BEN-GURION, DAVID

AUCTION 73 | Thursday, June 22nd, 2017 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters & Graphic Art

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Lot 274

BEN-GURION, DAVID

(First Prime Minister of the State of Israel, 1886-1973). Group of Five Autograph Letters Signed, all in Hebrew, each written on his customary unadorned note-paper. <<*>> To Yochanan Bader (Likud politician, 1901-94). Ben-Gurion provides a political endorsement for Yehoshua Cohen recommending him by directly quoting the words of Bialik: “May my portion be with those of you modest souls of deep reflection and decisive deed.” Sdei Boker, 11th February, 1954. <<*>> To Moshe Sharett (Second Prime Minister and first Foreign Minister of Israel, 1894-1965). Ben-Gurion declares the right of anyone in Israel to decide whether he choses to be regarded as a religious Jew and how that status might be defined. Tel HaShomer, 29th July, 1954. (See below). <<*>> To Moshe Sharett. Ben-Gurion complains that the Israeli electoral system is a factional holdover from the Diaspora and divisive. He recommends adopting a strict two-party system similar to the British model. Sdei Boker, 2nd September, 1954. (See below). <<*>> To Moshe Sharett. Commenting on the legality of the Defense Ministry in making independent decisions regarding the assistance supplied to the civilian administration. Sdei Boker, 5th January, 1955. <<*>> To Israel Bergman (Nuclear scientist, 1903-75). Regarding the Lavon Affair. Tel Aviv, 18th November, 1964. One page each. Punch-holes. 8 x 5.5 inches.

v.p.: v.d

Est: $1,500 - $2,000

PRICE REALIZED $1,500

More extensive quote from second letter: “It is not for the government to recognize the monopoly of the Mizrachi or of the Agudah in regard to religion …Just as no political party in Israel has the right to speak in the name of the entire people, so no party can declare itself religious just as it pleases, choosing for itself a name which by inference speaks in the name of all Jewish heritage.” More extensive quote from third letter: The electoral system that exists at the present time distorts the concept of democracy and increases division and factionalism throughout the nation. In the Diaspora, over many years, all kinds of factions were set up. There they invested Jewish energy on “eternal” problems that are outside the conditions of time and space. Without solid ground for our feet, we trembled in an empty void debating abstract matters, thus we didn’t differentiate between the difficulties of the day and the principle issues of life, for we were without any united responsibilities.”