Eshkol, Levi (1895–1969)
ESHKOL, LEVI (1895–1969)
Labor Party leader and prime minister of Israel, 1963–1969. Eshkol Levi was born in Kiev, Ukraine, and settled in Palestine in 1914, serving in the Jewish Legion from 1918 to 1920. During the British Mandate (1922–1948), he became active in labor politics and Zionism, and for three years headed the settlement department of the Palestine office in Berlin during Nazi rule, organizing immigration and transfer of funds, the "Ha'avarah," from Germany to Palestine. He also served as chief financial administrator of the Haganah.
After 1948, Eshkol held various positions in the Israeli government, including director general of the ministry of defense, minister of agriculture, and minister of finance. In 1963, following David Ben-Gurion's retirement and at his recommendation, Eshkol assumed the post of prime minister as well as that of defense minister; he later lost favor with Ben-Gurion, particularly over the Lavon Affair. During the 1967 War, Eshkol continued as prime minister but relinquished the ministry of defense to Moshe Dayan. He established a National Unity government, including the right-wing Gahal bloc, which was retained in the 1969 elections but ended with Gahal's departure from the coalition in 1970. Eshkol died in February 1969 of a heart attack while in office. Golda Meir succeeded him as prime minister.
SEE ALSO Arab-Israel War (1967);Dayan, Moshe; Galal Party;Haganah;Lavon Affair.