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

eminded the host that he had not become a Mormon during that time), insisted that theMormons, instead of being feared, should be appreciated, and recalled Benson's earlysupport for the emerging state. “The man who indeed developped [sic] and deepened thelinks of Israel with the U.S.A.,” he explained, “was the American Minister of Agriculture.. . Ezra Tapbenson [sic].” He continued, “Without his help I imagine that we would not[have] achieved the same goals in agriculture, of which today there is so much talk. Onehas to say that he did all this because of his faith as a Mormon.” 212Benson's legacy as a Mormon leader and avid supporter of the State of Israel wasundoubtedly an important element in the Israeli support that finally allowed BYU tocomplete its Jerusalem Center in 1988. And his influence has also been felt in myriadother, if unnamed, ways. Among the many important titles that Benson held throughouthis distinguished life, that of a friend of the Jewish State was certainly among those thathe held most dear.212Michael Shani and Yoel Rappel, broadcast in the program Bikur Bait, Station B, 9:09 a.m., January 9,1986.72