David Ben-Gurion finally steps down as prime…

David Ben-Gurion finally steps down as prime minister in June 1963, angered by the results of a review of the decade-old Lavon affair that has not, in his view, attached blame adequately to those responsible for that failed and illegal operation.

His efforts at building the Israeli state have also brought him into conflict with his own party's ideology, the Orthodox religious establishment, and the international Zionist movement.

The more cautious Levi Eshkol, minister of finance, becomes prime minister, giving the impression that Israel will be less willing to engage the Arab world in hostilities.

Moshe Dayan resigns as minister of agriculture during the political conflict between factions led by Ben-Gurion and by Eshkol.