Ben-Gurion

Born in Plonsk, Poland he immigrated to Palestine in 1906, and was involved in the creation of the first agricultural workers' commune which evolved into the Kvutzah and finally the Kibbutz. He helped establish the Jewish self-defense group, Hashomer (The Watchman).

After he was deported by the Ottoman authorities at the start of WW I, he traveled on behalf of the Socialist-Zionist cause to New York, returning to Israel in the uniform of the Jewish Legion.

Ben-Gurion was a founder of the trade unions, and, in particular Histadrut. He served as their representative in the World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency, and was elected chairman of both organizations in 1935. Having led the struggle to establish the State of Israel in May 1948, Ben-Gurion became Prime Minister and Defence Minister. In late 1953, Ben retired to Kibbutz Sde Boker but returned to political life, after the elections in 1955, assuming the post of Defense Minister and later the Prime Minister. Ben-Gurion supported the establishment of relations with West Germany. He also led the country during the 1956 Sinai Compaign. In June 1963 Ben-Gurion resigned as Prime Minister, but remained politically active until 1973.