egyptian forces cross the Suez Canal and inflict significant losses on the Israeli military. Coinciding with this anniversary was the 50th anniversary of the death of David Al-Ya'ezar, the Israeli Chief of Staff during the war. In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Hilla Al-Ya'ezar, David's daughter, revealed dramatic details about her father's experiences during the war and its aftermath.
Hilla Al-Ya'ezar, a 71-year-old psychologist, recounted her father's ordeal during the war, including his concerns about being captured or injured. According to her, David Al-Ya'ezar preferred death to being severely wounded and living with the shame of defeat. He had reassured Hilla that Israel's military would never be caught off guard, given its reliance on early warnings. Before the war, David had taken Hilla on a trip to Sharm El-Sheikh, where they went scuba diving, and he had also taught her the tango dance.
The 1973 war broke out just before Hilla was set to begin her military service. She recalled receiving a phone call from her mother, informing her of the war's outbreak. Hilla reported for military duty, only to find Israel reeling from the surprise attack by Egyptian forces. The Israeli military was in disarray, with many soldiers killed or wounded, and Hilla witnessed the devastating impact firsthand. She remembered her father returning home exhausted and preoccupied with rebuilding the military.
David Al-Ya'ezar had opposed the formation of an investigative committee into the war's failures, but Prime Minister Golda Meir overruled him. The committee, known as the Agranat Commission, ultimately attributed the blame to Al-Ya'ezar, recommending his dismissal as Chief of Staff. Hilla described her father's ordeal during the commission's hearings, where he was questioned for 18.5 hours over five sessions. He felt that the commission's members were not interested in understanding the context of the war.
Hilla also revealed that her father's relationship with Defense Minister Moshe Dayan was strained, particularly regarding the deployment of reserve forces and the possibility of a preemptive strike. Dayan had allegedly undermined Al-Ya'ezar's authority, and Hilla suggested that Dayan had prepared for the commission's questions by having his driver deliver Al-Ya'ezar's testimony to the ministry daily. This allowed Dayan to anticipate and counter Al-Ya'ezar's statements.
After the war, Al-Ya'ezar's life was marked by sadness and disappointment. Hilla recalled that her father became withdrawn, often going on long drives with her mother to clear his mind. He had also become physically frail, with his hair turning gray prematurely. The stress of the war and its aftermath had taken a significant toll on his health. Al-Ya'ezar eventually submitted his resignation, which was accepted by Prime Minister Meir.
In the years following the war, Al-Ya'ezar struggled to come to terms with the consequences of the conflict. Hilla mentioned that her father's closest friends had distanced themselves from him during this difficult period, which added to his isolation. Despite this, Al-Ya'ezar continued to reflect on the war and its lessons, leaving behind a legacy as a military leader who had fought bravely but ultimately faced defeat.
Key points
- David Al-Ya'ezar's experiences during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War had a profound impact on his life and legacy.
- The Agranat Commission's findings and recommendations contributed to Al-Ya'ezar's dismissal as Chief of Staff.
- Hilla Al-Ya'ezar's account provides a unique perspective on her father's role in the war and its aftermath.
