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Moshe SharretIsrael's first ever Foreign Minister and second Prime Minister
Date of Birth: 16.10.1894
Country:  Israel |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Zionist Activism and Education
- World War I and Zionist Leadership
- Political Career and Foreign Minister
- Diplomatic Efforts and Declaration of Independence
- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy
- Tensions with Ben-Gurion and Premiership
- Prime Ministership and Domestic Challenges
- Retirement and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Moshe Shertok was born in Kherson, Russian Empire, in 1894 to a Jewish family. His father, Yakov Chertok, was an early activist in the BILU movement and instilled in his son a love for Eretz-Israel. In 1906, the family immigrated to Palestine, then under Ottoman rule, and settled in the Arab village of Ein Siniya, Samaria. Over the next two years, Moshe immersed himself in the local culture and learned Arabic.
Zionist Activism and Education
In 1908, the family moved to the Ahuzat Bayit neighborhood of Jaffa, which later became part of Tel Aviv. Moshe attended the Herzliya Gymnasium in Tel Aviv, excelling in languages and history. As an Ottoman subject, he enrolled in the law faculty of Istanbul University in 1913. There, he studied alongside David Ben-Gurion and Itzhak Ben-Zvi.
World War I and Zionist Leadership
With the outbreak of World War I, Moshe volunteered for the Turkish Army and served as a translator-officer. His language skills led him to become an aide to the German commander in Eretz-Israel. After the war, he joined the secretariat of the Zionist Commission, a body established by the British government to consult with the Palestinian administration on matters affecting Jewish interests. He also became a member of the socialist Zionist labor party, Ahdut HaAvoda.
Political Career and Foreign Minister
From 1920 to 1925, Moshe studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science, actively participating in the British branch of Poalei Zion. In 1925, he returned to Eretz-Israel and became a journalist for the newspaper Davar. From 1929 to 1931, he served as editor of Davar's English-language supplement.
In 1931, Moshe's political career took off. He was appointed secretary of the political department of the Jewish Agency for Palestine (Sochnut) and deputy to Chaim Arlozorov. After Arlozorov's assassination in 1933, Moshe became head of the Sochnut's political department. This role essentially gave him the functions of foreign minister for the entire Jewish community in Eretz-Israel. He held this position until the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
Diplomatic Efforts and Declaration of Independence
During his tenure, Moshe Shertok played a pivotal role in coordinating with the British Mandatory administration, mediating with various Zionist movements, and cooperating with local authorities to strengthen the Jewish community. He initiated the recruitment of Jews into the British police during the Arab riots from 1936 to 1939.
With the outbreak of World War II, Moshe advocated for the formation of Jewish Brigades within the British Army. He facilitated the participation of Palmach fighters in the British invasion of Syria and Lebanon in 1941 and the dispatch of paratroopers behind enemy lines in Europe to organize Jewish resistance against Nazi Germany.
However, after the war, Moshe supported armed resistance, albeit limited, against the British authorities. This led to his arrest and imprisonment in Latrun Prison in 1946.
After World War II, Moshe considered political struggle in the United Nations of paramount importance and worked tirelessly to secure the partition plan for Palestine and the creation of a Jewish state. George Marshall, then Secretary of State of the United States, cautioned him and other Jewish leaders against unilaterally declaring independence. Nevertheless, Moshe became one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence, which he signed with other Jewish leaders in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy
Immediately after independence, Moshe Shertok became Israel's first Foreign Minister and changed his name to "Sharett," meaning "his servant." He used his linguistic skills and diplomatic abilities to establish official diplomatic relations with numerous countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, fostering trade and economic ties.
Moshe Sharett represented Israel in the United Nations and other international forums, consistently advocating for the country's vital interests. The Soviet Union became the first country to recognize Israel de jure, two days after its independence. The United States granted Israel limited de facto recognition.
Tensions with Ben-Gurion and Premiership
In the early 1950s, Moshe Sharett's relationship with David Ben-Gurion became strained. Ben-Gurion, who was the undisputed national leader, criticized Sharett's cautious approach and preference for negotiation over forceful retaliation against hostile actions. Sharett, in turn, opposed Ben-Gurion's "super-activism," particularly the military operations against terrorist bases in neighboring countries.
Ben-Gurion never forgave Sharett for rejecting China's offer to establish diplomatic relations in 1950, fearing a negative reaction from the United States. Sharett also resisted Israel's alignment with the Western bloc in the Cold War, fearing a loss of Soviet support.
Despite the strain in their personal relationship, Sharett retained authority within the Mapai party. When Ben-Gurion announced his resignation in 1953, Sharett was elected Prime Minister.
Prime Ministership and Domestic Challenges
As Prime Minister from 1954 to 1955, Moshe Sharett faced challenges in maintaining support from his Cabinet members and the military. His relationship with Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan and Defense Minister Pinhas Lavon became strained. Sharett was often kept in the dark about the scale and objectives of military operations.
A major blow to Sharett's credibility came from the failure of a secret Israeli mission in Egypt known as the Lavon Affair. The mission, intended to damage Anglo-Egyptian relations, was not authorized by Sharett and resulted in the arrest and torture of Jewish residents in Egypt.
The political crisis that followed exposed Sharett's lack of control over certain security operations. He invited Ben-Gurion to take over as Defense Minister.
Retirement and Legacy
After the 1955 Knesset elections, Ben-Gurion formed a government and asked Sharett to be Foreign Minister. However, within months, Ben-Gurion demanded Sharett's resignation. Sharett left the government but remained an active member of the Knesset and Mapai.
In 1961, Sharett became chairman of the Jewish Agency Executive, where he strengthened Israel's ties with Jewish communities worldwide. He also pursued literary endeavors, writing several books on Zionism, the Jewish experience, and national figures.
Moshe Sharett died on July 7, 1965, and was buried in the Trumpeldor Cemetery in Tel Aviv. His legacy lies in shaping the strategy and tactics of modern Israeli diplomacy and fostering a generation of professional Israeli diplomats.
Beyond politics, Sharett dedicated his life to education and the development of Hebrew literature. His literary works include travelogues, speeches, and reflections on national leaders. His diaries and poetry translations have been published posthumously.
