Architect of Diplomacy
The enduring legacy of Moshe Sharett, Israel's second Prime Minister and first Foreign Minister, a statesman who navigated the nation's formative years with a vision for peace and moderation.
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Early Life & Education
Origins and Migration
Moshe Sharett, born Moshe Chertok on October 15, 1894, in Kherson, Russian Empire (present-day Ukraine), was destined for a life of significant public service. His parents were Yaakov Chertok and Fanya nรฉe Lev. In 1906, his family embarked on a pivotal journey, immigrating to Ottoman Palestine. They initially settled in the village of Ein-Sinya, north of Ramallah, for two years before moving to Jaffa in 1910. The Chertok family later became one of the founding families of Tel Aviv, a city that would become a vibrant center of the nascent Jewish state.
Academic Pursuits
Sharett was among the first graduates of the prestigious Herzliya Hebrew High School. His intellectual curiosity extended beyond traditional studies, as he also pursued music at the Shulamit Conservatory. He then traveled to Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, to study law at Istanbul University. Notably, he shared this academic environment with future Israeli leaders Yitzhak Ben-Zvi and David Ben-Gurion. However, the outbreak of World War I interrupted his legal studies.
Linguistic Prowess
Sharett possessed remarkable linguistic abilities, which would prove invaluable in his diplomatic career. He was fluent in Turkish, English, and Russian, languages closely related to his native tongue. Additionally, he had a working knowledge of German, French, and intermediate Arabic, enabling him to navigate complex international and regional dialogues with greater ease and understanding.
Political Ascent
Early Activism
Following World War I, Sharett dedicated himself to the Zionist cause, working as an agent for Arab affairs and land purchases on behalf of the Assembly of Representatives of the Yishuv (the Jewish community in Palestine). He became an active member of Ahdut Ha'Avoda, a Zionist socialist party, and later joined Mapai, the dominant labor party in the Yishuv and early Israel.
London and Journalism
In 1922, Sharett furthered his education at the London School of Economics. During his time in London, he was actively involved with the British Poale Zion movement and served as an editor for the "Workers of Zion" publication. It was here that he first encountered Chaim Weizmann, a prominent Zionist leader and future first President of Israel, a relationship that would influence his political trajectory. Upon returning to Mandatory Palestine, he contributed to the "Davar" newspaper from 1925 to 1931.
Jewish Agency Leadership
In 1931, Sharett assumed the role of secretary for the Jewish Agency's political department. His leadership was further solidified in 1933 when he became the head of the department following the assassination of Haim Arlosoroff. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in shaping the Yishuv's foreign relations and political strategy during the critical years leading up to Israel's independence.
Wartime Diplomacy
During World War II, Sharett was deeply involved in efforts to facilitate the emigration of Jewish refugees stranded in Europe and the East. This included complex negotiations that led to the deportation of Polish Jewish refugees, including children, to Tehran with Soviet agreement. He also founded the Jewish Brigade, a military formation that fought alongside the British Army during the war. His approach was characterized by a principled Zionism, a strong opposition to fascism, and a pragmatic realism that favored cooperation with the Mandate authorities, a stance he shared with Chaim Weizmann.
Founding the Nation
Declaration and Knesset
Moshe Sharett was a pivotal figure in the establishment of the State of Israel, proudly signing its Declaration of Independence. In the inaugural Israeli election of 1949, he was elected to the Knesset, Israel's parliament. His immediate appointment as the country's first Minister of Foreign Affairs underscored his critical role in shaping the new nation's international standing.
Armistice Agreements
During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Sharett was instrumental in negotiating the cease-fire agreements that brought an end to the conflict. He oversaw the signing of armistices with Lebanon, Transjordan (later Jordan), and Syria. His diplomatic efforts were supported by figures like Dr. Ralph Bunche of the United Nations, who drafted the UN treaty and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in the region. These agreements were crucial in defining Israel's initial borders and establishing a fragile peace.
Global Recognition
As Foreign Minister, Sharett tirelessly worked to establish diplomatic relations with numerous nations worldwide, a monumental task for a newly independent state. His efforts were key to Israel's successful admission to the United Nations, a significant step in gaining international legitimacy. He held this crucial portfolio continuously until June 1956, even during his tenure as Prime Minister.
Prime Ministership
Succession and Challenges
In 1953, David Ben-Gurion temporarily withdrew from politics, and Moshe Sharett was chosen by the Mapai party to succeed him as Prime Minister. Sharett led the fifth and sixth governments of Israel during a period marked by escalating tensions in the Arab-Israeli conflict, particularly with Gamal Abdel Nasser's Egypt. His premiership was characterized by a more cautious and diplomatic approach to regional security, often contrasting with the more assertive stance of his predecessor and successor.
