Emanuel Sakel
Encyclopedia
Emanuel Sakel is a retired Israeli general who held several prominent posts including command of the 252 Sinai Brigade, and the IDF GOC Army Headquarters
. For his actions in the Yom Kippur War
he received the Medal of Courage
. After his military career, he became the CEO
of the Trans-Israel pipeline
.
in 1940. In 1958, he enlisted in the IDF
and joined the Golani Brigade
in which he served until the end of his service in 1961 at the rank of Second Lieutenant
. Sakel studied Geology
in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
and finished his studies in 1967. In 2010, he received his Doctorate
in Political science
from Bar-Ilan University
.
In the Six Day War, he was called in from reserves and he fought as the Commander of Sayeret
's 4th Brigade. In 1968, he returned to the military and received the rank of Captain. He joined the Armored Corps and served in the 7th Armored Brigade as commander of Unit 82. In 1972 Sakel became the Commander of the 52 Battalion. In 1973, on the eve of the Yom Kippur War
, Sakel and his battalion were stationed near the Bar Lev Line
near Ras Sudar
.
With the war's outbreak, Sakel's forces joined the 401st Brigade in fighting the invading Egyptian army. In the fighting Sakel's forces suffered heavy losses and his forces defended the Southern part of the Great Bitter Lake
. Sakel's forces destroyed an entire Egyptian battalion, and during the course of the war Sakel's forces helped out an ambushed Israeli battalion in Mitla Pass
. For his actions in the war, Sakel earned the Medal of Courage
.
Later in his military career, Sakel commanded the 401st Brigade, and the 252 Sinai Brigade (a position he held during the 1982 Lebanon War
). In the late 1980s, Sakel resigned from the IDF
. In 1990, under the request of then Chief of General Staff, Ehud Barak
, Sakel returned to the IDF
and held the position of Commander GOC Army Headquarters
until his resignation in 1994.
In 1995, Sakel became the CEO
of Trans-Israel pipeline
, a position he held until 2005.
Sakel resides in Rehovot
and is married to Edna. He is the father of three children, his eldest son , Yoav, served in the Sayeret
of the Golani Brigade
and was killed in 1986 during an operation in Southern Lebanon.
GOC Army Headquarters
The Israeli GOC Army headquarters , known unofficially as Mazi, is a multi-corps command headquarters created in 1998, which amalgamates the ground forces of the Israel Defense Forces...
. For his actions in the Yom Kippur War
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
he received the Medal of Courage
Medal of Courage
The Medal of Courage is an Israeli military decoration. The medal is awarded for carrying out acts of gallantry at the risk of life, during combat duty. The medal was established in 1970 by act of law in the Knesset....
. After his military career, he became the CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Trans-Israel pipeline
Trans-Israel pipeline
The Trans-Israel pipeline , also known as the Tipline or the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline was built in 1968 to transport crude oil from Iran to Europe. The Iranians stopped the use of the pipeline after Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown as a result of the Iranian Islamic Revolution of 1979...
.
Biography
Sakel was born in Beit YosefBeit Yosef
Beit Yosef may refer to:* Beit Yosef, Israel, a moshav in the Beit She'an Valley* Beit Yosef , a book by Rabbi Joseph Caro...
in 1940. In 1958, he enlisted in the IDF
Israel Defense Forces
The 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...
and joined the Golani Brigade
Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade is an Israeli infantry brigade that is subordinated to the 36th Division and traditionally associated with the Northern Command. Its symbol is a green tree on a yellow background, and its soldiers wear a brown beret. It is one of the most highly decorated infantry units in the...
in which he served until the end of his service in 1961 at the rank of Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
. Sakel studied Geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem ; ; abbreviated HUJI) is Israel's second-oldest university, after the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The Hebrew University has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. The world's largest Jewish studies library is located on its Edmond J...
and finished his studies in 1967. In 2010, he received his Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in Political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from Bar-Ilan University
Bar-Ilan University
Bar-Ilan University is a university in Ramat Gan of the Tel Aviv District, Israel.Established in 1955, Bar Ilan is now Israel's second-largest academic institution. It has nearly 26,800 students and 1,350 faculty members...
.
In the Six Day War, he was called in from reserves and he fought as the Commander of Sayeret
Sayeret
Sayeret , literally means "reconnaissance unit" in the Israel Defense Forces . In practice, these units specialize in commando and other special forces roles, in addition to reconnaissance...
