1957 in Israel
Encyclopedia
Incumbents
- Prime Minister of IsraelPrime Minister of IsraelThe Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and the most powerful political figure in Israel . The prime minister is the country's chief executive. The official residence of the prime minister, Beit Rosh Hamemshala is in Jerusalem...
– David Ben-GurionDavid Ben-Gurion' was the first Prime Minister of Israel.Ben-Gurion's passion for Zionism, which began early in life, led him to become a major Zionist leader and Executive Head of the World Zionist Organization in 1946...
(MapaiMapaiMapai was a left-wing political party in Israel, and was the dominant force in Israeli politics until its merger into the Israeli Labor Party in 1968...
) - President of IsraelPresident of IsraelThe President of the State of Israel 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. The current president is Shimon Peres who took office on 15 July 2007...
– Yitzhak Ben-ZviYitzhak Ben-ZviYitzhak Ben-Zvi was a historian, Labor Zionist leader, the second and longest-serving President of Israel.-Biography:... - Chief of General Staff - Moshe DayanMoshe DayanMoshe Dayan was an Israeli military leader and politician. The fourth Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces , he became a fighting symbol to the world of the new State of Israel...
- Government of Israel - 7th Government of IsraelSeventh government of IsraelThe seventh government of Israel was formed by David Ben-Gurion on 3 November 1955 following the July 1955 elections. His coalition included Mapai, the National Religious Front, Mapam, Ahdut HaAvoda, and the Israeli Arab parties, the Democratic List for Israeli Arabs, Progress and Work and...
Events
- January 22 – Israel withdraws from the Sinai PeninsulaSinai PeninsulaThe Sinai Peninsula or Sinai is a triangular peninsula in Egypt about in area. It is situated between the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and the Red Sea to the south, and is the only part of Egyptian territory located in Asia as opposed to Africa, effectively serving as a land bridge between two...
(captured from EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
on October 29, 1956). - March 4 – Israel KastnerRudolf KastnerRudolf Israel Kastner was a Jewish-Hungarian journalist and lawyer who became known for facilitating the departure of Jews out of Nazi-occupied Hungary during the Holocaust...
is killed outside his house by Ze'ev Eckstein (who pulled the trigger), Dan Shemer and Yosef Menkes. All three were former members of the pre-state right-wing underground Jewish militant group LehiLehi (group)Lehi , commonly referred to in English as the Stern Group or Stern Gang, was a militant Zionist group founded by Avraham Stern in the British Mandate of Palestine...
. Kastner dies of his injuries twelve days later. - July – The 1957 Maccabiah Games1957 Maccabiah GamesTwenty countries sent 980 athletes to compete in the 1957 5th Maccabiah, an international Jewish athletics competition similar to the Olympics.The presence of a large number of world-class Jewish athletes elevated the quality of competition...
are held. - October 28 – In the 1957 Israeli presidential electionIsraeli presidential election, 1957An election for President of Israel was held in the Knesset on 28 October 1957 following the end of Yitzhak Ben-Zvi's five year term in office. Ben-Zvi stood again, and it was suggested that Yosef-Yoel Rivlin would run against him as a representative of Herut...
, the KnessetKnessetThe Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
re-elects Yitzhak Ben-ZviYitzhak Ben-ZviYitzhak Ben-Zvi was a historian, Labor Zionist leader, the second and longest-serving President of Israel.-Biography:...
as President of IsraelPresident of IsraelThe President of the State of Israel 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. The current president is Shimon Peres who took office on 15 July 2007...
with 76 votes. There is no other candidate. - October 29 – Moshe DwekMoshe DwekMoshe Dwek is a Yemenite-Israeli most notable for throwing a hand grenade in the Knesset while it was in session on 29 October 1957 and for a failed run for the Knesset in 1988....
