This project is on History Link
The project lists:
- The signatories of the Declaration of Independence (מגילת העצמאות);
- the Presidents of the State of Israel;
- the heads of the three branches of power in Israel, thus, reflecting the "Separation of Power",
- the legislative branch - The Knesset (כנסת) (list of the Speakers);
- the executive branch - The Government (ממשלה) (list of the Prime Ministers);
- the judiciary branch - represented by the Supreme Court (בית המשפט העליון) (list of the Chief Justices). Also included are:
- The Attorney Generals (היועץ המשפטי לממשלה) of Israel
- The State Comptrollers and Ombudsmen (מבקר המדינה ונציב תלונות הציבור) of Israel
- The Chiefs of the General Staff: (ראש המטה הכללי) of Israel Defense Force (IDF)
- The General Commissioners: (המפקח הכללי של המשטרה) of Israel Police
In the photo: Emblem of Israel. The Emblem of the State of Israel (Hebrew: סמל מדינת ישראל) shows a menorah surrounded by an olive branch on each side, and the writing "ישראל" (Hebrew for Israel) below it.
The image used on the emblem is based on a depiction of the menorah on the Arch of Titus (in Rome). The menorah was used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem and has been a symbol of Judaism since ancient times. It symbolizes universal enlightenment. The emblem may also be based on the vision of the biblical prophet Zechariah, chapter 4, where he describes seeing a menorah flanked by two olive trees, one on each side. The olive branches symbolize peace.
Declaration of Independence
The Israeli Declaration of Independence (Hebrew: הכרזת העצמאות, Hakhrazat HaAtzma'ut or Hebrew: מגילת העצמאות Megilat HaAtzma'ut), made on 14 May 1948 (5 Iyar 5708), the day before the British Mandate was due to expire, was the official announcement that the new Jewish state named the State of Israel had been formally established in parts of what was known as the British Mandate of Palestine and on land where, in antiquity, the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah had once been.
The scroll, which is bound together in three parts, is generally kept in the country's National Archives, though it is currently on display at the Israel Museum.
List of Signatories of the Declaration of Independence (by the Hebrew alphabet):
- David Ben Gurion - דוד בן גוריון
- Daniel Auster - דניאל אוסטר
- Mordekhai Bentov - מרדכי בנטוב
- Yitzhak Ben-Zvi - יצחק בן צבי
- Eliyahu Berlin - אליהו ברלין
- Fritz Bernstein - פריץ (פרץ) ברנשטיין
- Rabbi Wolf Gold - הרב זאב וולף גולד
- Meir Grabovsly - (מאיר גרבובסקי (ארגוב
- Yitzhak Gruenbaum - יצחק גרינבוים
- Dr. Avraham Granovski - (ד"ר אברהם גרנובסקי (גרנות
- Eliyahu Dobkin - אליהו דובקין
- Meir Wilner-Kobner - מאיר וילנר
- Zerach Warhaftig - זרח ורהפטיג
- Herzl Vardi - הרצל ורדי
- Rachel Cohen - רחל כהן
- Rabbi Kalman Kahana - הרב ד"ר קלמן כהנא
- Saadia Kobashi - סעדיה כובאשי
- Rabbi Yitzhak Meir Levin - הרב יצחק מאיר לוין
- Meir David Lewenstein - מאיר דוד לוינשטיין
- Zvi Luria - צבי לוריא
- Golda Myerson - גולדה מאירסון
- Nachum Nir - נחום ניר
- Zvi Segal - צבי סגל
- Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaCohen Fishman - הרב יהודה לייב הכהן מימון
- David Zvi Pinkas - דוד צבי פנקס
- Aharon Zisling - אהרון ציזלינג
- Moshe Kolodny-Kol - משה קולודני קול
- Eliezer Kaplan - אליעזר קפלן
- Avraham Katznelson - אברהם קצנלסון
- Pinhas Rosen (Felix Rosenblueth) - פנחס רוזן - פליקס רוזנבליט
- David Remez - דוד רמז
- Berl Repetur (Beryl Raptor) - ברל רפטור
- Mordechai Shattner - מרדכי שטנר
- Ben Zion Sternberg - בן-ציון שטרנברג
- Bechor Shitreet - בכור שיטרית
- Moshe Shapira - משה שפירא
- Moshe Shertok - משה שרתוק
Presidents of the State of Israel.
