Gur: Israel Capable of Preventive Strike Against the Arabs

Chief of Staff Gen. Mordechai Gur said today that Israel’s armed forces were capable of launching a preventive strike against the Arab states and that in certain circumstances such a strike would bring Israel both military and political benefits. He also said that a surprise attack on Israel by all of the Arab confrontation states could not be ruled but Israel’s forces could deal successfully with such an attack.

Gur, speaking on the Army Radio, said that Israel’s military capabilities gave it greater political maneuverability. He claimed that if Israel did everything it could to prevent war but the Arabs appeared inclined toward the war option, a preventive strike by Israel would be accepted by the world. There is no guarantee, he said, that the Arabs will not launch a surprise attack as they did on Yom Kippur, 1973.

The idea that the Arabs need more time to arm is a misconception since they can shift their forces into an offensive in a short time. Gur said. He said that Israel must assume that such an attack would involve all of the Arab states — Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and possibly even Lebanon. Israel has organized its military forces in such a way that it could turn back an attack on all fronts. he said.

Gur said that the importance of territory has not diminished but in fact increased in the age of long-range missile warfare. According to the Chief of Staff, modern warfare results in large numbers of casualties, therefore it requires larger units and territory is an important factor when large forces have to be maneuvered. He said Israel’s army has been greatly strengthened since the Yom Kippur War. Rear line manpower has been diverted to field units. The army has organized more units and is training every man for combat, he said.

Gur said the army of Jordan is developing into the most modern of the Arab armies and its strategic potential is increasing. But it is doubtful that Jordan would start a war on its own, he said.

POLITICS KEPT OUT OF THE ARMED FORCES

Gur disclosed that Israel’s election politics are being kept out of the armed forces. As of this month, political personalities will no longer lecture soldiers and even the Army Radio will cease dealing with partisan political matters. Soldiers are prohibited from active participation in political campaigns, although they can attend political meetings when they are out of uniform. Soldiers, of course, may vote and the army will make every effort to see that all soldiers cast ballots in the forthcoming elections, Gur said.