Ben-Gurion House, Tel Aviv

Ben-Gurion House is the former residence of David Ben-Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel. Located on Ben-Gurion Boulevard in Tel Aviv, the modest house offers a personal glimpse into the life and daily routine of the leader who proclaimed Israel’s independence in 1948.

Ben-Gurion and his wife Paula moved into the house in 1931, purchasing it for 350 Palestine pounds, paid in installments. From this residence, Ben-Gurion carried out much of his political work during the years leading up to independence and during his time in government. In 1960, the couple renovated and expanded the property, making it their main home for many years. Later they also settled in Sde Boker in the Negev Desert, dividing their time between the two homes until Ben-Gurion’s death in 1973.

After his death, the house was preserved and opened to the public as a museum. Many of the original items used by David and Paula Ben-Gurion remain on display, allowing visitors to see the rooms much as they appeared during their lifetime.

One of the highlights is Ben-Gurion’s impressive library. This library houses more than 20,000 books in dozens of languages, including Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit—many of which Ben-Gurion taught himself in order to read original texts. Look for the diversity of subjects: while Zionism and history dominate, you will also find large collections on philosophy, Buddhism, and biology. The library occupies the entire second floor of the house and can be reached by a narrow staircase leading up from the ground-floor lobby.

Additionally, a small workspace tucked between the bookshelves represents the desk where the final version of the Israeli Declaration of Independence was drafted on May 13, 1948. The desk features a typewriter and the “red phone,” a direct line connected to the Ministry of Defense.

The museum also presents exhibitions about Ben-Gurion’s life and legacy, along with photographs, documents, and personal objects that illustrate his role in the founding of the Israeli state. Today the house continues to host seminars, study groups, and educational programs.