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Ben-Gurion’s Tomb National Park |
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The final resting place of Israel’s first prime minister and his wife, in a desert garden |
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Level of difficulty: easy |
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The graves of David and Paula Ben-Gurion overlook a breathtaking view of the Tsin canyon and the Avdat highlands in the heart of the Negev. The path from the parking lot to the tranquil grave site goes through a garden of carefully nurtured local flora that can thrive in the arid climate and saline conditions of the local soil.
David Ben-Gurion, who declared the establishment of the state of Israel and became its first prime minister, was arguably one of the most outstanding figures of the 20th century. Not only did he dream that the Negev could flourish, he and Paula practiced what he preached by becoming members of Kibbutz Sde Boker in 1953. In 1963, the couple retired to a modest ‘hut’ on the kibbutz, where they lived a simple life-style that amazed the bevy of world leaders who visited Ben-Gurion at home over the years.
The ‘hut’ on Kibbutz Sde Boker is now a museum managed by an institute dedicated to preserving Ben-Gurion’s heritage. A fee is charged for a visit to the hut (08-653-2717).
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How to get there:
Off the Be'er Sheva-Mitspe Ramon road (no. 40), near Midreshet Ben-Gurion (Ben-Gurion College) |
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| Useful information |  | Length of tour: | 30 minutes |  | Best season: | year-round |  | Don't miss: | view of the Tsin canyon |  | Other facilities and attractions: | wheelchair access, picnic area, souvenir shop, information station |  | Hours: | open all day |  | Phone: | 08-655-5684; 08-655-4418 |  | Fax / Email: | 08-657-0536 |  | Entrance fee: | Free |  | Entrance to dogs: | |  | Accessibility: | The tomb and the view are wheelchair-accessible | | | |
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Main tourist sites in the vicinity:
Ben-Gurion’s Hut, Havarim Cistern, Havarim Stream |
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