PRIME MINISTER DAVID BEN-GURION (ISRAEL) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER UNSIGNED WITH DAVID HA-COEN, MOSHE ROSETTI - HFSID 299708

DAVID BEN-GURION
His handwritten note below signed statements by Knesset members Moshe Rosetti and David Ha-Cohen concerning possible medals for Israelis who had served in the Turkish Army in World War I. Matted and framed to an overall size of 13x16.
Autograph Letter, unsigned. Ben-Gurion states, in Hebrew, translated in part: "Those who offered their services voluntarily were fighting for the liberation of Eretz Israel. .. Volunteers in the Turkish Army ... offered their services for a certain ideal, but not for a fight for Eretz Israel." TLS signed on verso "Moshe Rosetti dated May 30, 1960. ALS signed above Ben-Gurion's: "David Ha-Cohen", 6x8½. Rosetti's letter, also in Hebrew, translated in full: State of Israel, The Knesset, 1960 May 30. "To the Knesset members: Honorable members, I hereby would like to bring to your attention the draft of the resolution unanimously approved by the Council of the Inter-parliamentarian Association in Athens, as per Israel's recommendations. Honorably". Matted and framed to 13x16. DAVID BEN-GURION (1886-1973), called "The Father of Israel", became captivated with Zionism during his youth in Poland. Born David Gruen, he adopted the ancient Hebrew name Ben-Gurion in 1906 at age 20, when he immigrated to Palestine. Ben-Gurion, who proclaimed Israel's independence on May 14, 1948, was its first leader as Chairman of the Provisional State Council (May 14-May 17, 1948). On May 17, he became Israel's first Prime Minister (1948-1953) and Chaim Weizmann became President. Ben-Gurion devoted his life to establishing a Jewish nation, and encouraged the return of Jewish people from throughout the world. After serving again as Prime Minister from 1955-1963, Ben-Gurion devoted himself to writing. He published Israel: The Years of Challenge (1963) and The Jews in Their Land (1966). DAVID HA-COHEN (1898-1984), a member of the Knesset (1949-1953, 1955-1969), served as Israel's Ambassador to Burma (1953-1955). Ha-Cohen was a Palestinian Jew drafted into the Turkish Army, which still governed the territory, during World War I. Several thousand Jews served in the Ottoman military, although some defected to the British and many used their military training later in the struggle for Israeli independence. Ha-Cohen served in the British Army in World War II, but was arrested for involvement in the cause of Israeli independence. MOSHE ROSETTI, was the Secretary General of the Knesset and its first parliamentarian. He wrote a history, The Knesset (1966). Fine condition. Not framed in Gallery of History Style.