Page 18 - big friday
P. 18
D avid Ben-Gurion's War Diary on the
day of the establishment of the state
D avid Ben-Gurion kept a detailed daily diary, over the course
of decades. A review of his entry on the day of the declaration of
the state, May 14, 1948, opens a window onto the many activities
and concerns of the leader of the Yishuv and the head of its fighting
forces.
David Ben-Gurion
G eneral staff meeting. At 2:00a.m. I received a telegram from Fritz (Eshet): the waving
of a white flag at Kfar Etzion led to the slaughter of the defenders by the Arabs. This
was reported from Massu'ot Yitzhak by a survivor [who had fled there]. Fritz adamantly
opposes surrender. "Handing over weapons will bring catastrophe."
A t Latrun, our men were bombarded by cannons. One of our cannons was captured.
Our men retreated.
"Alexandroni" [Brigade] has seized Arab Kfar Saba, reached as far as Kalkilya, and
returned to Kfar Saba. The attempt to reach Kfar Tira [north of Ramat HaKovesh] was
unsuccessful. We suffered losses.
Kfar Brer [environs of Bror Hayil] was captured by Nahum [Sarig – i.e., the Negev
Brigade]. Sixty Arabs were killed; weapons seized. No news from the Upper Galilee.
Y esterday there were discussions with Etzel [the Irgun]. They were offered [the capture
of] Ramle, Lajjun [police fort], participation at Tulkarem or Rosh HaAyin. They were
enthusiastic – because they didn't know what forces they would have [at their disposal].
They rejected Lajjun and Tulkarem. They refused Rosh HaAyin and Wilhelma, too. They'll
take action in Ramle. They asked us for food and ammunition.
This morning David HaCohen came [from Haifa] and announced that the boys
[Hagana forces] are in Lajjun (there is a report from there that the Arabs are fleeing). [The
Irgun] will therefore fight to take Ramle – it seems they have 600 men.
T he Givati [Brigade] has 6-7 companies on the way to Jerusalem, and some more in the
Nitzanim-Gal-On bloc. Around 250 Kiryati [Brigade] men were supposed to arrive in the
Hulda region. The Arabs have two 75mm cannons there, and another 2 pounder cannons
and some armored vehicles. Their main base is in Ramallah. They come in the morning to
Ayalon [Valley], and go back in the evening. Etzioni [Brigade] has given two companies
to Harel [Brigade].
T he really difficult problem is Beit HaArava. A Dakota [plane] received instructions
16 The Friday That Changed Destiny
day of the establishment of the state
D avid Ben-Gurion kept a detailed daily diary, over the course
of decades. A review of his entry on the day of the declaration of
the state, May 14, 1948, opens a window onto the many activities
and concerns of the leader of the Yishuv and the head of its fighting
forces.
David Ben-Gurion
G eneral staff meeting. At 2:00a.m. I received a telegram from Fritz (Eshet): the waving
of a white flag at Kfar Etzion led to the slaughter of the defenders by the Arabs. This
was reported from Massu'ot Yitzhak by a survivor [who had fled there]. Fritz adamantly
opposes surrender. "Handing over weapons will bring catastrophe."
A t Latrun, our men were bombarded by cannons. One of our cannons was captured.
Our men retreated.
"Alexandroni" [Brigade] has seized Arab Kfar Saba, reached as far as Kalkilya, and
returned to Kfar Saba. The attempt to reach Kfar Tira [north of Ramat HaKovesh] was
unsuccessful. We suffered losses.
Kfar Brer [environs of Bror Hayil] was captured by Nahum [Sarig – i.e., the Negev
Brigade]. Sixty Arabs were killed; weapons seized. No news from the Upper Galilee.
Y esterday there were discussions with Etzel [the Irgun]. They were offered [the capture
of] Ramle, Lajjun [police fort], participation at Tulkarem or Rosh HaAyin. They were
enthusiastic – because they didn't know what forces they would have [at their disposal].
They rejected Lajjun and Tulkarem. They refused Rosh HaAyin and Wilhelma, too. They'll
take action in Ramle. They asked us for food and ammunition.
This morning David HaCohen came [from Haifa] and announced that the boys
[Hagana forces] are in Lajjun (there is a report from there that the Arabs are fleeing). [The
Irgun] will therefore fight to take Ramle – it seems they have 600 men.
T he Givati [Brigade] has 6-7 companies on the way to Jerusalem, and some more in the
Nitzanim-Gal-On bloc. Around 250 Kiryati [Brigade] men were supposed to arrive in the
Hulda region. The Arabs have two 75mm cannons there, and another 2 pounder cannons
and some armored vehicles. Their main base is in Ramallah. They come in the morning to
Ayalon [Valley], and go back in the evening. Etzioni [Brigade] has given two companies
to Harel [Brigade].
T he really difficult problem is Beit HaArava. A Dakota [plane] received instructions
16 The Friday That Changed Destiny
