Benjamin Steinberg (1920–1975) was a Motswana (that is, a Botswana national) cattle rancher and politician who was the first Treasurer of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and the first White Batswana Member of Parliament in 1965.
[1] Born to a prominent Jewish family in Lobatse, Steinberg became a successful trader and rancher in Serowe before he became active in politics.
In 1973 he resigned his post in protest at his government's decision to sever ties with Israel, a decision Botswana made in response to what was, in their view, Israel's unwillingness to abide by UN resolutions.
In particular, the government of Botswana objected to a perceived lack of progress in complying with the 1967 United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 to quit recently occupied Palestinian territory.
[2] Steinberg died in South Africa in 1975, after traveling to a hospital in Pietersburg for brain surgery.