In many ways, the story of the four giants of Israeli politics—David Ben Gurion, Golda Meir, Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Rabin—is the story of Israel’s birth, trials, tribulations, and triumphs.
Each faced major challenges in the years before Israeli independence was declared in May 1948. As prime ministers they had significant, yet completely different, roles in the formation and development of the state. And they were not always in agreement. In this four-part series, Ralph Nurnberger, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University, explores these leaders’ stories and their historical impact.
Session Topic
David Ben Gurion
Ben Gurion, Israel’s primary founder, bore the brunt of the early days of independence. As the country repelled military attacks from neighbors and absorbed thousands of WWII refugees, he was responsible for building the infrastructure of a new nation.
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