The Legacy Of An Israeli Prime Minister: Ben-Gurion House

Every Israeli schoolchild learns three facts about David Ben-Gurion: on May 14, 1948 he declared the independence of the state of Israel and became its first prime minister; he could stand on his head, and when he retired he left Tel Aviv for the remote Negev settlement of Sde Boker, where he spent his last days. Fewer know, however, that before moving to the celebrated kibbutz, Ben-Gurion lived in an apartment in Tel-Aviv, and that he bequeathed the property to the city’s municipality. Culture Trip explores the legacy of the Prime Minister through this house.

Leading by Example

Beit Ben-Gurion stands on an eponymous boulevard, a minute’s walk from the beach, and is modestly separated from the street by a hedgerow. A thin flagpole and an understated plaque reveal the identity of the house, foreshadowing an atmosphere of a simple, almost Spartan lifestyle. Although the rooms may appear to contain incidental objects, nothing in this museum is: the interior shows that Ben-Gurion was a humble man who led by example.
The kitchen, located on the first floor, is a case in point. It is a small room that accommodates an undersized refrigerator, a stove, a sink, and several basic appliances flanked by a set of aluminium kettles and a kerosene lamp. The most colorful and elaborate item here is the juicer, whose jaws gape with comic menace. The sense of comedy, however, converts into awe and inspiration upon realizing that the very hand that pushed that juicer’s handle had also signed Israel’s declaration of independence.
Arranged on a table just outside the kitchen are objects including a coffee cup, a newspaper, a clock, and a radio. Again these are seemingly simple, everyday objects. In the context of the museum, they convey a sense of a robust working schedule characteristic of successful decision makers. For Ben-Gurion, the coffee, the newspaper, and the clock translated into energy, information, and order – the indispensable ingredients of a good day. Ben-Gurion’s charisma, distilled by history, hovers in this kitchen’s air and flows into the guest room, furnished more luxuriously. Clearly the prime minister didn’t wish to impose his habits on his visitors.

An Intellectual and a Visionary

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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