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Memorial service marks 16 years since Yom Kippur War

By CATHRINE GERSON
October 11, 1989

The great number of bereaved relatives and friends who attended the state memorial ceremony for the fallen of the Yom Kippur War at Mount Herzl military cemetery were a timely reminder of the more than 2,000 Israeli lives that the war claimed 16 years ago.

Yet some graves were left unattended. The service was attended by Prime Minister Shamir, Sephardi Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliahu and Knesset Speaker Dov Shilansky. Shamir expressed hope that the deaths of the soldiers, who stood"like a living wall heroically repulsing the cruel waves of attack coming at us from all directions,‘ would bring peace to the region."It is clear that we have to work unceasingly to achieve peace in our area, peace which will prevent wars and will enable us and our neighbours to lead constructive, quiet and productive lives. ’We are all aware that thanks to the sacrifice of our loved ones we are alive and thriving, and thanks to them we will yet experience the onset of peace,"Shamir said.

Shimon, 32, visiting the grave of his brother Ya’acov who died at the age of 24, echoed Shamir’s hopes. "I feel that now when there is at least a small chance of something positive happening in the peace process, there is a meaning to all the lost lives,‘ he said. ’Without the Yom Kippur War we wouldn’t have a peace treaty with Egypt now, and perhaps all the different sides in the conflict will finally realize that in order to attain peace everyone has to compromise.‘ Others had no political solutions to offer, like one woman who lost her boyfriend in the first days of the war. ’I come here every year, but not always to the official ceremony,‘ she said. ’We all have to show respect and care, even though 16 years have passed," she said.

JPost Features AMOTZ ASA-EL: The big one The Yom Kippur War: The epic confrontation that transformed the Middle East ABRAHAM RABINOVICH: The height of hutzpa MOTTI ASHKENAZI: Just a scared soldier MEIR RONNEN: 'Sic transit gloria' YEHEZKEL DROR: Re-engineering history MARTIN VAN CREVELD: The last conventional war YOSSI KLEIN HALEVI: War and atonement HAIM SABATO: Days of Awe PINCHAS LANDAU: The rise and fall of oil From JPost Archives 7.10.1973 - Egyptian-Syrian attacks held 10.10.1973 - Israel regroups along the Canal. Syrians halted 9.10.1973 - Israel takes offensive, bitter battles raging. Syrian armored units bid to counter-attack 9.10.1973 - Many Syrians said fleeing on foot 9.10.1973 - 13-tank Yuval tells his story 9.10.1973 - Wounded tell of battle in Sinai 9.10.1973 - Yariv: No rapid conquest; Bar-Lev line is evacuated 14.10.1973 - Thrust into Syria widens over 21-kilometer front 14.10.1973 - Last Israeli strongpoint surrenders 15.10.1973 - 656 Israelis killed in eight days of war 15.10.1973 - Egyptian forces lose 200 tanks; drive on Damascus continues. Israelis beat back Egyptians 15.10.1973 - Arabs won't accept cease-fire: Decisive battle ahead - Dayan 17.10.1973 - Israel task force crosses Canal. Syria loses 105 tanks, 10 planes 17.10.1973 - Anti-aircraft missile batteries destroyed 19.10.1973 - Heavy Egyptian tank and plane losses as counter-attack fails 21.10.1973 - Israel forces widen Canal Bridge-Head 22.10.1973 - Israel expands bridgehead, downs 32 enemy aircraft 23.10.1973 - Shooting continues at Canal despite Israel-Egypt cease-fire 26.10.1973 - Emerged from great danger, Golda says 28.10.1973 - Israel, Egypt agree to meet on supplies for 3rd army, truce Non-military convoy to be sent 4.11.1973 - Government to probe questions about war, Bar-Lev believes 13.11.1973 - Sharon tells how he crossed the Canal 25.09.1998 - Shattered Heights: Part 1 25.09.1998 - A sober look at how the war was won 25.09.1998 - A victory remembered as a defeat 27.09.1998 - History may repeat itself 29.09.1998 - EDITORIAL: The watershed war 29.09.1998 - Two wars in one, vividly relived 2.10.1998 - Shattered Heights: Part 2 7.10.1998 - Egypt marks anniversary of Yom Kippur War 9.10.1998 - A Diary from Hell 11.10.1989 - Memorial service marks 16 years since Yom Kippur War 14.09.1994 - Another fiasco like 1973? 17.09.1999 - War and Lack of Inner Peace 11.10. 2000 - Barak preaches unity sermon to families of fallen 28.09. 2001 Debunking a myth: Dayan never feared Israel's 1.10. 2001 - Security checks delay start of Yom Kippur War memorial ------------------------------------------------------ [ Click Here to Start the Photo Tour ] ------------------------------------------------------