Today I learned: Israel almost used nukes on Egypt and Syria until U.S intervened

[gore0bsessed]

By October 8, Israel had encountered military difficulties on both fronts; in the Sinai, its effort to break through Egyptian lines with armor had been thwarted, and despite advances in the Golan, Syrian air defense systems were taking a high toll of Israeli planes, Israeli forces were retreating, and Syrian forces were overlooking the Jordan River.

It became clear by October 9 that no quick reversal in Israel's favor would occur and that IDF losses were unexpectedly high. During the night of 8–9 October, an alarmed Dayan told Meir that "this is the end of the third temple."

Yom Kippur War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hmm. If a mod could move this to History I would appreciate it, I think that's where this should be, sorry.

 

[mentalfloss]

This is gonna turn into another one of those threads, isn't it?

 

[Liberalman]

This is gonna turn into another one of those threads, isn't it?

You think

 

[lone wolf]

It's only a rumor that Israel is nuclear capable :roll:

 

[petros]

WW4 is gonna be cool.

 

[Colpy]

By October 8, Israel had encountered military difficulties on both fronts; in the Sinai, its effort to break through Egyptian lines with armor had been thwarted, and despite advances in the Golan, Syrian air defense systems were taking a high toll of Israeli planes, Israeli forces were retreating, and Syrian forces were overlooking the Jordan River.[201][202][203] It became clear by October 9 that no quick reversal in Israel's favor would occur and that IDF losses were unexpectedly high.[204]
During the night of 8–9 October, an alarmed Dayan told Meir that "this is the end of the third temple."[202] He was warning of Israel's impending total defeat, but "Temple" was also the code word for nuclear weapons.[203] Dayan again raised the nuclear topic in a cabinet meeting, warning that the country was approaching a point of "last resort."[205] That night Meir authorized the assembly of thirteen 20-kiloton-of-TNT (84 TJ) tactical atomic weapons for Jericho missiles at Hirbat Zachariah, and F-4 aircraft at Tel Nof, for use against Syrian and Egyptian targets.[203] They would be used if absolutely necessary to prevent total defeat, but the preparation was done in an easily detectable way, likely as a signal to the United States.[205] Kissinger learned of the nuclear alert on the morning of October 9. That day, President Nixon ordered the commencement of Operation Nickel Grass, an American airlift to replace all of Israel's material losses.[206] Anecdotal evidence suggests that Kissinger told Sadat that the reason for the U.S. airlift was that the Israelis were close to "going nuclear."[203]




Yom Kippur War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hmm. If a mod could move this to History I would appreciate it, I think that's where this should be, sorry.

A couple of things about the OP, which I think is generally accurate and fair.

Notice that Israel does NOT keep her nuclear weapons ready for deployment........this is done on purpose, to allow time for sober second thought and avoid a panic reaction to an overly successful attack on Israel.

The use of the weapons was not even considered unless it was "absolutely necessary to prevent total defeat"

The bluff worked, Israel was re-supplied, the enemy beaten back, and both possible holocausts prevented.......(holocaust of Jews if the Arabs won, or nuclear holocaust)

Israel is completely responsible in her possession of nuclear arms.

Now, let's talk about Iran........

 

[mentalfloss]

 

[The Old Medic]

Yes indeed, Wikipedia is 100% accurate in all things.

In an alternate universe perhaps!

 

[DurkaDurka]

I think there are more threads about Jews and Israel then there is about Canada here...

 

[Colpy]

Yes indeed, Wikipedia is 100% accurate in all things.

In an alternate universe perhaps!

Of course not!

But generally reasonable, although certainly not fit for academic research........

It works for here.

 

[MHz]

I think there are more threads about Jews and Israel then there is about Canada here...

Perhaps they should try staying off the front pages then.

 

[Goober]

I think there are more threads about Jews and Israel then there is about Canada here...

Thats what happens when you are popular and well loved by all.

 

[gore0bsessed]

A couple of things about the OP, which I think is generally accurate and fair.

