1952 Israeli presidential election

none Israel presidential 1951 Israeli presidential election 1951 1957 Israeli presidential election 1957 8 December 1952 120 members of the Knesset Simple majority of 130x130px Yitzhak Ben-Zvi.jpg Yitzhak Ben-Zvi 62 Mapai Mordechai Nurok, 1951.jpg Mordechai Nurock Mizrachi (political party) 40 Yitzhak Gruenbaum 1948.jpg Yitzhak Gruenbaum Independent politician 5 President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi Mapai Chaim Weizmann An election for President of Israel was held in the Knesset on 8 December 1952 following the death of the Israel's first president, Chaim Weizmann on 9 November. Between Weizmann's death and the winner of the election, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, taking office on 16 December, Knesset speaker Yosef Sprinzak served as acting president. Candidates There were four candidates: Yitzhak Ben-Zvi: One of the founders of Mapai (the ruling party, for whom he was a member of the Knesset) and the Histadrut (the country's largest trade union), a former president of the Vaad Leumi, signatory of the Israel declaration of independence and a personal friend of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. Peretz Bernstein: A member of the Knesset for the General Zionists and also a signatory of the country's declaration of independence. Yitzhak Gruenbaum: A signatory of the Israeli declaration of independence, a minister in the provisional government, and though an adherent of Mapam, not a member of any political party. Mordechai Nurock: A member of the Knesset for Mizrachi and Minister of Postal Services in the government at the time. Before the election, Albert Einstein was spoken to by Abba Eban about the possibility of becoming President. He declined, explaining, "I have neither the natural ability nor the experience to deal with human beings."Israel: Einstein declines Time, 1 December 1952 Results Three rounds of voting were required after no candidate gained an outright majority. Peretz Bernstein dropped out after the second round, with Yitzhak Ben-Zvi elected in the third round. Yitzhak Ben-Zvi Mapai 48 48 62 Mordechai Nurock Mizrachi 15 15 40 Yitzhak Gruenbaum Independent 17 18 5 Peretz Bernstein General Zionists 18 18 0 0 0 12 12 5 120 120 120 Notes References External links Previous Presidential Elections Knesset President Presidential election Category:Presidential elections in Israel Israel Category:Yitzhak Ben-Zvi