Harry S. Truman, 1884-1972

The 33rd U.S. president, Truman had the United States vote for the U.N. partition plan for Palestine in November 1947 and made the United States the first country to recognize the State of Israel in May 1948. His support for Israel came despite the opposition of the State Department. He also pressured the British government to admit more Jewish refugees to Mandatory Palestine after the Holocaust.

Photo: Greta Kempton, White House