Ben-Gurion's path to a "different Germany" 1952-1963

This article examines David Ben-Gurion's position on Germany as Israel's fi rst Prime Minister from 1948-1963. During this time Germany often dominated political and public discussion. Especially disputed were the following is sues: direct negotiations with Germany on the question of reparations in 19 51-1952; the arms agreement between Israel and Germany from 1957-1959; the meeting between Adenauer and Ben-Gurion in New York; the trial of Adolf Eic hmann in 1960-1962 and, the work of German scientists in Egypt from 1962-19 64. Ben-Gurion was the principal defender of relations between Germany and Israel on both pragmatic and ideological grounds. First, needing support fo r its economy and military, Israel could well use German financial assistan ce. Second, Germany had a moral obligation to compensate victims for the lo ss of property. Finally, Hitler's Germany was not Adenauer's Bundesrepublik .