Golda Meir

1898- 1978

Israeli Politician

 

Israeli stateswoman Golda Meir was born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1898. She was brought by her family to the United States as a child following pogroms in the Ukraine and she grew up in Milwaukee.

In 1921, she and her husband settled in Palestine. After the establishment of the State of Israel, Meir was sent to the United States to raise money for the purchase of arms. She was very successful in her efforts.

Meir became Israel's first Ambassador to Moscow. In 1949, she was named Minister of Labor and, in 1956, Meir became the Minister of Foreign Affairs, retiring from this position nine years later.

She then became the head of the Mapai Party. Following the death of Levi Eshkol in 1968, Golda Meir became Prime Minister. She headed the government during the difficult years of the War of Attrition (1968 - 1970), as well as during the Yom Kippur War (1973).

Golda Meir played a crucial role in the strengthening of relations between America and Israel.