1963 Israeli presidential election
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.