Sarah Van Sarah Van CleveCleve

And David Ben-GurionAnd David Ben-Gurion

Notice the fashionable glasses on his desk. I can’t imagine why he took those off for the photo.

Early LifeEarly Life

Born in Poland in 1886 Moved to Palestine in 1906 Changed his name from David

Grun to David Ben-Gurion Kicked out of Palestine, moved to

New York

Born in Poland in 1886 Moved to Palestine in 1906 Changed his name from David

Grun to David Ben-Gurion Kicked out of Palestine, moved to

New York

This is David at age 7. He had some problems with premature aging.

A Family of His Own

• Married Paula Munweis in New York (1917)

• She was Russian too, very cute

• Had 3 kids

This is Ben-Gurion with his wife.

Just kidding

This is Ben-Gurion with his wife.

Just kidding. Those were just Just kidding. Those were just some of his women.some of his women.

For real, this is Ben-Gurion and his wife Paula.

Soldier

In 1918 fought in the 38th Battalion of the Jewish Legion (part of the British army)

The short one is David.

Those were actually all pictures of him as a prime minister touring the army, not as a soldier. But he was in army clothes.

Returned to PalestinePre-Statehood Period

• Created the Federation of Jewish Labor, the Histadrut. It created a mini-Jewish state inside the British controlled state of Palestine.

• Created the Haganah, a military group that defended Jews.

David’s Political ViewsDavid’s Political Views

Political Spectrum

Far Leftfree from British control

following a socialist model

David Ben GurionModerate,

Worked with the British to achieve a goalthat was acceptable to both sides

Far RightFree from British control

following aa nationalistic model

Terrorism?

• Menachem Begin led a terrorist group called Irgun that advocated using violence against the British.

• Ben-Gurion worked with them somewhat although he refused to use violence against civilian targets and condemned terrorism.

• Ben-Gurion condemned the bombing of the King David Hotel although he had originally supported it.

• Controversially, Ben-Gurion ordered the sinking of the Altalena which held munitions for Irgun.

Creation of IsraelCreation of Israel

May 14, 1948 (9 days and 58 years before our AP) the independent state of Israel was created.

May 14, 1948 (9 days and 58 years before our AP) the independent state of Israel was created.

Elected Prime MinisterElected Prime Minister

Led the country through the War of Independence

Became prime minister the day after the armistice

Led the country through the War of Independence

Became prime minister the day after the armistice

Prime Minister

» Operation Magic Carpet- airlifted Jews from scary Arab places

» National Water Carrier» New towns and cities» Settlement in Negev

“Retires”

Ben-Gurion retired in 1953. Two years later, he returned to office.

Prime Minister . . . again

Sinai War

Founded Mapai

Post-Politician Days

• 1963, retires again for personal reasons

• Broke with his party, formed Rafi, and then formed The State List

Pretty Famous

Cool FactsCool Facts

Ben Gurion International, the airport, was named after David

He was voted one of the 100 most important people of the 20th century for Time Magazine

He learned Spanish for the entire purpose of reading Don Quixote de la Mancha

Ben Gurion International, the airport, was named after David

He was voted one of the 100 most important people of the 20th century for Time Magazine

He learned Spanish for the entire purpose of reading Don Quixote de la Mancha

This is Ben-Gurion with Einstein.

He’s kinda weird

• He had back problems, so in his retirement, he began practicing the Feldenkrais method.

• In other words, he stood on his head on the beach.

• Famous photograph of a weird balding guy with lots of hair on the sides of his head standing on his head on a beach in Tel Aviv.

The End

By Sarah Van Cleve, acclaimed powerpoint maker