The President of the State of Israel (Hebrew: נשיא המדינה, Nasi HaMedina, lit. President of the State; Arabic: رئيس الدولة) is the head of state of Israel. The position is largely an apolitical ceremonial figurehead role, with the real executive power lying in the hands of the Prime Minister. Presidents are elected by the Knesset, for a seven year term (from 1993), and are limited to a single term.
Presidents of Israel:
- 1. Dr. Chaim Weizmann 1949 – 1952 (died in office) דר' חיים ויצמן. Head of the Zionist movement for many years, Weizmann was responsible for obtaining the Balfour Declaration and for founding the Weizmann Institute of Science. From May 17, 1948 until he became President, Weizmann was acting Chairman of the provisional government. Weizmann died in office and was temporarily succeeded by Knesset speaker Yosef Shprinzak.
- 2. Yitzhak Ben-Tzvi 1952 – 1963 (died in office) יצחק בן-צבי. Mapai politician, pioneer and ideologue Ben-Tzvi was a founder of the Labor Zionist movement. Ben-Tzvi died in office and was temporarily succeeded by Knesset speaker Kaddish Luz.
- 3. Zalman Shazar 1963 – 1973 זלמן שז"ר. Mapai politician, author and poet Shazar was a veteran leader of the Zionist movement.
- 4. Prof. Ephraim Katzir 1973 – 1978 פרופ. אפרים קציר . Katzir, a member of the Labor Alignment Party, was a distinguished scientist and helped to found Israel's Defense industries.
- 5. Yitzhak Navon 1978 – 1983 יצחק נבון . Navon, a member of the Labor Alignment Party, was a distinguished educator.
- 6. Chaim Herzog 1983 – 1993 חיים הרצוג . Labor Alignment Party candidate Herzog was formerly a prominent military leader and Israeli ambassador to the U.N.
- 7. Ezer Weizmann 1993 – 2000 עזר ויצמן. Labor Party candidate Weizmann was among the founders of Israel Air Force and was a commander of the IAF. He resigned in the face of accusations of financial misconduct. Knesset speaker Avraham Burg took over as acting president.
- 8. Moshe Katzav 2000 – 2007 משה קצב. Likud party candidate Katsav was mayor of a small town and a Likud MK. He served as Minister in several Likud led governments (1981-99) and was Deputy Prime Minister of Netanyahu (1996-9). He was dismissed from office in disgrace in 2007 following repeated accusations of sexual misconduct. Knesset Speaker Dalia Izik took over as acting president. Moshe Katzav stood trial and was convicted of two counts of rape on December 30, 2010. Sentenced to 7 yrs in prison.
- 9. Shimon Peres 2007 – 2014 שמעון פרס. Kadima Party and Labor party candidate Peres has a distinguished record of service for Israel the Labor Party. He played a key role in defense procurement for the new state of Israel, served in various political capacities including Prime Minister, and won the Nobel Peace Prize for the Oslo accords.
- 10. Reuven Rivlin 2014 – 2021 ראובן ריבלין. Rivlin is an Israeli lawyer and a Likud party politician. A Knesset member and a past government minister of communication. He served as the 14th Speaker of the Knesset.
- 11. Itzhak 'Buji' Herzog (2021 – incumbent) יצחק ׳בוזי׳ הרצוג Israeli politician and past Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel. A lawyer by profession, he served as the Government Secretary between 1999 and 2001 and as a member of the Knesset from 2003 to 2018. He held several ministerial posts between 2005 and 2011, including Minister of Welfare and Social Services (2007–11).
Prime Minister of the State of Israel.
The Prime Minister of Israel (Hebrew: ראש הממשלה, Rosh HaMemshala, lit. Head of the Government; Arabic: رئيس الحكومة) is the head of the Israeli government and the most powerful political figure in Israel. The prime minister is the country's chief executive.
Following an election, the President nominates a member of the Knesset to become prime minister after consulting with Knesset party leaders. The nominee becomes prime minister after receiving a vote of confidence in the Knesset.
