Famous Jews in History: David Ben-Gurion (1886–1973)

Ben-Gurion was born David Grün in Poland and immigrated to Palestine in 1906. He worked the land in his early years and believed deeply in practical state-building. He married Paula Munweis in 1917 and they had three children.

David Ben-Gurion was Israel’s founding Prime Minister and the central political architect of the modern Jewish state.

On 14 May 1948, he declared the establishment of the State of Israel in Tel Aviv, fully aware that neighbouring Arab armies were preparing to invade. Within hours of the declaration, five armies attacked the new state.

Ben-Gurion understood that independence would not come easily. He built the institutions of government while simultaneously overseeing a war for survival. Under his leadership, the pre-state militias were unified into the Israel Defense Forces.

He understood the practicalities that were required for Jewish sovereignty, not just defence capability, but also political discipline and long-term vision.

He made difficult decisions, some controversial, but always with one principle in mind: the Jewish people must be able to protect themselves.

Learn more: The Jewish Virtual Library - David Ben-Gurion