Page 162 - ISRAEL'S CRADLE

In the winter of 1948, Dobkin filled several positions simultaneously. First of all, he continued to serve as the Head of the Organization Department and the Emissary Department in the Jewish Agency. Despite the time of emergency, Olim kept flowing to the Land of Israel and Dobkin never ceased taking care of them through his emissaries.
Another duty that Ben-Gurion charged him with was to organize the emergency fundraising campaigns that were conducted around the Jewish world. For years, the Yishuv enjoyed the money that flowed to it from Zionists (as well as non-Zionists) in many countries, primarily the national funds – Keren Hayesod and KKL-JNF. During the first months of the war, Ben-Gurion did not hesitate to reallocate a large portion of these funds to security purposes, however a handful cannot sate the lion and the needs of the war demanded far greater sums. In early January 1948, the Jewish Agency announced a flash fundraising campaign in a series of countries: South Africa, Britain, France, Argentina, Uruguay, Belgium and Italy. The Jewish Yishuv's turn also came up and it was called upon to contribute its share to the security fundraising campaign. The operation was managed with a direct connection to Ben-Gurion, by Eliyahu Dobkin, who was put in charge of a special committee – "The Foreign Affairs Committee."
Another role that Dobkin filled in those days was not entirely defined yet despite this, was undoubtedly the more significant role – his membership in the committee that was charged with proposing an outline for the government institutions of the future Jewish state. In a joint meeting of the Executives of the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Council on February 18, 1948, a proposal was raised to establish two entities, that were called "the Provisional State Council" and the "Provisional Cabinet." Lengthy discussions commenced, which eventually birthed two historical entities: The Provisional State Council and the Provisional Government. In his memoirs, Ben-Gurion wrote: "The members Dobkin, Kolodny and Shapira shall prepare a proposal for the meeting of the Zionist General Council regarding the composition of the State Council [which was later called Moetzet HaAm] and the Government."
The meetings of the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem were managed, to the extent possible, by Deputy Chairman Rabbi Fishman. Another senior member of the Executive, the Head of the Finances Department Eliezer Kaplan (the future Minister of Finance), periodically arrived in Jerusalem. Dobkin the Jerusalemite participated in all the meetings held in the city and their minutes indicate that he repeatedly addressed the dire straits of the population, the double standard applied by the British (favoring the Arabs over the Jews) and the difficulties in maintaining contact with the leadership in Tel Aviv.
During Ben-Gurion's lengthy visit in Jerusalem in April 1948, he charged Dobkin with the handling of burning issues such as the relationship of the political echelon with the Military Commander of the "Haganah" in Jerusalem, David Shaltiel, as well as anything relating to the Jewish Agency's relations with "Agudat Yisrael." "I determined that Dobkin will be the liaison with them," Ben- Gurion wrote in his diary.
160