Sde Boker – Where Ben-Gurion Retired

ben-gurion-hut

In the 1952 a group of young idealistic Jewish pioneers established Sde Boker in the in the heart of the Negev desert. The Kibbutz is famous for being joined by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, after his retirement. Ben-Gurion is also buried near the Kibbutz, overlooking Nahal Tzin. Today, Ben-Gurion’s desert home and tomb are national monuments.

Ben-Gurion’s Desert Home in Sde Boker

Known as ‘Ben-Gurion’s Hut,’ the humble wooden home where Ben-Gurion lived when re retired to Sde Boker is preserved in its original form, as he requested in his will. The original 1960s furniture, the humble bedroom, kitchen, and his library, packed with books, are all left as they were when David and Paula lived there. Today, an innovative multi-media visitors’ center next to his house presents Ben-Gurion’s dramatic decisions in the formative years of the state of Israel.

Ben-Gurion’s Tomb

In 1968, after his wife, Paula, passed away, Ben-Gurion and his son chose a cliff overlooking the desert, 2 miles south of the kibbutz, to be her burial place. In his will, Ben-Gurion asked to be buried there as well. Today, ‘Ben-Gurion’s College’ and the village operate next to the tombs, which are a national park.

Touring Ben-Gurion’s Desert Home and Tomb

Ben Gurion’s desert home is open every day of the week and charges an entry fee. Ben-Gurion’s tomb is 2 miles south of the kibbutz, behind Ben-Gurion College. It is open and accessible year-round, free of charge.