Fourth Knesset
(1959 - 1961)
The fourth
Knesset served for less than two years and early elections were
held against the background of the Lavon
Affair.
The main event during this short period was the capturing
and trying of Nazi war
criminal Adolf Eichmann. Eichmann had been caught by
the Mossad in Argentina, in May 1960, and his
trial opened before the District Court in Jerusalem in April 1961.
The first meeting in New York between Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and
German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer led to a motion of no-confidence in
the Government supported by Herut and Maki.
The abduction of the child Yossale Schuchmacher by
ultra-religious factors and his being illegally taken out of the country
was an issue which was raised several times.
Sources: The Knesset |