It was beyond doubt the most imposing display of military might the Middle East had seen since the Six-Day War. As 300,000 Israelis and tourists thronged the streets of Jerusalem, hundreds of tanks and artillery pieces rumbled along past the gray wall surrounding the biblical Old City in a parade celebrating Israel's 25th anniversary.
Two thousand troops—including miniskirted Women's Army Corps members carrying submachine guns —marched briskly along the city's ancient streets. More than 400 aircraft, led by Air Force Commanding General Mordechai Hod in a Phantom fighter-bomber, roared overhead in precision formations; in one configuration, twelve Mirage fighters formed...