Abba Eban was barely thirty-three years old in May 1948 when he was called to represent the new State of Israel in the debates of the United Nations. Two years later when he became Ambassador to the United States he was the youngest envoy in Washington.
Eban worked with Moshe Sharett in liaison with the UN Special Commission on Palestine, which made the first recommendation for the establishment of a Jewish State. Educated at Cambridge, Eban’s oratorical skills, grasp of history and fluency in ten languages enhanced his success as one of Israel’s greatest spokesmen.
Here, Eban is seen greeting his friend in a common cause, journalist David Horowitz after a UN session. Later in 1952, Abba Eban was elected Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly.
Ralph Buntyn is executive vice president and associate editor of United Israel World Union. A historian and researcher, his many articles and essays have appeared in various media outlets.