David Ben-Gurion

David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel and a key figure in the founding of the State of Israel, was born on October 16, 1886.

At the age of 18, David Ben-Gurion became a teacher in a Warsaw Jewish school and joined the Socialist-Zionist group 'Poalei Zion' (Workers of Zion). This marked his early involvement in the Zionist movement and socialist ideals.

In 1905, David Ben-Gurion was involved in the Russian Revolution that took place in Poland.

David Ben-Gurion arrived at Jaffa port on September 7, 1906, and in his first postcard home, he expressed his excitement and good health after the journey. This event marked the beginning of his involvement in the Zionist movement in the Land of Israel.

On September 9, 1906, twenty-year-old David Green arrived in Eretz Israel, landing in the port of Jaffa. He then proceeded to Petah Tikva where he began working the soil for the first time, before exploring various rural Jewish settlements in pre-state Israel.

On April 12, 1909, David Ben-Gurion was active in Palestine.

On November 7, 1911, Ben Gurion traveled to Kushta to pursue his studies in law at the university located there.

In 1912, David Ben-Gurion was present in Istanbul, Ottoman Empire.

In the summer of 1914, David Ben-Gurion arrived in Istanbul on leave from his studies in Israel, coinciding with the outbreak of the First World War.

On November 2, 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, promising the Jews a 'national home' in Palestine.

In 1919, David Ben-Gurion participated in the founding of the Ahdut ha-Avodah Party and was elected as its leader.

In 1920, David Ben-Gurion established the Histadrut, a confederation of Jewish workers in Palestine, which played a crucial role in the efforts to create a Jewish state.

In 1921, David Ben-Gurion returned to Israel after the British occupation and began his active involvement in the labor movement, working alongside Berl Katznelson.

In 1930, Ahdut ha-Avodah merged with HaPoel Hatzair to form the 'Labor Party of the Land of Israel' (Mapai).

In 1931, Ben-Gurion published 'We and Our Neighbors', emphasizing equal rights for Arabs in Israel. He believed in Arab-Jewish collaboration and recognized the attachment of Palestinian Arabs to the land.

In 1935, Ben-Gurion was elected as the chairman of the Jewish Agency, solidifying his position as an official leader of the Zionist movement on a global scale. This role allowed him to influence and shape the direction of the Zionist movement during a critical period.

The 1937 Ben-Gurion letter, written to his son Amos, provides insight into Ben-Gurion's reaction to the Peel Commission report. Scholars have debated the letter due to scribbled-out text that may suggest an intention to 'expel the Arabs' or 'not expel the Arabs'.

On December 5, 1939, amidst World War II, David Ben-Gurion urged Jewish volunteers to enlist in the British army and actively combat the Nazi forces, showcasing his commitment to resisting the Nazi regime.

Ben-Gurion organized a crucial meeting with American Zionists in New York City in response to the restrictions on Jewish immigration and settlement in Palestine. It was decided during the meeting that the Jewish community in Palestine would proclaim statehood after World War II.

In 1946, David Ben-Gurion and North Vietnam's Politburo chairman Ho Chi Minh became friendly during their stay at the same hotel in Paris. Ho Chi Minh offered Ben-Gurion a Jewish home-in-exile in Vietnam, but Ben-Gurion declined, expressing his certainty in establishing a Jewish Government in Palestine.

The White Paper was issued by the British government, restricting Jewish immigration and settlement in British Mandate Palestine. In response, Ben-Gurion intensified immigration efforts and established settlements even in areas prohibited by the British authorities.

On April 18, 1948, David Ben-Gurion was appointed the head of the People’s Administration and also in charge of security matters of the Yishuv.

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel after the British left. He served as interim Prime Minister and defense minister, shaping the IDF during the War of Independence.

On 24 September 1948, an incursion by Palestinian irregulars in the Latrun sector resulted in the killing of 23 Israeli soldiers, leading to a significant debate.

After leading Israel during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, David Ben-Gurion was elected Prime Minister of Israel on 14 February 1949.

On December 5, 1949, David Ben-Gurion declared Jerusalem as the 'eternal capital of Israel' and 'the heart of the State of Israel' before the UN Assembly debate on internationalization of the city.

On December 17, 1953, David Ben Gurion resigned from his position and relocated to Kibbutz Sde Boker.

In February 1955, David Ben-Gurion resumed his role as Minister of Defense in Israel. This marked his comeback to a key position in the government.

In June 1955, David Ben-Gurion returned to serve as the Minister of Defense in Israel.

In November 1955, David Ben-Gurion once again became the Prime Minister of Israel.

Following a secret visit to France, Ben-Gurion ordered the Israeli army to take over the Sinai Peninsula while France and Britain were making an abortive attempt to seize the Suez Canal.

Ben-Gurion ordered the Mossad to capture Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Argentina. Eichmann was subsequently tried and convicted in Israel for crimes against humanity.

Ben-Gurion stepped down as prime minister on June 16, 1963, citing reasons such as political isolation, suspicion of colleagues, and belief that his life's work was disintegrating.

In 1965, David Ben-Gurion founded a new political party known as Rafi. This marked a significant political move by the former Prime Minister of Israel, showcasing his continued involvement in Israeli politics.

On 5 June, the day the Six-Day War began, Ben-Gurion expressed concern in his diary about Israel's impending offensive. He was troubled by the decision to go to war and the attack on the Egyptian Air Force.

On 11 June, Ben-Gurion met with supporters to discuss post-war plans. Defense Minister Moshe Dayan proposed autonomy for the West Bank and other measures, which Ben-Gurion agreed with but foresaw challenges in implementing.

In 1968, Ben-Gurion formed the National List party after refusing to reconcile with his old party, Mapai. The National List won four seats in the 1969 election.

In June 1970, David Ben-Gurion retired from political life and returned to Sde Boker.

At the age of 85 in 1971, Ben-Gurion resigned from the Knesset, retired from political activities, and focused on writing his memoirs.

On 18 November 1973, shortly after the Yom Kippur War, Ben-Gurion suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and passed away on 1 December. His death was marked with sirens across the country.

On 1 December 1973, David Ben-Gurion passed away at the age of 87 in Ramat Gan, Israel, following a cerebral hemorrhage.