An election for President of Israel was held in the Knesset on 21 May 1963 following the death of the president Yitzhak Ben-Zvi on 23 April. Author, poet and politician Zalman Shazar was elected to the office.
Between Ben-Zvi's death and Shazar taking office on the day of the vote, Knesset speaker Kadish Luz served as acting president.
Candidates There were two candidates: Zalman Shazar: A member of the Knesset for Mapai, and former Minister of Education and editor of the Davar newspaper. Peretz Bernstein: A member of the Knesset for the Liberal Party, former Minister of Trade and Industry and a signatory of the Israeli declaration of independence.
Results The election was settled in the first round, with Shazar gaining an outright majority of votes in the 120-seat Knesset.
Notes
External links Previous Presidential Elections Knesset