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Session Six - Tuesday, September 2, 2014 3:00 PM
D
RAFT OF
M
OSHE
D
AYAN
'
S
S
PEECH ON
THE
D
ISASTROUS
L
AVON
A
FFAIR
2401
Dayan, Moshe
. (1915-1981) Israeli military leader and states-
man; he played a key role in four wars and helped negotiate the
Israel-Egypt peace treaty. As the fourth Chief of Staff of the
Israel Defense Forces (1953-58), he became a fighting symbol
to the world of the new state of Israel. He went on to become
Defense Minister and later Foreign Minister of Israel.
Autograph manuscript, written in Hebrew, 6pp, 11¾" x 8¼",
blue ink on yellow tissue paper, n.p., n.d. (c. 1955-1965).
Untranslated. Rough draft of Dayan's speech regarding the
scandalous
Lavon Affair
. In this incredible document Dayan
focuses on his relations with the Israeli Defense Force and the
political echelon between the Prime Minister, Minister of
Defense and Chief of Staff.
In 1954, the Israeli secret service set up a spy ring in Egypt,
with the purpose of blowing up U.S. and British targets. The
intent was to blame the terrorist acts on Egyptian President
Gamal Abdul Nasser and, consequently, alienate the U.S. and
Britain from Egypt and Nasser. The spy ring was run by AMAN
(army intelligence), not the superbly professional Mossad, and
the ring was caught and exposed when incendiary bombs went
off prematurely in the pocket of one of the ring members. The
Lavon Affair broke in July of 1954, and it turned out to be disas-
trous for Israel in several ways: Israel lost significant standing
and credibility in its relations with the United Kingdom and the
United States that took years to repair and the political after-
math caused considerable political turmoil in Israel that affected
the influence of its government. Fine condition.
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,500 - 2,000
The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills
.
2402
Ben-Gurion, David
. Autograph letter signed ("D. Ben-Gur-
ion"), as Minister of Defense, one page, in Hebrew, 8 x 6", Haki-
riya, May 2, 1955. To Moshe Sharett, Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister: "
Dear Moshe, We shouldn't exaggerate the real value
of the British Foreign Office's declarations, and the one-sided
votes of the USSR against us in the Security Council. We cannot
ignore all this, nor negate the political significance. But our first
duty must be to believe in the righteousness of our way, while
waiting, aside from extraordinary events and international
earthquakes. The fate of every nation is determined only by its
sturdiness, its will, ability, and internal strength. In friendship
…"
Fine condition. Accompanied by an English translation.
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,000 - 1,500