Selections of Photos of Israel Governments - מבחר תמונות של ממשלות ישראל
Prime Ministers of Israel:
- Temporary Gov't, Gov'ts 1-4
- Gov'ts 5-6
- Gov'ts 7-10
- David Ben-Gurion 1955–1963 דוד בן-גוריון
- Gov'ts 11-13
- Gov'ts 14-16
- Gov't 17
- Gov'ts 18-19
- Gov't 20
- Gov't 21
- Gov'ts 22-24
- Gov't 25
- Gov't 26
- Gov't 27
- Gov't 28
- Gov't 29
- Gov'ts 30
- Gov't 31
- Gov'ts 32-35
- Gov't 36:
- Gov't 37:
Speaker of the Knesset - Israel Parliament.
The Knesset Speaker is elected by the plenum. The Speaker conducts the affairs of the Knesset, represents it externally, preserves its dignity, the decorum of its sittings and the observance of its Rules of Procedure. The Speaker, or one of his deputies, presides over the sittings of the plenum, conducts them, puts resolutions to the vote and determines the results of these votes. In the absence of the President of the State from the country, the Speaker acts in his place. The Speaker and Deputy Speakers together constitute the Knesset Presidium, which approves the tabling of private Members' bills and the urgency of Motions for the Agenda.
Speakers of the Knesset:
- Knessets 1-3
- Knesset 3
- Knessets 4-6
- Knessets 7-8
- Knesset 8
- Knesset 9
- Knesset 10
- Knesset 11
- Knesset 12
- Knesset 13
- Knesset 14
- Knesset 15
- Knesset 16
- Knesset 17
- Knesset 18
- Knessets 19-22
- Knesset 23
- Knesset 24
- Knesset 25
The Supreme Court of Israel.
The Supreme Court (Hebrew: בית המשפט העליון, Beit HaMishpat HaElyon, Arabic: المحكمة العليا) is at the head of the court system in the State of Israel. It is the highest judicial instance. The Supreme Court sits in Jerusalem.
The area of its jurisdiction is the entire state. A ruling of the Supreme Court is binding upon every court, other than the Supreme Court itself. This is the principle of binding precedent (stare decisis) in Israel. The Supreme Court is an appellate court, as well as the High Court of Justice. At the present time there are 14 Supreme Court Justices. At the head of the Supreme Court and at the head of the judicial system as a whole stands the President of the Supreme Court. A judge's term ends at 70 years of age, resignation, death, upon appointment to another position that disqualifies him or her, or being removed from office.
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court:
- Moshe Smoira 1948–1954 משה זמורה, b. 1888 Königsberg, Prussia, d. 1961 Jerusalem, Israel.
- Yitzhak Olshan 1954–1965 יצחק אולשן, b. 1895 Kovna, Lithuania; d. 1983 Jerusalem, Israel.
- Shimon Agranat 1965–1976 שמעון אגרנט, b. 1906 Louisville, Kentucky, USA, d. 1992, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Yoel (Julius) Sussman 1976–1980 יואל זוסמן, b. 1910 Kraków, Poland, d. 1982, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Moshe Landau 1980–1982 משה לנדוי, b. 1912, Danzig, Prussia, d. 2011, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Yitzhak Kahan 1982–1983 יצחק כאהן, b. 1913 Brody, Galicia, Austria-Hungary, d. 1985, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Meir Shamgar 1983–1995 מאיר שמגר, b. 1925 Free City of Danzig (Poland), d. 2019, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Aharon Barak 1995–2006 אהרון ברק, b. 1936 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Dorit Beinisch 2006–2012 דורית בייניש, b. 1942 Tel Aviv, Israel
- Asher Grunis 2012–2015 אשר גרוניס, b. 1945 Tel Aviv, Israel l
- Miriam Naor 2015–2017 מרים נאור, b. 1947 Jerusalem, Israel
- Esther Hayut 2017 - current אסתר חיות, b.1953 Herzliya, Israel
The Attorney General of Israel.
The Attorney General of Israel (היועץ המשפטי לממשלה, lit. The Legal Advisor to the Government) stands at the head of the legal system of the executive branch and the head of the public legal establishment, in charge of protecting the rule of law and as such entrusted with protecting the public interest from possible harm by government authorities. It is an independent appointed position which is one of the most important and influential in the Israeli democracy, and a central institution in the framework of the Israeli legal system. Owing to the common law tradition of the domestic legal system, much of the position's duties are not codified in law and have been borne out of precedent and tradition over the years.
