69 million page views

Ben-Gurion believed in defying intimidation

Reader comment on item: What Would Ben-Gurion Do?

Submitted by Dave (United States), May 28, 2020 at 21:56

In Israel's earlier, and far more insecure days, Ben-Gurion would answer terror attacks designed to scare people away with what he called his Zionist response, which was to immediately expand Jewish settlements, often at the site of the attack. This was an effective psychological technique which helped bolster morale in that it gave people a sense of pride and strength against intimidation and overwhelming odds. It was like when US Army General Anthony McAuliffe tersely replied to a German surrender ultimatum during the Battle of the Bulge with "Nuts!".

The same old game of intimidation is still going on, and in many ways Israel is still facing overwhelming odds. Israel's enemies are counting on the same old scare tactics, coupled with skillfully applied international pressure, in order to keep Israelis scared and as bottled up and on the defensive as possible. Ben-Gurion would say nuts to that, and that a Zionist response would be warranted, and that would mean expansion. Of course, it should be done in such a way that included as few hostiles as possible, but it should also be done to show that Israel cannot be pushed around with impunity.

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Submit a comment on this item

Reader comments (12) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Finding Rest in the Midst of Confusion. [123 words]M ToveyJun 1, 2020 21:55259092
stalwart [11 words]Stein,Jun 1, 2020 18:56259091
What Ben-Gurion did [56 words]heplevMay 31, 2020 05:02259077
Fulfilling the Heritage of Joy - Ben-Gurion's Legacy [124 words]M ToveyJun 4, 2020 00:23259077
1Annexation Not a Hollow Gesture [225 words]LizMay 29, 2020 11:25259067
1Acknowledging Truth - Full Israeli Sovereignty Ultimate Goal [191 words]M ToveyMay 31, 2020 18:58259067
1Ben-Gurion believed in defying intimidation [193 words]DaveMay 28, 2020 21:56259061
1Israel's independence [111 words]BernardMay 28, 2020 20:38259059
3What would Ben-Gurion do??? Here's actually what he said: [15 words]G MarcusMay 28, 2020 20:02259058
There is a third opion, and many Arab states are in favour of the annexation. [193 words]Leslie SatensteinMay 28, 2020 19:51259056
Dear Dr. Pipes [72 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
There is NO Santa ClausMay 28, 2020 08:55259051
What would Ben Gurion do [140 words]Alex BaldorMay 28, 2020 22:23259051

Comment on this item

Mark my comment as a response to Ben-Gurion believed in defying intimidation by Dave

Email me if someone replies to my comment

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

See recent outstanding comments.

Follow Daniel Pipes

Facebook   Twitter   RSS   Join Mailing List

All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes

Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes

(The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998.

For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.)