Tommy Lapid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tommy Lapid
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טומי לפיד
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Lapid reporting from the Eichmann trial in 1961
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| Ministerial roles | |
| 2003–2004 | Deputy Prime Minister |
| 2003–2004 | Minister of Justice |
| Faction represented in the Knesset | |
| 1999–2006 | Shinui |
| 2006 | Secular Faction |
| Other roles | |
| 2005 | Leader of the Opposition |
| 2005 | Shadow Prime Minister |
| 2005 | Shadow Vice Prime Minister |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Tomislav Lampel
27 December 1931 Novi Sad, Yugoslavia |
| Died | 1 June 2008 (aged 76) Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Children | 3, including Yair Lapid |
Joseph "Tommy" Lapid (Hebrew: יוסף "טומי" לפיד; born Tomislav Lampel; 27 December 1931 – 1 June 2008) was a famous Israeli journalist, writer, and politician. He was known for his strong opinions and quick wit. Lapid led the Shinui political party, which focused on secular (non-religious) values, from 1999 to 2006. He believed that religious rules should not be part of Israel's laws. His son, Yair Lapid, later became the 14th Prime Minister of Israel in 2022.
Biography
Tommy Lapid was born in Novi Sad, which was part of Yugoslavia (now Serbia), on December 27, 1931. His family was of Hungarian Jewish background. During World War II, his family was captured by the Nazis. They were sent to the Budapest Ghetto, a special area where Jewish people were forced to live.
His father, Dr. Bela Lampel, was sent to a concentration camp and died there. His grandmother was also killed in a concentration camp. Tommy and his mother were saved by Raoul Wallenberg, a brave Swedish diplomat in Budapest. After the war, in 1948, they moved to Israel.
In Israel, Lapid worked for a Hungarian-language newspaper. He also served in the Israel Defense Forces from 1950 to 1953. Later, he earned a law degree from Tel Aviv University in 1957. He married Shulamit Lapid, who became a well-known writer. They had three children. Their son, Yair Lapid, followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a journalist and then a politician. Yair became Prime Minister of Israel in 2022.
Media Career
Tommy Lapid began his career as a journalist. He first wrote for a Hungarian newspaper in Israel. Later, he joined a major Israeli newspaper called Maariv. He became a very influential writer there.
He also worked in television and radio. He became the director-general of the Israel Broadcasting Authority. He was also the first editor of a women's magazine called At. Lapid was also a successful writer of plays.
In the 1990s, Lapid was a regular guest on popular political talk shows. He was known for his lively discussions. In 1998, he received the Sokolov Award, which is Israel's highest award for journalism. This was for his weekly radio show.
Political Career
In the late 1990s, Tommy Lapid joined the Shinui political party. This party became more popular after he joined. In the 1999 elections, Shinui won six seats in the Knesset (Israel's parliament). This was Lapid's first time becoming a member of the Knesset.
In the 2003 elections, Shinui focused on making Israel more secular. The party won 15 seats, becoming the third-largest party in the Knesset. Shinui was then invited to join the government led by Ariel Sharon. Lapid was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice.
Between 2001 and 2006, Lapid helped create a special commission called "Future Generations." This group was meant to look out for the long-term interests of Israel's future citizens.
Shinui left the government in December 2004 because of disagreements. Lapid then formed a "Shadow Cabinet" in January 2005. This is like a government-in-waiting, ready to take over if needed. A week later, he became the Leader of the Opposition. This meant he was the main voice against the ruling government.
Before the 2006 elections, Lapid remained the leader of Shinui. However, some members left to form a new party called Hetz. Lapid later supported this new party, but he did not lead it. The party did not win any seats in the elections.
Other Activities
In July 2006, Lapid became the Chairman of the Advisory Board for Yad Vashem. This is Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. He called this role a "sacred duty."
He also appeared on an Israeli TV show called Council of Wise Men. He hosted his own radio program as well. Lapid was also the chairman of the Israel Chess Society. He was an honorary member of the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, named after the man who saved him during the Holocaust.
Death
Tommy Lapid passed away on June 1, 2008, at the age of 76. He had been battling cancer.
Legacy
In March 2011, a street in Veternik, a suburb of his hometown Novi Sad, was renamed "Tommy Joseph Lapid Street" in his honor.
See also
In Spanish: Yosef Lapid para niños
