Israel’s first president was not only a statesman but also the chemist who discovered how to harness bacteria to produce acetone. Chaim Weizmann skillfully leveraged his scientific achievements and prestige to advance the founding of the State of Israel.
Some people choose a scientific career, dedicating their time to studying, researching, and publishing their findings to advance human knowledge and improve our quality of life. Others pursue a career in politics, channeling their energy into leading processes that promote their vision and serve the public. Rarely, however, does one individual achieve greatness in both arenas, leaving a legacy etched into the annals of history. Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who became one of the foremost leaders of the Jewish nation during the 20th century, was such an extraordinary figure. Born 150 years ago, Weizmann’s life is a fascinating story of science, leadership, Zionism, and the interplay between them.
A Double Life
November holds special significance in the life of Chaim Weizmann. He was born on November 27, 1874, into a simple, large Jewish family in the small town of Motol, located in the Pale of Settlement—the region of the Russian Empire where Jews were allowed to reside at the time. On November 2, 1917, Lord Arthur James Balfour issued the famous Balfour Declaration, largely thanks to Weizmann’s influence and involvement. Exactly 32 years later, on November 2, 1949, after the establishment of the State of Israel, the Weizmann Institute of Science, his namesake, was dedicated in an impressive ceremony marking his 75th birthday. Three years later, on November 9, 1952, Weizmann passed away at his estate in Rehovot.
Chaim Weizmann was a man of dual identity, a kind of superhero by today’s standards. On one hand, he was a scientist—a biochemist focused on developing methods to produce materials for various applications, from meat substitutes to chemical additives for the automotive paint industry. Weizmann received his scientific education in Germany and at the University of Freiburg in Switzerland. In 1906 he secured a research position in Manchester in England, where he moved with his fiancée, Vera. Throughout his lifetime, over 120 patents were registered in his name, an extraordinary achievement that brought him both fame and considerable wealth.
At the same time, Weizmann was a key figure in the Zionist movement, which began gaining momentum toward the end of the 19th century. His charismatic personality, incisive eloquence and broad education quickly established him as one of the undisputed leaders of the Jewish people striving to establish a state in the Land of Israel. In 1921 Weizmann was appointed President of the Zionist Organization, and through his extensive network of connections with global leaders, particularly in Britain and the United States, he was able to tip the scales in favor of establishing a Jewish state in the Land of Israel.
During his early years working in Manchester, England, Weizmann discovered a small bacterium with a complex scientific name: Clostridium acetobutylicum, later known as the "Weizmann organism." He found that this bacterium fermented plant-derived starches to produce several unique organic compounds: butanol, ethanol, and acetone. Initially, Weizmann focused on butanol, striving to enhance the processes by which the bacterium produces this substance, which is essential for several chemical processes. However, with the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Weizmann's world was completely transformed.
One of the undisputed leaders of the Jewish people striving to establish a state in the Land of Israel. Weizmann in his youth | Wikipedia
The War and The Declaration
At this time, one of the byproducts of the bacterium’s fermentation process gained newfound importance: acetone. This simple compound, now commonly used as a solvent in nail polish remover, was then a critical component in manufacturing "cordite," a smokeless propellant used as a replacement for gunpowder in ammunition. Acetone played a key role in preventing cannon barrels from warping during firing and preventing the formation of the smoke trail after a shot - a crucial advantage on the battlefield. Prior to World War I there was no efficient industrial method for producing acetone, which had mainly been sourced from natural deposits in the soil. With the outbreak of the war, however, the British Empire faced a significant problem: most of these acetone deposits were located in regions under German control. The need for acetone had never been greater.
Fortunately, word reached Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, about a young Jewish scientist from the University of Manchester who was studying a small bacterium capable of producing acetone. Churchill quickly summoned Weizmann to his office in London, and entrusted him with a crucial mission: to develop a large-scale production process for acetone to support Britain and its allies in the war effort. Recognizing the immense potential of the role, Weizmann immediately enlisted in the service of the British Admiralty. He was appointed head of the navy’s chemical research laboratories, dedicating the next two years to refining and optimizing the production process. Many breweries in England and the United States were converted into acetone production plants, marking the first industrial-scale biochemical production of this valuable substance. Weizmann’s work paved the way for him to forge many connections with key British leaders, including Minister of Munitions and future Prime Minister David Lloyd George, as well as Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour. Indeed, this was the same Balfour whose name is associated with one of the most significant documents in the path to the establishment of the State of Israel. Weizmann skillfully leveraged his influence and scientific achievements to persuade British officials to issue the historic Balfour Declaration, an official statement of support for the Zionist enterprise and the Jewish people.
Forged many connections with prominent British leaders. From left: Vera and Chaim Weizmann, Herbert Samuel, David Lloyd George, Ethel and Philip Snowden | Wikipedia
The Foundations of Human Creativity
For the next three decades, from the end of World War I until after World War II, Weizmann continued to serve as a leader of the Jewish people both in the Land of Israel and in the diaspora, alongside his scientific work. He worked to promote cooperation between Jews and Arabs in the Land of Israel, as evidenced by the signing of the Faisal-Weizmann Agreement (1919), which aimed to secure Arab recognition of the Zionist movement. He also played a crucial role in the declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel, using all of his influence to persuade U.S. President Harry Truman to support the UN Partition Plan and the establishment of the State of Israel at the UN
Weizmann was also among those responsible for establishing leading research institutions in Israel, including the Hebrew University and the Daniel Sieff Research Institute in Rehovot, which was later renamed the Weizmann Institute of Science in his honor. At the rededication ceremony, Weizmann remarked: “Science and research are the foundations of all human creativity. Yet, despite the crucial importance of science, it alone cannot save us… We must build a new bridge between science and the human spirit. Throughout my life, I have labored to make science and research the cornerstone of our national enterprise. But I have also known that beyond science lie lofty values, which hold the true remedy for humanity’s ills - justice, integrity, peace, and brotherhood."
Weizmann’s path as one of the leaders of the Jewish people was not always straightforward. He faced significant criticism from Jews both in the land of Israel and around the world for his collaboration with the British during the difficult years that the Jewish community in the Land of Israel endured under sometimes hostile British rule. He had persistent conflicts with other leaders, including David Ben-Gurion, over the right approach to realizing the Zionist vision. Nevertheless, Weizmann remains one of the undisputed leaders of the Jewish people, earning the honor of serving as the first President of the State of Israel—a position he held until his death.
Today, 150 years after his birth, Chaim Weizmann’s immense contribution to the State of Israel and to science are evident in nearly every aspect. The Weizmann Institute of Science stands as one of the world’s leading scientific research institutions. Israel’s pharmaceutical, chemical, and even high-tech industries—many of which trace their roots to Weizmann’s vision and initiatives—continue to bring significant achievements and global recognition to Israel. Even the bacterium discovered by Weizmann remains in use today, as a source of clean, sustainable alternative energy. Hats off to Chaim Weizmann – the visionary scientist and statesman who masterfully bridged the worlds of bacteria and people.