List of Presidents of Israel: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Israel from 1949 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Israel, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Israel: Isaac Herzog (in office since 2021). The presidency is largely ceremonial; executive power rests with the prime minister.

Presidents of Israel in order, with years in office

Chaim Weizmann

Served: 1949–1952

Chemist who founded the Weizmann Institute of Science; first president, who died in office on 9 November 1952.

Yosef Sprinzak

Served: 1952 (acting)

Knesset speaker who acted as president until Ben-Zvi was inaugurated.

Yitzhak Ben-Zvi

Served: 1952–1963

Second president; died in office on 23 April 1963.

Kadish Luz

Served: 1963 (acting)

Knesset speaker who acted as president until Zalman Shazar took office.

Zalman Shazar

Served: 1963–1973

Author, poet and journalist who served two terms.

Ephraim Katzir

Served: 1973–1978

Scientist who served from 1973 to 1978.

Yitzhak Navon

Served: 1978–1983

Served one term.

Chaim Herzog

Served: 1983–1993

Military officer, lawyer and diplomat who served two terms; father of Isaac Herzog.

Ezer Weizman

Served: 1993–2000

Nephew of Chaim Weizmann; resigned in 2000.

Avraham Burg

Served: 2000 (acting)

Knesset speaker who acted as president until Moshe Katsav took office.

Moshe Katsav

Served: 2000–2007

First Likud president; went on leave on 25 January 2007 amid a police investigation and his resignation took effect on 1 July 2007.

Dalia Itzik

Served: 2007 (acting)

Knesset speaker who acted as president until Shimon Peres was inaugurated on 15 July 2007.

Shimon Peres

Served: 2007–2014

Former prime minister who served one term.

Reuven Rivlin

Served: 2014–2021

Likud politician who served one term.

Isaac Herzog

Served: 2021–present

Took office on 7 July 2021; the Knesset elects the president for a single seven-year term, so his term runs to 2028.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Israel

Who is the current president of Israel?

The current head of state of Israel is Isaac Herzog, in office since 2021. The presidency is largely ceremonial; executive power rests with the prime minister.

Who were the previous presidents of Israel?

The presidents and heads of state of Israel listed on this page, in order, are: Chaim Weizmann, Yosef Sprinzak, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, Kadish Luz, Zalman Shazar, Ephraim Katzir, Yitzhak Navon, Chaim Herzog, Ezer Weizman, Avraham Burg, Moshe Katsav, Dalia Itzik, Shimon Peres, Reuven Rivlin, Isaac Herzog.

Who was the first president of Israel?

Chaim Weizmann was the first president of Israel, in office 1949–1952.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Israel and President of Israel; science.co.il; Knesset records (checked Nov 2026). Eleven presidents since 1949, plus the acting presidents who were Knesset speakers.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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