A State at Any Cost: The Life and Legacy of David Ben-Gurion

Harry C. Sigman Distinguished Lecture in Israel Studies

David Ben-Gurion (Photo credit: National Photo Collection of Israel.)

On Israel's Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzma'ut), renowned Israeli historian and author Tom Segev will discuss his biography of David Ben-Gurion, and how Ben-Gurion's legacy continues to shape Israel's identity and policies even today. Segev's talk will be followed by a conversation with Nazarian Center director, Prof. Dov Waxman, and audience Q&A.

Thursday, April 15, 2021
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM (Pacific Time)

Click the link above to register and join the online event. After registering, you will be emailed a meeting link and ID information to join us via Zoom on your computer, tablet, smartphone, or to call into the event on your phone. If you do not receive your email confirmation, check your spam or junk mail folders.

Note: This live event will be recorded and posted online afterward for later viewing on the Y&S Nazarian Center's multimedia page.

About the Speaker

Tom Segev is a leading historian and one of Israel’s most distinguished journalists. He was born in Jerusalem in 1945 to parents who fled Nazi Germany. Segev holds a BA in History and Political Science from the Hebrew University and a Ph.D. in History from Boston University.

In 2000 and 2010, Segev’s books were included in The New York Times’ Best Books of the Year lists. In 2001, Segev’s One Palestine, Complete (2000) was the first title ever to win the National Jewish Book Award in two categories. Formerly a reporter and columnist for Haaretz, Segev has published nine works, which have appeared in 15 languages.

Most recently published is A State At All Costs: The Story of David Ben-Gurion (New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2019). In this definitive biography, Segev uses large amounts of previously unreleased archival material to give an original, nuanced account, transcending the myths and legends that have accreted around the man. Segev’s probing biography ranges from villages in Poland to Manhattan libraries, London hotels, and the hills of Palestine, and shows us Ben-Gurion’s relentless activity across six decades. Along the way, Segev reveals for the first time Ben-Gurion’s secret negotiations with the British on the eve of Israel’s independence and much more.

About the Harry C. Sigman Distinguished Lecture in Israel Studies

The lecture series is named for the late Harry C. Sigman, a longtime Los Angeles attorney, UCLA alumnus, and generous supporter of the UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies. The series was created through a major endowment gift from Mr. Sigman’s estate and supports public presentations by leading experts on a range of Israel-related topics, as part of the program of the Nazarian Center. Sigman specialized in U.S. and international commercial law. He worked as a consultant to governments and NGOs all over the world and had represented the United States at the United Nations, The Hague and Unidroit (the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law) in multilateral commercial law treaty negotiations. He also taught law at the University of Southern California, UCLA and universities around the world, including in Israel. Sigman earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA and completed his law degree at Harvard University. He was a member of the State Bar of California for more than 50 years.

DISCLAIMER: The views or opinions of our guest speakers and the content of their presentations do not necessarily reflect the views of the UCLA Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies. Hosting speakers does not constitute an endorsement of the speaker's views or opinions.

Sponsor(s): Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies

A State at Any Cost: The Life and Legacy of David Ben-Gurion

Harry C. Sigman Distinguished Lecture in Israel Studies

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