David Ben-Gurion (centre) with his fellow-workers at the wine cellars of Rishon Le-Zion in 1907. David Ben-Gurion (October 16, 1886 - December 1, 1973) was the first Prime Minister of Israel. As a child, Ben-Gurion developed a boundless passion towards the ideals of Zionism. This drive resulted in David's instrumental role in the founding of the state of Israel at the expiration of the British Mandate. After leading Israel to victory in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, he oversaw the establishment of the state's institutions and vast influx of immigrants. Upon retiring from political life in 1970, he returned to Sde Boker, where he died. Posthumously, Ben-Gurion was named one of Time Magazine 's 100 Most Important People of the Century. 固opFoto