Kruska
Diamond Member
November 22, 1963, Jerusalem, 8:30 PM: Word reached Israel that President John F. Kennedy shot in Dallas, Texas. 9:00 PM: Confirmed dead. Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol received news in Tel Aviv office. Eshkol Prime Minister only five months (took office June 26, 1963 after David Ben-Gurion resigned).
Within hours, Eshkol issued public statement: called Kennedy's death "grievous loss to all humanity," praised Kennedy as "great friend of Israel and Jewish people," ordered Israeli flags lowered half-staff, declared day of national mourning. But Eshkol's public grief contrasted with private reactions within Israeli government.
Behind closed doors, some Israeli officials expressed relief Kennedy was dead. Saw Kennedy's assassination as removing obstacle to Israel's most important strategic objective: building nuclear weapons. May 1963 (six months before assassination): Kennedy sent letter to Ben-Gurion, harshest communication ever sent to Israel. Kennedy wrote: "This Government's commitment to and support of Israel could be seriously jeopardized" unless Israel allowed full Dimona inspections. Kennedy threatening to cut American support. June 16, 1963: Ben-Gurion resigned (less than one month after Kennedy's ultimatum).
November 22, 1963: Kennedy assassinated. Ben-Gurion public statement: "deep sorrow." Privately: expressed relief (according to later accounts). Shimon Peres (Deputy Defense Minister) later wrote in memoirs: Kennedy's death "seen in Israel with concern but also some hope." Yitzhak Rabin (IDF Chief of Staff) wrote in autobiography: Kennedy's pressure "might ease." Avner Cohen (Israeli historian): Kennedy's assassination "seen in Israel's nuclear establishment as removing significant obstacle to nuclear program." Former official told Cohen: "While no one in Israel celebrated Kennedy's death, there was sense of relief. Kennedy had been their greatest threat to "Dimona".
His death removed that threat." Lyndon Johnson became president November 22, 1963. Within days, American policy toward Israel changed completely. Johnson didn't pressure Israel on nuclear weapons. 1966-1967: Israel achieved nuclear capability. The Program Kennedy fought to stop, succeeded under Johnson.
It certainly raises questions, taking Israels present "open" actions, in regards to assassinating other countries leadership and Presidents.
Within hours, Eshkol issued public statement: called Kennedy's death "grievous loss to all humanity," praised Kennedy as "great friend of Israel and Jewish people," ordered Israeli flags lowered half-staff, declared day of national mourning. But Eshkol's public grief contrasted with private reactions within Israeli government.
Behind closed doors, some Israeli officials expressed relief Kennedy was dead. Saw Kennedy's assassination as removing obstacle to Israel's most important strategic objective: building nuclear weapons. May 1963 (six months before assassination): Kennedy sent letter to Ben-Gurion, harshest communication ever sent to Israel. Kennedy wrote: "This Government's commitment to and support of Israel could be seriously jeopardized" unless Israel allowed full Dimona inspections. Kennedy threatening to cut American support. June 16, 1963: Ben-Gurion resigned (less than one month after Kennedy's ultimatum).
November 22, 1963: Kennedy assassinated. Ben-Gurion public statement: "deep sorrow." Privately: expressed relief (according to later accounts). Shimon Peres (Deputy Defense Minister) later wrote in memoirs: Kennedy's death "seen in Israel with concern but also some hope." Yitzhak Rabin (IDF Chief of Staff) wrote in autobiography: Kennedy's pressure "might ease." Avner Cohen (Israeli historian): Kennedy's assassination "seen in Israel's nuclear establishment as removing significant obstacle to nuclear program." Former official told Cohen: "While no one in Israel celebrated Kennedy's death, there was sense of relief. Kennedy had been their greatest threat to "Dimona".
His death removed that threat." Lyndon Johnson became president November 22, 1963. Within days, American policy toward Israel changed completely. Johnson didn't pressure Israel on nuclear weapons. 1966-1967: Israel achieved nuclear capability. The Program Kennedy fought to stop, succeeded under Johnson.
It certainly raises questions, taking Israels present "open" actions, in regards to assassinating other countries leadership and Presidents.