The Lavon Affair
A significant challenge during Sharett's time as Prime Minister was the "Lavon Affair" in 1954. This clandestine operation involved Israeli intelligence activating cells of local Jews in Egypt to carry out sabotage in Alexandria and Cairo. The aim was to destabilize Nasser's regime and potentially encourage continued British presence in Egypt. The operation involved throwing firebombs into American libraries and cinemas, causing minimal damage but leading to the arrest and torture of 13 Jewish youths. Two prisoners, including Israeli agent Meir Max Bineth, committed suicide, and two others, Moshe Marzouk and Shmuel Azar, were tragically hanged after being found guilty of spying.
Principles of Moderation
A Diplomat's Diary
Sharett's personal diaries offer profound insights into his political philosophy, revealing his deep concern over the "senseless denigration of duty lacking credibility." He frequently reflected on the concept of Havlagah, a policy of self-restraint in military matters that he and Ben-Gurion had advocated in the 1930s. Sharett vehemently opposed vengeful killings, viewing them as emotionally charged responses devoid of moral sentiment, arguing that a policy of reprisal merely served to justify excessive force.
Against Belligerence
Sharett's pacific doctrine often found itself at odds with the more hawkish approaches of figures like David Ben-Gurion and Defense Minister Moshe Dayan. He was particularly wary of any actions that might provoke moral outcry from European powers or lead to an arms trade embargo against Israel. His tenure as Prime Minister was a period where he attempted to steer Israel towards a path of restraint and diplomatic resolution, a stark contrast to the more aggressive military operations that would follow his departure from the premiership, such as Operation Black Arrow.
Gaza Raid Aftermath
The Gaza Raid of February 28, 1955, which occurred shortly before Ben-Gurion replaced Sharett as PM, exemplified the clash of these philosophies. This operation, targeting military installations, resulted in casualties on both sides (8 Israelis and 37 Egyptians). Sharett was deeply concerned with minimizing casualties and the moral implications of such actions. An adjutant reported the casualties to Sharett, highlighting the human cost of military engagements that diverged from his principles of moderation.
Final Political Years
Return of Ben-Gurion
Following the November 1955 elections, David Ben-Gurion once again assumed the role of Prime Minister, replacing Sharett as the head of the Mapai list. Sharett, however, retained his position as Foreign Minister in Ben-Gurion's new government. This period saw a further intensification of the uneasy diplomatic relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, particularly Egypt under Nasser, which evolved into open hostility.
Resignation and Retirement
Sharett's commitment to a more restrained foreign policy ultimately led to his resignation as Foreign Minister on June 18, 1956. He stepped down in protest against what he perceived as the new government's increasingly bellicose and dangerously precipitate policies. After this, Sharett decided to retire from active government service, marking the end of a distinguished career at the forefront of Israeli politics.
Post-Political Endeavors
Even in retirement, Sharett remained dedicated to public life and Zionist institutions. He served as chairman of the Am Oved publishing house, contributing to the cultural and intellectual landscape of Israel. He also chaired Beit Berl College, an academic and political studies institution, and held the esteemed positions of Chairman of the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency. He passed away in Jerusalem on July 7, 1965, and was laid to rest in Tel Aviv's Trumpeldor Cemetery.
Commemoration & Legacy
The Diaries Revealed
Moshe Sharett's personal diaries, first published by his son Yaakov in 1978, have become an indispensable primary source for understanding early Israeli history and foreign policy. In 2007, the Moshe Sharett Heritage Society, founded by Yaakov, uncovered thousands of passages that had been omitted from the initial publication. These newly revealed entries included "shocking revelations" concerning Defense Minister Pinhas Lavon, offering a more complete and nuanced perspective on the political events of the time. A new, more comprehensive edition of his diaries was subsequently published, with only a few words remaining classified.
Public Recognition
Sharett's profound impact on Israel is widely recognized through numerous public commemorations. Many cities across Israel have named streets, schools, and other landmarks in his honor. These include prominent locations in Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Ramat Gan, Rishon LeZion, Herzliya, and Holon, ensuring his name remains etched in the public consciousness.
On the National Currency
From 1988 to 2017, Moshe Sharett's portrait graced the 20 Israeli New Shekels (NIS) banknote. The initial design featured his image alongside the names of his books in small print, with a subtle depiction of him presenting the Israeli flag to the United Nations in 1949. The reverse side showcased the Herzliya Hebrew High School, his alma mater. In a 1998 graphic revision, the list of his books on the front was replaced by an excerpt from his 1949 UN speech, and the back featured an image of Jewish Brigade volunteers, accompanied by a segment of a radio speech Sharett delivered after visiting the Brigade in Italy. In November 2017, his portrait was replaced by that of poet Rachel Bluwstein, marking a shift in the national currency's iconography.
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References
References
- Profile, sharett.org. Accessed 6 November 2022.
- Erskine B. Childers, The Road to Suez- A study in Western-Arab relations. Macgibbon & Kee, Bristol. 1962. page 184
- Sharett, Yoman Ishi, 30 oct 1956, p. 1806 in The 1956 Sinai Campaign Viewed from Asia: Selections from Moshe Sharett's Diaries, Neil Caplan (ed.), Israel Studies vol.7 no.1, p. 89; Shindler, 115
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