IICC Perspectives

"Sorrow and Hope" is a War Memoir written by Shimi Talmi, an NCO case worker who served in Unit 848 (later – 8200) during the Yom Kippur War, back in October 1973. Shimi, a nineteen years old young soldier, was appointed by the Unit Commander, Colonel Yoel Ben Port, to be in touch with the families whose dear ones were taken by Syrian commando soldiers as POWs, during the battle of the Hermon Mountain, on the first day of the war.

Shabtai Shavit, former director of the Mossad, and head of its operations department in 1973, tells his story of Yom Kippur War, in 50 years of retrospect. He focuses on the critical question of intelligence early warning towards what considers to be, the greatest surprise Israel faced since its establishment, back in 1948.

Alex Mendelson, Father of the late Israel Mendelson, who fell in the battle of Suez in the Yom Kippur War, wrote a letter to his class-mate, Dr. Henry Kissinger, requesting him to help look for his MIA son, while meeting with the Egyptian President, Anwar Sadat. Captain Mendelson served as a military intelligence officer, POWs interrogator.

50 years ago, back in October 1973, Israel faced a truly existential threat, when the Arab Armies launched a surprise attack against our state, which was completely unready to face it.

US. Jewish leaders engaged firsthand with experts from the Israeli intelligence community recently during a six-day seminar hosted by the American Friends of the Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center.

This unique article was written by Maj. (res.) Shai Lachman, who was one of a POW interrogation officer, at the headquarters of the 906 th infantry battalion (828 th brigade, of the 91 st division), who took part in taking over West Beirut, back in September 1982. Using uncompromised and determined negotiation mechanism Vi-Sa-Vi Mourabitoun militia leaders, Shai was able to accept their surrender, and by that save plenty of casualties and dozens of lives on both sides.

The first article to appear in 'IICC Perspectives' was written by Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dr. Shimon Shapira. He challenges the conventional wisdom regarding what led to the birth of 'Hezbollah' in Lebanon, and when it was founded.