Imagine Paula Ben-Gurion’s famous “kooch-mooch” simmering in the kitchen of Ben Gurion House. This Tel Aviv house was once the home of David Ben-Gurion Israel’s first Prime Minister. Now, it stands as a museum. It commemorates his life and legacy.
Ben Gurion House is more than just a building. It is a portal into the life of a leader. David Ben-Gurion lived here with his family between 1931 and 1953. Even after moving to Sde Boker, he kept this house as one of his residences.
The house was built in 1930-1931. It was part of a worker’s housing project. The Jewish National Fund funded it. Originally, it was a small house. It had only one room. In 1946, a second floor was added.
Let’s step inside Ben Gurion House. The first floor holds stories of critical moments. Renana’s room served as a war room during the Suez Crisis. Ben-Gurion used it as a shelter. He communicated with Moshe Dayan from here. He received updates on the operation’s progress.
Now, let’s ascend to the second floor. This was Ben-Gurion’s private domain. Here you find his library. It contains 20,000 books in multiple languages. Ancient Greek, Latin, English, and Hebrew fill the shelves. French, Turkish, German, and Russian are also present.
The library shows Ben-Gurion’s wide interests. Zionism, history, cultures, and religions are all represented. Books about fallen IDF soldiers highlight his deep respect for them.
In one of the library rooms, Ben-Gurion had his study. He wrote in his diary here. A special phone connected him directly to the Defense Ministry. This was his red phone.
Ben Gurion House played a crucial role in Israel’s history. On May 13, 1948, key figures gathered here. Aharon Zisling, Yehuda Leib Maimon, and Moshe Sharett met with Ben-Gurion. They drafted the final version of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. The next day, they went to Dizengoff House. Ben-Gurion announced the establishment of the State of Israel.
After his death, Ben-Gurion bequeathed the house to the State of Israel. He wanted it to be a museum. It should also be a research center. In 1977, the Ben-Gurion Law ensured this.
Today, Ben Gurion House is open to the public. You can take guided tours. Symposiums are held here. Memorabilia and historical documents are exhibited. They all depict Ben-Gurion’s life and work.
Notice the street name. It is Ben-Gurion Boulevard. It was originally Keren Kayemet Boulevard. After Ben-Gurion’s death, it was renamed in his honor.
Ben Gurion House offers free visits. It provides a tangible connection to Israel’s history. It allows a direct encounter with David Ben-Gurion. It is a place to understand his vision and his impact on the nation.