Page 48 - big friday
P. 48
The first to sign – David Ben-Gurion
Provisional State Council. We parted, and I went to the Red House for a meeting of
the General Staff. Throughout that time I was occupied with matters relating to the
invasion. I knew that war was what would truly decide the matter. And obviously, if
there was a state, it would be easier to win. The wisdom of Israel then was for me the
wisdom of war, and the Torah of Israel was the doctrine of war. But I was certain
that we would win, because I knew what weapons we had! Even at the time of the
ceremony, that was all I was thinking about. I felt exactly the same way on the night
of November 29. I was in Kalya at the time. The entire country was rejoicing and
celebrating, and I was like a mourner among the celebrants. They woke me then and
told me that the Partition Plan had received a majority [of votes] at the UN. They
brought me the workers employed at the Dead Sea plant, and they danced, but my
heart wasn't in it. I had the same feeling during the ceremony. I knew that our fate
was about to be sealed. "The fate of the state lies in the hands of the security forces",
I wrote at the time.
A s to the ceremony itself: I read the text of the declaration, Rabbi Fishman recited
the "Shehehiyanu" blessing, and then I expressed my regret that the members of the
Council who were in Jerusalem were not able to be present, but they had notified
that they all joined themselves to our resolution. Afterwards I read out the manifesto
46 The Friday That Changed Destiny
Provisional State Council. We parted, and I went to the Red House for a meeting of
the General Staff. Throughout that time I was occupied with matters relating to the
invasion. I knew that war was what would truly decide the matter. And obviously, if
there was a state, it would be easier to win. The wisdom of Israel then was for me the
wisdom of war, and the Torah of Israel was the doctrine of war. But I was certain
that we would win, because I knew what weapons we had! Even at the time of the
ceremony, that was all I was thinking about. I felt exactly the same way on the night
of November 29. I was in Kalya at the time. The entire country was rejoicing and
celebrating, and I was like a mourner among the celebrants. They woke me then and
told me that the Partition Plan had received a majority [of votes] at the UN. They
brought me the workers employed at the Dead Sea plant, and they danced, but my
heart wasn't in it. I had the same feeling during the ceremony. I knew that our fate
was about to be sealed. "The fate of the state lies in the hands of the security forces",
I wrote at the time.
A s to the ceremony itself: I read the text of the declaration, Rabbi Fishman recited
the "Shehehiyanu" blessing, and then I expressed my regret that the members of the
Council who were in Jerusalem were not able to be present, but they had notified
that they all joined themselves to our resolution. Afterwards I read out the manifesto
46 The Friday That Changed Destiny
