BEN GURION, DAVID (1886-1973). Polish-born Israeli politician. Proclaimed independence of Israel in 1948 and became head of the provisional government 1948-49.
Autograph Letter Signed, in Hebrew, 2 separate pages 8vo (one page shortened), Tel Aviv, Feb 15, 1966. An angry letter to L.
An angry letter to L. Hefetz, challenging an article by Joseph Frankl. "When the war [WWI] broke out, I, together with Y. Ben-Zvi (we were both students at the University in Constantinople) went to the military commander of Jerusalem, Zecai [?] Bey, with a request to organize a militia to defend the country. The commander agreed, and several tens of young people, among them the author Y. H. Brenner, enlisted and already began military training. But when the matter became known to Jemal pasha, who was then in Damascus, he gave an order to dissolve this unit. I do not know from where he [Frankl] took some document dated April 6. The story took place in the month of September 1914. As for the 'Zion Mule Corps,' we both opposed it (Jabotinsky also opposed it, and did not join Trumpeldor) but there is no truth to his [Frankl's] claim that we opposed the Legion; Ben-Zvi and I founded the American branch of the Legion, as part which we returned to Aretz [Eretz Israel]. I have no knowledge of any German Foreign Ministry documents about Ben-Zvi or me. I have never heard of any and doubt that Frankl has seen them. There is not one bit of truth in the story that through Brandeis we approached . (?) to allow us to return. This is a foolish made-up story. In Constantinople there was no American Ambassador named Elkins. No copy was ever sent to the German Foreign Ministry. And from where Frankl pulled these made-up fairy tales - I do not know. When did this article appear in The Jewish Chronicle? I will send a denial of this made-up nonsense to the newspaper." Signed, "With thanks, D. Ben Gurion." (Item ID: 591)
$2,450.00
