| Agranat Commission |
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Information AboutAgranat Commission |
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| israeli commissions and inquiries | |
| yom kippur war | |
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The Committee sat for 140 sessions, during which they listened to the testimony of 58 witnesses. Their Interim Report, released on 1 April 1974 , caused a stir in the country by placing the onus of responsibility on Chief of Staff David Elazar , the Chief of Military Intelligence General Eli Zeira , and the Chief of the Southern Command General Shmuel Gonen . The Report determined that they failed to prepare the Israel Defense Forces for war and for the operations and intelligence failures in the days and months leading up to the war, which led to disastrous results. The Committee placed no blame on the political leadership of the country, though many felt that Prime Minister Golda Meir and Minister of Defense Moshe Dayan should have taken some of the responsibility. In response to these findings, Elazar resigned as Chief of Staff, and Zeira and Gonen were removed from active duty. Although she was vindicated by the report, Golda Meir herself resigned one month later in response to public pressure. CRITIQUE OF THE REPORT The findings of the Agranat Commission have been the focus of sharp debate among the Israeli public up until today. Particular criticism relates to its exoneration of the country's political leadership, especially Defense Minister Moshe Dayan. According to the Report: "As long as he accepts the opinions of his advisers, he does not bear any personal responsibility." Further criticism responds to the Commission's recommendations, stemming from the failure of military intelligence to assess the Arab states' intent, that the IDF should not consider the intentions of hostile states, but rather their capacity for war. Thirty years later, Giora Eiland , Head of the National Security Council, wrote: "Both the proscription against considering intent and the concentration on the prevention of threats—two central message's of the Agranat Commission {Link without Title} —frustrated and delayed the rebuilding and preparedness of the IDF for years." EXTERNAL LINK
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