Zionist Movement Leadership and the Biltmore Program: David Ben-Gurion Typed Letter Signed Following the 1942 Conference in New York

David Ben Gurion

Manuscript & Autographs

Ben-Gurion, David. Typed letter signed, May 19, 1942, documents leadership communication immediately following the Biltmore Conference, a decisive moment in the political consolidation of Zionist objectives toward the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. Written while serving as head of the Jewish Agency, Ben-Gurion’s correspondence falls four days after the conclusion of the conference held in New York from May 6 to May 11, 1942, where he played a central role in advancing the Biltmore Program. That program called for the fulfillment of the Balfour Declaration and explicitly urged the creation of Palestine as a Jewish commonwealth with unrestricted Jewish immigration. The letter situates Ben-Gurion within the immediate aftermath of a strategic shift in Zionist policy, as leadership increasingly sought American political and financial support while moving away from reliance on British cooperation during World War II.

Ben-Gurion, David. May 19, 1942. 1 page. 5 x 8 inches. Typed letter signed on Winthrop letterhead. The letter reads in part, “Thank you so much for your message of sympathy. With kind regards,” signed “D. Ben-Gurion.” Though brief in content, the document’s timing anchors it to the immediate post-conference environment in which Ben-Gurion successfully advanced a program advocating Jewish immigration to Palestine and the establishment of a sovereign Jewish polity. The letter’s association with the Biltmore Conference, convened at the Biltmore Hotel, connects it to a gathering where Ben-Gurion outmaneuvered more cautious leadership, including Chaim Weizmann, who opposed severing ties with Britain.

The Biltmore Conference marked a turning point in Zionist political strategy by formalizing demands for statehood and repositioning the United States as a primary ally in the effort to establish Israel. The adoption of the Biltmore Program and its later approval by the Zionist General Council in November 1942 established a policy framework that would influence diplomatic and organizational efforts through the remainder of World War II and into the postwar period culminating in the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. This letter, written at the moment of that policy shift, provides direct evidence of Ben-Gurion’s leadership during a critical phase of Jewish political mobilization and international realignment.

Light handling wear; text remains clear and legible; signature strong. Overall very good.

Item #11358

Price: $550.00