Shlomo Gazit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shlomo Gazit
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| שלמה גזית | |
Shlomo Gazit
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Shlomo Weinstein
1926 Istanbul, Turkey
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| Died | 8 October 2020 (aged 93–94) |
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| Relatives | Mordechai Gazit (brother) |
Shlomo Gazit (Hebrew: שלמה גזית; October 22, 1926 – October 8, 2020) was an important Israeli military leader and a smart academic. He reached the rank of Major General in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He was also in charge of Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate, which gathers and analyzes information for the military.
After his military career, he became the President of Ben-Gurion University. He also served as the Director General of the Jewish Agency for Israel, an organization that helps Jewish people around the world.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Shlomo Weinstein, who later changed his name to Gazit, was born in Istanbul, Turkey. His family was Jewish and originally from Ukraine. They later moved to Palestine, which is now Israel. His older brother was Mordechai Gazit, who also became a well-known figure.
In 1942, while still in high school, Shlomo joined the Haganah. This was a Jewish defense organization in Palestine before Israel became a country. In 1944, he joined the Palmach, which was the Haganah's elite fighting force.
He was part of Company H and was first based in Kiryat Anavim. He completed a commander's course and became a platoon leader. He served in areas like Ramat HaKovesh and Givat HaShlosha. He also took part in important operations like the Night of the Bridges and the Night of the Trains.
Military Service and Leadership
During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Shlomo Gazit served in the Harel Brigade. He fought against the Arab Legion in battles like the Battles of Latrun. Later, he participated in Operation Yoav, another key military action.
Before the Six-Day War in 1967, Gazit was the head of the assessment department in the IDF's intelligence branch. He then took a break to study for a master's degree in history. However, his studies were interrupted in 1967.
Defense Minister Moshe Dayan asked him to lead a special committee. This committee was in charge of managing political, security, and economic matters in the new territories captured during the Six-Day War. This group was later called "The Unit for the Coordination of Operations in the Territories."
After seven years in this role, Gazit was promoted. From 1974 to 1978, he served as the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate. This was a very important position in Israel's defense.
Life After the Military
After retiring from the IDF, Shlomo Gazit continued to serve his country in other ways. He became the President of the Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba. He held this position for two four-year terms, following Yosef Tekoah. Chaim Elata took over from him in 1985.
From 1988, he was a member of the staff at the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies. This center is part of Tel Aviv University.
In 1985, Gazit was also appointed as the Director General of the Jewish Agency for Israel. He served in this important role until 1987. The Jewish Agency helps Jewish people around the world and supports Israel.
Books and Publications
Shlomo Gazit also wrote several books, mostly about military and strategic topics in the Middle East. Here are some of his published works:
- The Middle East Military Balance, 1988-1989: A Comprehensive Data Base & In-Depth Analysis of Regional Strategic Issues, Westview Press, 1990. ISBN: 0-8133-0961-1
- The Middle East Military Balance, 1990-91, Westview Press, 1992. ISBN: 0-8133-1413-5
- The Middle East Military Balance 1992-1993, Westview Press, 1994. ISBN: 0-8133-2218-9
- The Middle East Military Balance 1993-1994, Westview Press, 1995. ISBN: 0-8133-2658-3
- The Palestinian refugee problem, Tel Aviv University, 1995. ISBN: 965-459-016-6
- The Carrot and the Stick: Israel's Policy in Judaea and Samaria, 1967-68 , B'nai B'rith Book Service, 1995. ISBN: 0-910250-29-4
- Trapped Fools; Thirty Years of Israeli Policy in the Territories, Frank Cass, 2003. ISBN: 0-7146-8390-6
- The Arab-Israeli Wars: War and Peace in the Middle East, Vintage, 2005. ISBN: 1-4000-7963-2