The Attorney General has four main duties: Head of the public prosecution system; Representative of the state in all legal proceedings; Chief legal council to the government; Representative of the public interest in any legal matte.
The Attorney Generals:
- Ya'akov Shimshon Shapira 1948–1950 יעקב שמשון שפירא
- Haim Cohn 1950–1960 חיים כהן
- Gideon Hausner 1960–1963 גדעון האוזנר
- Moshe Ben-Ze'ev 1963–1968 משה בן-זאב
- Meir Shamgar 1968-1975 מאיר שמגר
- Aharon Barak: 1975–1978 אהרון ברק
- Yitzhak Zamir 1978–1986 יצחק זמיר
- Yosef Harish 1986–1993 יוסף חריש
- Michael Ben-Yair 1993–1997 מיכאל בן-יאיר
- Roni Bar-On 48 hrs in 1997 רוני בר-און
- Elyakim Rubinstein 1997–2004 אליקים רובינשטיין
- Menachem Mazuz 2004–2010 מנחם מזוז
- Yehuda Weinstein 2010–2016 יהודה ויינשטיין
- Avichai Mandelblit 2016–2022 אביחי מנדלבליט
- Gali Baharav-Miara 2022–incumbent גלי בהרב מיארה
The State Comptroller and Ombudsman of Israel.
The State Comptroller of Israel (מבקר המדינה, مراقب الدولة) supervises and reviews the policies and operations of the government of the State of Israel. The incumbent is independent of the government and answers to the Knesset alone. The principal function of the state comptroller is to check on the legality, regularity, efficiency, economy, and ethical conduct of public institutions.
By law, the State Comptroller in Israel also functions as Ombudsman ( נציב תלונות הציבור) to whom members of the public may send complaints about actions by governmental bodies that have caused them harm.
The State Comptrollers and Ombudsmen:
- Siegfried Moses (1949–1961) זיגפריד מוזס
- Yitzhak Ernst Nebenzahl (1961–1981) יצחק ארנסט נבנצל
- Yitzhak Tunik (1982–1987) יצחק טוניק
- Yaakov Malz (1987–1988) יעקב מלץ
- Miriam Ben-Porat (1988–1998) מרים בן-פורת
- Eliezer Goldberg (1998–2005) אליעזר גולדברג
- Micha Lindenstrauss (2005–2012) מיכה לינדנשטראוס
- Yosef Shapira (2012–2019) יוסף שפירא
- Metanyahu Engelman (2019-incumbent) מתניהו אנגלמן
The Chief of the General Staff of the IDF.
The Chief of the General Staff, also known as the Commander-in-Chief of the Israel Defense Forces (Hebrew: ראש המטה הכללי, Rosh HaMateh HaKlali, abbr. Ramatkal—רמטכ"ל), is the supreme commander and Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. The position of Chief of Staff is defined in the Basic Law: The Military (1976), clause three:
- The supreme command rank in the military is that of the Chief of the General Staff
- The Chief of the General Staff is to be placed under the authority of the government and subordinate to the Defense Minister
- The Chief of the General Staff is to be appointed by the government, according to the recommendation of the Defense Minister
The Chief of Staff is formally appointed once every three years, with the government often extending the term to four years, and in some rare occasions, even five. The rank is "Rav-Aluf" (in Hebrew: רב אלוף), it is equivalent to a 3-Star General (Lieutenant General) in some Armies, but holds a position equivalent to Marshal in others.
