French President Charles de Gaulle has assured David Ben-Gurion, in a personal letter to the former Israeli Prime Minister, that he meant nothing disparaging when, at his now famous press conference in Paris last November 27, he characterized the Jews as a “domineering people” who, through the ages “have created ill will.” Gen. de Gaulle wrote to Mr. Ben-Gurion that he has only the “warmest friendship” for Israel and the Jewish people.
The French President’s letter was delivered by special messenger to Mr. Ben-Gurion’s desert retreat at Sdeh Boker. It was in reply to a letter sent by Mr. Ben-Gurion to Gen. de Gaulle following the latter’s press conference in which he assailed Israel as a war-like nation bent on expansion, and blamed her for starting the June war.
(In Paris it was reported today that, in his letter to Mr. Ben-Gurion, Gen. de Gaulle also expressed “deep admiration” for Israel’s achievements, but advised that Israel now withdraw its troops from occupied Arab areas.)
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
