Chaim Weizmann

Chaim Weizmann (1874-1952) was a prominent Jewish chemist and political leader, best known for his role in the early Zionist movement and as the first President of Israel. Born in Belarus, he contributed greatly to the scientific community, particularly in industrial chemistry, which helped produce acetone during World War I. Weizmann’s advocacy for a Jewish homeland in Palestine was pivotal, leading to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which supported this goal. His work laid the foundation for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, and he remained a key figure in its development.