1973 War Minutes Stir Controversy in Israel

The release of the minutes of Israel's "kitchen cabinet" on the eve of the 1973 war and after a day of fighting is stirring controversy in Israel, depicting a depressed Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and a picture of confusion and pessimism from other members of Golda Meir's Cabinet.

Here are accounts of the meetings on the eve of the war, and after the first day's fighting, when the line of the Suez Canal had been lost. (The "Dado" referred to in the storiers is then-Chief of Staff David Elazar.)

Did Israel consider using nuclear weapons in 1973? Here's Yossi Melman on the question. And here's background on declassification of the "kitchen cabinet" meetings.

And here's an op-ed by Gideon Levy arguing that Israel is still in the same rut it was in in 1973.

Much of the substance of these meetings has leaked out previously, but seeing them officially declassified seems to have driven the confusion and depression of the time home, at least judging from the press commentary so far.