Argov (Nimuytin) Nehemiah (21.12.1914, Riga – 8.11.1957, Jerusalem) – Israeli state and military figure, advisor to David Ben-Gurion.
Nehemiah Agrov’s father, Rabbi Yehoshua Chaim, was a Chabad activist and a prominent member of the Mizrachi movement. He led a religious-national elementary school with Hebrew instruction and was one of the initiators of the Tushiya Hebrew Gymnasium in Riga, where he also taught.
Nehemiah Argov studied in his father's schools but, at the age of 13, joined the HaShomer HaTzair – Netzach movement. He wanted to drop out of school to train for agricultural work in preparation for aliyah, but at his father’s insistence, he completed his studies at the gymnasium.
Career and Military Service
• 1935 – Immigrated to Israel and joined the Haganah. He was among the founders and defenders of Kibbutz Ein Gev on the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret).
• 1939 – Left the kibbutz and moved to Haifa, working in various jobs before becoming an officer in the Haganah’s propaganda department.
• He served as a military advisor to the Haganah commander in Haifa and later became chief of staff for Yaakov Dori, Yitzhak Sadeh, and Israel Galili.
• 1948 – After the establishment of the State of Israel, he was appointed military advisor to Minister of Defense and Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.
• 1950 – Transferred to the role of military secretary to Ben-Gurion.
• 1952 – Completed officers' training and attained the rank of colonel.
• 1954–1955 – Worked at the IDF General Staff, where he completed paratrooper training.
• 1955 – With Ben-Gurion’s return as Prime Minister, Argov once again became his military advisor and loyal aide.
Tragic Death
On 2 November 1957, after an incident in the Knesset, Ben-Gurion was hospitalized. Upon hearing the news, Nehemiah Argov rushed to the hospital but, on the way, hit a cyclist, the father of four children.
After ensuring an ambulance arrived for the injured man, Argov continued to the hospital to be with Ben-Gurion, whom he deeply respected and loved like a father.
Later, upon learning that the injured cyclist was in critical condition and unlikely to survive, Argov was overcome with guilt and took his own life.
To protect Ben-Gurion, who was still in the hospital, a special edition of the newspaper was printed without any mention of Argov’s death.
Legacy
On the first anniversary of his death, Argov’s friends published a book of memoirs, including his correspondence and diary excerpts.
In Kfar Blum, a memorial center was established in his honor, featuring a conference hall and a sports complex, named “Yad Nehemiah”.
References:
• Tidhar Encyclopedia, Tel Aviv, Vol. 10, 1959, pp. 3553–3554.
• Ministry of Defense memorial page for Argov.
http://www.izkor.gov.il/izkor86.asp?t=90211