David Ben-Gurion's desert home
Ben Gurion requested in his will that his home in Kibbutz Sde Boker, in which he and his wife Paula lived for 20 years, be maintained and remain open to the public. Their Desert Home is now part of a tourist complex that includes huts in which short movies are shown.
Just before the ticket office in hut #2 is shown a 12-minute animated movie “Ben Gurion Hosting.” This briefly summarizes his life, including his success in converting his hometown in Poland to Hebrew-speakers when he was aged 14. Understandably, much of this movie is about Ben-Gurion’s connection to the Negev. You can view English subtitles by pressing the appropriate button on the controls on the wall. For the rest of the exhibits, you need to go through the ticket office.
At the center of the compound is Ben-Gurion’s home, which includes his library of 5,000 books. He was an avid reader and it is interesting to see the wide range of books he read.
Within the compound is another hut showing the movie “Who is a Leader?” a 17-minute movie about different facets of Ben Gurion’s leadership. This can be heard in English. By opening up a discussion about Ben-Gurion’s leadership, this movie introduces Ben-Gurion’s achievements in founding the state.
Gypsum house was the first house erected in Sde Boker and contains an exhibition of Ben-Gurion’s vision of the Negev and his connection to the kibbutz.
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​Directions: Enter “צריף בן גוריון שדה בוקר“ into Waze.
Admission: Visiting hours are 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, Friday and holiday eves 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and Saturday and holidays 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Last entry is about one hour prior to closing time. A coffee shop and restrooms are close to the parking lot. Admission is 25 NIS for adults and 15 NIS for children and seniors. Tours can be arranged in advance for an additional charge. Tours are available in Hebrew from Sunday to Friday at 11.00 a.m. Their phone number is 08 656-0469. This is their website:
Public transport: Enter “ צריף בן גוריון “ into Moovit. There are buses from Be’ersheva.
The achievements of David Ben-Gurion
Ben-Gurion was a political leader who had the determination to pursue his visions to their ultimate conclusion. He proclaimed independence for the State of Israel in May 14, 1948, even though there were those who thought this would be a suicidal mission. He transformed the pre-state Haganah’s command structure into a professional military framework capable of defending Israel. He brought the underground militias into a single disciplined Israel Defense Forces. He made bold strategic decisions during the War of Independence, such as prioritizing Jerusalem’s defense and approving offensives to secure the Galilee and Negev, often against the advice of his military commanders. He built the framework of the modern Israeli state, including its bureaucracy, economy, education system, and foreign policy foundations. He opened Israel’s gates to hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Holocaust Europe and from Arab and Muslim lands. This was facilitated by the Law of Return and the formation of development towns and absorption camps. He negotiated a highly controversial but vital reparations agreement with West Germany that provided the necessary funds and materials to boost Israel’s economy.
He saw the Negev as the future heart of Israel and resigned from the office of Prime Minister in December 1953 to become a member of the Kibbutz Sde Boker community. Two years later he found it necessary to return to office as Minister of Defense and then as Prime Minister. Nevertheless, he did not give up on his desire to live in the Negev, and in 1963, he resigned again from the government to live in Kibbutz Sde Boker. He passed away on December 1 1973.
Why did he decide to open up his home in Sde Boker to the public after his death? A simple answer might be that he was proud of what he did, but this would probably be off the mark. Ben-Gurion was a visionary and he wanted you, the visitor, to come to this very spot to think about the importance of the Negev for the future of the State of Israel, and to appreciate that the Negev would not only be built up from an office in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, but from pioneers working hands-on in the desert.
A visit to David and Paula Ben-Gurion’s tombs a short distance away at Ben Gurion’s Tomb National Park is worthwhile. The view is incredible overlooking Wadi Tsin. A desert garden has been planted near the graves. Enter “Ben Gurion’s Tomb National Park” into Waze and click on “רחבת קבר דוד ופולה בן גוריון“ . There is no admission charge.
View of Wadi Tsin from Ben Gurion's Tomb National Park
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