, a 26-year-old Yemenite-Israeli mental patient throws a hand grenadeHand grenadeA hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
in the KnessetKnessetThe Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
. The grenade blast causes severe injuries to the Minister of Religious Affairs Haim-Moshe ShapiraHaim-Moshe ShapiraHaim-Moshe Shapira was a key Israeli politician in the early days of the state's existence. A signatory of Israel's declaration of independence, he served continuously as a minister from the country's foundation in 1948 until his death in 1970 apart from a brief spell in the late...
, and lightly wounds the prime minister David Ben-GurionDavid Ben-Gurion' was the first Prime Minister of Israel.Ben-Gurion's passion for Zionism, which began early in life, led him to become a major Zionist leader and Executive Head of the World Zionist Organization in 1946...
, Foreign Minister Golda MeirGolda MeirGolda Meir ; May 3, 1898 – December 8, 1978) was a teacher, kibbutznik and politician who became the fourth Prime Minister of the State of Israel....
and the Minister of Transport Moshe CarmelMoshe CarmelMoshe Carmel was an Israeli soldier and politician who served as Minister of Transportation for eight years.-Background:Born in Mińsk Mazowiecki in the Russian Empire , Carmel emigrated to Mandate Palestine in 1924 when he was 13 years old. He was a founding member of kibbutz Na'an, and was...
.
Israeli–Palestinian conflict
The most prominent events related to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict which occurred during 1957 include:- March 7 - Israeli army withdraws from the Gaza StripGaza Stripthumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
.
Notable Palestinian militant operations against Israeli targets
The most prominent Palestinian fedayeen terror attack
Palestinian political violence
Palestinian political violence refers to acts of violence undertaken to further the Palestinian cause. These political objectives include self-determination in and sovereignty over Palestine, the liberation of Palestine and establishment of a Palestinian state, either in place of both Israel and...
s committed against Israelis during 1957 include:
- February 18 – Two Israeli civilians are killed in the kibbutz Nir Yitzhak by landmines set by Palestinian Arab militants who infiltrated into Israel from the Gaza StripGaza Stripthumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
. - March 8 - Armed Palestinian Arab militants, who infiltrated into Israel, kill a shepherdShepherdA shepherd is a person who tends, feeds or guards flocks of sheep.- Origins :Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations, beginning some 6,000 years ago in Asia Minor. Sheep were kept for their milk, meat and especially their wool...
from kibbutz Beit GuvrinBeit Guvrin (kibbutz)Beit Guvrin is a kibbutz in the Lakhish region, west of the ancient city of Beit Guvrin, for which it is named. It belongs to Yoav Regional Council. It is about 14 km east of Kiryat Gat, the nearest city...
in a field near the kibbutz. - April 16 - Armed Palestinian Arab militants, who infiltrated into Israel, killed two guards at Kibbutz MesilotMesilotMesilot is a kibbutz in Beit She'an Valley near the city of Beit She'an in Israel. It falls under the jurisdiction of Valley of Springs Regional Council.location : under mount Gilboa-History:...
. - May 20 - Armed Palestinian Arab militant opened fire on a truck in the Arava region, killing a worker.
- May 29 - A tractor driver was killed and two others wounded, when the vehicle struck a landmine, next to kibbutz KissufimKissufimKissufim is a kibbutz in the northwestern Negev desert in Israel. Located adjacent to the Gaza Strip, it falls under the jurisdiction of Eshkol Regional Council. It sits at an altitude of 92 metres above sea level.- History :...
. - June 23 - Israelis were wounded by landmines, close to the Gaza Strip.
- August 23 - Two guards of the Israeli MekorotMekorotMekorot is the national water company of Israel and the country's top agency for water management.Mekorot was founded in 1937. It supplies 90% of Israel's drinking water and 80% of its water supplies. The company runs 3,000 installations throughout the country for water supply, water quality,...
water company were killed near Kibbutz Beit Govrin. - December 21 - A member of kibbutz Gadot was killed in the Kibbutz fields.
