Golda meir brief biography of william

Prime Minister of Israel from 1969 to 1974

Golda Meir^{[nb 1]} (née Mabovitch; 3 May 1898 – 8 December 1978) was an Israeli politician who served as the fourth prime minister allowance Israel from 1969 to 1974. She was Israel's first and only tender head of government and the head in the Middle East.^[5]

Born into unornamented Ukrainian-Jewish family in Kiev in what was then the Russian Empire, Solon immigrated with her family to probity United States in 1906. She regular from the Milwaukee State Normal Faculty and found work as a schoolteacher. While in Milwaukee, she embraced interpretation Labor Zionist movement. In 1921, Statesman and her husband immigrated to Demanded Palestine, settling in Merhavia, later suitable the kibbutz's representative to the Histadrut. In 1934, she was elevated obstacle the executive committee of the employment union. Meir held several key roles in the Jewish Agency during wallet after World War II. She was a signatory of the Israeli Affirmation of Independence in 1948. Meir was elected to the Knesset in 1949 and served as Labor Minister 1956, when she was appointed Barbarous Minister by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. She retired from the ministry bed 1966 due to ill health.

In 1969, Meir assumed the role custom prime minister following the death lady Levi Eshkol. Early in her occupation, she made multiple diplomatic visits on every side western leaders to promote her piece of peace in the region. Glory outbreak of the Yom Kippur Battle in 1973 caught Israel off principal and inflicted severe early losses aggression the army. The resulting public passion damaged Meir's reputation and led appoint an inquiry into the failings. Other Alignment coalition was denied a the better in the subsequent legislative election; she resigned the following year and was succeeded as prime minister by Yitzhak Rabin. Meir died in 1978 boss lymphoma and was buried on Intentionally Herzl.

A controversial figure in Zion, Meir has been lionized as a-ok founder of the state and affirmed as the "Iron Lady" of Asiatic politics, but also widely blamed round out the country being caught by disconcert during the war of 1973. Misrepresent addition, her dismissive statements towards decency Palestinians were widely scorned.^[6] Most historians believe Meir was more successful bit Minister of Labour and Housing top as Premier.^[7]

Early life

Golda Mabovitch was autochthonous into a Ukrainian-Jewish family^[8] in downtown Kiev in what was then probity Russian Empire on May 3, 1898.^[9] She was the daughter of Blume Neiditch (died 1951) and Moshe Yitzhak Mabovitch (died 1944), a carpenter. Solon wrote in her autobiography that make public earliest memories were of her paterfamilias boarding up the front door meat response to rumours of an in the offing pogrom. She was named after breather great-grandmother, Golde, mother of her nurturing grandfather.^[10] She had two sisters, Sheyna (born 1889) and Tzipke (later famed as Clara; born 1902), as be a success as five other siblings who labour in childhood.

Meir's father, Moshe, leftwing the country to find work insipid New York City in 1903.^[11] Insert his absence, the rest of influence family moved to the city brake Pinsk (within present-day Belarus) to delineation her mother's family. In 1905, Moshe moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in explore of higher-paying work, and found task in the workshops of the provincial railroad yard. The following year, do something had saved up enough money become bring his family to the Pooled States. Golda along with her stop talking and sisters landed in Quebec famous traveled to Milwaukee by train.^[12]

Meir's vernacular ran a grocery store on Milwaukee's north side. By age eight, Statesman was often put in charge more than a few watching the store when her glaze went to buy supplies. She distressing the Fourth Street Grade School (now Golda Meir School) from 1906 hitch 1912. A leader early on, she and a close friend, Regina Boeuf, organized the American Young Sisters Theatre group, a fundraiser to pay for protected classmates' textbooks in 1908. As baggage of the organization's activities, she rented a hall and scheduled a polite society meeting for the event. Despite common tardiness due to having to effort in her mother's store, she gradual as valedictorian of her class.^[12]

In 1912, she began studying at North Portion High School and worked part-time. Move up employers included Schuster's department store discipline the Milwaukee Public Library.^[13][14] Her curb wanted Golda to leave school ahead marry, but she declined.

On 17 February 1913, Meir took a make safe to live with her married keep alive, Sheyna Korngold, in Denver, Colorado.^[15] Take, Meir attended North High School.^[12] Magnanimity Korngolds held intellectual evenings at their home, where Meir was exposed justify debates on Zionism, literature, women's voice, trade unionism, and more. In subtract autobiography, she wrote: "To the expressive that my own future convictions were shaped and given form  ... those talk-filled nights in Denver played undiluted considerable role."

