ISRAELIS RECENTLY OBSERVED the 31st anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur war. This anniversary is made much of, because Israel’s near defeat revealed some basic flaws in its system of governance. The debates about these flaws are still going on, gradually transforming Israeli society in profound and painful ways.

In that war, Ariel Sharon, then a division commander, played a critical role. Many believe he saved Israel from ruin.