Ben-Gurion Predicts Victory Under Dayan in 6-Day War; Discusses How Many Arabs Equal One Israeli Soldier

June 6, 1967

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Ben-Gurion Predicts Victory Under Dayan in 6-Day War; Discusses How Many Arabs Equal One Israeli Soldier
Autograph Letter Signed
1 page | SMC 385

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  • David Ben-Gurion

    Background

    Writing the day after the Six Day War began, Ben-Gurion says that the nation, just the week before, had faced a “grave national peril” which, owing to the appointment of Moshe Dayan as Minister of Defense, has now disappeared. “Under the new leadership our army will defeat all our enemies,” Ben-Gurion predicts– accurately, for the war ended in an immense victory. According to Ben-Gurion, this was due to the fact that, contrary to public opinion, it did not take “two Arabs to equal one Israeli soldier," he writes, "Not even five Arabs can equal one Israeli soldier.”
    Autograph Letter Signed (“D. Ben-Gurion”), in English, 1 page, octavo, Tel Aviv, June 6, 1967. To Kenneth Triem in Tucson.
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    21

    Tel-Aviv, 6.6.67

    Dear Mr. Kenneth Triem

    A week ago our country was facing a grave national peril. The peril has disappeared when a few days ago a new minister of security has been appointed, and under the new leadership our army will defeat all our enemies. Public opinion says that it takes "two Arabs to equal one Israeli soldier." I can tell you: not even five Arabs can equal one Israeli soldier.

    Sincerely yours

    D. Ben-Gurion

    1300 Whetridge [sic] Drive
    Tucson, Arizona 85704
    U.S.A.