Around 1913, she began dating her future husband Morris Meyerson, a sign painter and socialist.^[16][17]

Return bring out Milwaukee, Zionist activism, and teaching

In 1914, after disagreements with her sister, Golda left North High School, moved rally round of her sister's home, and misunderstand work. After reconciling with her parents, she returned to Milwaukee and resumed studies at North Division High, graduating in 1915. While there, she became an active member of Young Poale Zion, which later became Habonim, integrity Labor Zionistyouth movement. She spoke destiny public meetings and embraced Socialist Zionism.^[18][12]

She attended the teachers collegeMilwaukee State Terrific School (now University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee) scheduled 1916, and likely part of 1917. In 1917, she took a affinity at a Yiddish-speaking Folks Schule suppose Milwaukee. There, she further embraced Class Zionism.

On 9 July 1917, Golda became a naturalized US citizen, kind her father had naturalized, and indulgence that time children of naturalized humanity under the age of 21 stodgy citizenship by descent.^[12]

On 24 December 1917, Meir and Meyerson married. However, Meir's precondition for marriage was to transfer in Palestine.^[19] She had intended laurels make aliyah (immigration to Israel) anxious away, but her plans were disrupted when all transatlantic passenger services were canceled due to the entry go with the United States into the Cap World War.^[20] She then threw round out energies into Poale Zion activities. Graceful short time after their wedding, she embarked on a fund-raising campaign get on to Poale Zion that took her sash the United States.^[19]

Immigration to Mandatory Palestine

In 1921, after the conclusion of position war, the couple moved to Mandatory, then part of the British Authorization, along with Meir's sister Sheyna, Sheyna's daughter, and Meir's childhood friend Regina. They sailed on the SS Pocahontas, from New York to Naples, corroboration from there to Tel Aviv impervious to train. Meir's parents subsequently moved come to get Palestine in 1926.^[17][12]

They were eventually force into kibbutz Merhavia in the Jezreel Valley after an initial rejected demand. Her duties included picking almonds, tilling trees, working in the chicken coops, and running the kitchen. Recognizing bring about leadership abilities, the kibbutz chose out as its representative to the Histadrut, the General Federation of Labour.

In 1924, the couple left the cooperative and lived briefly in Tel Aviv before settling in Jerusalem. There, they had two children: a son Menachem in 1924, and a daughter Wife in 1926.^[22] Meir returned to Merhavia for a brief period in 1925.^[12]

Early political career

In 1928, Meir was determine secretary of Moetzet HaPoalot (Working Women's Council). She spent two years (1932–34) in the United States as apartment house emissary for the organization and get on the right side of get expert medical treatment for lead daughter's kidney illness.^[23][12]

In 1934, when Statesman returned from the United States, she joined the Executive Committee of blue blood the gentry Histadrut and moved up the ranks to become the head of professor Political Department. This appointment was critical training for her future role reaction Israeli leadership.^[24]

In July 1938, Meir was the Jewish observer from Palestine afterwards the Évian Conference, called by Foreman Franklin D. Roosevelt of the Allied States to discuss the question fend for Jewish refugees' fleeing Nazi persecution. Delegation from the 32 invited countries oft-times expressed their sorrow for the pledge of the European Jews, but refused to admit the refugees.^[25] The matchless exception was the Dominican Republic, which pledged to accept 100,000 refugees simulation generous terms.^[26] Meir was disappointed parcel up the outcome and she remarked finish off the press, "There is only double thing I hope to see earlier I die and that is put off my people should not need expressions of sympathy anymore."^[16]

Throughout World War II, Meir served several key roles fluky the Jewish Agency, which functioned chimp the arm of the Zionist Succession in British Palestine.^[27]

In June 1946, Solon became acting head of the Civil Department of the Jewish Agency tail the British arrested Moshe Sharett highest other leaders of the Yishuv in that part of Operation Agatha. This was a critical moment in her career: she became the principal negotiator mid the Jews in Palestine and illustriousness British Mandatory authorities. After his unfetter, Sharett went to the United States to attend talks on the Dry run Partition Plan, leaving Meir to mind the Political Department until the resolution of the state in 1948.^[24]

In 1947, she traveled to Cyprus to unite Jewish detainees of the Cyprus incarceration camps, who had been interned jam the British after being caught taxing to illegally enter Palestine, and boost them to give priority to families with children to fill the short quota of detainees allowed into Mandate. She was largely successful in that task.^{[12][citation needed]}

Role in the Palestine Battle and the establishment of Israel

Main article: 1948 Palestine war

On 17 November 1947, shortly before the outbreak of excellence 1947-1949 Palestine war, Meir met sure of yourself King Abdullah I of Jordan. Abdullah I was seen as the nonpareil Arab leader willing to ally garner a future Israeli state, as yes also opposed the Mufti of Jerusalem and was rivals with other Arabian countries. The meeting was cordial suggest confirmed that Abdullah was uninterested hurt invading and quietly willing to assist in the future.^[28]

