Ben Gurion, David (1886-1973)
né/born David Grün
- Quotation from David Ben Gurion “Those who fled from the country, who told them to flee” — 1972
In a pure senile denial of the existence of the Palestinians chased by him during the Nakba, in front of Israeli television. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “To get it, we must return to the borders before 1967” — Mar. 25 1971
In an interview by John McCook Roots for Saturday Review , in a realistic vision of the future of the "Jewish State". - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “The exiles that are … ingathered in Israel do not yet constitute a people” — 1971
No "Jewish people"? This is what Ben Gurion thinks about the "mixed multitude" that arrived in Palestine. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “Well done, now give it back to them” — June 7 1967
The day of the conquest of al-Khalil / Hebron in June 1967, according to the testimony of Louis Nir. - Quotation from David
Ben Gurion “We are in duty bound to fight against the spirit of the Levant” — Oct. 5 1965
Interviewed by Robert Moskin of Look Magazine, Ben Gurion expresses his absolute contempt for the Mizrahi Jews. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We have no connection with the Arabs” — Oct. 1 1952
During meetings in his office with senior Israeli officials. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “Return to Zion and to the Bible is a supreme expression of the rebirth ...of the Jewish people” — 1950
In a writing showing his total identification between "spirituality" and nationalism. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We do not fit the general pattern of humanity” — 1950
In a speech in 1950 exalting the exceptionalism of the "Jewish people”. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We would not have taken on this war merely for the purpose of enjoying this tiny state” — Aug. 16 1948
Develops his visions in an interview with Times Magazine (read in full!). - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “Why are there so many Arabs? Why didn't you expel them” — Jul. 19 1948
On his first visit to Nazareth. - [wrong] Words attributed to David Ben Gurion “A community of woodcutters and waiters” — Jul. 1948
Apocryphal or wrong quotation or doubtful. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We appeal … to the Arab inhabitants of the State of Israel to preserve peace” — May 14 1948
Excerpt from the text of the declaration of independence read by Ben Gurion on the afternoon of May 14, 1948, calling for "preserving peace" while hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were killed or expelled. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “War will also bring in its wake a great change in the distribution of the Arab population” — Apr. 6 1948
Speaking to the Zionist Action Committee, said that the war and the depopulation of the Palestinians will not stop at the borders of the partition plan. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “Were we to face the Palestinians alone, everything would be all right” — Mar. 14 1948
In a letter to Moshe Sharett. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “The law is whatever people determine it to be” — 1948
Replying to Pinhas Rosen on the issue of borders on the eve of independence. Israel has still not declared borders... - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We could accomplish our aim of cleansing the Galilee” — 1948
From an Israeli government protocol [that would have been] translated from Hebrew by Israel Shahak. - [wrong] Words attributed to David Ben Gurion “The old will die and the young will forget” — Jul. 17 1947
Apocryphal or wrong quotation or doubtful. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “The catastrophe of the European Jewry is not, in a direct manner, my business” — Dec. 1942
Fewer Jews in Europe? It is annoying for the Zionist colonization…. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We shall fight the White Paper as though there was no war” — Sep. 1939
Pronounced by Ben Gurion at the beginning of World War II. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We don't belong to that Jewish people. We don't want to be that sort of Jew” — Aug. 1939
During the XX Zionist congress held in Geneva one month before World War II. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “Save … only half of them ... by transporting them to Eretz Yisrael, then I would opt for the second alternative” — Dec. 7 1938
One month after the Nazi Kristallnacht pogrom, in a speech delivered in London (meeting of MAPAM leaders). - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “The more we emphasize the terrible distress of the Jewish masses … So be silent” — June 1938
Commenting before the executive of the Jewish Agency on his wishes for the Jewish Rescue Conference that was about to open in Evian. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We shall abolish partition and expand to the whole of Palestine” — 1938
In a note to the Jewish Agency. - [wrong] Words attributed to David Ben Gurion “The boundaries of Zionist aspiration include” — 1938
Apocryphal or wrong quotation or doubtful. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We must expel Arabs and take their place” — Oct. 5 1937
Letter to his son Amos. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “The transfer of population is what makes possible a comprehensive settlement program” — Aug. 7 1937
During a debate in the Zionist Assembly during the Peel Commission debates (English text completed with partial citations). - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “The compulsory transfer of the Arabs from the valleys of the Jewish state could give us” — Jul. 12 1937
Expressing its wish to take over the Peel Commission's proposal for partition (2 incomplete versions). - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “The acceptance of partition does not commit us to renounce Transjordan” — 1937
Writing in support of the Peel Commission's partition project during a speech at a Labour Party meeting. - [wrong] Words attributed to David Ben Gurion “From the Nile to the Euphrates” — 1937
Apocryphal or wrong quotation or doubtful. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “Why is it forbidden to transfer an Arab from the Hebron area to Transjordan” — Nov. 1 1936
During a meeting preceding the Peel Commission, proposing a transfer of Palestinians to the Transjordan (considered as part of Israel's Lands). - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We do not suggest that we announce now our final aim which is far reaching” — Oct. 13 1936
In his diary (Zichronot), about a speech held on October 13th. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “When Jalla falls into hell I will not be among the mourners” — Jul. 11 1936
In his diary. Has no anger against the Palestinians, only cold considerations. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We don't need agreement with the Arabs in order to keep the peace in Palestine” — June 9 1936
In a letter to the executive of the Jewish Agency, explains its concept of "peace", a truce in view of a new war. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We and they want the same thing. We both want Palestine” — May 19 1936
Shortly after the beginning of the great Palestinian revolt, during a meeting of the Mapaï party, clearly expressing the stakes of colonization a homeland "for them" or "for us". - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We must have 100% Hebrew settlement, a 100% Hebrew farm, and 100% Hebrew port” — May 5 1936
Explains the goal of "100% apartheid" in a meeting of the National Council of Yishuv. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “To discuss ...the Jews in Germany only from the aspect of their immigration to Palestine” — Dec. 31 1935
Describing the task of the Jewish Agency's commission in charge of German Jewish problems. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “Zionism ... cannot initiate an irresponsible battle against Hitler” — Aug. 27 1935
Writing about the boycott of Nazi Germany in the Davar daily newspaper. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We do not recognize any form of absolute ownership over any country” — 1930
Explaining in 1930 his "socialist" conception of the right to colonization in the form of a pro domo plea. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “Strengthening the Hagana, accelerating the [Zionist] enterprise and imposing Hebrew Labor” — 1929
During a meeting of the Histadrout. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “We are conquerors of the land facing an iron wall” — Dec. 1922
At the 3rd convention of Ahdut Ha'avoda in Haifa in December 1922. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “That he would foist on the colonies the evil of mixed labour” — 1920
President of the Histadrut (1921-28), polemicizing against Moshe Smilansky of the Farmers' Federation, who preferred Palestinian employment. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “The assets of the Jewish National Home must be created exclusively through our own work” — 1920
Developing Zionist reasons for strictly separate development. - Quotation from David Ben Gurion “Under no circumstances must we touch land belonging to fellahs” — 1920
Advocates peaceful methods of colonization at a time when Jews are only 10% of the population of Palestine. - Quotation from David et Ben-Zvi Ben Gurion “Tolerance and generosity unparalleled in the history of the Christian peoples of the period” — 1918
In a book in which they totally ignore the contemporary Armenian genocide.