David Ben Gurion 1955 Typed Letter Signed - "Rise As a Person, As a Soldier, As a Jew, As a Commander"
Typed letter signed “D. Ben-Gurion” in Hebrew, Sde Boker, 19 Tevet 5715 / January 13, 1955. To IDF Major General Assaf Simhoni, one of Israel’s most seasoned combat officers. In Hebrew with translation.
You entered your position as a major general in the IDF a few days ago – this is a great responsibility and privilege that requires constant efforts to rise as a person, as a soldier, as a Jew, as a commander, as a friend, as an educator, as a living example to the subordinates and friends.
There is no doubt that if we are again subjected to a military test – our army will withstand it with greater force and capability than we did seven years ago, although I hope and pray that peace will arise…
An early Zionist, Ben-Gurion moved to Palestine in 1906 to become a farmer. Following his expulsion by Turkey at the outbreak of World War I, he rallied British and American support to promote increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, and after spending decades strengthening Palestine’s Jewish community, Ben-Gurion proclaimed the birth of Israel on May 14, 1948. He assisted in creating the Israeli army, often using military force to thwart Arab violence. After announcing his intention to leave public life, Ben-Gurion moved to the newly founded Negev Kibbutz Sde-Boker in early 1954. He never completely abdicated his leadership role, however, and in 1955 Ben-Gurion returned to public life, first as minister of defense in February 1955 and then as prime minister in November 1955.
A celebrated military officer, Simhoni joined the General Staff in 1954, where he was assistant chief of Israel’s Operation Directorate and helped train the newly founded Armored Corps and planned reprisal operations against Arab militants.
Marked “Copy” in type at the top of the letter noting that a copy was sent to Ministry of Defense Pinhas Lavon (1904-1976) whose covert failed false flag operation in Egypt during the summer of 1954 precipitated the Lavon Affair leading to his resignation and the appointment of Ben Gurion as minister of defense. Another copy was sent to Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan (1915-1981), with whom Simhoni was often in conflict.
Addressed to Simhoni at the IDF Tel Aviv headquarters HaKirya. Docketed by hand and with an ink stamp in the lower margin. Folded and in very fine condition with two file holes in the right margin.
Typed letter signed “D. Ben-Gurion” in Hebrew, Sde Boker, 19 Tevet 5715 / January 13, 1955. To IDF Major General Assaf Simhoni, one of Israel’s most seasoned combat officers. In Hebrew with translation.
You entered your position as a major general in the IDF a few days ago – this is a great responsibility and privilege that requires constant efforts to rise as a person, as a soldier, as a Jew, as a commander, as a friend, as an educator, as a living example to the subordinates and friends.
There is no doubt that if we are again subjected to a military test – our army will withstand it with greater force and capability than we did seven years ago, although I hope and pray that peace will arise…
An early Zionist, Ben-Gurion moved to Palestine in 1906 to become a farmer. Following his expulsion by Turkey at the outbreak of World War I, he rallied British and American support to promote increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, and after spending decades strengthening Palestine’s Jewish community, Ben-Gurion proclaimed the birth of Israel on May 14, 1948. He assisted in creating the Israeli army, often using military force to thwart Arab violence. After announcing his intention to leave public life, Ben-Gurion moved to the newly founded Negev Kibbutz Sde-Boker in early 1954. He never completely abdicated his leadership role, however, and in 1955 Ben-Gurion returned to public life, first as minister of defense in February 1955 and then as prime minister in November 1955.
A celebrated military officer, Simhoni joined the General Staff in 1954, where he was assistant chief of Israel’s Operation Directorate and helped train the newly founded Armored Corps and planned reprisal operations against Arab militants.
Marked “Copy” in type at the top of the letter noting that a copy was sent to Ministry of Defense Pinhas Lavon (1904-1976) whose covert failed false flag operation in Egypt during the summer of 1954 precipitated the Lavon Affair leading to his resignation and the appointment of Ben Gurion as minister of defense. Another copy was sent to Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan (1915-1981), with whom Simhoni was often in conflict.
Addressed to Simhoni at the IDF Tel Aviv headquarters HaKirya. Docketed by hand and with an ink stamp in the lower margin. Folded and in very fine condition with two file holes in the right margin.
Typed letter signed “D. Ben-Gurion” in Hebrew, Sde Boker, 19 Tevet 5715 / January 13, 1955. To IDF Major General Assaf Simhoni, one of Israel’s most seasoned combat officers. In Hebrew with translation.
You entered your position as a major general in the IDF a few days ago – this is a great responsibility and privilege that requires constant efforts to rise as a person, as a soldier, as a Jew, as a commander, as a friend, as an educator, as a living example to the subordinates and friends.
There is no doubt that if we are again subjected to a military test – our army will withstand it with greater force and capability than we did seven years ago, although I hope and pray that peace will arise…
An early Zionist, Ben-Gurion moved to Palestine in 1906 to become a farmer. Following his expulsion by Turkey at the outbreak of World War I, he rallied British and American support to promote increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, and after spending decades strengthening Palestine’s Jewish community, Ben-Gurion proclaimed the birth of Israel on May 14, 1948. He assisted in creating the Israeli army, often using military force to thwart Arab violence. After announcing his intention to leave public life, Ben-Gurion moved to the newly founded Negev Kibbutz Sde-Boker in early 1954. He never completely abdicated his leadership role, however, and in 1955 Ben-Gurion returned to public life, first as minister of defense in February 1955 and then as prime minister in November 1955.
A celebrated military officer, Simhoni joined the General Staff in 1954, where he was assistant chief of Israel’s Operation Directorate and helped train the newly founded Armored Corps and planned reprisal operations against Arab militants.
Marked “Copy” in type at the top of the letter noting that a copy was sent to Ministry of Defense Pinhas Lavon (1904-1976) whose covert failed false flag operation in Egypt during the summer of 1954 precipitated the Lavon Affair leading to his resignation and the appointment of Ben Gurion as minister of defense. Another copy was sent to Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan (1915-1981), with whom Simhoni was often in conflict.
Addressed to Simhoni at the IDF Tel Aviv headquarters HaKirya. Docketed by hand and with an ink stamp in the lower margin. Folded and in very fine condition with two file holes in the right margin.