Not by Omission: The Case of the 1973 Arab–Israeli War

by Amnon Kapeliouk, Mark Marshall (Translator), Noam Chomsky (Introduction)

In this book, first published in Hebrew in 1975 and now available in English for the first time, Amnon Kapeliouk traces the policies and attitudes that led to the 1973 Arab–Israeli war. He describes the multiple diplomatic overtures from Egyptian presidents Nasser and Sadat after 1967 that Israel ignored or contemptuously rejected, as well as the complacent attitude that had become fully entrenched in the Israeli military establishment. On the political level, the triumvirate of Golda Meir, Moshe Dayan and Israel Galili feature prominently as a study in arrogance and incompetence. Kapeliouk also notes the protest movement that arose among active-duty soldiers as well as veterans in the wake of the war demanding political accountability for the failures of the war.

Genres: Middle East

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Amnon Kapeliouk (1931-2009) was a French-Israeli journalist and author.

Amnon Kapeliouk's published works include a biography of Yasser Arafat, Arafat l’irréductible, as well as a detailed investigation into the Sabra and Shatila massacre. He is a regular contributor to Le Monde Diplomatique as well as to other magazines and newspapers.

He was accused by CAMERA of misrepresenting a quote by Menachem Begin to suggest that the Israeli Prime Minister had described Palestinians in a speech to the Knesset as being "beasts walking on two legs".

Kapeliouk died on 26 June 2009 at the age of 78.

At the time of his death Amnon Kapeliouk lived in Jerusalem, Israel.

Reviews

[Peter Rooijmans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, originally published in 1975, describes how the lack of any Israeli initiatives for peace with its neighbours after the six-day war in 1967 finally led to the war in October 1973. The reasons behind the lack of initiative are explained as being a complete feeling of military and moral superiority over its neigbours (page 238): "... drunkenness with victory, reliance on the myth of force and the generals'dreams of Israel as a Great Power ...".
This theme looks to have strong parallels with the long period leading up to the Hamas action in October 2023, where Israel has for many years not only completely ignored the situation and outlook for the Palestinians, but also trampled on their rights and dreams. This is not a recipe for getting to and finding final peace.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book, much more a historical document than a basis for debate due to its publication date. Still, there is entirely too much on the political side of things in Israel that have not changed at all. Rabin's three "nos" are still the foundation of Israel policy with respect to the land of Palestine and the Palestinians. Sad, but true. A better than average introduction to many of the elements that initiated, maintained, and worsened Israeli aggression and hubris. Could 2023 be the year that the militant, anti-democratic, oppressive regime of Israel finally gives over to peace instead of more and more and more violence? One can only hope...

[TheTeapot · Rating 3 out of 5]

About time I learned a little more about what's going on over there.

I generally avoid the depressing world of politics, but it seems given current events that some degree of awareness is now all but mandatory.

The book did a great job at introducing me to the wider context surrounding the headline events that we're all aware of. Turns out context is king yet again, and I'd like to think I now have a better understanding of how things have unravelled as they did (spoiler; everybody sucks).

More importantly this added context has disabused me of the simplistic vox pop conclusions I carried around when pressed for an opinion.