(haipo) – Three rare photographs, each capturing a unique moment in Haifa and Israeli history, were recently purchased in the United States and donated to cultural and memorial institutions in Israel. The photographs, taken between the 1950s and 1960s, depict key figures, official visits, and human encounters that were part of the historical mosaic of the city of Haifa. Now, having been preserved in the National Archives, they are given new life and retell the story of other days.
Golda Meir and an African critic: A diplomatic embrace in Haifa
The first photograph, taken by photographer Oskar Tauber, documents a warm, informal moment between Foreign Minister Golda Meir and an African visitor, likely during an official visit to Haifa in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The period was one of the years of building ties between Israel and the emerging African countries, and Golda Meir was one of the central figures who forged these relationships.
The photograph, donated to the National Library, reflects the spirit of the times – a combination of diplomacy, hope, and cooperation between young countries that sought to shape their future.
Dado Elazar and Shlomo Taburi: A meeting between a fighter and a community leader
The second photo documents a moving meeting between former Chief of Staff David “Dado” Elazar and Shlomo Taburi, who served for many years as chairman of the Friends of the IDF Association in Haifa. The embrace between the two symbolizes the deep connection between the IDF and the city’s civilian community, and the mutual appreciation between fighters and those who worked tirelessly to support them.
The photograph was given to the Israel Museum, where it joins a wide collection of images documenting the key figures in shaping Israeli society and security.
Royal visit to Haifa: King and Queen of Belgium at the Dan Carmel Hotel
The third photograph shows King Baudouin of Belgium and Queen Fabiola as they arrived at the Dan Carmel Hotel in Haifa during their official visit to Israel in 1964. The royal visit was one of the most prominent international events of the period, and Haifa, as a major port city, was a natural stop on the route of events.
The photo was given to the Central Zionist Archives, and a digital copy was also transferred to the ANU Museum of the Jewish People's photo database, where it is added to a broad documentation of diplomatic visits to Israel.
Summary
These three photographs, kept for decades away from Israel, are now returning to the place where they were taken, giving the public a rare glimpse into small but significant moments in Haifa and Israeli history. They remind us that the past lives not only in official documents, but also in the smiles, hugs, and encounters recorded through the lens of the camera.
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Great! We were so proud to be Israelis back then!!!!!
Exciting pictures
Former Haifa resident 👏❤️
It's very possible that my mother was invited to an event with the King of Belgium.
She is a former Belgian and was closely linked to the Belgian missions in Haifa.
I remember the royal couple from Belgium well.
I lived next to the hotel and all the neighborhood kids were standing around waiting for them to show their faces.
Shlomo Tabori was the chairman of the Association for the Soldier's Welfare in Haifa.
It is not clear what prompted you to survey photos that were given to museums in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv instead of checking what exists in museums in Haifa and the north, and why were events that happened in Haifa given to the Israel Museum or the Ano Museum and not to the Municipal Museum in Haifa?