The Chiefs of the General Staff:
- 1. Yaakov Dori 1947–1949 יעקב דורי
- 2. Yigael Yadin 1949–1952 יגאל ידין
- 3. Mordechai Maklef 1952–1953 מרדכי מקלף
- 4. Moshe Dayan 1953–1958 משה דיין
- 5. Chaim Laskov 1958–1961 חיים לסקוב
- 6. Tzvi (Tsera/Cera) Tzur 1961–1964 צבי (צ׳רה) צור
- 7. Yitzhak Rabin 1964–1968 יצחק רבין
- 8. Chaim Bar-Lev 1968–1972 חיים בר-לב
- 9. David (Dado) Elazar 1972–1974 דוד (דדו) אלעזר
- 10. Mordechai (Mota) Gur 1974–1978 מרדכי (מוטה) גור
- 11. Raphael (Raful) Eitan 1978–1983 רפאל (רפול) איתן
- 12. Moshe Levi 1983–1987 משה לוי
- 13. Dan Shomron 1987–1991 דן שומרון
- 14. Ehud Barak 1991–1995 אהוד ברק
- 15. Amnon Lipkin-Shahak 1995–1998 אמנון ליפקין-שחק
- 16. Shaul Mofaz 1998–2002 שאול מופז
- 17. Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon 2002–2005 משה (בוגי) יעלון
- 18. Dan "Danny" Halutz 2005–2007 דן ״דני״ חלוץ
- 19. Gabi Ashkenazi 2007–2011 גבי אשכנזי
- 20. Benny Gantz 2011–2015 בני גנץ
- 21. Gadi Eizenkot 2015–2019 גדי אייזנקוט
- 22. Aviv Kochavi 2019-2023 אביב כוכבי
- 23. [ Herzl (Herzi) Halevi 2023-incumbent הרצל (הרצי) הלוי]
The Police General Commissioners:
The Israel Police (Hebrew: משטרת ישראל, romanized: Mišteret Yisra'el; Arabic: شرطة إسرائيل, romanized: Shurtat Isrāʼīl) is the civilian police force of Israel. As with most other police forces in the world, its duties include crime fighting, traffic control, maintaining public safety, and counter-terrorism. It is under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Public Security.
The General Commissioners:. The rank is "Rav-Nitzav" (in Hebrew: רב ניצב)
- 1. Yehezkel Sahar 1948–1958 יחזקאל סהר
- 2. Yosef Nachmias 1958–1964 יוסף נחמיאס
- 3. Pinhas Kopel 1964–1972 פנחס קופל
- 4. Aaron Sela 1972 אהרון סלע
- 5. Shaul Rozolio 1972–1977 שאול רוזוליו
- 6. Haim Tavori 1976–1979 חיים תבורי
- 7. Herzl Shapir 1980 הרצל שפיר
- 8. Arieh Ivtsan 1981–1985 אריה איבצן
- 9. David Kraus 1985 1990 דוד קראוס
- 10. Yaakov Turner 1990–1993 יעקב טרנר
- 11. Rafi Peled 1993–1994 רפי פלד
- 12. Assaf Hefetz 1994–1997 אסף חפץ
- 13. Yehuda Wilk 1998–2000 יהודה וילק
- 14. Shlomo Aharonishki 2001–2004 שלמה אהרונישקי
- 15. Moshe Karadi 2004–2007 משה קרדי
- 16. David (Dudi) Cohen 2007–2011 דודי כהן
- 17. Yohanan Danino 2011–2015 יוחנן דנינו
- 18. Ben Zion (Benzi) Sao (interim) 2015 בן ציון (בנצי) סאו
- 19. Roni Alsheikh 2015–2018 רוני אלשייך
- 20. Motti Cohen (interim) 2018–2021 מוטי כהן
- 21. Yaakov (Kobi) Shabtai 2021–incumbent יעקב (קובי) שבתאי
References:
- President of Israel - נשיא מדינת ישראל
- Presidents of the State of Israel - 1 - נשיאי מדינת ישראל
- Presidents of the State of Israel - 2 - נשיאי מדינת ישראל
- Prime Minister of Israel - ראש ממשלת ישראל
- Prime Ministers of the Governments of Israel - ראשי ממשלות ישראל
- Speaker of the Knesset - יושב ראש הכנסת
- Speakers of the Kneset - יושבי ראש הכנסת
- Supreme Court of Israel - בית המשפט העליון בישראל
- Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Israel - נשיאי בית המשפט העליון בישראל
- The Signatories of the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel - חותמי מגילת העצמאות
- Attorney General of Israel היועץ המשפטי לממשלה
- State Comptroller of Israel מבקר המדינה
- Chiefs of the General Staff of Israel ראשי המטה הכללי
- Israel Police