IDF's Six-Day War ending proclamation: 'We have crushed the enemy'
Half a decade after the Six-Day War, the military spokesperson publishes a photocopy of the original order at the end of the war by the then-chief of staff and former prime minister, the late Yitzhak Rabin.
On the 50th anniversary of the Six Day War, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit published on Saturday the photograph of the original order of the day written by the then-IDF Chief of Staff, Yitzhak Rabin at the end of the war, given at the Western Wall.
A transcript of the order follows:
Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces,
Now, with the cease-fire, the war of the sons of light has ended with those who tried to bring darkness upon us.
The Israel Defense Forces, by land, sea and air, have crushed the armies of four Arab states.
Greater Jerusalem is liberated, and the West Bank is in our hands. The entire Sinai Peninsula is in our hands, and the Syrian threat to the northern communities has been removed.
The war was not easy. All of this was done by the IDF and the IDF alone. The battles spread to large, wide areas. The IDF, with all its regular, reserve forces, the settlements and the home front population, carried out this great effort.
Many of the best commanders and soldiers fell in battle. They will forever be remembered with grief and pride.
The IDF fulfilled all the tasks imposed upon it by the supreme effort of its commanders and soldiers and the momentum of its action.
The struggle has not yet ended. I can say here at the Western Wall, with confidence, that just as we went out to fight for these achievements, we will know how to safeguard and preserve them in the future.
Commanders and soldiers, be blessed.
The current Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot issued an updated order to mark the anniversary of the war:
"IDF officers, soldiers and employees; five decades ago our army was called to prevent the invasion of the Arab armies who threatened to destroy us. Upon hearing the command, IDF soldiers took positions on all fronts, joined forces on land, air and sea, and fought with tremendous resolution to protect our country. In six days our forces managed to unite Jerusalem, restore calm on the borders and carve one of the most glorious victories in Israel's history on the history pages.
"In our struggle for the existence of the state, we have paid a high price—we lost many of our sons and daughters, who gave their lives to guard the country and did not get the chance to return home. With their fall, we bowed our heads in reverence and pledged to honor their memory, follow the path they outlined to us and continue to build and fortify the security of the State of Israel.
"Fifty years have passed and the challenges facing the State of Israel have changed beyond recognition, but the principles that guide us today are the ones who led the army to victory in the Six Day War—the principles by which we keep our military readiness a priority, deepen inter-division cooperation and base develop and maintain capabilities adapted to the expected challenges.
"Against the threats posed by our enemies, we will build together the IDF as the army of the people; a fighting army, prepared and strong, with a qualitative edge over its enemies. An army that can, should the time come again, stand firm, act decisively and defeat any enemy. Commanders and soldiers, you determine the outcome of the next war. You are expected to maintain your readiness at all times. Remember that the citizens and residents of the country rely on you—the Israel Defense Forces."
Eisenkot quoted the late Rabin as saying: "This army ... from the people it comes and to the people it shall return. A people that rise in a time of urgency and is capable of standing up to any enemy thanks to its moral, spiritual and mental clarity that it shows when put to the test."
The Chief of staff then continued, "Today, as then, we will continue our march, driven by our mission to protect our people, our land and our values—the same values that accompanied the IDF fighters throughout the generations. And we will act to realize the IDF's mission: to defend the state, to ensure its existence, and, if necessary, to win the war.
"We will stand together—united, steadfast and ready for any challenge—and we will work to realize the IDF's mission: to defend the state, to ensure its existence, and if necessary to win the war."
Rabin's order of the day now joins the other documents and video clips that were recently published from the war that changed the face of the nation, including minutes of meetings between the government and the ministerial committee on security matters released by the State Archives, taken on the first days of the war, all the way through several months later when the nation was coming to terms with the new reality.
The original document will be presented starting on Sunday in a new exhibition marking the anniversary of the Six-Day War at the Yitzhak Rabin Center in Tel Aviv, alongside other rare documents and artifacts from the time of the war.
(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
