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ABSTRACT
Relations between David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir were complex and saw many ups and downs over the years. Having enjoyed fruitful collaboration prior to and after Israel’s establishment, with Meir even appointed foreign minister at the height of her career, they were never close friends. The relationship took a steep downhill course in the early 1960s, culminating in Ben-Gurion’s secession from the ruling Mapai party and the establishment of his own rival Rafi party. This article describes and analyzes the complex relationship and the rift between these two central leaders of Mapai and its impact on the party and on the political map.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1. Meir, My Life, 58.
2. Ben-Gurion, Memoirs, 214.
3. Karsh, “The Collusion that Never Was.”
4. Medzini, Golda, a Political Biography, 153.
5. Meir, My Mother Golda Meir, 95.
6. Meir’s speech in the Mapai secretariat meeting, December 6, 1958, the labour party archive, 2/024/1958/53.
7. Ben-gurion’s diary, the archive of Ben-gurion, November 26, 1958.
8. Ben-Gurion’s diary, the archive of Ben-gurion, June 16, 1963.
9. Ben-gurion to Meir, January 29, 1969, The archive of Ben-gurion.
10. Eshkol’s speech in Mapai secretariat meeting, December 16, 1960, the archive of Ben-gurion.
11. Ben-gurion to Meir, May 10, 1964, The archive of Ben-gurion.
12. Tammany Hall was a term that was used by the British in the 19th century to describe government corruption. Davar, July 29, 1965.
13. Ben-Gurion, “Clarifying the affair,” Davar, November 15, 1964.
14. Yedioth Acharonot, June 14, 1964.
15. Ben-Gurion to Meir, November 27, 1964, BGA.
16. As told him by Reuven Barkat, General secretary of Mapai, November 19, 1963, Ben-gurion’s diary, The archive of Ben-gurion.
17. Meir’s speech in Mapai secretariat meeting, August 19, 1964, The archive of Ben-gurion.
18. Details on the 10th Mapai conference, February 16–18, 1965, The National archive of Israel, Gimmel -/5/6262.
19. Yediot Ahronot, February 16, 1965.
20. Ibid., February 18, 1965.
21. Meir’s speech in the 10th conference of Mapai, February 16–18, 1964, the National archive, Gimmel -/5/6262.
22. The protocol of the the 10th conference of Mapai, The National archive, Gimmel -/5/6262.
23. Ben-Gurion’s and Eshkol’s speeches, February 19, 1965, protocol of the 10th Mapai conference, Israel National Archive, Gimmel-5/6262.
24. Interview with Ben-gurion, Yedioth Acharonot, April 16, 1965.
25. Meir’s speech in Mapai secretariat, May 14, 1965, the archive of Ben-gurion.
26. Meir, My Mother Golda Meir, 103.
27. Meir, My Life, 155.
28. Ibid., 291.
29. Agress, Golda, 122–5.
30. Mordechai Barkai, “Me’ever Ladelet H’smocha (‘beyond the next door’),” Davar, October 2, 1971.
31. “This is your life” (H’aim Shekaele) with Meir Meir, Israeli Television Broadcast, IBA, 1975.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Eran Eldar
Eran Eldar is Visiting Professor at the Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies, University of Maryland.