"BUT JERUSALEM IS NOT ONLY THE CAPITAL OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL, IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SYMBOL OF JEWISH HISTORY—A HISTORY FULL OF SUFFERING AND FAILURES, BUT, IN ITS ESSENCE, THE HISTORY OF THE VICTORY OF THE SPIRIT AND THE FAITH OVER THE PHYSICAL FORCE TRYING TO DESTROY IT"

DAYAN, Moshe. Typed letter signed. Tel-Aviv, August 3, 1967. Single sheet of paper, measuring 8-1/2 by 11 inches, typing on recto only; floated, matted and framed with a photograph; entire piece measures 20 by 17 inches. $17,500.

Typed letter signed by Moshe Dayan, written less than two months after forces led by Dayan during the Six-Day War captured East Jerusalem, thanking his correspondent for a gift, describing the centrality of Jerusalem to Jewish history, and discussing his interest in archaeology.

The letter, on Ministry of Defense letterhead, addressed to a correspondent in Illinois and dated August 3, 1967, reads: "Dear Mrs. Fagen, I was very pleased to receive your letter, for which I thank you. The occupation of Jerusalem, the Israeli rule in it, its unification and transformation into the whole Capital of Israel—all this has been for us in Israel a great historical day and a moving experience. But Jerusalem is not only the Capital of the State of Israel, it is the most important symbol of Jewish History—a history full of sufferings and failures, but, in its essence, the history of the victory of the spirit and the faith over the physical force trying to destroy it.

That is why it was a double joy for me to feel that Jews living in happiness and success, and whose home is in a wealthy country giving full satisfaction, such as the United States, have their hearts linked with Jerusalem, and fear, like we do, for the fate of the Jewish people and the centres of its culture.

I would like to express to you my special thanks for your valuable present. I have naturally never thought of using it for daily needs, but shall dedicate it to some particular purpose. When I now go through the occupied areas—Hebron, Jericho, Nablus, etc, —, I meet Arabs possessing antiquities found in their lands and dating from the periods of Ancient Israel, Canaan, etc… Archaeology being my hobby (I am not a scientist, and this is not my profession, but I have been close to it for many years), I have scruples every time I have to leave these objects behind—even if they have no museological value—in Arab hands.

Do you or your husband plan a visit to Israel in the near future? If you do come—or if your son comes—I shall be grateful if you could get in touch with me in time, so as to enable me to meet and entertain you. Yours sincerely, [signed] Moshe Dayan. M.Dayan—Rav-Aluf

N.B.: I am enclosing herewith my book on the Sinai Campaign."

Letter with neat horizontal fold, tape remnants on verso.