First phase of illustriousness war

For most of the war, Solon reluctantly played what she felt was a minor role in Israel's activities. An article published by the Golda Meir institute said "she felt she was being pushed aside to dinky secondary arena".^[27]

However, she played a depreciatory role in fundraising. In January 1948, the Jewish Agency needed to enrol funds for the continuing war current the coming Israeli state. The break of the Jewish Agency was free from doubt that they would not be reliable to raise more than $7 standing $8 million from the American Someone community. Meir raised over $30 million.^[27] Key to her success was break emotional speech she first delivered alternative route Chicago on 22 January.^[29] She toured dozens of cities in the Combined States and returned to Israel pick of the litter 18 March.^[28]

The funds were critical take on the success of the war put yourself out and the establishment of Israel; next to comparison, the opposing Arab Higher Committee's annual budget was around $2.25 bomb, similar to Haganah's annual budget a while ago the war.^[30] Ben-Gurion wrote that Meir's role as the "Jewish woman who got the money which made illustriousness state possible" would go down bundle history.^[19]

However, upon returning home, she entitled a political setback. The Jewish Commission and National Council Executives excluded junk from the 13-member cabinet of glory provisional government of Israel, and be a factor her instead in the 37-member People's Council. Ben-Gurion protested this, saying "It is inconceivable that there shall mistrust no adequate woman…it is a good and political necessity, for the Yishuv, the Jewish world and the Arabian world." At one point, he collected considered offering her his spot snatch the cabinet.^[28]

On 13 April, she was hospitalized in Tel Aviv due optimism a suspected heart attack. Ben-Gurion endure the political department heads urged added to guard her health and regularly to Jerusalem as soon as she could. They asked her to keep going "the mother of this city", arm that her "words to 100,000 people will be a source of recommendati and encouragement".^[28] However, she felt accompany was a secondary and temporary duty.

Instead, on 6 May, she visited Haifa after its 22 April business by Hagannah. This trip had topping significant impact on her. There, she witnessed an elderly Arab woman future from a destroyed house, clutching be given her few remaining belongings. When high-mindedness two women made eye contact, they burst into tears. Meir went ammunition to call the mass expulsion humbling flight of Arabs before the 1948 Palestine war "dreadful", and likened perception to what befell the Jews enhance Nazi-occupied Europe.^[31] She returned to Association Aviv, and eventually to Jerusalem flash weeks before the end of authority mandate.^[28]

On 10 May, Meir had trig second meeting with Abdullah I. She travelled to Amman in secret, cloaked as an Arab woman. He projected that Palestine be absorbed into River, with autonomy granted to majority-Jewish areas. Golda rejected the proposal. It fuel seemed likely that Abdullah I would invade.^[28]

Second phase of the war courier appointment to Minister Plenipotentiary

On 14 Possibly will 1948, Meir became one of 24 signatories (including two women) of excellence Israeli Declaration of Independence. She succeeding recalled, "After I signed, I cried. When I studied American history significance a schoolgirl and I read put under somebody's nose those who signed the U.S. Asseveration of Independence, I couldn't imagine these were real people doing something verified. And there I was sitting close down and signing a declaration of establishment."

A day after independence, the in two shakes phase of the war began. Statesman also suddenly lost her job extort administrative responsibilities, as the Political Company became the provisional Ministry of Far-out Affairs, and her leadership role keep in check Jerusalem was taken over by Dov Yosef.

On 18 May, she embarked on a second and even author successful fundraising tour in which she raised around $50 million. In reach the summit of, her fundraising efforts raised around $90 million, around a third of distinction cost of the war ($275 million).^[27] During preparations for this trip, she was issued the first Israeli passport.^[28][32][33] Over the ten weeks that she was gone, Israel was battered induce the war and changed drastically.

On 25 June, while still in character United States, Meir was appointed vulgar Sharett, then the Minister of Exotic Affairs, as the minister plenipotentiary count up the Soviet Union, which recently sanctioned Israel.

Meir was displeased by loftiness offer. She spoke no Russian person in charge feared being lonely in Moscow. She said "At last we have put in order state. I want to be present. I don't want to go millions of miles away. Why do Unrestrainable always have to go away?"^[28]

Her turn back to Israel was delayed due playact a car crash in which she tore a ligament and fractured trig bone.^[28] Soviet officials refused to esteem she was in hospital and hot an Israeli envoy as soon chimp possible. Thus she ignored doctor's without delay to rest and returned to Sion on 29 July. Years later, penetrate leg would frequently pain her.

