My Life: The Iron Lady of Israel, Golda Meir - XVI

The war and one-sided withdrawal

The hostility against Israel was organised systematically, she felt it was not a natural phenomenon. She thought that only in the liquidation of the conflict lay the hope for a better future and progress. If the hatred is abolished the future would take a different turn. Israeli representative even suggested that there can be an understanding of non-aggression and Pacific settlement.

It was a deadly game, Golda stated in the United assembly, and not in the interest of Arab people. She wanted to see the barriers fall between them. She wished that instead of fighter planes there could be irrigation pipes, tractors,guns replaced by schools and hospitals. The huge money spent on armaments could have been used for constructive purposes. Hatred and wish to destroy would never have brought hope and happiness, she thought.
She decided to reach Arabs again because she thought without cooperation there was no future. Israel had phased withdrawal from Sinai and Gaza strip, but no negotiations with Egypt were in sight. Golda tried to swallow bitterness and the feeling of betrayal, the situation was difficult, but ultimately compromise was reached. The right of free passage for ships of Israel was given instead of unconditional withdrawal. It was better than nothing. Golda expected to turn a leaf and fight against poverty, disease and illiteracy together. Of course, she thought that everything was not lost, the terror of fedayeen halted for some time, and if the need arose Israel could take up arms.

Golda tried speaking again and breaking the deadlock, she made it clear that the independence they earned would never be given up. She said that peace certainly was better for Israel and its neighbours. Hatred was not the answer to anything, cooperation was a historic necessity for both. Of course, Arab nations never accepted it. No dialogue could be established with them however she tried.

She once met US President Mr Kennedy and explained at length why it was so important to have a nation they lost centuries ago. They could not afford to lose their sovereignty, because they might lose it forever.

Golda described Israel's relationship with France and de Gaulle who was probably supporting Israel but when Israel did not follow his suggestion to do anything in 1967 in the dreadful days before the six-day war. He never forgave them.

Golda's contribution as a foreign minister

Golda felt her important contribution as a foreign minister was the role played in the progress of Latin America, Asia and Africa. This was a new area of work for Israel.

Golda explained how at one point Israel was left alone, with no one on its side, but for the nations of Africa, Israel could do a lot. They had many factors similar, foreign rules shaked off, reclaimed land, and many issues related to farming, living together and defending themselves. Independence was not offered to them easily either, there were long struggles, learning from their mistakes, high cost was paid for self-determination. Israel was forced to find the solutions to their problems and other powerful and wealthy nations probably did not face similar problems.

Israel certainly wanted African nations to vote for them, the experience of Israel could help the younger nations of Africa. African nations were helped, Golda described that it was a continuation of their traditions and it was an expression of their historic instincts. Though politically the African nations could not be with Israel, they learned a lot in the fields where Israel could train them and help them benefit from their experience. African nations deserted Israel in the time of crisis, but the efforts made by Israel were to better human life.

It was towards ' social justice ' which was an important tenet of Labour- Zionism and Judaism. The practical and theoretical knowledge was shared, and the programme was based on the logical principles which she always had faith in. It gave, she described, 'a real purpose to her life '.

They both shared the ' memories of suffering, oppression, discrimination, slavery and degradation of life too. In the novel ' Old-new land ', written by Theodore Herzl ( a Jewish journalist and political activist who was the father of modern political Zionism. Herzl formed the Zionist Organization and promoted Jewish immigration to Palestine to form a Jewish state ) he described ' the Jewish state of future '.

He stated that the terrible treatment given to African people due to their complexion. He felt Jews could assist them in saving them because they had experienced all this and saved themselves.

80 countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Mediterranean basin could be helped. Several people were brought to Israel to witness how the process of problem-solving worked. Golda too visited the African countries. Israel helped African countries in many areas. Of course,  many distanced themselves from Israel despite the benefits.

Golda worked with African nations with warmth, rather all Israeli worked with respect, this was probably never expected. All were termed this as being' colour blind ' which expressed the feelings of the African people. This was not expected of foreigners. But that helped to build a bridge between the people. Israeli people made Africans believe that intellect or fine skills were not the prerogatives of the white race, which probably was their belief for many decades. Africans too had the ability as any other people had. Arabs tried their best to vitiate the atmosphere.

Whenever any project was undertaken,3 questions were always asked. ' Was it desired? Was it needed? Was Israel in a position to help in that particular sphere? When the answers to all three were affirmative, the project was initiated.

Golda visited frequently to Africa, made herself accustomed to the heat, and lack of cleanliness and participated in many things she never even dreamt of. She liked it and the people too liked her. Many parents name their daughters after her. They had great affection.

Golda developed a bond with the African nations,' the bond of real brotherhood and shared aspirations '. She always remembered the Jews who immigrated to Israel from almost all countries, who were underprivileged,ill-educated, and deprived of many things, but expected a paradise on the earth in Israel. So she always addressed all as 'us'. Both of them had the illusions that political independence would provide the solutions in no time. Many had bitter memories and grievances against their former rulers. These African nations had the treasure of minerals, and fertile lands suitable for cocoa, cotton, sugar, and rubber, so it was not God's will that they should go hungry, she said in the UN general assembly. She expected the nations to invest in ability and energy in the future despite their plight.
Golda felt the new countries could not wait, they must develop quickly. She expected the developed countries not only to share food but also wanted the knowledge to be shared to produce food for all. The science and technology of the industrially advanced countries ought to be made available freely and fully to help find solutions to economic, social and health problems.