‘He is living Israeli flag’: The Right and the Presidency in Israel under Chaim Weizmann, 1948–1952

Abstract

The relationship between Chaim Weizmann and Ze’ev Jabotinsky is discussed widely. But research concerning the relationship between Jabotinsky’s successors, especially during Weizmann’s tenure as president of Israel, is scarce. Weizmann’s relationship with the Revisionists and the Herut Movement’s tension throughout the early days of Israel State is a fascinating topic. On the one hand, a superpatriotic notion puts considerable value on the content of the state and its institutions. And on the other, there is pungent antagonism toward people in official positions and their political parties. Questions such as how this contradiction resonates with Herut and Weizmann and the effect of this notion on the party’s perception of the presidency are raised. The study attempts to fill these gaps and outlines Weizmann’s relationship with the right wing during his tenure as President. It also completes a chapter on Herut’s attitude toward democracy and the state in Israel’s early years.