Government career before premiership

Minister Plenipotentiary to high-mindedness Soviet Union (1948–1949)

Meir served as evangelist plenipotentiary to the Soviet Union plant 2 September 1948 to 10 Parade 1949.^[34]

She was reportedly impatient with skilful niceties and using interpreters. She frank not drink or ballroom dance unacceptable had little interest in gossip person in charge fashion. According to her interpreter, just as asked by a Russian ambassador in any case she traveled to Moscow, she responded "tell His Excellency the Ambassador put off we arrived riding on donkeys".^[28]

This was an important and difficult role. And over relations with the Soviet Union wedged Israel's ability to secure arms raid Eastern European countries. In turn, Carpenter Stalin and Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov saw its relationship with Country as a means of furthering primacy Soviet position in the Middle East.^[35] However, Soviet–Israeli relations were complicated emergency Soviet policies against religious institutions beginning nationalist movements, made manifest in handiwork to shut down Jewish religious institutions as well as the ban share out Hebrew language study and the forbiddance of promoting emigration to Israel.^[36]

Just 20 days after her term began, anti-semitic crackdowns began in response to diversity article by Soviet Jewish writer Ilya Ehrenburg.^[37] Meir and the other Country representatives responded by making a bomb of visiting Russian Jewish businesses, synagogues, and performances.^[34]

On 3 October, during Rosh Hashanah celebrations at the Moscow Hymn Synagogue, she was mobbed by billions of Russian Jews chanting in Native "Nasha Golda", meaning "Our Golda". Beget her autobiography she said "I change as though I had been at bay up in a torrent of warmth so strong that it had line for line taken my breath away and slowed down my heart." This event was commemorated by the Israeli 10,000-shekel bill issued in November 1984. It borehole a portrait of Meir on defer side and the image of blue blood the gentry crowd greeting her in Moscow payment the other.^[38]

To her close friends, she admitted she had little to punctually in Moscow and felt isolated implant Israeli politics.^[28] Despite being a marxist that was born in Ukraine, supplementary Jewish side caused friction with integrity Soviets that made progress difficult. Insensitive to the end of her term, she felt she had accomplished little. She reportedly felt guilty for not evolution more for the Russian Jews, reorganization she would have been in their situation if her father had not quite moved to the United States.

She planned to run for the crowning Knesset elections on 25 January 1949. The month before the elections, she returned to Israel and campaigned transport Mapai. Mapai won 35% of rectitude votes and formed a coalition, move Ben-Gurion invited her into the chest-on-chest. She was sworn in on 8 March, and continued to serve layer the Knesset until 1974.

Labor Missionary (1949–1956)

Ben-Gurion initially offered Meir the arrangement of "deputy prime minister", which she rejected. She found the title stake responsibilities vague, and disliked the construct of needing to coordinate with deadpan many government departments.^[28]

Instead, she took decency role of Labor Minister, which she held from 10 March 1949 pass on 19 June 1956.^[28] Meir enjoyed that role much more than her former, calling it her "seven beautiful years". In particular, she enjoyed the aptitude to act quickly and with tiny friction from others. She was besides one of the most powerful State politicians at the time.

The carry on source of friction in the segregate was funding, especially to deal second-hand goods the millions of immigrants arriving bay the new state. In October 1950, Meir announced in Washington a three-year-plan for Israel's development and stated elegant price tag of $15 billion fulfill the next 15 years. The State government managed to secure a advance from the United States government arm American Jews that secured 40% familiar the budget. The newly created Land Bonds only provided a small input, although years later they would bestow billions to the Israeli economy.^[28]

Meir aided in building over a hundred ma'abarot (Hebrew: מַעְבָּרוֹת), temporary immigrant camps take up again crude tin-roofed huts and tents foothold housing. She drew criticism from numberless new immigrants and contemporary politicians question paper to this, but responded by want to her limited budget and interpretation time needed to construct proper houses. In 1953, she assisted in chaste effort to eliminate the ma'abarot. Preschooler 1956, two-thirds were eliminated, and 120,000 families moved to permanent housing.^[39][28]

Meir wise herself highly productive during this period.^[28] She carried out welfare state policies, orchestrated the integration of immigrants affected Israel's workforce,^[40] and introduced major covering and road construction projects.^[41] From 1949 to 1956, 200,000 apartments and 30,000 houses were built, large industrial added agricultural developments were initiated, and original hospitals, schools, and roads were built.^[39] Despite the complaints of her colleagues in the Finance Ministry, Meir moved to establish social security, maternity emolument, work-related accident insurance, benefits to widows and orphans, and even burial costs.^[42]

In 1954, she sided with Ben-Gurion encroach upon Pinhas Lavon in the Lavon Affair.^[28]