Notice that Israel does NOT keep her nuclear weapons ready for deployment........this is done on purpose, to allow time for sober second thought and avoid a panic reaction to an overly successful attack on Israel.

The use of the weapons was not even considered unless it was "absolutely necessary to prevent total defeat"

The bluff worked, Israel was re-supplied, the enemy beaten back, and both possible holocausts prevented.......(holocaust of Jews if the Arabs won, or nuclear holocaust)

Israel is completely responsible in her possession of nuclear arms.

Now, let's talk about Iran........

What bluff? Israel were going to use their nukes had U.S not resupplied then , they were getting owned and were finished without U.S help. The story of their entire history basically.
What about Iran?

 

[DaSleeper]

I think there are more threads about Jews and Israel then there is about Canada here...

We seem to have an obsessed person here....pun intended:smile:

 

[WLDB]

Of course not!

But generally reasonable, although certainly not fit for academic research........

I actually have an assignment to do about wikipedia for a history class. Not exactly using it as a source, more looking at the changes made to a particular article.

 

[Colpy]

What bluff? Israel were going to use their nukes had U.S not resupplied then , they were getting owned and were finished without U.S help. The story of their entire history basically.
What about Iran?

Fair enough, in part....."bluff" was not the best choice of words.....certainly Israel would have used nukes if there had been no other alternative.

The game was to get re-supplied.

Israel knew the Yom Kippur War was coming, but made a reasoned decision to not strike pre-emptively because of the trouble it got in for the 1967 strikes.......

What the Yom Kippur War proved is that Israel MUST strike pre-emptively, if it is to defend itself. The place is so so tiny, it could be over run in a matter of a few hours........and it can not mobilize, take up defensive positions and wait, because every male is a soldier, and the nation has to shut down to mobilize. That can't last long.

Every war Israel fights it has to fight quickly, and decisively. That is the reality.

The US only re-supplied them, they kicked Arab arse all by themselves, yet again.

Just to show you what Israel was up against::

1967 War:

Israel:
50,000 troops
214,000 reserves
300 combat aircraft
800 tanks[2] Total troops: 264,000
100,000 deployed


Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq
Egypt: 240,000 troops
Syria, Jordan, and Iraq: 307,000 troops
957 combat aircraft
2,504 tanks[2] Total troops: 547,000
240,000 deployed


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-Day_War

The enemy had twice the available troops, three times the aircraft, and three times the tanks.

the 1973 Yom Kippur War

Israel
375,000[8]–415,000 troops,
1,700 tanks,[18]
3,000 armored carriers,
945 artillery units,[11]
440 combat aircraft

The Arabs
Egypt: 650,000[8]–800,000[9] troops, 1,700 tanks (1,020 crossed),[10] 2,400 armored carriers, 1,120 artillery units,[11] 400 combat aircraft, 140 helicopters,[12] 104 Navy vessels, 150 surface to air missile batteries (62 in the front line)[13]
Syria: 150,000[8] troops, 1,200 tanks, 800–900 armored carriers, 600 artillery units,[11][14][15]
Expeditionary Forces*: 100,000 troops,[8] 500-670 tanks,[16][17] 700 armored carriers[16]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur_War

The arabs had 2 1/2 times as many soldiers, half again the number of tanks, more artillery and APCs.....and more aircraft.

If Israel had not had the buffer zones of the Sinai and the Golan Heights, the nation would have been forced to go nuclear.

 

[Vancouverite]

My understanding of the war was that Egypt wanted to use it to gain respect and credibility for itself after the disaster in 1967. The fact that its army made a good showing, at least initially, was so it can eventually bargain with Israel (and come to terms with the US alliance) from some position of strength.

 

[Goober]

My understanding of the war was that Egypt wanted to use it to gain respect and credibility for itself after the disaster in 1967. The fact that its army made a good showing, at least initially, was so it can eventually bargain with Israel (and come to terms with the US alliance) from some position of strength.

Check their losses.