Events in the year 1948 in Israel.
Incumbents
Prime Minister of Israel – David Ben-Gurion (Mapai), from May 14
President (or Chairman) of the Provisional State Council of Israel – Chaim Weizmann, from May 17 President of the Supreme Court – Moshe Smoira
Events
The State of Israel was declared after the end of the civil war, which was raging for six months in Palestine after the vote by the United Nation to partition Palestine between Palestinian Jews and Arabs.
Declaration of independence and international recognition: May 14 – The Israeli Declaration of Independence is made in Tel Aviv, a few hours before the British Mandate is due to expire. At midnight the British Mandate of Palestine is officially terminated and the State of Israel comes into being. May 15 – The United States grants de facto recognition to the State of Israel, eleven minutes after it comes into existence, becoming the first country to recognize the Jewish state. May 17 – The Soviet Union grants de jure recognition to the State of Israel, becoming the first country to do so. May 17 – Chaim Weizmann becomes President (or Chairman) of the Provisional State Council and Israel's de facto head of state. May 18 – Poland and Czechoslovakia grant recognition to the State of Israel. May 19 – Guatemala and Uruguay grant recognition to the State of Israel. May 24 – South Africa grants recognition to the State of Israel.
1948 Arab–Israeli War: