Joshua Hassan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Sir Joshua Hassan GBE KCMG LVO QC JP
1st Chief Minister of Gibraltar
In office 11 August 1964 – 6 August 1969
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor	Alfred Dudley Ward Gerald Lathbury Varyl Begg
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Sir Robert Peliza
In office 25 June 1972 – 8 December 1987
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor	Varyl Begg John Grandy Sir William Jackson Sir David Williams Sir Peter Terry
Deputy	Adolfo Canepa
Preceded by	Sir Robert Peliza
Succeeded by	Adolfo Canepa
1st Mayor of Gibraltar
In office 1955–1969
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	William Thompson
Personal details
Born	Joshua Abraham Hassan (1915-08-21)21 August 1915 Gibraltar
Died	1 July 1997(1997-07-01) (aged 81) Gibraltar
Nationality	British (Gibraltarian)
Political party	AACR
Spouses	Daniela Salazar (1945—1969) Marcelle Bensimon (1969—1997)
Relations	4; including Marlene Nahon Fleur Hassan-Nahoum (daughters)
Children	4 daughters
Profession	Lawyer

Sir Joshua Abraham Hassan (born August 21, 1915 – died July 1, 1997) was a very important politician from Gibraltar. People sometimes called him "Salvador", which means "Saviour". He was the first mayor and Chief Minister of Gibraltar. He served as Chief Minister for more than 20 years in total. Many people see him as the main person behind the civil rights movement in Gibraltar. He also helped create many of Gibraltar's self-governing groups.

Early Life and World War II

Joshua Hassan was born in Gibraltar. His family was Sephardic Jewish, with roots in Morocco and Menorca. He studied to become a lawyer at Middle Temple in London. In 1939, he officially became a lawyer in England and Wales.

When World War II began, he joined the Gibraltar Defence Force as a gunner. He stayed in Gibraltar during the war. Most of the people living in Gibraltar had to leave for safety. Only a small number of Gibraltarians, including Joshua, remained.

A Leader for Gibraltar

Starting the AACR

In September 1942, some Gibraltarians, including workers and clerks, wanted to form a group. They were led by a trade-unionist named Albert Risso. Their goal was to help the people who had left Gibraltar during the war to return home. They also wanted to fight for the civil rights of the local people.

They asked Joshua Hassan to join them. The group was first called "The Gibraltarian Association." But Joshua Hassan suggested a bigger name: The Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights in Gibraltar (AACR). Hassan became the vice-president of this new party. In 1948, he became the president. For almost 30 years, he was the main leader in Gibraltar's politics.

Chief Minister of Gibraltar

In 1956, the AACR won four out of seven seats in an election for the Gibraltar Legislative Council. Joshua Hassan was one of the winners. He served as Chief Minister from 1964 to 1969. Then again from 1972 to 1987.

In the 1960s, Hassan spoke twice at the United Nations. He explained that most Gibraltarians wanted to stay British. He strongly disagreed with Spain's claim for Gibraltar. He also helped create Gibraltar's first Constitution in 1968.

Hassan only lost one election, in 1969. His party, the AACR, won seven out of fifteen seats. This was just one seat short of a majority. Robert Peliza became Chief Minister for three years after that. But Hassan returned to office in 1972.

He resigned as Chief Minister in 1987 before his term ended. He said it was for personal reasons. This happened after an agreement was made about sharing Gibraltar Airport with Spain. Adolfo Canepa, his deputy, took over. However, Canepa lost the next election in 1988. The AACR party then stopped existing.

Mayor and Knighted

Before becoming Chief Minister in 1964, Hassan held other important roles. He was a member of the Gibraltar Executive Council from 1950 to 1964. He also served as mayor of Gibraltar for many years, from 1945 to 1950 and again from 1953 to 1969.

In 1963, Queen Elizabeth II made him a knight. This is why he was called "Sir" Joshua Hassan. There is even a painting by Ambrose Avellano showing his "Triumphant Return" to Gibraltar in 1963. In the painting, crowds cheered for him and Peter Isola in John Mackintosh Square.

A Successful Lawyer

Besides his political work, Sir Joshua Hassan was also a very good lawyer. His law firm, Hassans International Law Firm, is now the biggest in Gibraltar.

Family Life and Legacy

In 1945, Joshua Hassan married Daniela Salazar. They had two daughters. Later, in 1969, he married Marcelle Bensimon. They also had two daughters. Two of his daughters became politicians. Fleur Hassan-Nahoum is a politician in Israel. Marlene Hassan Nahon is a politician in Gibraltar.

Sir Joshua Hassan passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 1, 1997. He was 81 years old. Peter Caruana, who was Chief Minister at the time, said: "No one has done more to establish and promote the identity and maintain the rights of the people of Gibraltar."

In 1997, a special stamp was made by the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau to honor Sir Joshua Hassan.

See also

In Spanish: Joshua Hassan para niños

• List of Gibraltarians
• Politics of Gibraltar