Description:

DAVID BEN-GURION
(1886 - 1973) Israeli politician, proclaimed the independence of Israel in 1948, headed the provisional government, and was later the first Prime Minister. Historic T.L.S. 2pp. 4to., Tel Aviv, July 15, 1948, to his first Minister of the Interior Itzhak Gruenbaum during the murky days of the new provisional government of Israel and the subsequent and sometimes fraught absorption of other military groups into the nascent Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Ben-Gurion carefully outlines his deep concern about the specific activities of the largest military organization outside of the IDF, Menachim Begin's right-wing militant group Irgun Zvai Leumi (referred to in this letter as Etzel); the way in which the tragic Altalena Affair had prevented Etzel's immediate plans for a coup but warns that it is now planning to conquer Jerusalem. He also discusses the malign interference of Great Britain and France in the newly born nation's internal political rifts. In part: ‘…I am sending you a copy of Etzel's telegram received yesterday…According to the news that reached me, those who have the financial ability in the settlement [plan] to raise an army of 5,000 with the goals 1. To conquer a part of the country (Jerusalem or another place) under [Etzel's] absolute authority, and defend the occupation from foreigners and Jews. 2. Qualify the conditions for the seizure of power of the entire State of Israel by force. The loss of [the] Altalena has thwarted its plans; however, after hesitating and wavering, [Etzel] now prepares to continue with its previous plan, though by other means. It is preparing now 1. For the conquest of Jerusalem, or at least for separate conquests of Jerusalem. 2. To establish a large front abroad. For this purpose, [Etzel] sends me the name of one of its most talented commanders, Shikimo…3. To purchase weapons abroad and arrange hidden warehouses in Israel. In this action, Etzel relied on open support…and the isolation of certain circles in the settlement…At this time I am particularly concerned about the situation in Jerusalem. The difficult external (military and political) front in Jerusalem – more difficult than any other corner of the country – makes Etzel's job easier, but I feel we may face a more serious situation there than [the] Altalena. I have official news from France that the English agents are under [Etzel's] influence. The French Minister of Foreign Affairs deliberately helped the Altalena leave for Israel…to put the Israeli government in a difficult situation. I don't know what conclusions you draw from the difficult situation Etzel imposes on us, but I wanted to give you the facts as they are known to me…'. Even as the nascent IDF fought the Arab armies who were trying to prevent the establishment of Israel, deep divides in the Zionist movement continued to unfold and threaten the establishment of the state. One week before this letter, on July 8, 1948, fighting had resumed and Ben-Gurion's prime concern was Operation Danny, an IDF military objective to capture the territory east of Tel Aviv and then relieve the Jewish population and forces in Jerusalem, an attack which was launched the night after this letter. At the same time, Ben-Gurion was gravely concerned about the internal threat Begin's armed proponents of Revisionist Zionism posed to his vision of Israel during this critical time of integration and consolidation of the government. His confrontation with Begin had reached its climax the previous month when a shipment of weapons on the cargo ship ALTALENA secretly sponsored by Irgun members in France (and more specifically by the French Foreign Minister that Ben-Gurion names, Georges Bidault) destined for Irgun reached the Israeli coast on June 20. After a series of intense negotiations, Ben-Gurion agreed with Begin's request that 20% of the weapons aboard be dispatched to his Irgun's Jerusalem Battalion which was still fighting independently. However, Ben-Gurion subsequently insisted that the Irgun surrender the entirety of the weapons and and cease its separate military objectives. When Begin refused, shots were fire with casualties on both sides. The ALTALENA was escorted to Tel Aviv, and with more fighting and loss of life before the encounter ended. Afterward, Ben-Gurion ordered the arrest of some 200 Irgun fighters, most of whom were released several weeks later. Five senior officers were held until August 1948, when, following a public campaign for their release, they were freed on August 27, 1948. On Sept. 22, 1948, Irgun was formally disbanded and integrated into the new Jewish state. Staple holes to top right corners, otherwise very good.

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April 2, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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