David Ben-Gurion

Date of Birth: October 16, 1886

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: December 1, 1973

Biography

David Ben-Gurion was a prominent Israeli statesman and one of the primary founders of the State of Israel. Born in Płońsk, then part of the Russian Empire, Ben-Gurion was deeply influenced by Zionist ideologies from a young age. He immigrated to Palestine in 1906, where he became involved in various labor movements and Jewish self-defense organizations. Ben-Gurion played a critical role in the establishment of the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor) and later became the head of the Jewish Agency, which was the de facto government of the Jewish population in Palestine before the establishment of Israel. On May 14, 1948, Ben-Gurion declared the independence of the State of Israel and became its first Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. His leadership was crucial during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and he oversaw significant immigration waves and nation-building efforts in the nascent state. Ben-Gurion retired from political life in 1970 and spent his later years writing and living in Kibbutz Sde Boker in the Negev Desert, reflecting his vision of developing Israel’s arid regions.

5 Interesting Facts about David Ben-Gurion

1. David Ben-Gurion was originally born David Grün but changed his name upon moving to Palestine to reflect his Zionist ideals.

2. He was instrumental in the formation of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) by unifying various paramilitary groups.

3. Ben-Gurion was a prolific writer and diarist, penning numerous books and articles on Zionism, Jewish history, and the state of Israel.

4. He played a crucial role in the 1956 Suez Crisis, aligning with Britain and France against Egypt.

5. Ben-Gurion’s vision for Israel included the development of the Negev Desert, where he spent his later years promoting agricultural development.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from David Ben-Gurion

1. “In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles.”

2. “We must do everything to ensure they [the Palestinian refugees] never do return.”

3. “The test of democracy is freedom of criticism.”

4. “Without moral and intellectual independence, there is no anchor for national independence.”

5. “Anyone who believes you can’t change history has never tried to write his memoirs.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

David Ben-Gurion was a statesman and not a businessman; thus, he did not accumulate personal wealth. His focus was on public service and nation-building, and he lived modestly, especially in his later years in Kibbutz Sde Boker.

Children

David Ben-Gurion had three children with his wife Paula Munweis: 1. Geula Ben-Gurion (1917–2012) 2. Amos Ben-Gurion (1920–2008) 3. Renana Leshem (1925–2016)