יומנים > יומן - מלא 28/07/1948

Wednesday, July 28, 1948

The operation last night in the south [Operation GYS - Givati, Yiftah, Sergei (Negev)] - an attack on Faluja and Iraq-Manshiyya [Plugot Junction] - did not achieve its aim. Our forces were repelled and suffered losses: 8 killed and several wounded. Shimon [Avidan] proposes attacking not Faluja but more eastward tonight. I don't think so. This is not the way to the Negev. They'll try Faluja again.

         I raised the question of kashrut [in the army]. An order exists; treif [unkosher] food hasn't been sent anywhere. The problem is with double sets of dishes and cooking on Shabbat.

         A discussion was held concerning the conscription of manpower. The Logistics Department objects that the conscription of workers who work for the army undermines options for clothing and feeding. For example, the ATA factory is about to close. There are objections to the MLB [Military Labor Brigade]. I tasked [Moshe] Zadok, Yosef Avidar, and Zvi Ayalon with examining the issue of MLB in Haifa and throughout the country.

         I asked Yigael when we'll be ready for battle - if the war resumes? He replied: If the government finally decides on the size of the military standard, and the Staff decides on the structure - it will take another month to plan [that is - by the start of September].

         - [The composition of the State Council's] Defense Committee was discussed in the Committee of Committees [later the Knesset Committee]. [David Zvi] Pinkas came to see me. There's a proposal for 2 Mapai, one each G. Z. [General Zionists], Mizrachi, Mapam, Revisionists, and one from the minorities. There's the question of HaIhud HaEzrahi - neither [Yosef] Sapir nor [Moshe] Swirsky can be removed, and they're thinking of keeping both. They'll meet once a week. There's the question of a chairman. I objected to a Revis[ionist] chairman.

         - The Committee of Five. I reported on changes in the Air Force, and problems of supply.

         - Hammer telegraphs (July 27, 1948) that the delegation wants to make purchases of 8.5 million, 1.5 thereof in Argentina and Canada, 2 million as a gift.

         US $ 5,000,000 [is needed]. He's asking for instructions to approve this plan and authorize him to borrow money.

         - Government meeting. Afterwards meeting with my associates, Yisrael [Galili], [Levi] Shkolnik [Eshkol], etc. At 1 a.m. I went home.