's 4th Brigade. In 1968, he returned to the military and received the rank of Captain. He joined the Armored Corps and served in the 7th Armored Brigade as commander of Unit 82. In 1972 Sakel became the Commander of the 52 Battalion. In 1973, on the eve of the Yom Kippur War
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
, Sakel and his battalion were stationed near the Bar Lev Line
Bar Lev Line
The Bar Lev Line was a chain of fortifications built by Israel along the eastern coast of the Suez Canal after it captured the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt during the 1967 Six-Day War.-Overview:...
near Ras Sudar
Ras Sudar
Ras Sidr is an Egyptian city located on the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea coast. It is a part of the South Sinai Governorate, and consists of three areas: Wadi Sidr, Abu Sidr and Soerp. The region has been known since ancient biblical times....
.
With the war's outbreak, Sakel's forces joined the 401st Brigade in fighting the invading Egyptian army. In the fighting Sakel's forces suffered heavy losses and his forces defended the Southern part of the Great Bitter Lake
Great Bitter Lake
The Great Bitter Lake is a salt water lake between the north and south part of the Suez Canal. It is adjoined by the Small Bitter Lake . Before the Canal was built, their site was occupied by dry salt valleys. Together, the Bitter Lakes now have a surface area of about 250 km²...
. Sakel's forces destroyed an entire Egyptian battalion, and during the course of the war Sakel's forces helped out an ambushed Israeli battalion in Mitla Pass
Mitla Pass
The Mitla Pass is a 32 km-long snaky pass in the Sinai of Egypt, wedged between mountain ranges to the north and south, located about 50 km east of Suez...
. For his actions in the war, Sakel earned the Medal of Courage
Medal of Courage
The Medal of Courage is an Israeli military decoration. The medal is awarded for carrying out acts of gallantry at the risk of life, during combat duty. The medal was established in 1970 by act of law in the Knesset....
.
Later in his military career, Sakel commanded the 401st Brigade, and the 252 Sinai Brigade (a position he held during the 1982 Lebanon War
1982 Lebanon War
The 1982 Lebanon War , , called Operation Peace for Galilee by Israel, and later known in Israel as the Lebanon War and First Lebanon War, began on 6 June 1982, when the Israel Defense Forces invaded southern Lebanon...
). In the late 1980s, Sakel resigned from the IDF
Israel Defense Forces
The 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...
. In 1990, under the request of then Chief of General Staff, Ehud Barak
Ehud Barak
Ehud Barak is an Israeli politician who served as Prime Minister from 1999 until 2001. He was leader of the Labor Party until January 2011 and holds the posts of Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister in Binyamin Netanyahu's government....
, Sakel returned to the IDF
Israel Defense Forces
The 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...
and held the position of Commander GOC Army Headquarters
GOC Army Headquarters
The Israeli GOC Army headquarters , known unofficially as Mazi, is a multi-corps command headquarters created in 1998, which amalgamates the ground forces of the Israel Defense Forces...
until his resignation in 1994.
In 1995, Sakel became the CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Trans-Israel pipeline
Trans-Israel pipeline
The Trans-Israel pipeline , also known as the Tipline or the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline was built in 1968 to transport crude oil from Iran to Europe. The Iranians stopped the use of the pipeline after Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown as a result of the Iranian Islamic Revolution of 1979...
, a position he held until 2005.
Sakel resides in Rehovot
Rehovot
Rehovot is a city in the Center District of Israel, about south of Tel Aviv. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics , at the end of 2009 the city had a total population of 112,700. Rehovot's official website estimates the population at 114,000.Rehovot was built on the site of Doron,...
and is married to Edna. He is the father of three children, his eldest son , Yoav, served in the Sayeret
Sayeret
Sayeret , literally means "reconnaissance unit" in the Israel Defense Forces . In practice, these units specialize in commando and other special forces roles, in addition to reconnaissance...
of the Golani Brigade
Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade is an Israeli infantry brigade that is subordinated to the 36th Division and traditionally associated with the Northern Command. Its symbol is a green tree on a yellow background, and its soldiers wear a brown beret. It is one of the most highly decorated infantry units in the...
and was killed in 1986 during an operation in Southern Lebanon.