Golda Meir as Woman and as PM of Isreal

Golda Meir

The history of Israel as a state and Israelis can not be completed with out a reference to Golda Meir. Born in the present day Ukrainian capital Kyiv in 1989, her childhood was a roller coaster journey due to the political, economic, and social upheavals faced by the Jews at that time. These formative years of her life instilled a deep sense of identity and responsibility in her for Israel and Isrealis.

In 1906, the family of Golda Meir settled in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin. However, she did not forget her Jewish culture and people. Her family actively supported her involvement in the social and political life of the community. In a time when majority of women were limited to only few roles and professions, Golda Meir believing on the Jewish cause and state vehemently worked for the Zionism.

Political Journey

Golda Meir initial foray into politics was started with the labor movements where she worked for uplift of troden ones. It was there that she worked and became companion of more zealots like her.

Through her capacity as member of the Women Labor’s Zionist Organization she saw how gender, and national or racial identity shadow the job, labor, and economic prospects of an individual.

The reforms in this sphere would not only bloster the socioeconomic and political conditions of the weak ones but also of the overall society. Her deep involvement with the General Organization of the Workers in Israel, the Histadrut, in different capacities gave a strong influence and role to this organization in the Isreali politics. Which in one sense sharpened her for the larger role and post she had to take in the Israeli politics, as prime minister!!

On Power Seat

During her tenure, the political wisdom and acumen of Golda Meir surfaced to the public in her capacity as the Labor Minister of the nascent state of Israel from 1949 tp 1956.

She devised such policies and strategies which were very helpful both for the economic growth of the Israel as well as for the absorption of the immigrant Isreali labors into the society and workforce. Her wisdom and skills were not limited to only domestic politics or the labor issues.

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When she became the Foreign Minister of Isreal in 1956, Golda Meir had to present the case of her country with the outside and also to negotiate with warring Arab neighbors. It was from here that she got more exposure to politics both at home and abroad. During her tenure as the Foreign Minister of Israel, the Suez Canal Crisis and getting the United States support for her country were the occasions where her negotiating skills could be seen at par.

But her journey was not so smooth as it depicts to us now. Even when the Israeli government, society, media, and establishment she faced the gender bias. Her critics often called her an emotional and unstable woman not fit for high stake table talks. It was nothing but the misogynistic viewpoint of these Israeli male politicians!!

The Yom Kippur War

The Arab Israel war of 1973 also known as the Ramadan War or the Yom Kippur War, was a defining moment both in the life and leadership of Golda Meir. The forces of Egypt and Syria along with the support of other ten countries attcked Israel on the Yom Kippur, the holiest day of Jews.

Before the start of war, the Israeli intelligence agencies ignored the possibility of war on the Yom Kippour. However the result was opposite for them!

The response of the Golda Meir government was severely critcized by her opponents believing that their prepparedness for war is lukewarm. Even when the neighboring Arab countries were readying for war, Meir’s government did not pay heed to it. But the Isreali government quickly allocated funds for war and also called up the reseves forces to the state borders. Though the Isreali government and forces defended the state in this war.

But the political, economic, military, and social loss were immense on both sides. This war exposed the rift between the Isreali masses and also between the military and political elites of the country.

Her Legacy and Impact

Being among the few women of the world who reached to the top echelon of power, Meir not only broke the societal barriers associated with this seat but also became the symbol of women empowerment for other to emulate. A realistic and down-to-earth woman, her achievements in recent history are astonishing ones.

Her experiences in the political realm set the practical examples for other female politicians like Angela Merkel and Margaret Thatcher irrespective of their sociopolitical or economic aftermaths of them for the Arab world.

Her critics says that her famous statement about the peace in the middle east is a war warning not a peace and safety assertion. Arabs and Palestinians should love their children more than they hate Jews. Only then a lasting peace would come in the region. That is true and also is valid for the Isreali governments and people as peace does not exist in vacuum!!

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