February 14, 1949
First Knesset Convenes
Historical context
On this day, February 14, 1949, Israel’s First Knesset held its inaugural session in Jerusalem. Yosef Sprinzak was elected speaker.
Archive record
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- Date
- February 14, 1949
- Verified sources
- 1
- Archive threads
- 5
On this day, Israel’s First Knesset opened in Jerusalem. The assembly had been elected on 25 January. Yosef Sprinzak was elected speaker. Two days later, on 16 February, the Knesset elected Chaim Weizmann the first president; he was inaugurated on 17 February.
David Ben-Gurion had headed the provisional government since independence. He presented the first regular government in March 1949. The election of 25 January 1949 is a separate story.
Research trail
Sources and further reading
- Israel Premier and Parliament to Move to Jerusalem; Ben Gurion Reads Declaration · Jewish Telegraphic Agency · JTA View source
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