David Ben-Gurion


David Ben-Gurion (1886 - 1973) was the first Prime Minister of Israel.

He was born David Gruen in Plonsk Poland and as an ardent Zionist moved to
Palestine in 1906. He first worked as a journalist and adopted his pen name
Ben-Gurion as he began his political career.

Ben-Gurion was at the political forefront of the Labor Zionist movement
during the formative years leading to the creation of the State of Israel.
He led Israel during its War of Independence and, except for nearly two
years of interruption between 1953 - 1955, became Prime Minister on January
25, 1948 and served until 1963. Ben-Gurion was among the founders of
Israel's Labor party which governed Israel during the first three decades of
its existence.

During the pre-statehood period in Palestine Ben Gurion also committed acts
of 'resistance,' having given the order to Menachem Begin to execute the
bombing of the King David Hotel. During the first weeks of Israel's
independence, gave the order to bomb and sink the ship named "Altalena",
which carried ammunition for "Etzel" resistance group. That command remains
controversial to this day.

He was voted by Time Magazine as one of the top 100 people who shaped the
20th century.