Israel's History:
1974

1974:
by Judah Loewenstein, 2002-2003 Hagalil Israel Affairs VP

In 1974 there were major historical, political, and huge military related events that took place in Israel. Not only would it end conflict but would set standards for years to come.

• Golda Meir forms new government
  As Prime Minister, Golda Meir concentrated much of her energies on the diplomatic front - artfully mixing personal diplomacy with skillful use of the mass media. Armed with an iron will, a warm personality and grandmotherly image, simple but highly-effective rhetoric and a "shopping list," Golda Meir successfully solicited financial and military aid in unprecedented measure.

  Golda Meir showed strong leadership during the surprise attack of the Yom Kippur War, securing an American airlift of arms while standing firm on the terms of disengagement-of-forces negotiations and rapid return of POWs. Although the Agranat Commission of Inquiry had exonerated her from direct responsibility for Israel's unpreparedness for the war, and she had led her party to victory in the December 1973 elections, Golda Meir bowed to what she felt was the "will of the people" and resigned in mid-1974.

• Yitzhak Rabin becomes prime minister
  Rabin was appointed Minister of Labor in the government formed by Golda Meir in March 1974. This government resigned shortly thereafter, and on June 2, 1974, the Knesset voted confidence in the new government formed by Yitzhak Rabin. Yitzhak Rabin, the first native-born Prime Minister, displayed a leadership style which was candid, direct and at times unadorned to the point of bluntness. He not only had to face the need to rehabilitate the IDF, solve social problems and improve the country's economy, but also to rebuild public confidence in both the military and the civilian leadership.
• The Disengagement agreement was signed with Syria
  Negotiations for the separation and disengagement of forces between Israel and Syria following the Yom Kippur War were held in February and March 1974, when Israeli and Syrian representatives came to Washington and presented their respective initial positions to US Secretary of State Kissinger. The Secretary then spent the month of May in the Middle East, shuttling between Jerusalem and Damascus. His efforts to formulate an agreement were met with success when, on May 29, the Government of Israel approved the proposed agreement. It was subsequently signed in Geneva on May 31 by senior military officers of both sides.
• The US-Israel Binational Science Foundation, to foster civilian research, is founded.

As you can see this was an important year for Israel and it maintained its status in the coming years through these agreements and achievements...