Primary Sources: People - 1970s: Meir, Golda

Michael Freedland marks the death of Israel’s first woman prime minister, Golda Meir by speaking to former British prime minister, Harold Wilson and others.

Golda Meir had already retired from public life when she was elected to serve as prime minister of Israel. Thrust into the role at a critical time in her nation’s history, she strove to balance many conflicting issues: Arab-Israeli hostilities, U.S. support, and the desire to maintain the upper hand in the Middle East. This program presents a multifaceted portrait of Golda Meir drawn by those who were close to her personally and politically. Her private secretary, former cabinet members, Henry Kissinger, friends, and those critical of her decisions—especially concerning the Yom Kippur War—reflect on Meir as an individual and as a world leader. (Portions in other languages with English subtitles, 55 minutes)

National Archives - Golda Meir Interview - National Security Council. Central Intelligence Agency. (09/18/1947 - 12/04/1981). - This film shows Golda Meir, who was interviewed about Arab - Israeli relations and terrorists. - DVD Copied by IASL Scanner John Williams. - ARC 642178 / LI 263.222

National Archives - Golda Meir Interview - National Security Council. Central Intelligence Agency. (09/18/1947 - 12/04/1981). - This film shows Golda Meir, who was interviewed about Arab - Israeli relations and terrorists. - DVD Copied by IASL Scanner John Williams. - ARC 642178 / LI 263.222

After more than 40 years of service to the Zionist cause, Meir was elected as Israel's prime minister in 1969. Meir was the first woman to serve in the post.

This video features five critical speeches: Winston Churchill's two wartime speeches; Adlai Stevenson's Cuban Missile Crisis speech to the UN; Richard Nixon's "Checkers" speech; Barbara Jordan's statement on impeachment; and Golda Meir's "Peace in the Middle East" speech.

"Perspectives on Israel at war – from the War of Independence to the Gaza War
of 2012 – from those writing at the time, the primary sources of history."

Prime minister of Israel, Golda Meir, visits Israeli troops in the Sinai desert

"...a unique recording of an interview with Golda Meir in Yiddish that the journalist Shlomo Ben-Israel had conducted at her offices in Jerusalem. The interview was originally broadcast on the Forward’s radio station WEVD in 1971."