Gurion

David Ben-Gurion (1886-1973) was the primary national founder of the State of Israel and the first Prime Minister of Israel. A prominent Zionist leader, he played a central role in the formation of the state and shaped its early policies.

Born David Grün in Płońsk, Poland (then part of the Russian Empire), he immigrated to Ottoman Palestine in 1906. He became involved in labor Zionism and helped found the Histadrut (General Federation of Labour in Israel) in 1920.

Ben-Gurion led the Jewish Agency, the main political organization of the Jewish community in Palestine, and declared Israel's independence on May 14, 1948. He served as Prime Minister and Minister of Defence for most of the period from 1948 to 1963, leading Israel through the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Sinai War (1956), and the establishment of the country's infrastructure and institutions.

His political philosophy focused on national security, state-building, and fostering a strong Jewish identity. He emphasized the importance of settlement in the Negev desert and promoted a policy of mamlakhtiyut (statism), prioritizing the authority of the state. After resigning from office in 1963, he briefly returned to politics before retiring to Sde Boker kibbutz, where he remained until his death. Ben-Gurion is considered a towering figure in Israeli history and is widely credited with shaping the country's political and social landscape.