Bidspirit auction | Chaim Weizmann, First President of

Chaim Weizmann, First President of Israel, Orig. Press Photo in the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, 1948 - Chaim Weizmann, First President of Israel, Orig. Press Photo in the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, 1948 Size: 20.5 x 15.5 cm. (8 x 6.1 inches) Tears and creasing to the laid text on reverse side. SWISS UNIVERSITY HONOURS ISRAEL PRESIDENT Dr. Chaim Weizmann, 74, Israel President, was guest of honour at a reception arranged Sept. 12 (1948) by the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, to mark the 50th anniversary of the conferring on him at the Fribourg Doctorate of Science. In a speech afterwards, Dr. Weizmann said the Israel government was ready and willing to give formal guarantees of the safety, free access to, and normal functioning of the holy places in Jerusalem and area. Israel would welcome direct international supervision of these shrines. PHOTO SHOWS: HOLDING HIS DIPLOMA, DR CHAIM WEIZMANN WALKS TO THE MICROPHONE TO MAKE HIS SPEECH AT THE FRIBOURG RECEPTION, SEPT 12. ZPP35687 119L9LGM UKFOR ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO FROM LONDON Chaim Azriel Weizmann (27 November 1874 – 9 November 1952) was a Russian-born Israeli statesman, biochemist, and Zionist leader who served as president of the Zionist Organization and later as the first president of Israel. He was elected on 16 February 1949, and served until his death in 1952. Weizmann was instrumental in obtaining the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and convincing the United States government to recognize the newly formed State of Israel in 1948.