Weizmann, Chaim

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Weizmann, Chaim (1874–1952) Zionist leader, first president of Israel (1948–52). Born in Belarus, he became a naturalized British subject in 1910. He played the major role in securing the Balfour Declaration (1917). He was president of the World Zionist Organization (1920–31, 1935–46), provisional president of Israel (1948) and elected president from 1949.

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