David Ben-Gurion

Ben-Gurion, David (David Grün; 1886–1973), Polish-born Israeli statesman and first prime minister of Israel. After World War I, he helped to found the Haganah, the underground Jewish army, and the Histadrut, the General Federation of Jewish Labor (1920). He became leader of the Mapai Labor Party (1930) and the World Zionist Organization (1935). As prime minister (1949–53 and 1955–63) he helped to mold the state of Israel.

See also: Israel.