The far-reaching accomplishments of David Ben-Gurion

Ben-Gurion was a political leader who had the determination to pursue his visions. He was the leader who proclaimed independence for the State of Israel in May 14, 1948, even though there were those who thought that this could be a suicidal mission. He united the many underground militias into a single disciplined Israel Defense Forces. He transformed the pre-state Haganah’s command structure into a professional military framework capable of defending Israel. 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. In effect, he developed the basic structure of the state that we see today.

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. But 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,