Unsigned letter in Ben-Gurion’s hand, in Hebrew, one page, 6 x 8.5, on the reverse of a typed letter from Knesset member Moshe Roseti dated May 30, 1960. The top of the sheet bears an ALS from David Ha-Cohen: “Since the volunteers in the British Army in the First [World] War are entitled to a medal, why don’t the volunteers in the Turkish Army get one, too? Our voluntary service was also based on the principles of the authorities.” Ben-Gurion pens his response below: “Those who offered their services voluntarily were fighting for the liberation of Eretz/Israel. It is a fact that the troops in the U.S. and Canada (and their organizations) volunteered to fight only in Eretz, and they stayed in Eretz. The volunteers in the Turkish Army (most of them) voluntarily offered their services for a certain ideal, but not for a fight for Eretz/Israel.” A hint of mild soiling, and hole at upper left corner touching a few letters of Ha-Cohen’s text, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
