Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ...

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gathering. Some of those themes include, as evidenced, rejection of Arab claims to theland, particularly Jerusalem, and unequivocal support of Israel both for its role infulfilling prophecy, and the fact that it, by its very nature, seems to the writers toincorporate religion into politics.Four years later, as Benson took up his post as Secretary of Agriculture, many ofthose same elements would find their way into his observations of the fledgling state.Especially interesting are his views as presented in his 1957 and 1960 trips to severalcountries worldwide in promotion of PL 480. His reports on his visits to the Middle Eastreveal a sharp contrast to his perceptions of Israel versus other Middle Eastern countries.It is unclear whether Benson himself wrote the report, or dictated the basic elements tohis secretary; but at the very least these reports are a clear general reflection of his ownsentiments. And his feelings seem to demonstrate, in comparison with those that heexpressed for his time in Israel, a general tone of practicality and pragmatism. In reality,he spends relatively little time commenting on his visits to the Arab countries. When hedoes comment, he reports on the cities visited and on the country's reception toward himand American agriculture (usually relating to Public Law 480). He is never disparagingto the leaders themselves, whom he simply reports as having met, but he is likewise moreor less unenthusiastic.Likewise his description of the people and cultures he encounters in his visitsreveals him to be rather unimpressed. The most illustrative example is that of his 1957report on Jordan. He notes the guard of Jordanian soldiers that met them at the embassy,as well as the frequent stops at military checkpoints, and comments briefly on the56
problem of Palestinian refugees, which he estimates to be around 500,000. But the rest ofhis report focuses on what he sees as the primitiveness of the population and culture.Jordan like other Middle Eastern Countries, is very backward,economically, and much of the population still lives about the same asfor hundreds of years. Many people were observed to be living in cavesand the donkey and camel are still used extensively as beasts of burdenas in the time of Christ. In contrast, however, was the modern militaryequipment in evidence. 173It is interesting that Benson notes the refugee problem and observes the “backward”nature of the Jordanian people, but says little about the potential of American aid,agricultural or otherwise, to help alleviate this difficult situation. The overall feeling isone of personal detachment.Benson's comments and writings about Israel contrast sharply. They generallyreveal an impression of progress and growth, reflected in both his work as Secretary ofAgriculture and his more religious views of the State. Likewise, they indicate a personalconnection with the State and its leadership that was clearly special and important to him.This is further evidenced in Benson's biography, which describes the 1957 trip to Israel,part of his international tour, as a “highlight” for Benson (while only two paragraphs inthe biography are dedicated to a description of his visit to the 12 other countries visitedduring October, 1957, four paragraphs chronicle Benson's time in Israel). 174 As notedpreviously, Benson's writings and speeches frequently mention his relationship withDavid Ben Gurion and other notable Israeli leaders such as Levi Eshkol and MosheDayan. He rehearses their interest in the story of Orson Hyde, particularly with David173174Ezra Taft Benson, Papers, 6:8, “Reports on Foreign Trips,” Eisenhower Presidential Library (Abilene,Kansas).Dew, Biography, 325.57
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AcknowledgementsI am indebted to Pr
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Table of ContentsIntroduction - 1Ch
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elationship in any depth.In researc
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friendships with various Israeli le
Page 10 and 11: Joseph Smith taught that Latter-day
Page 12 and 13: Gentiles, and it will be again inha
Page 14 and 15: for their long suffering. Yet, he,
Page 16 and 17: focus on both the fulfillment of pr
Page 18 and 19: Smith and Brigham Young, as previou
Page 20 and 21: Smith, the members of the group “
Page 22 and 23: Jews.'” 46Benjamin further descri
Page 24 and 25: Chapter 2: Benson's Religious Leade
Page 26 and 27: audiences. The first, called, “Je
Page 28 and 29: Benson's sense of kinship for the J
Page 30 and 31: eturn of the Jews to the land of Pa
Page 32 and 33: general mention of his efforts at s
Page 34 and 35: Or perhaps it did not aid in his ap
Page 36 and 37: about Jews and Israel, throughout t
Page 38 and 39: and Peter Grose describe the frustr
Page 40 and 41: Israel's victory in the Six Day War
Page 42 and 43: the Messiah. Indeed, both Benson an
Page 44 and 45: those visits, as opposed to those o
Page 46 and 47: U.S. agricultural products on credi
Page 48 and 49: The American public, though divided
Page 50 and 51: States.” 133Indeed, a Gallup poll
Page 52 and 53: with Britain and France, for their
Page 54 and 55: many Americans that Israel was now,
Page 56 and 57: those experiences to give validity
Page 58 and 59: Benson, “I want you to pray to Go
Page 62 and 63: Ben Gurion and Levi Eshkol, both of
Page 64 and 65: sending “two Mormon Books,” and
Page 66 and 67: Yet Ben Gurion's next letter, dated
Page 68 and 69: on this occasion with Shimon Peres
Page 70 and 71: cultivate land for crops in the 194
Page 72 and 73: attitude in the Synagogue Light art
Page 74 and 75: United States, his views on Israel
Page 76 and 77: eminded the host that he had not be
Page 78 and 79: Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and
Page 80 and 81: "Though Thy servant is now far from
Page 82 and 83: BibliographyAlteras, Isaac. Eisenho
Page 84 and 85: Madsen, Truman G. “Mormon Attitud
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