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

Yet Ben Gurion's next letter, dated January 8, 1965, is much more personal. Hehas apparently read Benson's book Crossfire – The Eight Years with Eisenhower, andmentions that the history of the Church that Benson sent him “is highly instructive.” Hethen expresses, for the first time in any of the letters, a commonality in belief withBenson “that 'we are spiritual children of our Heavenly Father' and that 'we will bejudged by our faith and good works.'” Whether he is quoting Benson or one of thesources of literature that Benson sent him, is unclear, but his change of tone to one morepersonal and sympathetic is most interesting. It reveals, perhaps, a slight shift in attitude.Up to this point, the relationship appears a bit more engaging on the side of Benson, whoconsistently shares his beliefs and “sincere friendship” with Ben Gurion and the Jewishpeople. Yet here, Ben Gurion expresses his own sense of unity with Benson's beliefs,while positing no contradiction as in previous discussions.The next letter simply refers to the current political climate in the United States,and a hope that Benson will “like the elected President,” despite his failed support ofGoldwater. The final letter between the two (although, as noted, more correspondencelikely exists) is one of sympathy and condolences to Ben Gurion at the passing of hiswife in 1968. Benson claims that she is someone he considers “a true friend,” and adds,“May I say. . . my brother, that I extend my love and sympathy and assure you, and I amsure you already realize, that life is eternal.” Benson's use of the term “brother” isstriking and revealing of both his sentiments discussed earlier, the familial bond betweenMormons and Jews, and, even more importantly, his deep and abiding affection for theIsraeli leader. He reiterates that bond in the closing of the letter: “faithfully your friend62