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Lot #238
David Ben-Gurion

"The State of Israel was born under the sign of war"

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Estimate: $800+
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Description

"The State of Israel was born under the sign of war"

TLS in Hebrew as Minister of Defense, one page, 5.75 x 7.75, July 6, 1955. Letter to Israeli Prime Minister Moshe Sharett, in full (translated): "The State of Israel was born under the sign of war. There is no people like the people of Israel, where the contradiction between its desire for peace and its lack of security is so acute. As we came into the world, we were put to the blood-and-fire test and we emerged from it with dignity and victory. This must not lull us into complacency and we should be wary of becoming drunk with victory. The State of Israel needs to create on its borders and in vulnerable areas a network of protective settlements populated by the kibbutz and moshav members, which will serve as Israel's fist line of defense, while at the same time developing and enhancing the radar system to be deployed throughout the country." In fine condition, with two file holes.

On February 25, 1955, Arab infiltrators murdered an Israeli civilian in the town of Rehovot. When one of the militants killed during the raid was found to be in possession of documents linking him to Egyptian military intelligence, Defense Minister David Ben-Gurion and Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan demanded a harsh retaliation. Three days later, Operation Black Arrow commenced with a force of 150 paratroops that attacked an Egyptian base near the city of Gaza, killing nearly 40 Egyptian soldiers. In response President Gamal Abdel Nasser closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli shipping and air traffic and increased support for Palestinian fedayeen raids, which invited even harsher Israeli retaliatory raids such as Operation Elkayam (72 dead) and Operation Volcano (81 dead, 55 captured). Tensions between Egypt and Israel ultimately led to Israel taking part in the invasion of the Sinai Peninsula and Suez Canal alongside the United Kingdom and France.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #591 - Ended September 09, 2020





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