Former Premier Golda Meir says that she regrets not ordering a mobilization of the Israeli reserve forces on the eve of the Yom Kippur War, tries to exonerate Lieut, Gen, David Elazar, then chief of staff, from not mobilizing the forces, and praises former President Nixon “for keeping every promise he made to the Jewish State.”
In her book of memoirs, “My Life,” published here this week in English by Steimatzky Company, Mrs. Meir says she will always regret not heeding “the warning of my own heart” to order a mobilization of Israeli armed forces on the eve of the Yom Kippur War in October 1973. According to Mrs. Meir, Elazar wanted to authorize a pre-emptive air strike, two hours before the war erupted on Saturday, Oct. 6. But, Mrs. Meir reveals, the then Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and she vetoed the idea on the grounds that Israel would be accused once more as being the aggressor.
Mrs. Meir also writes that Nixon was personally responsible for the American airlift to Israel during the war and praises him for keeping every promise he made to Israel.
The book reviews Golda’s childhood in Russia and the U.S., her immigration to Israel in 1921 and her political career, including her years as Premier of Israel. “My Life.” which runs 400 pages, will be published in at least 15 more editions throughout the world, including the United States.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
