Beyond Mamlakhtiyut and Halutziyut: The Ben-Gurion–Blaustein Understanding in Light of Ben-Gurion's Theory of Revolution

In the context of David Ben-Gurion's political thought, the understanding he reached with the American Jewish leader Jacob Blaustein on relations between Israel and the Jews of the United States bears the impact of Ben-Gurion's view of revolution. When Ben-Gurion thought about revolution, he did not limit it to the Jewish state and the concepts of mamlakhtiyut (statism) and halutziyut (pioneering) that were central to his vision for Israel; it included a vision of universal redemption for the entire Jewish people, and of humankind. Ben-Gurion saw four circles of participants in this revolution: those actively engaged in the projects of mamlakhtiyut and halutziyut, regular citizens, Diaspora Jewry, and other nations. These circles were distinct but linked, and could interact precisely because of their distinctiveness. Thus, the Ben-Gurion–Blaustein understanding underlined the independence of both American Jewry and the State of Israel, independence that enabled partnership.