David Ben-Gurion
was a leader of the movement to establish an independent Israel. As the first Prime Minister of Israel he oversaw various national projects aimed at the rapid development of the country and its population. As the third Prime Minister he ordered the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula.

Levi Eshkol
served as Prime Minister from 1963 to 1969, during which time he established the alliance between Israel and the United States which helped Israel win the Six-Day War of June 1967.

Yitzhak Rachamim Navon
served as President of Israel from 1978 to 1983. The first Israeli President to depart from the ceremonial role of the Presidency prescribed by law, he often took a public stand on a controversial political issue and was not afraid to indirectly criticize the government.

Benjamin Netanyahu
began his political career as a member of Israel's diplomatic mission to the United States. He subsequently served as Prime Minister from 1996 to 1999, and was called upon to form a coalition government in 2009.

Moshe Sharett
was one of the signatories of Israel's Declaration of Establishment in 1947. As the country's first Foreign Minister, he established diplomatic relations with dozens of nations, got Israel into the United Nations, and signed a reparations agreement with West Germany in 1952.

Ariel Sharon
served in several military and government positions before being elected Prime Minister in 2001; he served in that capacity until suffering a serious stroke in 2006.

1958 News and Pictures
Prime Minister Ben-Gurion's government survived several motions of no confidence during the year. From April 22 to 24 Israel celebrated the 10th anniversary of its founding.

1959 News and Pictures
Two major domestic crises occurred during the year, one of which led to Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion's resignation.

1962 News and Pictures

1978 News and Pictures

1979 News and Pictures