1952 Israeli presidential election

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.

1952 Israeli presidential election

← 1951 8 December 1952 1957 →
 
Nominee Yitzhak Ben-Zvi Mordechai Nurock Yitzhak Gruenbaum
Party Mapai Mizrachi Independent
Electoral vote 62 40 5

President before election

Chaim Weizmann

Elected President

Yitzhak Ben-Zvi
Mapai

Candidates

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There were four candidates:

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."[1]

Results

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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.

CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond roundThird round
Votes%Votes%Votes%
Yitzhak Ben-ZviMapai4848.984848.486257.94
Mordechai NurockMizrachi1515.311515.154037.38
Yitzhak GruenbaumIndependent1717.351818.1854.67
Peretz BernsteinGeneral Zionists1818.371818.18
Total98100.0099100.00107100.00
Valid votes9889.099989.1910795.54
Invalid votes00.0000.0000.00
Blank votes1210.911210.8154.46
Total votes110100.00111100.00112100.00
Registered voters/turnout12091.6712092.5012093.33

References

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  1. ^ Israel: Einstein declines Time, 1 December 1952
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