ABSTRACT
The initial public shock at the unexpected outbreak of war began to be articulated from the grass roots to higher echelons of the party even while the fighting proceeded. For example, Secretary-General Yadlin met with local party leaders and reported on government policy and developments of the war on October 17, 1973. Many of the local leaders reported "deep shock among the people." They said that some people were "asking questions which reach the sources of trust." Some claimed there was developing a "crisis of confidence in the government." They listed as examples of the kinds of questions that were being asked: "Where was our intelligence?" "Where were the reserves and why weren't they mobilized sooner?" "What did you tell us about the Bar-Lev Line?" Yadlin, representing the views of the top leadership, replied, "The people will be wise. When the time comes for them to vote, they will vote correctly."
