Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ...
Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ... 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
and brother, Ezra Taft Benson.” Again, with this letter of sympathy, he also apparentlysent some sort of literature, although the title is not mentioned.The final letter comes, as mentioned, not from Benson or Ben Gurion, but fromMichael Ravid, Consul General in Los Angeles, to Ben Gurion. Ravid apparently hadvisited Salt Lake City to discuss tourism to Israel. He mentions three distinct times thatBenson spoke to him of his relationship with Ben Gurion, and asked to be remembered tohim, giving the impression that Benson took great care to press this point upon theConsul General during his visit.While none of the relationships with other Israeli leaders seem to evidence thesame strength and, for Benson, at least, sense of satisfaction that the relationship withBen Gurion evoked, they are still noteworthy as part of Benson's relationship with theJews and the Jewish State. Benson mentions in his “Message to Judah from Joseph” thatno visits in Israel had “been more impressive than the visits with David Ben Gurion, LeviEshkol, and Moshe Dayan.” 183 After his visit with President Ben-Zvi in 1960, Bensonremarked, “It is my feeling that no people are thought of more highly in Israel than weare.” 184Benson also spoke warmly of his visits with Levi Eshkol and Moshe Dayan, andwhen in 1971 Dayan's wife visited Salt Lake City, Utah, she made a specific request tosee “Elder and Sister Benson, long-time acquaintances.” 185In 1979 Benson againtraveled in the Middle East as an Apostle. He had occasion to renew some of hisacquaintances, among them Abba Eban, whom Benson had met years earlier inWashington while serving as Secretary of Agriculture. Eban is reported to have spoken183184185Benson, “Message to Judah,” 1.From a letter from Benson to President of the Church, Joseph Fielding Smith, August 14, 1960. Citedin Dew, Biography, 350.Dew, Biography, 419.63
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<strong>and</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>Ezra</strong> <strong>Taft</strong> <strong>Benson</strong>.” Again, with this letter <strong>of</strong> sympathy, he also apparentlysent some sort <strong>of</strong> literature, although <strong>the</strong> title is not mentioned.The final letter comes, as mentioned, not from <strong>Benson</strong> or Ben Gurion, but fromMichael Ravid, Consul General in Los Angeles, to Ben Gurion. Ravid apparently hadvisited Salt Lake City to discuss tourism to <strong>Israel</strong>. He mentions three distinct times that<strong>Benson</strong> spoke to him <strong>of</strong> his relationship with Ben Gurion, <strong>and</strong> asked to be remembered tohim, giving <strong>the</strong> impression that <strong>Benson</strong> took great care to press this point upon <strong>the</strong>Consul General during his visit.While none <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> relationships with o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>Israel</strong>i leaders seem to evidence <strong>the</strong>same strength <strong>and</strong>, for <strong>Benson</strong>, at least, sense <strong>of</strong> satisfaction that <strong>the</strong> relationship withBen Gurion evoked, <strong>the</strong>y are still noteworthy as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>Benson</strong>'s relationship with <strong>the</strong>Jews <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jewish <strong>State</strong>. <strong>Benson</strong> mentions in his “Message to Judah from Joseph” thatno visits in <strong>Israel</strong> had “been more impressive than <strong>the</strong> visits with David Ben Gurion, LeviEshkol, <strong>and</strong> Moshe Dayan.” 183 After his visit with President Ben-Zvi in 1960, <strong>Benson</strong>remarked, “It is my feeling that no people are thought <strong>of</strong> more highly in <strong>Israel</strong> than weare.” 184<strong>Benson</strong> also spoke warmly <strong>of</strong> his visits with Levi Eshkol <strong>and</strong> Moshe Dayan, <strong>and</strong>when in 1971 Dayan's wife visited Salt Lake City, Utah, she made a specific request tosee “Elder <strong>and</strong> Sister <strong>Benson</strong>, long-time acquaintances.” 185In 1979 <strong>Benson</strong> againtraveled in <strong>the</strong> Middle East as an Apostle. He had occasion to renew some <strong>of</strong> hisacquaintances, among <strong>the</strong>m Abba Eban, whom <strong>Benson</strong> had met years earlier inWashington while serving as Secretary <strong>of</strong> Agriculture. Eban is reported to have spoken183184185<strong>Benson</strong>, “Message to Judah,” 1.From a letter from <strong>Benson</strong> to President <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church, Joseph Fielding Smith, August 14, 1960. Citedin Dew, Biography, 350.Dew, Biography, 419.63
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