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David Ben-Gurion

1886 – 1973 Israeli (born in Russian Poland) Zionist leader, first prime minister of Israel

Principal founder of the State of Israel who declared independence in 1948 and served as its first prime minister.

Religion
Jewish, secular
Affiliations
Mapai, Histadrut, Jewish Agency

David Ben-Gurion, born David Gruen in Russian Poland, emigrated to Ottoman Palestine in 1906 and rose through the labor Zionist movement and the Histadrut trade union federation. As head of the Jewish Agency he became the leading figure of the pre-state community, the Yishuv. On 14 May 1948 he read the declaration establishing the State of Israel, then led it through the war that followed. As first prime minister he built the state's institutions and army, oversaw mass immigration, and pushed the Law of Return. His decisions, including the conduct of the 1948 war and the treatment of the Arab population that fled or was expelled, remain debated by historians.

Connections

  • rival of Chaim Weizmann — Differed sharply over strategy and leadership before independence.
  • rival of Chaim Weizmann — Shared the goal of a state but clashed over strategy and leadership of the movement.
  • associate of Golda Meir — Fellow Mapai leader and cabinet minister in his governments.
  • associate of Golda Meir — Fellow Mapai leader who served in his cabinets.
  • mentor of Shimon Peres — Ben-Gurion brought him into the defense establishment and shaped his early career.
  • mentor of Shimon Peres — Brought the young Peres into the defense establishment and mentored his career.

In the timeline

Wikipedia