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Judaica and the History of Israel
Lot 124
BEN-GURION ON PEACE ... AND STRENGTH.
BEN-GURION, DAVID. 1886-1973.
Typed Letter Signed ("David Ben-Gurion") as Prime Minister and Minister of Defense emphasizing brotherhood but noting the necessity of strength.
22 June 2023, 12:00 EDT
New York

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BEN-GURION ON PEACE ... AND STRENGTH.

BEN-GURION, DAVID. 1886-1973. Typed Letter Signed ("David Ben-Gurion") as Prime Minister and Minister of Defense emphasizing brotherhood but noting the necessity of strength. 1 p, on "Prime Minister" letterhead, Jerusalem, April 1, 1956, two holes punched in right-hand margin.

Writing to the founder of the Hebrew Reali School Arthur Hiram, Ben-Gurion acknowledges the ideal of peace, but notes the reality of the need for strength:

It is true that the over-riding belief of the Prophets of Israel was 'and nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more' etc. Our common goal is – the work and creation of brotherhood and cooperation and peace between individuals and between nations. However, the most outstanding among us must know how to attend to war when we have no other option, and if we have to fight for a second time – the IDF must always be prepared to win."

The tension between wanting peace but being prepared for war characterized Ben-Gurion's tenure as Prime Minister, and in many ways Israel's existence from the beginning.

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