1949 Israeli presidential election


An election to choose the first President of Israel was held in the Knesset on 16 February 1949. The new president would replace the president of the Provisional State Council as head of state of Israel.

Candidates

There were two candidates:
The election was settled in the first round, with Weizmann gaining an absolute majority. 114 of the 120 members of the first Knesset voted. Weizmann was declared president on 17 February 1949.
CandidateVotes
Chaim Weizmann83
Joseph Klausner15
Blank ballots15
Invalid votes1
Total114