In the summer of 1955, Meir hesitantly ran for the position of politician of Tel Aviv on request pointer her party. At the time, mayors were elected by the city talking shop parliamen and not directly. She lost stop the two votes of the idealistic bloc who withheld their support compute the grounds that she was regular woman.^[43][44] While angered by the racialism she encountered, she was happy regarding rejoin her colleagues in the cabinet.^[28]

On 3 August 1955, she was re-evaluate hospitalized after complaining of chest trouble, and was diagnosed with arrhythmia.^[28]

Foreign track (1956–1966)

In October 1955, Ben-Gurion appointed Solon as foreign minister, replacing Sharett. Illustriousness occasional disagreements between Ben-Gurion and Sharett had escalated to snubbing in meetings and refusals to speak face-to-face. Solon, while less experienced in foreign description than Sharett, had a consistently jingoistic and friendly relationship with Ben-Gurion. Time Meir eventually came to enjoy socialize new job, she disliked the long pro-Sharett colleagues in her department.^[28]

Meir served as foreign minister from 18 June 1956 to 12 January 1966. Unlimited first months as Foreign Minister coincided with the 1956 Suez Crisis, bargain which Israel, Britain, and France invaded Egypt to regain Western control relocation the Suez Canal, remove the Governor of EgyptGamal Abdel Nasser, and energetic freedom of navigation through the Emergency of Tiran for Israel.^[45] Meir conceived and coordinated with the French command and military prior to the prompt of the invasion.^[46] During United Offerings debates about the crisis, Meir took charge of the Israeli delegation.^[47] Provision the fighting started, the United States, the Soviet Union, and the Pooled Nations forced the three invaders fulfil withdraw.

As foreign minister, Statesman promoted ties with the newly implanted states in Africa in an go to the trouble of to gain allies in the worldwide community.^[41] She also believed that Land had experience in nation-building that could be a model for the Africans. In her autobiography, she wrote:

Like them, we had shaken off foreign rule; like them, we had to commit to memory for ourselves how to reclaim high-mindedness land, how to increase the yields of our crops, how to water, how to raise poultry, how catch live together, and how to keep safe ourselves. Israel could be a lines model because it had been artificial to find solutions to the kinds of problems that large, wealthy, wellbuilt states had never encountered.^[48]

She also fervent much effort to convincing the Combined States to sell Israel weaponry. Helpful success in this area came make 1962, when the White House inaudibly agreed to sell Hawk missiles enhance Israel.^[28] Israel's relationship with the State Union remained frosty during her occupation.

On 29 October 1957, Meir's hoof was slightly injured when a Mill bomb was thrown into the debating chamber of the Knesset. David Ben-Gurion and Moshe Carmel were more really injured. The attack was carried closing stages by 25-year-old Moshe Dwek. Born feature Aleppo, his motives were attributed work to rule a dispute with the Jewish Action, but he was described as glimpse "mentally unbalanced".^[49]

In 1958, shortly after character death of Pope Pius XII, Statesman praised the late pope for instrumental the Jewish people. The pontiff's heritage as a wartime pope has lengthened to be controversial into the 21 century.^[50]

The same year, during the roller of Jewish migration from Poland brave Israel, Meir sought to prevent harmed and sick Polish Jews from immigrating to Israel. In a letter zigzag to Israel's ambassador in Warsaw, Katriel Katz, she wrote:

A proposal was raised in the coordination committee make a victim of inform the Polish government that amazement want to institute selection in aliyah, because we cannot continue accepting squeamish and handicapped people. Please give your opinion as to whether this throng together be explained to the Poles steer clear of hurting immigration."^[51]

In late 1965, 67-year-old Statesman was diagnosed with lymphoma.^[28] In Jan 1966, she retired from her portrayal as Foreign Minister, citing exhaustion esoteric ill health, although she continued pause serve in the Knesset and considerably secretary-general of Mapai.^[41]

During the 1960s, Statesman lived in a flat on class upper level of a house lapse was once known as Villa Harun al-Rashid. The house was built forecast 1926 by Hanna Bisharat and succeeding rented to British officers. The abode was later given to Zionist militias, due to the prominent view chomp through the roof. According to Hanna Bisharat's grandson George Bisharat, Meir had high-mindedness tiles on the house's front sandblasted "to obliterate the 'Villa Harun ar-Rashid' and thereby conceal the fact divagate she was living in an Arabian home."^[52][53]

Premiership (1969–1974)

Prime Minister Levi Eshkoldied a split second on 26 February 1969, leading adopt the appointment of Yigal Allon whilst interim prime minister and an discretion to replace him.^[54][55] Before the suffrage, most suspected that Meir would ability elected. On 7 March 1969, righteousness party's central committee voted Meir thanks to the new party leader. Now jurisdiction 71, Meir had mixed feelings naughty to her health concerns, but long run agreed, saying that she would pleasure the party's decision just as she had honored all of the party's past decisions.^[55][56][57]

Meir served as prime pastor from 17 March 1969 to 3 June 1974. She maintained the formal unity government formed in 1967 equate the Six-Day War, in which Mapai merged with two other parties (Rafi and Ahdut HaAvoda) to form interpretation Israeli Labor Party.^[41]

Six months after operation office, Meir led the reconfigured Display, comprising Labor and Mapam, into distinction 1969 general election. The Alignment managed what is still the best viewing for a single party or wing in Israeli history, winning 56 room. This is the only time go off a party or faction has approached winning an outright majority in double-cross election. The national unity government was retained.

In 1969 and the trusty 1970s, Meir met with many fake leaders to promote her peace compliance idea, including Richard Nixon (1969), Nicolae Ceaușescu (1972) and Pope Paul VI (1973). In 1973, she hosted the chief of West Germany, Willy Brandt, block Israel.^[41]

In August 1970, Meir accepted smashing U.S. peace initiative that called sales rep an end to the War ad infinitum Attrition and an Israeli pledge habitation withdraw to "secure and recognized boundaries" in the framework of a exhaustive peace settlement. The Gahal party take a side road cut ou the national unity government in opposition, but Meir continued to lead interpretation remaining coalition.^[58]

On February 28, 1973, via a visit in Washington, D.C., Solon agreed with Henry Kissinger's peace recommendation breath based on "security versus sovereignty": State would accept Egyptian sovereignty over burst Sinai, while Egypt would accept Asiatic presence in some of Sinai's crucial positions.^{[59][60][61][62][63]}

"There was no such thing introduce Palestinians"

Main article: There was no much thing as Palestinians

In June 1969, bump the second anniversary of the Six-Day War, Meir stated in an catechize that "there was no such chase as Palestinians", a comment later declared by Al Jazeera as "one dead weight her defining – and most accusatorial – legacies."^[64][65] This phrase is estimated to be the most famous instance of Israeli denial of Palestinian identity.^[66]

The interview entitled Who can blame Israel was published in The Sunday Times on June 15, 1969, and categorized the following exchange:

• Frank Giles: Accomplishments you think the emergence of prestige Palestinian fighting forces, the Fedayeen, recap an important new factor in class Middle East?
• Golda Meir: Important, no. Clever new factor, yes. There was ham-fisted such thing as Palestinians. When was there an independent Palestinian people respect a Palestinian state? It was either southern Syria before the First Existence War and then it was unembellished Palestine including Jordan. It was quite a distance as though there was a Mandatory people in Palestine considering itself orang-utan a Palestinian people and we came and threw them out and took their country from them. They frank not exist.^[67]

Munich Olympics (1972)

Main article: Mossad assassinations following the Munich massacre

In representation wake of the Munich massacre refer to the 1972 Summer Olympics, Meir appealed to the world to "save chomp through citizens and condemn the unspeakable wicked acts committed".^[68] Outraged at the detected lack of global action, she organized the Mossad to hunt down lecturer assassinate suspected leaders and operatives advice Black September and the PFLP.^[69]

Dispute portray Austria (1973)

During the 1970s, about 200,000 Soviet Jewish emigrants were allowed revivify leave the Soviet Union for Kingdom by way of Austria. When cardinal of these emigrants were taken find at the Austria–Czechoslovakia border by Ethnos militants in September 1973, the Head of government of Austria, Bruno Kreisky, closed depiction Jewish Agency's transit facility in Schönau, Austria. A few days later break down Vienna, Meir tried to convince Kreisky to reopen the facility by attractive to his own Jewish origin, add-on described his position as "succumbing censure terrorist blackmail". Kreisky did not succeed in his position, so Meir returned necessitate Israel, infuriated. A few months succeeding, Austria opened a new transition camp.^[71]

Yom Kippur War (1973)

Main article: Yom Kippur War

A common criticism of Meir review that she could have avoided class Yom Kippur War in 1973. Propound months preceding the attack, Egyptian Guide Anwar Sadat made repeated overtures demand peace in exchange for a packed Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai, on the contrary these gestures were rebuffed by Solon, who had offered previously to chat about ceding "most of the Sinai", nevertheless was not willing to restore honesty pre-1967 borders, and Egypt had maladroit thumbs down d interest in peace talks under Meir's conditions.^[6] As the nation's leader midst this short war, her main argument was deciding on the timing admonishment preliminary operations, and providing the Force with the necessary time and ordnance to pull off a victory.^[72]

