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Ezer WeizmanPresident of Israel from 1993 to July 2000.
Date of Birth: 15.06.1924
Country:  Israel |
Content:
- Ezer Weizman: From Hawk to Peacemaker
- Involvement with Irgun and the Israeli Air Force
- Rise in the IAF and the Six-Day War
- Entrance into Politics with Herut
- Role in the Camp David Accords
- Transformation from Hawk to Dove
- Founding Yahad and Joining Labor
- Secret Meeting with PLO and Controversial Legislation
- Presidency and Legacy
Ezer Weizman: From Hawk to Peacemaker
Early Life and Military CareerEzer Weizman, born in Haifa in 1924, hailed from an esteemed Zionist family. His father, Yechiel Weizman, was a respected citizen of the city, while his uncle, Chaim Weizman, became Israel's first president. After graduating from high school, Weizman pursued a career in aviation and earned his pilot's license at age 18.
During World War II, Weizman joined the British Army and became part of the first group of Palestinian volunteers sent to a flight school in Rhodesia. He fought in Egypt and India, showcasing his exceptional piloting skills. Upon demobilization in 1946, Weizman remained in England to attend aviation engineering courses.
Involvement with Irgun and the Israeli Air Force
During this period, Weizman became an active member of the extremist organization Irgun. In 1948, on the eve of Israel's independence, he returned to Palestine to establish its air force units. As one of the country's first native pilots, Weizman played a pivotal role in shaping the Israeli Air Force.
He commanded a squadron in the Negev during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and later participated in the first aerial raid on Egyptian forces advancing towards Ashdod. In 1950, Weizman assumed the position of Head of Operations in the IAF's headquarters.
Rise in the IAF and the Six-Day War
Following his return from military staff college in England, Weizman commanded a squadron equipped with the Israeli Air Force's first jet fighters. During the 1956 Sinai Campaign, he participated in air attacks on Egypt. Subsequently, he became the IAF commander and a general in 1958.
Weizman's strategic plans played a crucial role in the IAF's success during the Six-Day War in 1967. His prediction that the IAF could neutralize the Egyptian Air Force within six hours was initially dismissed as a flippant remark. However, the IAF's victory in less than three hours proved his calculations correct.
Entrance into Politics with Herut
After retiring from the military in 1969, Weizman briefly entered politics, joining the Herut party. In 1970, he became the party's chairman and made bold political statements, advocating for the elimination of Jordan. As a key figure in Herut, Weizman was considered a potential rival to Menachem Begin.
Role in the Camp David Accords
In 1977, Begin invited Weizman to lead Likud's election campaign, which culminated in the bloc's accession to power. As Defense Minister from 1977 to 1980, Weizman played a significant role in negotiating the peace treaty with Egypt. He was widely regarded as Begin's successor.
However, in 1980, Weizman severed ties with Likud and the right-wing camp. Former Israeli Ambassador to Russia Arie Levin attributed this decision to Weizman's disagreement with Begin's hardline policies. During the Camp David negotiations, where Begin sidelined Weizman, he realized that peacemaking was the only viable path.
Transformation from Hawk to Dove
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's visit to Jerusalem in 1977 deeply impacted Weizman and many Israelis. As a former fighter pilot who had never experienced the horrors of ground warfare, Weizman's perspective shifted. His transformation was further solidified after his son Shaul was severely wounded in 1970 by an Egyptian sniper.
Founding Yahad and Joining Labor
After leaving Herut, Weizman established a small centrist party that had little electoral success. In 1984, he was elected to the Knesset as an independent and later joined the Labor party. He served as Minister of Science, Infrastructure, and Energy.
Secret Meeting with PLO and Controversial Legislation
In 1990, Weizman held a secret meeting with a Palestine Liberation Organization representative in Geneva. This violated Israeli law, and Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir demanded Weizman's resignation. Despite facing intense criticism, Weizman remained defiant.
Presidency and Legacy
In 1993, Ezer Weizman became Israel's seventh president. He transformed himself into a vocal advocate for peace, renouncing his earlier hawkish stances. Weizman's presidency was marked by his charisma, outspokenness, and occasional impulsiveness. He remained a controversial figure, both praised and criticized for his frankness and willingness to challenge the status quo.
Weizman's legacy lies in his unwavering belief in peace, his ability to inspire hope, and his genuine concern for the future of Israel. Despite facing political setbacks and personal challenges, Weizman remained an optimistic and influential figure in Israeli public life.
