David Ben-Gurion (born David Grün on October 16, 1886, in Płońsk, then part of the Russian Empire) was a central figure in the establishment of the State of Israel and served as its first Prime Minister. He immigrated to Palestine in 1906, where he became actively involved in the Zionist movement, advocating for Jewish self-determination and statehood.
World Jewish Congress


Ben-Gurion played a pivotal role in the founding of Israel. On May 14, 1948, he proclaimed the independence of the State of Israel and became its first Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. His leadership was instrumental during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, where he oversaw the unification of various Jewish militias into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and led the country through its early challenges.