State Medal - 100th Anniversary of the Birth of David Ben-Gurion

David Ben-Gurion was one of the outstanding leaders of the pre-State Jewish settlers in the Land of Israel. He was head of the Zionist movement in the 1930's and, by virtue of his strong-willed character, demanded and later proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel and assumed the role of Prime Minister and national commander-in-chief during the crucial years of the War of Independence and struggle for revival and existence.
Born in Plonsk, Poland, in 1886, into a Zionist family, he emigrated to the Land of Israel at the age of 20 as a young zionistic socialist, becoming involved in agricultural work and labor affairs. He studied law in order to prepare himself for national leadership. About the age of 30, he was banished from the Land of Israel by the Turks and mobilized a battalion of Jewish fighters in the United States, prepared to fight with the allies towards the conquest of Palestine. He returned to the Land of Israel as a member of one of the legions.
Following his return, he took part in the setting-up of the Workers' Organization, for which he acted as Secretary-General, and became Chairman of the Labor Party. From 1935, until the establishment of the State, he served as Chairman of the Jewish Agency, dealt with matters concerning state policies and security and stood at the head of those in favor of an agreement regarding division of the country into two states, in the wake of which, he proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel on 5 lyar 5708 (14 May 1948).
Ben-Gurion's personality shaped the image of the State of Israel. He paid particular attention to gathering Jews from the Diaspora and their absorption in Israel, the IDF, State education, democracy, external relations and security, as part of a quest for peace. In 1953, he withdrew from the government and lived for about two years at Sde Boker in the Negev desert. After further withdrawal in 1963, he settled permanently in Sde Boker. In 1970, he finally resigned from the Knesset, retired from political life and dedicated himself to writing. He died at the age of 87 and was buried in Sde Boker beside his wife Paula.