14 May 1948

Ben Gurion

On May 14, 1948, David Ben Gurion declares independence for Israel in Tel Aviv, and he becomes the country's first president. However, within 24 hours the neighboring Arab countries attacked the new state, forcing Ben Gurion to fight his first war for the independent Israeli nation.
Ben Gurion had been active in the Israeli workers' movement since the 30s, in the Mapai, the Workers' Party, and the trade union movement Histadruth. The IISH library holds several of his speeches. This one was given at a Mapai meeting in Tel Aviv, immediately following the independence declaration. It is called: "From volunteer force to Israeli army."

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