The Yom Kippur War began with a surprise attack by Syria and Egypt on Israel midday on October 6, 1973. During the first days of the war, there was serious concern for the survival of the country. Defense Minister Moshe Dayan spoke of the “destruction of the Third Temple” and even proposed considering the use of nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Golda Meir reportedly considered committing suicide, according to her close associate Ya’akov Hazan. The war ended after three weeks with a major victory by the IDF.





