Yitzhak Rabin: A Biography

1922-1995

Born Jerusalem, March 1922. After completing his studies, he served in the Palmach and the Israel Defence Forces for 27 years, including as Chief of Staff from 1964-68 , which was his position during the Six Day War [June 1967].

After serving as Israel's Ambassador to the US from 1968-73, Yitzhak Rabin entered the Labor Party and the 8th Knesset. He headed the new government of 2 June 1974, after the fall of Golda Meir's government.

As Prime Minister , with American mediation, he conducted the negotiations which resulted in the 1975 interim agreement between Israel and Egypt.

In June 1976, Prime Minister Rabin's government ordered the Entebbe Operation to rescue Jewish Air France skyjack hostages from Uganda.

From 1977 to 1984, Yitzhak Rabin was an active opposition MK and then joined the National Unity Government of the 10th Knesset , serving as Defense Minister uunitl March 1990.

Following his election as Chairman of the Israel Labor Party in March 1992, Yitzhak Rabin led the Labor Party to election victory in June 1992. As Prime Minister , he signed the Israel- Palestinian Declaration of Principles on 13 September 1993 , the Cairo Agreements with the Palestinians in May 1994, the Peace Agreement with Jordan on 24 July 1994 and the Interim Agreement with the Palestinians on 28 September 1995. He was also one of the three laureates awarded the highest accolade recognized by the entire world: the Nobel Peace Prize, on 10 December 1994.

Back to Index