David Ben-Gurion

'A duty of national honor': Ben-Gurion’s historic 1949 radio address resurfaces ahead of elections

The former leader also addressed IDF soldiers serving at the time in Israel's War of Independence, saying that they should vote as free citizens.

Israel's first prime minister David Ben-Gurion casts his vote in the first election to the Knesset in 1949.
The Israel Ministry of Defense’s National Mine Action Authority (INMAA) clears minefields with the assistance of sappers from 4M Defense Mine Solutions in the northern Golan Heights near the Syrian border, April 28, 2026.

Israel’s strategic depth: Lessons of Oct. 7 and the future of national security - opinion

Israel’s election campaign is gathering pace, with the country’s political parties competing over the questions of security, leadership and the direction Israel takes after three years of war.

Israel picks between 'secular democracy or theocracy' in election, chess master Garry Kasparov says

Israelis vote for a party list, but have no say on Election Day over which of its candidates will ultimately represent them in the Knesset.PremiumPremium

Israel’s electoral system is over 100 years old - is it time to let voters choose their own MKs?


Netanyahu government's 'reforms' are an attack on all Israelis - opinion

Israel would become a country in which the citizens literally have no rights unless the government allows it.

 JUSTICE MINISTER Yariv Levin arrives for a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, this past Sunday.

Religion vs. state: Israel must pay attention to the Hanukkah story - opinion

A healthy tension between the spiritual leadership and the political one is essential not only for a functioning democracy, but for survival itself.

 RABBI PINCHAS Goldschmidt: The sages teach that kings should not be anointed from among the priests – that is, there must be a separation of spiritual and political power.

Hanukkah: Fun activities in Israel for the Jewish Festival of Lights

This is a great opportunity for everyone to get out in nature and visit sites all over the country and enjoy the fresh air and the holiday festivities. 

 Hanukkah activities in the Modi'in area.

The life of Israel's forgotten prime minister, Moshe Sharett

October 15 is the birthday of Moshe Sharett, Israel's second prime minister, who served as premier for 21 months from 1954-55.

 MOSHE SHARETT became prime minister in highly challenging circumstances. The Jewish state was less than six years old and Arab hostility remained omnipresent.

It's time for a new era of Israel-Diaspora ties - opinion

We have to adopt a new paradigm, one which I shall call: The Jewish peoplehood paradigm – Israel and Diaspora as partners.

 THIS WEEK, the writer addresses the 125 Years of Zionism conference, in Basel.

Gilboa Pimping Affair: Israel shouldn't see prostitution as 'normal' - opinion

I am sure that Golda is turning over in her grave, and I hope Ben-Gurion is as well, with the advent of this sick pimping of Jewish Israeli women to Palestinian Arab security prisoners, or at all.

 PIMP? GILBOA Prison warden Freddy Ben-Sheetrit arrives for testimony, in Modi’in, July 26.

Menachem Begin's legacy and today's Likud party - comment

Begin was representative of a generation of Jews for whom the Holocaust and the struggle for independence were formative experiences.  

 BENJAMIN NETANYAHU walks in front of a poster of Menachem Begin at the Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem.

Israel must become the state for all its citizens - opinion

Israel's Declaration of Independence states: The State of Israel will ensure complete equality to all of its citizens regardless of religion, race or gender. 

Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion declares Israel an independent state in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948

God is in Israel's Declaration of Independence - opinion

It is clear from the Tanach that “Rock of Israel” is an expression of our steadfast faith in God as our rock, our strength and our protector.

 DAVID BEN-GURION reads the Declaration of Independence on Friday, May 14, 1948, in Tel Aviv.

Did David Ben-Gurion decline into dementia?

I had direct contact with B-G, which today, in hindsight, seems to indicate that he was already in the initial stage.

 David Ben-Gurion takes former Canadian premier Lester B. Pearson for a walk around Sde Boker on December 5, 1968.