Egyptian Veterans Respect Israeli Foes From 1973 War, Reciprocal Respect Grows
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
More than 50 years after the 1973 October War, veterans from Egypt and Israel have developed mutual respect for each other's military prowess and dedication. Egyptian veterans, who saw the war as a reclaiming of honor, acknowledge Israeli professionalism, while Israeli figures like Moshe Dayan noted the increased resilience of Arab forces. This reciprocal respect, evident in post-war negotiations and encounters, has fostered peace between the nations, though civilian connections lag behind political and military ties.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Egyptian and Israeli veterans from the 1973 war have developed mutual respect over 50 years later.
- Egyptian veterans viewed the 1973 war as a reclaiming of honor and acknowledge Israeli professionalism.
- Israeli figures like Moshe Dayan noted the increased resilience and bravery of Arab forces in 1973.
- Post-war negotiations between Egyptian General Muhammad al-Gamasy and Israeli General Aaron Yariv were cordial.
- People-to-people connections between Egyptian and Israeli societies lag behind political and military ties.
- Encounters between veterans, like a chance meeting in Tel Aviv, highlight the lasting respect.
More than 50 years after the 1973 October War, also known as the Yom Kippur War in Israel, veterans from both sides recall a mutual respect that developed between former adversaries. The war, initiated by Egypt and Syria against Israel to reclaim territories lost in the 1967 Six-Day War, saw soldiers and officers fighting not just machines and politicians, but developing human connections.
Egyptian veterans, who viewed the war as a means to erase the shame of 1967 and restore territorial integrity, hold their Israeli opponents in high regard, acknowledging their dedication, discipline, and professionalism. This sentiment is particularly strong among Egyptian generals who later became part of the ruling class and are now often staunch advocates for peace with Israel, valuing it above all after experiencing the horrors of war.
Egyptian General Muhammad al-Gamasy, in his memoirs, described the conflict as a "battle for Egypt's honor." Following the war, al-Gamasy met with Israeli General Aaron Yariv to discuss troop withdrawals and prisoners, a significant moment where former enemies engaged in detailed, respectful negotiations. Contemporary American documents confirm these discussions, and Yariv's own recollections describe the meetings as personally cordial and friendly.
This mutual respect extended beyond high-ranking officers. By December 1973, Israeli liaison officers reported warm relationships with their Egyptian counterparts, with both sides sharing meals. Similarly, Israeli veterans began to re-evaluate their perception of Arab soldiers. Tank commander Avigdor Kahalani, who fought against Syrian forces, called the war a necessary "slap" to Israel's post-1967 overconfidence. Former Defense Minister Moshe Dayan noted the increased resilience and bravery of Egyptian and Syrian units compared to previous wars.
This mutual process led Arab armies to no longer view Israel as invincible, while Israelis ceased seeing Arab armies as weak. Despite nearly 50 years of peace between Egypt and Israel and evolving military cooperation, people-to-people connections have lagged behind the political and military elite's relationship. Nevertheless, instances of veteran encounters have been recorded, including an intelligence officer, Osama al-Mandouh, unexpectedly meeting the Israeli officer who had searched for his group in 1973, and a joint wheelchair basketball match between disabled veterans in England.