Yakov Kedmi Israeli statesman, diplomat Date of Birth: 05.03.1927 Country: Israel

1. Israeli Statesman and Diplomat
2. Early Life and Immigration to Israel
3. Activism and Military Service
4. Nativ and Mass Aliyah
5. Retirement, Controversy, and Business Ventures
6. Recent Career
7. Personal Life

Israeli Statesman and Diplomat

Yaakov Kedmi is an Israeli statesman and diplomat who served as the head of Nativ, a covert organization responsible for facilitating the emigration of Jews from the Soviet bloc, from 1992 to 1999.

Early Life and Immigration to Israel

Born in Moscow on March 5, 1947, Yaakov Kedmi grew up in an engineering family. As a young man, he worked as a concrete reinforcement worker to support his family. On February 19, 1967, Kedmi famously walked into the Israeli embassy in Moscow and declared his desire to immigrate to Israel. The embassy official initially suspected Kedmi of being an agent provocateur for the KGB, but eventually provided him with emigration materials. On June 11, 1967, Kedmi publicly renounced his Soviet citizenship and demanded the right to leave for Israel. He subsequently sought refuge in the US embassy in Moscow and discussed his emigration plans with a consul.

Kedmi's actions made him the first open dissident of his kind in the USSR. Despite having no family in Israel, he was granted permission to emigrate in February 1969.

Activism and Military Service

Upon his arrival in Israel, Kedmi became an active supporter of the movement for the repatriation of Soviet Jews. He was arrested and interrogated by the KGB but was not detained. He eventually served as a tank commander in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), participating in the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

Nativ and Mass Aliyah

After the war, Kedmi worked as a security officer for El Al Airlines. In the late 1970s, he joined Nativ, which primarily focused on clandestine Jewish emigration from the Soviet bloc. Kedmi served as its director from 1992 to 1999. Under his leadership, Nativ played a crucial role in facilitating the mass immigration of Jews from the former USSR to Israel in the early 1990s.

Retirement, Controversy, and Business Ventures

Kedmi retired from Nativ in January 1999, citing disagreements with then-Prime Minister Ehud Netanyahu. He has since engaged in business and has published memoirs titled "Hopeless Wars."

Recent Career

Kedmi has made frequent appearances on Russian television and radio since the 2010s, often providing political commentary.

Personal Life

Yaakov Kedmi is married to Edith, a chemical engineer. They have three children.