Notable Israeli military operations against Palestinian militancy targets
The most prominent Israeli military counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
operations (military campaign
Military campaign
In the military sciences, the term military campaign applies to large scale, long duration, significant military strategy plan incorporating a series of inter-related military operations or battles forming a distinct part of a larger conflict often called a war...
s and military operations) carried out against Palestinian militants during 1957 include:
Unknown dates
- The founding of the kibbutzKibbutzA kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economic branches, including industrial plants and high-tech enterprises. Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism...
Beit NirBeit Nir-External links:* *...
. - The founding of the kibbutzKibbutzA kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economic branches, including industrial plants and high-tech enterprises. Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism...
Or HaNer.
Notable births
- January 20 – Moshe KaplinskyMoshe KaplinskyMaj. Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky , is the CEO of Better Place Israel. Most recently, he was Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. He was previously head of the Israel Defense Force's Central Command, whose area of responsibility includes the West Bank...
, former Deputy Chief of the General StaffIsraeli General StaffThe Israeli General Staff , abbreviated Matkal , is the supreme command of the Israel Defense Forces. It is based in the Kirya compound in Tel Aviv.-Members:...
of the Israel Defense ForcesIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel... - February 26 – Tzachi HanegbiTzachi HanegbiTzachi Hanegbi is a prominent Israeli lawmaker and security expert. Hanegbi was the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee at the Knesset. Among the top cabinet positions he previously held are Minister of Justice, Minister of Internal Security and Minister of Intelligence and...
, Israeli politician. - April 24 – Uri MalmilianUri MalmilianUri Malmilian is an Israeli former football player and current manager.-Early life and playing career:Born in the neighbourhood of Mamilla in Jerusalem, Israel, Malmilian had a memorable playing career in the Liga Leumit at Beitar Jerusalem. He is regarded as one the best Israeli players...
, Israeli football player and manager. - November 19 – Ofra HazaOfra HazaOfra Haza was an Israeli singer of Yemeni origin, an actress and international recording artist....
, Israeli singer, actress and international recording artist (d. 20002000 in Israel-Incumbents:* Prime Minister of Israel - Ehud Barak * President of Israel – Ezer Weizman until July 13, , Moshe Katsav from August 1* Chief of General Staff - Shaul Mofaz...
). - December 24 – Danny RobasDanny RobasDanny Robas is an Israeli pop-rock singer and songwriter.Daniel Robas was born in 1957 in a Kibutz named Shoval, and grew up in Rehovot. He completed his military service in the artillery corps at the rank of a lieutenant....
, Israeli singer.
Notable deaths
- March 15 – Israel KastnerRudolf KastnerRudolf Israel Kastner was a Jewish-Hungarian journalist and lawyer who became known for facilitating the departure of Jews out of Nazi-occupied Hungary during the Holocaust...
(b. 1906), Hungarian-born Israeli journalist and lawyer who became known for helping Jews escape Nazi-occupied Hungary during the Holocaust. - May 13 – Michael Fekete (b. 1886), Austro-Hungarian (VojvodinaVojvodinaVojvodina, officially called Autonomous Province of Vojvodina is an autonomous province of Serbia. Its capital and largest city is Novi Sad...
)-born Israeli mathematician. - June 16 – Haim AriavHaim AriavHaim Ariav was an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for the General Zionists between 1951 and 1957.-Biography:Born in Lida in the Russian Empire , Ariav was educated in a heder and a Russian primary school...
(b. 1895), Russian-born Israeli politician. - July 28 – Isaac HeinemannIsaac HeinemannIsaac Heinemann was Israeli rabbinical scholar and a professor of classical literature, Hellenistic literature and philology.- Biography :...
(b. 18761876 in Germany-National level:* Kaiser — William I* Chancellor — Otto von Bismarck-Kingdoms:* King of Bavaria — Ludwig II of Bavaria* King of Prussia — Kaiser William I* King of Saxony — Albert of Saxony* King of Württemberg — Charles I of Württemberg-Grand Duchies:...
), German-born Israeli scholar and professor of classical literature