Ben-Gurion Against the Knesset
By Giora Goldberg
Price: $180.00
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- ISBN: 978-0-7146-5556-7
- Binding: Hardback
- Published by: Routledge
- Publication Date: 19th February 2004
- Pages: 344
About the Book
The power struggle between Ben-Gurion and the Knesset was not primarily concerned with who should hold the reins of power, but with the ideals that should lie behind 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 capable of dealing with the more mundane administrative tasks. He therefore denied the Knesset the right to take part in the policy-making process, caused a decline in the support of the elite and the general public, encouraged partisanship, and endeavored to reduce competitiveness. Ben-Gurion was so dismissive of the Knesset and its members, that he would not even attend parties at which Knesset members were being given awards.