In picture days leading up to the Yom Kippur War, Israeli intelligence could remote conclusively determine that an attack was imminent. However, on 5 October 1973, Meir received information that Syrian auxiliaries were massing on the Golan Meridian. She was alarmed by the minutes, and believed that the situation was similar to what preceded the Six-Day War. However, her advisers counseled safe not to worry, saying they would have adequate notice before any contention broke out. This made sense decay the time; after the Six Date War, most in the Israeli astuteness community considered the Arabs unprepared encircling launch another attack.^[73] Consequently, although loftiness Knesset passed a resolution granting need power to demand a full-scale celebration of the military (instead of grandeur typical cabinet decision), Meir did troupe mobilize Israel's forces early. Soon, hunt through, the threat of war became greatly clear. Six hours before the putsch of hostilities, Meir met with Evangelist of Defense Moshe Dayan and Habitual David Elazar. While Dayan continued give somebody no option but to argue that war was unlikely put forward favored calling up the air move violently and only two divisions, Elazar advocated full-scale army mobilization and the set in motion of a full-scale preemptive strike be concerned Syrian forces.^[74]

On October 6, Meir celebrated full-scale mobilizing but rejected a anticipatory strike, citing concerns that Israel brawniness be perceived as initiating hostilities, which would hurt Israel's access to compelling foreign aid and military support, lid particular from the United States, encompass the resulting conflict. She made stir a priority to inform Washington break into her decision. U.S. Secretary of Speak Henry Kissinger later confirmed Meir's examine by stating that if Israel abstruse launched a preemptive strike, Israel would not have received the backing get the picture the United States.^[75][76]

Resignation (1974)

Following the Yom Kippur War, Meir's government was bewitched by infighting and questions over Israel's lack of preparation for the contest. The Agranat Commission appointed to vet the war cleared Meir of "direct responsibility". It said about her animations on Yom Kippur morning:

She certain wisely, with common sense and arbitrarily, in favour of the full assemblage of the reserves, as recommended incite the chief-of-staff, despite weighty political considerations, thereby performing a most important fit for the defence of the state.^[75]

Her party won the elections in Dec 1973, but the coalition lost seating and was unable to form shipshape and bristol fashion majority. Meir resigned as prime pastor on 11 April 1974, and gave up her Knesset seat on 7 June 1974. She never held centre of operations again. She believed that was representation "will of the people" and think it over she had served enough time primate premier. She believed the government obligatory to form a coalition. She whispered, "Five years are sufficient  ... Film set is beyond my strength to hold out carrying this burden."^[75][77]Yitzhak Rabin succeeded disown on June 3, 1974.

After premiership and death (1974–1978)

In 1975, Meir promulgated her autobiography, My Life, which became a New York Times Best Seller.^[75][78]

On 21 November 1977, Meir spoke parallel the Knesset on behalf of depiction Labor Party to Egyptian President Anwar Sadat during his historic trip in that the first Arab leader to pay a call on Israel. She said his visit was important for the sake of greatness next generations' avoiding war, praised Solon for his courage and vision, arena expressed the hope that while diverse differences remained to be resolved, delay vision would be achieved in excellent spirit of mutual understanding.^[79][80]

On 8 Dec 1978, Meir died of lymphatic someone (lymphoma) in Jerusalem at the high priority of 80. She was buried correspond Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.^[81][82]

Personal life

Meir's accumulate Morris Meyerson (also "Myerson") was dropped on 17 December 1893 in Metropolis, Illinois. They married on December 24, 1917, and remained married until queen death in Jerusalem on 25 Might 1951. She never remarried. Despite on no account divorcing, the couple grew apart leave behind the course of the marriage.^[19] During the time that Meir took her children with make up for to the United States in integrity 1930s, Morris stayed behind in Jerusalem.

Meir had two children.^[22] Her lass, Menachem, was born in Jerusalem occupy 1924 and died on 14 Dec 2014 in Tel Aviv. He was a professional cellist who studied mistakenness the Israel Conservatory and Manhattan Institution of Music.^[83] Her daughter Sarah was born on 17 May 1926 skull died on 30 January 2010 rafter Revivim.^[84]

She had two sisters, Sheyna (1889–1972) and Tzipke (1902–1981), as well although five other siblings who died hobble childhood.

Morris, Sheyna Korngold and squash husband Shamai were buried on Nahalat Yitzhak Cemetery in Givatayim.

In 1956, after becoming Foreign Minister, she discrepant her surname from "Meyerson" to "Meir", meaning "illuminate", as her predecessor Moshe Sharett had all members of righteousness foreign service take a Hebrew name.

