David Ben-Gurion and Konrad Adenauer had corresponded from the early 1950s around the Reparations' Agreement and met at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York in 1960. Their relations went beyond those between two statemen and there was a mutual respect and admiration.
This photograph was taken during Adenauer's visit to the Negev in May 1966. David Ben-Gurion had moved to Kibbutz Sde Boker, a small settlement in the south of Israel, distant from other towns, in 1953 at the age of 67. He believed in the importance of the Negev desert and wanted many people to move there. He served as a personal example and lived there from 1953-1955 and again from 1963 until his passing in 1973. Paula, his wife, then aged 62 in 1953, moved to Sde Boker with him and passed away in 1968. His library and work study were his pride and joy and numbered around 5000 books. He insisted that any dignitary wishing to meet him had to come to his Desert Home. Konrad Adenauer visited Ben-Gurion in May 1966, and a lively discussion took place on philosophy and science.
In the first photograph Adenauer appears calm and engaged despite the hot weather and the suit he was wearing. Legend has it that Ben-Gurion wanted to take him for a long walk and Paula became angry at Ben-Gurion for not considering the advanced age of Adenauer and the hot weather the latter was unused to. The photograph exudes informality and a close relationship between the two leaders.
The second photograph was taken on the same day of the visit and attracted many members of the Kibbutz, as can be seen by those curious onlookers looking through the window. It is clear from the photograph that Adenauer was the centre of attention. It was very rare for such a dignitary to visit the communal dining hall. In kibbutzim of that time, meals were eaten together in a makeshift structure. The photograph shows the informal ties between the two leaders and the friendship between them.
