BEN-GURION, DAVID. (1886-1973). Polish-born, Israeli statesman who became Israel’s first prime minister after proclaiming its independence in 1948. TLS. (“D. Ben-Gurion” in Hebrew). 1p. 4to. Jerusalem, 7th of Nisan, 5711/April 13, 1951. A signed carbon copy of one of several identical letters on Ben-Gurion’s Prime Minister stationery to Labor Committee Chairman AKIVA GOVRIN (1902-1980). There is a check mark next to his name suggesting that he was this copy’s recipient. Others who received copies were Jerusalem Mayor DANIEL AUSTER (1893-1962), Haifa Mayor ABBA HUSHI (1898-1969), Knesset Member DAVID-ZVI PINKAS (1895-1952), and A. Kirshner. In Hebrew with translation.

“Dear Sirs,

In accordance with the decision of the government from 5th of Nisan 5711 (11.4.51), I am honored to invite you to serve as a committee that will clarify the questions of salaries of civil servants, excluding judges and teachers, and submit its recommendations to the government.

The committee is requested to clarify the salary questions of the various types of employees, including the accepted scale of ranks and the degree of its effectiveness, the annual supplement and other additions customary and their purposes.

Mr. Akiva Govrin will serve as chairman of the committee.

Due to the urgency of the questions, the Committee is requested to complete its work and submit its recommendations no later than six weeks from now.

The government also requests that the content of the committee’s discussions and recommendations be kept secret if the government has not decided otherwise.

The Mechanism Commission shall provide the Committee with the necessary material and mechanism, and the Committee shall hear the opinion of the State Employees’ Representative on the questions in question...”

An early Zionist, Ben-Gurion moved to Palestine in 1906 to start farming. Following his expulsion by Turkey at the outbreak of World War I, he rallied British and American support to promote increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, and after spending decades strengthening Palestine’s Jewish community, Ben-Gurion proclaimed the birth of Israel on May 14, 1948. He assisted in creating the Israeli army, often using military force to thwart Arab violence. After announcing his intention to leave public life, Ben-Gurion moved to the newly founded Negev Kibbutz Sde-Boker in early 1954. He never completely abdicated his leadership role, however, and in 1955 Ben-Gurion returned to public life, first as minister of defense before his reelection as prime minister in November 1955. Our letter invites five Knesset members to join the Knesset’s Labor Committee.

Active in the political affairs of the British Mandate of Israel since the 1930s, Auster signed Israel’s declaration of independence, served as mayor Jerusalem’s mayor from 1948-1951 and, in 1947, used his legal training to represent Israel before the United Nations arguing against the internationalization of Jerusalem.

Govrin’s career began in 1925 as a member of the labor federation Histadrut. Following his 1949 election to the Knesset as a member of Mapai, he intermittently chaired the Labor Committee from 1949-1965. His political career continued through 1969.

A founder of Histadrut and the Polish labor Zionist organization Hashomer Hatzair, Knesset member Hushi was the longtime secretary of the Haifa Workers Council until 1951 when he was elected mayor of Haifa.

Also a signer of Israel’s declaration of independence, Pinkas was elected to the Knesset in 1949 and held several political appointments including Minister of Transport from 1951-1952.

Folded with normal wear and in very good condition.