TLS in Hebrew, one page, 8.5 x 11, December 26, 1956. As prime minister and minister of defense, Ben-Gurion writes to Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett concerning Israel's planned expansion into the Sinai. In part (translated): "Even after I heard your report of your visit to Asia at the meeting of the Cabinet and at the meeting of the Central Committee of the Party [Mapai Labor Party], I read with great interest your remarks to the Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs. I have, for many years, been interested in Asia and in the cultures of the Asian nations, especially in India and in the Buddhist nations, among them China and Japan. I have a certain degree of knowledge and some conception of the spiritual makeup of most of these lands. Nevertheless, your remarks at the meeting of the Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs were most enlightening.
But I must express my distress and dismay at the term 'disaster' with which you chose to characterize the Sinai Campaign. [1] I am prepared to understand the reasoning of those who stood in opposition to the campaign. I myself could have presented a number of arguments against undertaking this operation; not only with the benefit of hindsight, but even before it was launched. And in the discussions that took place within a small circle of associates prior to the event, I presented some of these arguments. But even he who opposed this operation from a moral or a political stance is obligated to refer to the event by its correct designation. Perhaps the campaign was an undertaking that was not valid, or damaging [to Israel], but it was not a 'disaster.' [1] Such an undertaking, for which thousands were ready to risk their lives—and scores did lose their lives in this effort—cannot be degraded with this shocking designation. Since I will not bring up this discussion at the meeting of the Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs, I saw it my duty as a friend at the very least to tell you how I feel about this matter." In fine condition, with some light toning and short edge tears.
In October 1956, Israel launched the Sinai Campaign, also called Operation Kadesh, in an attempt to occupy the Sinai Peninsula and put an end to to the terrorist incursions into Israel. International political pressure ultimately forced Israel to withdraw shortly after its invasion of the peninsula, but the operation did succeed in attaining freedom of navigation through the Straits of Tiran. A desirable letter from a period of domestic and international political tension following the Suez Crisis.
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