Learning to overcome challenges from 1973 victory, stay vigilant from 1967 defeat: Sisi’s messages on war anniversary

CAIRO – 6 October 2021: As he spoke on the 48th anniversary of the October War victory on Wednesday, Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has listed the lessons citizens should learn from the hard days of the 1967 defeat and the cheerful days of the 1973 victory.

The 1967 six-day Arab–Israeli War marks Israel’s victory in its fight between 5 to 10 June 1967 with and an Arab coalition primarily comprising Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.

“When the 1967 [war] happened, it had a very harsh impact on all Egyptians. I say it in order for it not to be repeated and to stay vigilant and aware of our challenges,” Sisi said while participating in the 34th cultural symposium on the anniversary of the war.

Sisi added that we have to “be very keen that we preserve our lives and be always ready to defend [the nation] and protect its status and this will not be achieved except with continuous hard strenuous work.”

It was the first time for Egypt to work out a five-year plan between 1962 and 1967, Sisi said, affirming that the country at the time was moving forward steadily and strongly with great hope and self-confidence.

“The 1967 period was one of the cruelest Egypt has witnessed. I want to tell you that after 1967, many people who have lived it are not among us now, they are with God now,” Sisi said, referring to their death.

“I will never forget what happened and the implications that resulted from it; implications of despair. There was not any trust or any hope,” Sisi said.

Sisi addressed currently young officers and citizens, saying the state of mistrust at the time and people living among who doubted everything around us were the reason behind people’s lack of trust in their ability to progress and move forward at the time.

Learning to overcome challenges from 1973 war

“Perhaps, on this dear occasion, I recall the significance and value of the inspiring lessons that the October victory has taught us, which was not only a military victory, but a unique model of solidarity and popular awareness among Egyptians,” Sisi said.

Sisi said the October War was an “integrated epic of a nation that mobilized its comprehensive forces to change a bitter reality”.

“Our celebration of the glorious October victory always represents a dear occasion to make us feel proud and let us all remember the magnitude of the difficulties and challenges that we were able to overcome to reach our present in which Egypt writes a great success story that began years ago, and to embody once again the Egyptian determination that overcomes difficulties,” Sisi added.

“The heroism and sacrifices made by the great October generation will remain immortal in our conscience, a witness to the solidity of this nation, and a beacon and an inspiring model for all of us to work hard and persistently to … preserve the country’s dignity,” Sisi said.