Chaim Weizmann
1874 – 1952 Israeli (born in the Russian Empire) chemist, Zionist leader, first president of Israel
Chemist and Zionist leader whose lobbying helped secure the Balfour Declaration; he became Israel's first president.
- Religion
- Jewish
- Affiliations
- World Zionist Organization
Chaim Weizmann was a chemist born in the Russian Empire who settled in Britain and became a central figure in the Zionist movement. His scientific work on acetone production aided the British war effort in the First World War and gave him access to leading politicians. He used that standing to lobby for British backing of a Jewish national home, work that helped produce the 1917 Balfour Declaration. He led the World Zionist Organization for much of the interwar period, favoring gradual settlement and cooperation with Britain over confrontation. When Israel was founded in 1948 he became its first president, a largely ceremonial office he held until his death.
Connections
- rival of David Ben-Gurion — Differed sharply over strategy and leadership before independence.
- rival of David Ben-Gurion — Shared the goal of a state but clashed over strategy and leadership of the movement.
- associate of Theodor Herzl — Took up the movement Herzl founded, while pressing a more gradual, settlement-focused strategy.
- associate of Theodor Herzl — Younger contemporary who took up the Zionist cause Herzl launched, though the two differed over Herzl's diplomatic, top-down approach.
In the timeline
- 1917 The Balfour Declaration the Zionist leader whose lobbying helped secure it
- 1948 Founding of the State of Israel first president of the new state