GOLDA MEIR

Israeli Prime Minister in 1969-1974, respectively.

In Jewish history there are many female names that are pronounced with great respect, but the name of Golda Meir is unprecedentedly high, because it was directly involved in the formation of the State of Israel. Her whole life was spent in the struggle not just for the rights of Jews and the establishment of a full-fledged Zionist state that was destroyed two thousand years ago.

From childhood, before the eyes of Golda were terrible days of the Jewish pogroms in Kiev, where she was born. Helpless parents of children hid under the bed, and themselves, trying to fool the Black Hundreds, quickly scored the door boards. Exhausted by the constant fear of the family went to America and settled in the small town of Milwaukee. Meir lived in a poor Jewish quarter, but compared with Kiev Golda thought they were rich. Now they had a real house with two bathrooms, kitchen and veranda. School, cute, lively little girl was very fond, she quickly mastered English, and suffered only from the fact that the family Meir study was not considered a high priority, especially for females. Mother often said Golde: "Do not be too smart. Men do not like smart girls. "

Parents wanted to grow a decent and respectable wife, mistress, and therefore already look out for a solid fifteen groom for his younger daughter. However, Gold was a girl with a very independent and strong character.

Photo — «Golda Meir»

She ran away from home and went to live in Denver with his married sister of Shane. Here in Denver, she met her love - Morris Meyerson, a modest smart guy, read a lot, well knowing poetry, painting, music. Golda immediately reached out to someone who could give more inquisitive girl, and in 1917 married young. In the house of his sister Golda first met people who talked a lot about the need for a national home for the Jewish people. This idea has ever captured the Gold, and she decided that it would devote all my life.

In 1921, Golda and her husband, sister and girlfriend went to Palestine. Journey across the ocean to steamer, which was supposed to deliver it to the Jaffa, it was a nightmare. Ship anywhere no good and could hardly move, the team captain and hated without end rebelled. The food was spoiled, and drinking water salty. On board every now and then flashed a fight. The sailors threatened to flood the ship, and finally, before arriving in Naples captain either was killed, or committed suicide. Golda and her companions are no longer alive chayali to get there.

In Tel Aviv, Golda and Morris served a statement of acceptance of their membership in the kibbutz. The young woman explained that she hardly suitable for the hard life on a kibbutz, but Gold does not want to retreat. In the end, her perseverance almost cost her her life. A year later she became seriously ill and the couple were forced to leave the kibbutz and moved to Jerusalem.

Photo — «Golda Meir»

In this city at the Golda was born the son of Menahem and his daughter Sarah. They lived hard work was not. Once Golde asked to become Secretary of female council worker union. From this day begins active public work of Golda Meir.

Life in Palestine was very complex, constantly clashed with the Arabs, the Jewish population lived almost in poverty, therefore, mindful of his American citizenship, Gold decided to go to the New World, to ask for help from wealthy Jews. However, this first trip was not very successful. Not only found people who believed in the new Zionist state and wanted to help. Amounts that Golde failed to scrape together in the States, were simply ridiculous. In one city, she collected 17 dollars and 40 cents in the other - $ 76. And only in a small town in the Midwest Golda presented more or less decent amount.

"How did you do?" - She asked.

"We played cards and all the losses is in favor of Palestine. "

For young Golda terribly outraged by this method of production of money, but, on reflection, she came to the conclusion that the card is not the worst way to earn money.

The threat of World War II was more than real, it was necessary to take all measures to organize the immigration of Jews. The British refused point blank to admit to Palestine of those Jews who had fled from Hitler. An idea to create your own fleet.

Photo — «Golda Meir»

Golda Meir is seeking permission from the authorities to bring to Palestine, orphans and children under one year who died in refugee camps in Cyprus.

At the time of the creation of a Jewish state Golda Meir had already become known in the Jewish world community activist. She was one of those who made the declaration of independence his signature. However, the evening with songs and dances that ended the ceremony of the State of Israel has brought joy and calm Golda Meir. She knew that at midnight, as soon as the mandate and the British High Commissioner sail on the ship, the Arab armies will move the boundaries of the state and war breaks out. For Meir was very clear the main task: to prevent the scattering of the Jews, although their numbers in Israel was only 650 thousand.

Golda again goes to the U. S. . At this time, here she is greeted with great warmth. She falls from exhaustion - meetings, speeches, stories about Israel. Meir later recalled that it was in America she was surprised to get used to the new word "Israel" and the fact that her new citizenship. It could prove a rich American Jews that the state can not live under the applause, but the war did not win the speeches. The answer was given - an unprecedentedly generous and quick, Meir collected $ 150 million.

Two great state - the USSR and the United States - recognized Israel almost immediately, and the question arose about the organization of the embassies in those countries.

Photo — «Golda Meir»

Apparently, a difficult childhood Golda in Kiev was sufficient to warrant the appointment of its ambassador to the USSR. Russian she had forgotten. Her secretary Elga Shapiro wrote Golde in Tel Aviv: "There's where you go, very cold winter and there are too many coats. Nork not necessarily buy, but good Iranian beaver lamb is very useful . . . You'll also need a few evening gowns, and even buy yourself all sorts of woolen garments: nightgowns, socks, underwear . . . "

They have settled all of its mission in the hotel "Metropol" typically Israeli way: as a kibbutz, but prices in Moscow have been incredible, and Golden had to find a way to stay within my meager budget. The hotel has been decided to board only once a day, and to maintain normal food Golda personally purchased electric; dishes and forks had to borrow at the hotel, so you buy them in postwar Moscow, it was impossible. Once or twice a week, the Israeli ambassador traveled to the market to buy cheese, sausage, butter, eggs, and all the products in the absence of a refrigerator decomposed between double glazing windows, not to spoil. On Saturdays, Golda had prepared a great lunch for the family and the embassy bachelors. Later she recalled that these regular trips to the market early in the frosty morning were the most enjoyable of all that she had to endure in the Soviet Union.

Presentation of credentials is successful, then after the organization of the Israeli embassy in Moscow was given an official reception.

Photo — «Golda Meir»

At one of these dinners to Golda's wife approached the Foreign Minister Molotov, Pauline. For Meir was a pleasant discovery that she too was Jewish and fluent in Yiddish. The women talked for a long time, and parted with tears in his eyes. Soon after Pauline was arrested.

Gold and met with the writer Ehrenburg, who was then actively pursued an official policy of the Party against the Jews. Rendezvous with Mr. Ehrenburg was not as warm and sincere. The writer was drunk and behaved extremely aggressively. The conversation took place like this:

"I unfortunately do not speak in Russian - said Golda Meir. - And you say in English. "

Ehrenburg measured the Ambassador disdainful look and said:

"I hate Jews born in Russia, who speak in English. "

At that Golda retorted:

"And I regret the Jews, who do not speak Hebrew, or at least Yiddish. "

From Moscow, Meir returned to Israel to take the post of Minister of Labour. She successfully made a career and in 1969 became head of state ever went into the history of the Jewish people as a wise ruler and radetelny.