Ben-Zvi, Izhak (1884–1963)

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BEN-ZVI, IZHAK (1884–1963)

Zionist leader, second president of Israel (1952–1963). Born in Poltava, Ukraine, in 1884, Izhak Ben-Zvi was involved in the Zionist movement from an early age. He was one of the founders of the Poʿalei Ziyyon Party in Palestine, editing the party's newspaper and opening a small school in Jerusalem. In 1908 Ben-Zvi went to Constantinople with his friend David Ben-Gurion to study law; at the outbreak of World War I they returned to Palestine but were expelled by Ottoman authorities. They immigrated to the United States, where they lectured in support of the Zionist movement.

Ben-Zvi returned to Palestine as a soldier in the Jewish Legion. He maintained a commitment to Labor Zionism throughout his political career, eventually providing a link between British authorities and Labor Zionist leadership. He was elected to the Jerusalem municipality several times and served as a member, and later chair, of the Vaʿad Leʾumi (National Council). Ben-Zvi served as president of Israel from 1952 until his death in 1963.

SEE ALSO Ben-Gurion, David.