History of the Fourth Knesset

History

Factional and Government Make-Up of the Fourth Knesset

The French-Israeli Alliance: Prime Minister David Ben Gurion with President Charles De Gaulle, 14.6.1960.

The Eichmann trial: Adolf Eichmann in the glass cell, 18.4.1961.

Introduction to the History of the Knesset

Select a Knesset:

The Main Events and Issues During the Fourth Knesset

The fourth Knesset served for less than two years and early elections were held against the background of the Lavon Affair.

The Lavon Affair: Foreign Minister Golda Meir with former Minister of Defense, Pinhas Lavon, 30.11.1959.

The main event during this short period was the capturing and trying of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. Eichmann had been caught by the Mossad in Argentina, in May 1960, and his trial opened before the District Court in Jerusalem in April 1961.

The first meeting, in New York, between Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, led to a motion of no-confidence in the Government, supported by Herut and Maki.

The abduction of the child Yossale Schuchmacher by ultra-religious factors, and his being illegally taken out of the country, was an issue which was raised several times.

The opening session of the Fourth Knesset,
with President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, 30.11.1959

MKs from the Torah Front, 30.11.1959.