PRIME MINISTER DAVID BEN-GURION (ISRAEL) - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 10/18/1955 - HFSID 28190

DAVID BEN-GURION
As Defense Minister, he signs a typed letter to a Knesset member regarding Israel's youth movement.
TLS: "David Ben-Gurion" in Hebrew as Israel's Minister of Defense, 1 page, 6x8. HaKiryah, 1955 March 18. On letterhead with seal to Knesset Member Meier Yari, Kubbutz Merchaviah. In Hebrew, translated. Begins: "Dear Friend". In full: "To continue our conversation, we cannot evade the element of time. Every year we that we lose without maximum fortification is a loss to generations to come, and if the Youth Guard (youth movement) is truthfully concerned about the destiny of the nation and the people, -- it (the movement) cannot delight itself in the false hope that in the far future it will serve as an alternative to Mapai (Israel Labor Party), we have to do now, today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, whatever we can do with combined forces to fortify our presence, and hence my derived proposal - general labor committee - and immediately." Noted that a carbon copy was sent to Moshe Sharett, Prime Minister. MOSHE SHARETT (1894-1965) was Israel's second Prime Minister, serving from 1953-1955, between Ben-Gurion's two terms. Following the founding of Israel in 1948, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was formed to "defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State of Israel" and "to protect the inhabitants of Israel and to combat all forms of terrorism which threaten the daily life." DAVID BEN-GURION (1886-1973), who became known as "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). Lightly creased with folds, vertical fold at flourish of signature. Lightly soiled. Pencil note (unknown hand) at lower right corner, two file holes at blank right margin. Overall, fine condition.