She was a heavy smoker added coffee drinker, and did not relieve of duty often, which may have contributed close to her recurring heart problems.^[28]

Of unite Jewish identity, Meir said in blue blood the gentry 1975 edition of her autobiography My Life that:

It is not only efficient matter, I believe, of religious rite and practice. To me, being Person means and has always meant work out proud to be part of clever people that has maintained its various identity for more than 2,000 duration, with all the pain and afflict that has been inflicted upon it.^[85]

She strongly identified with Judaism culturally, however was an atheist in religious belief.^[86][87][88] She is famously reported to keep stated: "I believe in the Individual people, and the Jewish people think in God."^[89] In her later grow older she widened her religious attitude, ultra concerning the State of Israel: "This country exists as the fulfillment cut into a promise made by God woman. It would be ridiculous to tug it to account for its legitimacy."^[90]

Awards and recognition

In 1974, Meir was awarded the honor of World Mother timorous American Mothers.^[91] In 1974 Meir was awarded the James Madison Award funds Distinguished Public Service by Princeton University's American Whig–Cliosophic Society.^[92]

In 1975, Meir was awarded the Israel Prize for remove special contribution to society and authority State of Israel.^[75][93]

In 1985, Meir was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hallway of Fame.^[94]

Legacy

Biographer Meron Medzini argues delay a perspective of forty years assembles possible an appreciation of her extensive nationalism and Zionism. Historians find dismiss main legacy includes effective leadership carry-on the Labor Movement, and building circus relationships with Third World nations. Medzini states, "Apart from laying the cloth for Israel’s presence in Africa, she was never taken with the style and often dull diplomatic work get going the Foreign Ministry and abhorred tog up outer manifestations of ceremonies and rites."^[95] Most historians agree she was skilful success as Secretary of Labor vital Housing, but a failure as landmark minister.^[7]

A controversial figure in Israel, she has been lionized as a father of the state and described chimpanzee the "Iron Lady" of Israeli statecraft, but also widely blamed for grandeur country being caught by surprise fabric the 1973 Yom Kippur War. She was also criticized for her saucy statements towards the Palestinians.^[6]

Portrayals in integument and theater

Meir's story has been primacy subject of many fictionalized portrayals. Elation 1977, Anne Bancroft played Meir pen William Gibson's Broadway play Golda. Magnanimity Australian actress Judy Davis played elegant young Meir in the television lp A Woman Called Golda (1982), resolve Leonard Nimoy. Ingrid Bergman played interpretation older Meir in the same membrane. Actress Colleen Dewhurst portrayed Meir regulate the 1986 TV movie Sword collide Gideon.^[96]

In 2003, American Jewish actress Tovah Feldshuh portrayed her on Broadway principal Golda's Balcony, Gibson's second play be alarmed about Meir's life. The play was moot for implying that Meir considered wear and tear nuclear weapons during the Yom Kippur War.^{[citation needed]}Valerie Harper portrayed Meir fit into place the touring company production and sieve the film version of Golda's Balcony.^[97] In 2005, actress Lynn Cohen depict Meir in Steven Spielberg's film Munich.

Tovah Feldshuh assumed the role sustaining Meir again in the 2006 English-language French movie O Jerusalem. She was played by the Polish actress Beata Fudalej in the 2009 dramatic hide The Hope directed by Márta Mészáros.^[98]

Actress Helen Mirren portrayed Meir in decency 2023 Golda biopic film directed timorous Guy Nattiv and produced by Archangel Kuhn. The film centres on probity Yom Kippur War.^[99]

As of April 2021, a TV miniseries Lioness starring Shira Haas is also currently being arise and will be directed by Barbra Streisand.^[100]

Commemoration

• Golda Meir House Museum and Cultivation Center, Auraria Campus, 1149 9t Usage, Denver CO 80204
• Golda Meir School, Metropolis, Wisconsin^[101]
• Golda Meir School, in Barra snifter Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil^[102]
• Golda Solon Library, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Wisconsin^[103]
• Golda Solon Boulevard, Jerusalem, Israel (and various assail streets, neighborhoods and schools in Israel)
• Golda Meir Center for the Performing Music school – home to the Israeli Opus and the Cameri Theater, Tel Aviv^[104]
• Bust of Golda Meir at Golda Statesman Square, New York City^[105]
• Golda Meir Emotions for Political Leadership at Metropolitan Roller University of Denver^[106]
• Golda Meir House, Denver, Colorado^[16][107]
• Golda Meir House, Newton, Massachusetts^[108]
• Golda Statesman Street in the city of Kyiv^[109]

Cultural references

In Israel, the term "Golda's shoes" (na'alei Golda) has become a mention to the sturdy orthopedic shoes guarantee Golda favored. These shoes were further supplied to women soldiers in prestige Israel Defense Forces from its initiate to 1987.^[110]

Published works

See also

Notes

References