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David Ben-Gurion

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description David Ben-Gurion Overview

David Ben-Gurion was a Zionist leader and Israeli statesman who read Israel's Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948 and became the country's first prime minister. He also served as Israel's first defense minister and helped organize the institutions and armed forces of the new state. His political career was closely associated with Mapai, the labor movement party that led Israeli governments during much of the country's early period.

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What did David Ben-Gurion do on 14 May 1948?

David Ben-Gurion read Israel's Declaration of Independence at the Tel Aviv Museum on 14 May 1948. He was also the first person to sign the declaration. [Knesset](https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/About/Pages/bg.aspx)

Was David Ben-Gurion Israel's first prime minister?

Yes, Ben-Gurion became Israel's first prime minister and also served as its first defense minister. He held both roles during the country's early state-building period.

What was Ben-Gurion's role in creating the Israel Defense Forces?

During Israel's independence war, Ben-Gurion pushed for the replacement of separate militias with one national army, the Israel Defense Forces. This decision helped place military authority under the new state's government.

Which political party did David Ben-Gurion lead?

Ben-Gurion was the leading figure of Mapai, the labor-oriented party that won the largest bloc in Israel's first national election. That election took place on 14 February 1949.

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