Moshe Sharett

Moshe Sharett was a central figure in the founding and early governance of the State of Israel. Born Moshe Chertok in 1894 in Kherson, within the Russian Empire, he later moved to Ottoman Palestine in 1906.

Sharett was a highly educated leader who studied music and law. He attended Istanbul University before World War I interrupted his studies. During the war, he served as a first lieutenant in the Ottoman Army. He worked as an interpreter because he was multilingual. He spoke Turkish, English, and Russian fluently. He also possessed knowledge of German, French, and Arabic.

Sharett's political career began in earnest during the period of the British Mandate. In 1931, he became the secretary of the Jewish Agency's political department. Following the assassination of Haim Arlosoroff in 1933, Sharett rose to head that department. He was a principled Zionist and a practical realist. This meant he sought to make Palestine a viable homeland through cooperation with Mandate authorities. During World War II, he dealt with the complex issue of Jewish refugees. He met with representatives like Joel Brand to discuss emigration from Europe.

Sharett was also an opponent of fascism and worked to support Jewish interests during the war.

In 1948, Sharett played a vital role in the establishment of the State of Israel. He was one of the signatories of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. Following the declaration, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was a principal negotiator during the 1948 Palestine war. Sharett helped secure various armistice agreements to end the conflict. One major negotiation occurred on the Greek island of Rhodes.

These talks involved emissaries like Yigael Yadin and Walter Eytan. They negotiated with leaders from Transjordan at the residence of King Abdullah. The final agreement was signed at the Grande Albergo delle Rose on April 3, 1949. These diplomatic efforts were essential for the new state's survival.

Sharett's leadership extended to the highest office in the land. He served as the Prime Minister of Israel from 1954 to 1955. His term occurred between two periods of premiership by David Ben-Gurion. During his time as Foreign Minister, which lasted from 1948 to 1956, he established many diplomatic relations. He worked to secure Israel's admission to the United Nations. He also attempted to improve relations with the Holy See by meeting with Pope Pius XII in 1952. His career was defined by his ability to manage international affairs while the nation was still very young.

His premiership was marked by intense internal and external challenges. The Arab-Israeli conflict grew more difficult, especially with Egypt under Nasser. A major political crisis known as the Lavon Affair occurred during this time. This crisis involved a series of sabotage operations in Egypt carried out by a secretive unit called Unit 131. These operations included firebombing American libraries and cinemas in Cairo and Alexandria. The fallout from these actions led to the arrest and torture of several individuals.

The resulting political blame between Defense Minister Pinhas Lavon and his intelligence chief caused a split in the Mapai party. This instability eventually led to the resignation of Lavon and the return of Ben-Gurion to politics.

Sharett often found himself at odds with more aggressive military policies. He was a proponent of moderation and restraint, a concept known as Havlagah. He believed that vengeful military actions were emotional responses that lacked moral sentiment. He feared that excessive use of force would lead to international outcry or arms embargoes. This tension was evident during the Gaza Raid, which was one of the bloodiest operations since the 1949 armistice. In that operation, 8 Israelis and approximately 37 to 38 Egyptians died. Sharett's preference for diplomacy often clashed with the views of leaders like Moshe Dayan.

Ultimately, Sharett's legacy is tied to the delicate balance of nation-building. He navigated the transition from a political agency to a sovereign state. He managed the complexities of foreign diplomacy during a period of constant regional tension. While he sought a path of peace and restraint, he operated within a highly volatile political environment. His work helped lay the diplomatic foundations for Israel's place in the international community. He remains a significant figure for his dedication to both the survival and the moral standing of his country.