Golda Meir – 'Bà đầm thép' của Israel | Viết Cùng Tiểu Hy | Thế Giới

Golda Meir: A Life of Steel and Sacrifice

Key Concepts:

• Golda Meir: Fourth Prime Minister of Israel, known as the “Iron Lady of Israel.”
• Histadrut: The General Federation of Labour in Israel, a powerful labor union and foundational organization in building the Israeli state.
• Kibbutz: Collective communities based on socialist principles, central to early Zionist settlement.
• War of Attrition/Yom Kippur War (1973): A pivotal conflict that significantly impacted Meir’s leadership and legacy.
• Operation Wrath of God: A covert Israeli operation targeting individuals suspected of involvement in the Munich Massacre.
• Zionism: The national movement for the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland.

1. Early Life and Education (1898-1921)

Golda Meir (born Golda Mabovitch) was born on May 3, 1898, in Kyiv, then part of the Russian Empire (present-day Ukraine). Her childhood was marked by instability, poverty, and the constant threat of anti-Semitic pogroms. She vividly remembered her father boarding up doors upon hearing news of massacres. This instilled in her a deep-seated belief that the safety and right to exist for Jews could never be taken for granted.

In 1906, her family emigrated to the United States, settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There, she received a modern education and demonstrated independent thinking, unusual for a young immigrant girl. From 1906 to 1912, she attended Fourth Street School (later renamed Golda Meir School in her honor). She displayed organizational skills and leadership qualities, co-founding the Young Poale Zion American Labor Youth organization in 1908 to raise funds for schoolbooks for disadvantaged students. At age 10, she organized a public meeting to solicit donations, showcasing remarkable boldness.

Despite family pressure to marry young and abandon her studies, Meir resolutely pursued her education. In 1913, she moved to Denver, Colorado, to live with her sister and attend North High School. The intellectual atmosphere in Denver exposed her to debates on Zionist ideology, women’s suffrage, labor movements, and contemporary literature, shaping her political and social views. She graduated from Teachers College with a diploma in 1915 and became a teacher at a school for Jewish immigrant children, deepening her connection to the struggles of the working class and reinforcing her commitment to social issues like education, welfare, and poverty alleviation.

2. Early Political Activism and Aliyah (1917-1928)

During this period, Meir maintained a relationship with Morris Meyerson, a sign painter with socialist leanings, whom she had met in Denver. They married in 1917. In 1921, the couple emigrated to Palestine (then under British Mandate), a pivotal decision marking her transition from a teacher and social activist in the US to a political activist dedicated to the Zionist cause.

3. Life in the Kibbutz and Rise within Histadrut (1921-1928)

Upon arriving in Palestine, the Meirs joined Kibbutz Merhavia, a collective settlement based on socialist principles. She engaged in manual labor – picking almonds, planting trees, tending chickens, and working in the kitchen – but her organizational skills and clear communication abilities quickly led to responsibilities like coordinating labor, participating in internal meetings, and liaising with external organizations.

She frequently represented the kibbutz at Histadrut meetings, advocating for the needs of workers. Her competence and ability to articulate collective concerns earned her recognition from Histadrut leaders. She gave birth to two children, Menachem and Sarah, while balancing labor, community involvement, and political activity. Her husband, Morris Meyerson, struggled to adapt to kibbutz life, leading to marital strain. Despite this, Meir continued her social and political work, joining women’s organizations within the Zionist movement, fundraising, and advocating for social welfare programs for workers and immigrants.

4. Building a Political Network and Return to Palestine (1924-1928)

In 1924, the family temporarily returned to the United States due to Morris’s health. While there, Meir continued her involvement in Jewish organizations, building a network and enhancing her reputation within the Zionist movement. She returned to Palestine with her children in 1928, while Morris remained in the US, effectively leading separate lives, though they never formally divorced. This marked her full-time commitment to political and social organizations in Palestine.

5. Ascension within Histadrut and the Jewish Agency (1928-1948)

After returning to Palestine in 1928, Meir settled in Jerusalem and began working full-time for Histadrut. She focused on social welfare, housing, and labor conditions, particularly for women and new immigrants. Her pragmatic approach, high work ethic, and lack of rhetorical flourish distinguished her. In 1946, she was elected to the executive of the Jewish Agency, the highest political body of the Jewish community in Palestine, operating as a proto-government during the British Mandate. This demonstrated the trust placed in her by the leadership during a critical period.

As Britain prepared to withdraw from Palestine and the threat of conflict with Arab nations loomed, Meir was sent to the United States in 1948 to raise funds and garner political support from the American Jewish community. Her speeches were remarkably successful, securing approximately $50 million – double the initial goal – for arms and equipment. This fundraising success solidified her political standing and underscored her importance to the Zionist cause.

On May 14, 1948, she was one of the signatories of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. She later recalled the emotional weight of the moment, comparing it to signing the American Declaration of Independence.

6. Diplomatic Service and Political Career (1948-1969)

Following Israel’s independence, Meir was appointed the first Israeli ambassador to the Soviet Union, a crucial diplomatic mission for the newly formed state seeking international recognition. This experience honed her diplomatic skills. She later served as Minister of Labor, focusing on expanding social infrastructure, developing housing projects, and establishing labor allocation mechanisms. Her tenure as Labor Minister demonstrated her ability to build a functioning state apparatus. She then became Foreign Minister, becoming a prominent figure on the international stage. She prioritized strengthening the strategic relationship with the United States, securing political and security support for Israel during the Cold War. She also actively cultivated relationships with newly independent African nations, leveraging shared historical experiences to build cooperation in agriculture, technology, and training. Her approach prioritized concrete results over formalities, expanding Israel’s diplomatic reach and protecting its interests.

7. Prime Ministership and the Yom Kippur War (1969-1974)

Golda Meir became Prime Minister in 1969 following the death of Levi Eshkol. She inherited a nation with a clear military advantage after the Six-Day War but faced ongoing security threats and the risk of international isolation. She maintained a strong military and prioritized national security, resisting territorial concessions.

The Yom Kippur War of 1973, launched by Egypt and Syria on the holiest day in Judaism, dramatically altered her legacy. Israel was caught off guard, exposing vulnerabilities in its intelligence and strategic planning. While Israel ultimately repelled the attack, the war resulted in approximately 2,600 Israeli deaths and over 7,000 injuries. The shock and loss of life led to widespread public outrage and a commission of inquiry (the Agranat Commission) that, while not directly blaming Meir, identified serious failures in intelligence and decision-making.

The government’s response to the war, particularly the covert “Wrath of God” operation targeting those suspected of involvement in the Munich Massacre, further fueled controversy. The botched assassination attempt in Norway, resulting in the death of an innocent Moroccan man, caused an international scandal and damaged Israel’s reputation. Facing mounting political pressure and public criticism, Meir resigned in 1974.

8. Later Life and Legacy (1974-1978)

After leaving office, Meir retired from public life and lived quietly in Jerusalem. She died on December 8, 1978, at the age of 80. She is remembered as a founding mother of Israel, a strong and determined leader who dedicated her life to the nation’s survival and prosperity. While her leadership style and the consequences of the Yom Kippur War remain subjects of debate, she is widely respected as a symbol of political courage and unwavering commitment to Israel. Henry Kissinger famously described her as “the only man in the Israeli cabinet,” a testament to her strength and decisiveness.

This summary aims to provide a detailed and specific account of Golda Meir’s life and career, preserving the nuances and complexities of her story as presented in the transcript.