Transformers: Ben-Gurion and the roots of Israel’s exceptionalism

Israel’s recent technological prowess in warfare, including the use of exploding pagers and walkie-talkies against Hezbollah, showcased the nation’s extraordinary capabilities.

Supporters of Israel’s foreign policy often celebrate these feats, while critics condemn them. However, despite perspective, Israel’s military and technological achievements inspire a sense of awe.

How can such a small nation consistently achieve such remarkable outcomes? The answer lies, largely, in the legacy of one man: David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s founding father and first Prime Minister.

To understand Ben-Gurion’s profound influence, it’s essential to appreciate the daunting challenges surrounding Israel’s establishment.

While the 1917 Balfour Declaration offered the Jewish people hope for a homeland, numerous setbacks followed.

These included the reversal of the Peel Commission’s recommendations and restrictions on Jewish immigration to Palestine during World War 2.

Despite all that, when Britain announced its decision to withdraw from Palestine, Ben-Gurion seized the moment to declare the establishment of Israel, against fierce opposition within the Jewish community, which feared the inevitable Arab backlash.

The decision was a calculated risk. War was certain. And Israel was going to go alone: US Secretary of State George Marshall had informed Israel that America would not support it.

But Ben-Gurion understood that if the vacuum left by the British was to be filled by hostile forces, the Jewish dream would be indefinitely delayed.

He moved forward with the declaration but simultaneously began preparing Israel for war.

The preparations were ingenious. Israeli weapons factories operated in secrecy, sometimes producing machine guns beneath laundry facilities.

Its spies scoured the globe for leftover WW2 weapons, often resorting to theft.

But that wasn’t enough: ultimately it took a crucial arms supply from Czechoslovakia for Israel to repel advancing Arab armies, who were just outside Tel Aviv.

Ben-Gurion was driven by the conviction that Israel could not afford to lose any war.

He ensured that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) became a powerful military machine, capable of winning any conflict.

He pursued a nuclear bomb, achieving it with the help of France. But when France reneged on a promise of further military supplies, Ben-Gurion decided that Israel would produce its own heavy military equipment, a toll order for a nation Israel’s size.

That led to the development of some of the most advanced tanks and fighter planes globally.

Today, those decisions have made Israel a power to be reckoned with, ranking among the world’s top ten arms exporters, and excelling in cyber warfare with toolkits like Flame, Gauss, Duqu, Stuxnet, and Pegasus.

That said, Israel still receives billions in aid, particularly from the US. But Ben-Gurion ensured that Israel remained independent.

In key moments, Israel takes unilateral actions, as it did during the Suez Crisis, the development of its nuclear program, and the 1982 Lebanon War.

It is very proactive – spying aggressively against friends and foes alike. Ben-Gurion made certain that instead of being constrained by aid, Israel was empowered.

But who was this man who instilled Israel’s unrelenting drive for survival and innovation?

Born in Poland in 1886, Ben-Gurion couldn’t afford a college education.

He moved to Palestine in 1906, quickly becoming involved in Zionist movements, and by the 1930s, he led the largest Zionist organisation in the world.

His focus was clear: the establishment of a Jewish state.

It took time for him to become a visionary leader. His strength lay in his ability to learn and adapt.

He grasped the importance of global politics and ensured that Israel aligned its interests with major powers, securing their support when it mattered.

He also understood the value of the Jewish diaspora, whose arrival revitalised the new nation.

In a letter to his son Amos in 1937, Ben-Gurion outlined his vision for Israel’s future.

He foresaw a robust Jewish economy with strong agricultural, industrial, and maritime sectors.

He predicted the formation of a world-class military and anticipated the integration of millions of Jews into Israel, creating a vibrant and diverse society.

Remarkably, every aspect of this vision has been realised.

Ben-Gurion’s leadership was a blend of vision, pragmatism, and unwavering determination.

His survival instinct, honed by years of struggle, prepared Israel to face adversity head-on.

While many Jews opposed the 1947 UN Partition Plan, Ben-Gurion’s pragmatism recognised the need for compromise.

Unlike the fanatical Arab leadership, he understood the importance of having stakes on the ground.

He believed that true leaders are defined by their ability to deliver results, not by their titles or eloquence.

He famously said, “What matters is not what others say, but what we do.”

In contrast, in Tanzania, leadership is equated with holding office rather than getting things done.

Leaders come and go but the country doesn’t change. Today, some strategic institutions fear going digital because neighbouring countries might hack their systems!

Imagine soiling one’s pants in fear of countries Rwanda’s, Burundi’s or Malawi’s technological prowess!

No wonder we regard Israelis as geniuses because we cannot comprehend how they get results, even though we have thousands who can be harnessed to do the same thing.

But I guess it is easier to hate Israelis without learning anything from them.