Founders of Israel: The Key Players in Nation's Conception and Birth

When Israel claimed its independence in the late 1940s, there were a number of pivotal people who took part in the milestone. Two of the founders of Israel were Ariel Sharon and David Ben-Gurion.

Sharon, who died early in 2014, held a number of prominent roles within Israel from the time of its statehood in 1949 well into the new millennium. Sharon’s career spanned the nation’s birth and a number of turning points along the way.

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Starting at age 14, Sharon learned of Jewish self-defense, NPR said in an article chronicling his life. This principle carried over in the late 1940s when Israel as an established nation was left to fend for itself. His career in the military spanned a total of five wars, the most significant being the quest for independence from adjacent Arab nations.

The West Bank remains one of the most hotly contested areas within Israel and its border with Palestine. At one point in his military career, Sharon was quoted as saying, “When it comes to security, we will stay there forever.”

Sharon’s later roles within Israel included defense minister in the 1980s. From 2001 to 2006, he served as prime minister of the country.

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Ben-Gurion, who died in 1973, also helped in the founding of Israel. At the height of struggling to establish the country’s statehood, Ben-Gurion stepped in as prime minister and, later, defense minister. During his time of leadership early in the country’s statehood, Ben-Gurion was credited with establishing many of Israel’s institutions.

At a time when rapid development of the country’s population and economy was sought, Ben-Gurion was credited with establishing such initiatives as Operation Magic Carpet, a program that literally airlifted persons of Jewish descent from Arab-controlled countries so they could officially become Israeli citizens.

During his time of reign, Ben-Gurion also had a role in establishing new towns and cities and rural developments and constructing a nationally led water carrier. One of Ben-Gurion’s most notable accomplishments was the pioneering of a settlement area known as the Negev.

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