  Mr. Levi Eshkol assumed the office of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense in June 1963. In his first days at the Ministry, he already seemed to feel at home. He was acquainted with the defense problems even before the establishment of the State, from his period in the Haganah as well as from serving as Mr. Ben-Gurion's assistant during the War of Independence. Mr. Eshkol used to come to the Ministry of Defense when he was Minister of Finance, responsible for the finances of the State and as the person with whom Ben-Gurion consulted on the most delicate problems.
As Minister of Defense, Mr. Eshkol put emphasis on the equipment of the Israel Defense Forces, the proper management of the defense budget and mainly on obtaining weapons and especially aircraft for the strengthening of the Israel Defense Forces.
Mr. Eshkol developed unique relations with U.S. President Lyndon Johnson; during their first meeting there was "chemistry" between them, and he received from the President his approval to open a new channel, of great
importance, existing to this day, of supply of aircraft and special weapons to the Israel Defense forces.
He simultaneously saw to it to get from the Chief of the General Staff, the late Yitzchak Rabin, current reports and also made important decisions demanded from the Ministry about activities and reinforcement.
He used to visit the army, met with commanders and soldiers, and acted as their navigator, in ministerial matters as well as in directing their operations.
The Defense Establishment, both civilian and military, deeply appreciated and esteemed Levi Eshkol.
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Friends Tell:
Abba Eban, Minister of Foreign Affairs, told Eshkol that a very religious Jew in the States was reluctant to invest in the Israeli Weapon Industry, because "It says in the Bible - ... they shall beat their swords into plowshares... nation shall not lift up sword against nation..." Which means that upon the arrival of the Messiah he would lose his investment. Eshkol sent a cable to Eban : " Tell him that once he would give a guaranty for the Weapons Deal, I will guarantee that Messiah will be delayed."
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