Introduction

Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin, and David Ben-Gurion are some of the most well-known names in Israeli politics. However, there is one name that stands out for its longevity in office – Yitzhak Shamir. Shamir, who served as the seventh Prime Minister of Israel, held the position for a total of seven years, making him one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers in Israeli history. In this article, we will take a closer look at Yitzhak Shamir’s life, political career, and his time in office.

Early Life and Political Career

Yitzhak Shamir was born in Ruzhany, Poland in 1915. He grew up in a Jewish family and was educated in a Hebrew school. In 1935, he joined the Betar Zionist youth movement and became an active member of the movement’s underground organization, the Irgun. In 1941, Shamir was arrested by the British authorities for his involvement in the Irgun and was imprisoned in Africa for two years.

After his release, Shamir continued to work for the Irgun and became one of its leaders. In 1948, he joined the newly formed Israeli intelligence agency, the Mossad, and served as its director from 1955 to 1965. In 1973, Shamir entered politics and joined the right-wing Likud party.

First Term as Prime Minister

In 1983, Yitzhak Shamir was elected as the seventh Prime Minister of Israel. His first term in office was marked by several significant events, including the Lebanon War, the signing of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty, and the establishment of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

During the Lebanon War, Israel invaded Lebanon to drive out the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and establish a security zone in southern Lebanon. The war lasted for three years and was marked by heavy casualties on both sides. In 1985, Israel withdrew from most of Lebanon, but maintained a security zone in southern Lebanon until 2000.

Second Term as Prime Minister

In 1986, Yitzhak Shamir was re-elected as Prime Minister of Israel. His second term in office was marked by several significant events, including the first Intifada, the Madrid Conference, and the Gulf War.

The first Intifada, which began in 1987, was a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The uprising lasted for several years and was marked by violent clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters.

In 1991, Yitzhak Shamir attended the Madrid Conference, which was the first international peace conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conference was attended by representatives from Israel, Palestine, and several Arab states.

Also in 1991, Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to the Gulf War. Israel was not directly involved in the conflict, but was hit by several Iraqi Scud missiles during the war.

Legacy

Yitzhak Shamir served as the Prime Minister of Israel for a total of seven years, making him one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers in Israeli history. He was known for his hard-line stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his commitment to Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Shamir’s legacy is still debated in Israel today. While some see him as a strong leader who stood up for Israel’s security, others criticize him for his lack of progress in the peace process and his resistance to compromise with the Palestinians.

Conclusion

Yitzhak Shamir served as the Prime Minister of Israel for a total of seven years, from 1983 to 1992. During his time in office, he oversaw several significant events, including the Lebanon War, the first Intifada, and the Gulf War. Shamir’s legacy is still debated in Israel today, but his commitment to Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip remains a significant part of Israeli politics.