Moshe Novomeysky - After The Establishment of The State

After The Establishment of The State

In November 1948, Israel's provisional government appointed a commission to examine the Palestine Potash Company's operations and determine what action, if any, the government should take. The Yishuv's attitudes towards the company were mixed, on the one hand recognising its important contributions to the economy, and on the other hostile to its British directors. The commission acted to expel the British interests and to modify the concession's terms. At the same time, Novomeysky, 75 years of age, was forced out. Following the commission's recommendations, conditions were set to allow continued operation of the company, which were not met.

The Israeli government decided in December 1951 to start a new company, the Dead Sea Works Ltd. The new company acquired all the property of the Palestine Potash Company in July 1952, but was run without making use of the previous company's considerable experience. In the face of decreasing productivity, Mordechai Maklef was appointed director, and he soon turned around and improved the operations.

Novomeysky maintained contact with Adbullah, in hope of restoring his business. In 1957, the Technion awarded Novomeysky an honorary doctorate in the technical sciences. He died in 1961 at the age of 87, and was buried in Tel Aviv's Trumpeldor cemetery.