Ben-Gurion Against the Knesset

Professor Goldberg examines the power struggle between Ben-Gurion and the Knesset.

This struggle was not primarily concerned with who should hold the reigns of power, but with the ideals that should lie behind the government.

Ben-Gurion did not think that the Knesset had the moral backbone required at a historic turning point in Israeli history, when the character of the nation was being developed; although he conceded that it was OK at the more mundane administrative tasks.

He was so dismissive of the Knesset and its members, that he would not even attend parties at which Knesset members were being given awards.