Eli Zeira Dies at 97; Israeli Official Dismissed Warnings of Yom Kippur War

Eli Zeira, the Israeli major general and military intelligence chief who was forced out of his job after dismissing warnings that Syria and Egypt were on the verge of the attacks in 1973 that started the Yom Kippur War, died on Friday at the age of 97. His death was confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces, though no details of the location were provided.

General Zeira, who had served in the I.D.F. for over two decades prior to being appointed as head of the military intelligence directorate in 1972, had to confront mounting tensions following Israel’s triumph in the Six-Day War of 1967. After that conflict, Israel gained control of several territories, which led to increased resentment in the region.

Following the Six-Day War, General Zeira made remarks about the Israeli people’s ability to live in a constant state of uncertainty, referring to them as ‘tension addicts.’ He addressed this in a speech in Houston, stating, ‘We know why we live in Israel. It has always been this way.’

In April 1973, information from Ashraf Marwan, believed to be an Israeli spy, suggested an imminent attack by Egypt and Syria in mid-May. However, General Zeira, along with his deputy Brig. Gen. Aryeh Shalev, expressed doubts, informing the Israeli cabinet that the likelihood of an attack was very low. This skepticism contributed to the lack of preparedness for the subsequent war.

General Zeira, who underestimated the military capabilities of Egypt and Syria, declared, ‘A rational analysis of the situation indicates that the Egyptians would be acting foolishly by initiating a war.’ Despite the warnings and signs, the Yom Kippur War caught Israel off guard, leading to significant consequences and casualties.

Zeira’s tenure as military intelligence chief was clouded by the aftermath of the war, with a commission ultimately holding him responsible for the lack of preparedness that left Israel vulnerable to the surprise attacks. Although he argued his case, his dismissal marked the end of his career in the Israeli Defense Forces.