Israel's Founding Threatened by US Warning Against Statehood Declaration

A rare recording revealed this week at the Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv sheds light on the critical moments before Israel's establishment in 1948. The recording features Isser Harel, the first head of the Shin Bet and second director of Mossad, recounting a stern warning given to David Ben-Gurion by the United States. Harel describes how US Secretary of State George Marshall cautioned that if Israel declared independence, Arab states would attack and the US would not intervene militarily, effectively leaving the nascent state without support.

Harel recalls a symposium held by Ben-Gurion with Haganah commanders to assess their military capabilities and the threats they faced. Despite the warning, Ben-Gurion was determined to declare statehood. Harel emphasizes that without this declaration, Israel might never have been established, calling it a missed opportunity if they had heeded the US advice. He also highlights the strategic uncertainty regarding the Arab Legion, the best-trained Arab army under British command, and King Abdullah of Jordan's stance, who warned that he would join the war if Israel declared independence.

Nelly Markman, CEO of the Ben-Gurion House, noted that Harel's testimony illustrates the complexity, responsibility, and statesmanship of Israel's early leadership. The recording is now available on the Ben-Gurion House's social media channels, offering a unique personal perspective on the challenges faced during Israel's founding.

This historical insight underscores the precarious geopolitical environment surrounding Israel's birth and the leadership's resolve in the face of international pressure and military threats.