In 1905 Weizmann immigrated from Russia to England where he was elected to the General Zionist Council. He played a key role in the Balfour Declaration and was subsequently sent to by the British as Head of Zionist Commission to Palestine. Weizmann played a pivotal role in laying the foundations for Hebrew University in Jerusalem

During the years 1920-29 Weizmann served as President of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), and again from 1935­1946. He headed the Jewish Agency at its establishment in 1929. Weizmann played an active role in founding the Daniel Sieff Research Institute in Rehovot which was later renamed in his honor; the Weizmann Institute became a driving force behind Israel's scientific research.

Weizmann was Israel's first President, serving from 1948-52.