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David Ben-Gurion
Proclaiming Israel’s establishment in 1948 and serving as its first prime minister.
Declaration of independence · Armed forces
- Born
- 16 October 1886
- Birthplace
- Płońsk, Poland
- Died
- 1 December 1973
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Zionist political leader who directed Israel’s early state-building and wartime policies during the Palestinian Nakba.
Early life
Polish childhood
Grew up in a Jewish family in Płońsk and became involved in Zionist politics as a teenager.
Move to Palestine
Arrived in Ottoman Palestine in 1906 and worked in agricultural settlements.
Career
- 1920s–1930s
Labour leadership
Rose through the Histadrut and became head of the Jewish Agency.
- 1948–1953
First premiership
Led the new state during war, mass Palestinian displacement and institution building.
- 1955–1963
Return to office
Returned as prime minister and led Israel during the 1956 Suez invasion.
Key decisions
Declaration of independence
Announced Israel’s establishment on 14 May.
Armed forces
Oversaw the consolidation of Jewish armed groups into the Israel Defense Forces.
Suez Crisis
Joined Britain and France in military action against Egypt.
Legacy and later life
The Nakba
The 1948 war brought mass Palestinian expulsion and flight; his government barred refugees’ return.
Retirement
Spent his later years at Sde Boker in the Negev and retired from politics in 1970.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Fritz Cohen. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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