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Yitzhak Shamir Biography
Soldier / Prime Minister of Israel
Name at birth: Yizhak Yzernitzky
Yitzhak Shamir moved to Palestine in 1935 and joined Zionist forces in fighting the British. He was arrested and jailed twice by the British, but escaped both times. After the establishment of the State of Israel, Shamir went to work for national security and during the 1950s held top-level posts in the Mossad. He was elected to the Knesset in 1973, eventually leading the Likud Party and taking over as prime minister after the resignation of Menachem Begin in 1983. After the 1984 elections, Shamir shared power with Shimon Peres of the Labor Party, serving as prime minister until 1992. He retired in 1996.
Four Good Links
Yitzhak Shamir
Official Israeli government biography from their site
Opening Statement
Speech by Shamir made at the Madrid Conference of 1991
A Talk with Yitzhak Shamir
1998 news article in which he discusses his role with Zionist group the Stern Gang
The Jewish Post of New York
Searchable archives and political news stories relating to Israel
Vital Stats
Birth
Birthplace
Death
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Best Known As
Prime Minister of Israel, 1983-1984 and 1986-1992