LEADER PROFILE EIGHT
GOLDA MEIR
Golda Meir is without question one of the most powerful and influential leaders of the twentieth century. At an age when most people have long since retired, she was elected Israel’s prime minister, thus accepting the awesome responsibility of leading the youngest nation in one of the oldest and most troubled areas of the world—the Middle East.
Born in Russia, raised in Milwaukee, Golda Meir’s life can be seen as one continuous struggle—first to create an independent Jewish state, then to protect the welfare and sovereignty of that state against a sea of hostile forces that sought to erase Israel from the map. Seldom in her life, from the time she first moved to Palestine in 1921 until her death in 1978, did she experience true and lasting peace. There were always obstacles to overcome and enemies to defeat.
To trace the arc of Golda Meir’s life is to trace the history of Israel, from its birth to its rise as a powerful player on the world’s stage. Lured by Zionist leader Theodor Herzl’s dream of an independent homeland for the Jews, Golda Meir left the safety and security of life in the United States for an uncertain future in the turbulent, violent Middle East. She quickly distinguished herself as a strong advocate for her cause, and during the 1930s and 1940s she served in various Zionist organizations in Palestine, Europe, and the United States.
Then in 1948, following years of struggle, the dream of Jews worldwide became a reality—the state of Israel was created. And Golda Meir was one of the signers of the proclamation insuring Israel’s right to exist.
From there, Golda Meir served in a variety of capacities. In 1949, she was named minister of Labor and Social Insurance. She served as foreign minister from 1956 to ’66. And from 1969 to ’74, she held her country’s highest position—prime minister. She was seventy years old when elected.
As a leader, Golda Meir was bold and uncompromising. She was simple, direct, and strong. Like her mentor, David Ben-Gurion (Israel’s first prime minister), she was unyielding in her purpose and absolute in her convictions. If she wanted something, she was relentless in her efforts to make it happen. As labor minister, she fought a bitter battle against the Right to get more housing and better roads. In her role as foreign minister, and later as prime minister, she helped build up her country’s military power by securing arms, weapons, and moral support from the U.S.
One of her greatest strengths as a leader was her ability to move an audience. Although she was tough, she could also be extremely compassionate. In virtually every area of concern, she put the human element first. But with a slight twist: While most leaders are moved by the pain of an individual and indifferent to the sufferings of the masses, she was the exact opposite. She wasn’t easily swayed or impressed by individual appeals.
Throughout her political life, as the most prominent woman in a male-dominated world, Golda Meir was constantly challenged because of her gender. Her detractors charged her with being too emotional and swayed by feminine feelings rather than the cold logic necessary to successful leadership. But gender was a nonissue to her and she never allowed it to deter her from the task at hand.
Another of her great leadership attributes was her simplicity of language. She was plainspoken, sometimes to the point of being rather blunt. Unlike those who wrap their words in countless layers of diplomatic mumbo-jumbo, Golda Meir aimed for clarity and truth. Her language was always a delicate fusion of warmth and toughness.
Golda Meir ruled her government with an iron hand. At home or in the office, she was always the boss. And yet, she was quick to elicit—and assess—the opinions of others before making her final decision. She absorbed the collective wisdom of her colleagues, constantly probing them to point out and challenge her own instincts. After hearing from all sides, and after weighing the available options, she acted in a quick, clear-minded manner.
If Golda Meir had a weakness, it was her inability to forgive and forget. She held grudges. If you wronged Israel—or her—she was incapable of showing mercy. The Arab refugee problem was the perfect example of this. She was adamant in her belief that Israel was not to blame for the plight of displaced Arabs, a situation she saw as the direct result of the Arabs’ attempts to destroy Israel.
In typical, tough Golda Meir language, she said, “I am sorry; I cannot sympathize with the poor Arab states because they failed to exterminate us.”
Like any leader, Golda Meir made mistakes. Her unyielding, unsympathetic attitude toward the Arabs only served to stir Palestinian pride while furthering resentment of the Israelis. It was this bitterness that led to the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
In the aftermath of that conflict, Golda Meir was severely criticized for not being more aware of Arab troop buildups. One year later, she resigned as Israeli prime minister.
Golda Meir died in Jerusalem in 1978.
Although her political career ended on a sour note, there can be no denying the important role Golda Meir played in the creation of Israel and its subsequent rise to world prominence. In many ways, she was Israel—tough, independent-minded, and headstrong in the pursuit of freedom and liberty. Golda Meir’s spirit was as indomitable as the land for which she fought.