Peretz Naftali
Encyclopedia
Peretz Naftali was a Zionist
activist and Israel
i politician who served in several ministerial portfolios in the 1950s.
in 1911. He served in the German Army
between 1911 and 1912, after which he started to work as a journalist on economic affairs, returning to the army for a spell in 1917–18 to fight in World War I. In 1921 he became editor of the economics department of the Frankfurter Zeitung
, a post he held until 1926, when he became head of the eonomic research department of a trade union. In 1921 he also published a book, How to read the Economic Section of the Newspaper, which was a bestseller.
In 1925 he had joined the Zionism movement, and in 1931 was a delegate to the Zionist Congress. He made aliyah
in 1933, initially working as a lecturer at the Technion, before becoming director general of Bank Hapoalim
in 1938, a post he held until 1949. Between 1941 and 1948 he served as a member of the Assembly of Representatives.
He was elected to the Knesset
in 1949 on Mapai
's list. After being re-elected in 1951, he was appointed Minister without Portfolio
in David Ben-Gurion
's government
. In June 1952 he became Minister of Agriculture
, a role he held until the 1955 elections
, after which he reverted to being a Minister without Portfolio. In January 1959 he became Minister of Welfare, but lost his Knesset seat and place in the cabinet in the 1959 elections
.
Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish political movement that, in its broadest sense, has supported the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish national homeland. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Zionist movement continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state...
activist and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i politician who served in several ministerial portfolios in the 1950s.
Biography
Born in Berlin in Germany, Naftali joined the Social Democratic PartySocial Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
in 1911. He served in the German Army
German Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
between 1911 and 1912, after which he started to work as a journalist on economic affairs, returning to the army for a spell in 1917–18 to fight in World War I. In 1921 he became editor of the economics department of the Frankfurter Zeitung
Frankfurter Zeitung
The Frankfurter Zeitung was a German language newspaper that appeared from 1856 to 1943. It emerged from a market letter that was published in Frankfurt...
, a post he held until 1926, when he became head of the eonomic research department of a trade union. In 1921 he also published a book, How to read the Economic Section of the Newspaper, which was a bestseller.
In 1925 he had joined the Zionism movement, and in 1931 was a delegate to the Zionist Congress. He made aliyah
Aliyah
Aliyah is the immigration of Jews to the Land of Israel . It is a basic tenet of Zionist ideology. The opposite action, emigration from Israel, is referred to as yerida . The return to the Holy Land has been a Jewish aspiration since the Babylonian exile...
in 1933, initially working as a lecturer at the Technion, before becoming director general of Bank Hapoalim
Bank Hapoalim
Bank Hapoalim is Israel’s largest bank. As of 31 December 2008 it had total consolidated assets of NIS 306.85 billion. The Bank has a significant presence in global financial markets. In Israel, the Group has over 260 full-service branches, eight regional business centers, and industry desks...
in 1938, a post he held until 1949. Between 1941 and 1948 he served as a member of the Assembly of Representatives.
He was elected to the Knesset
Knesset
The 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...
in 1949 on Mapai
Mapai
Mapai 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...
's list. After being re-elected in 1951, he was appointed Minister without Portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
in David Ben-Gurion
David 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...
's government
Third government of Israel
The third government of Israel was formed by David Ben Gurion on 8 October 1951, more than two months after the elections. His Mapai party formed a coalition with Mizrachi, Hapoel HaMizrachi, Agudat Yisrael, Poalei Agudat Yisrael and the three Israeli Arab parties, the Democratic List for Israeli...
. In June 1952 he became Minister of Agriculture
Agriculture Minister of Israel
The Agriculture Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and a relatively minor position in the Israeli cabinet. Since 1992 the full title of the position has been the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development , the Development Ministry having been...
, a role he held until the 1955 elections
Israeli legislative election, 1955
Elections for the third Knesset were held in Israel on 26 July 1955. Voter turnout was 82.8%.-Results:Mapai retained its plurality in the Knesset, although its share of the vote dropped by 5.1 and its share of seats dropped from 47 to 40...
, after which he reverted to being a Minister without Portfolio. In January 1959 he became Minister of Welfare, but lost his Knesset seat and place in the cabinet in the 1959 elections
Israeli legislative election, 1959
Elections for the fourth Knesset were held in Israel on 3 November 1959. Voter turnout was 81.5%.-Results:¹ The General Zionists and the Progressive Party merged to form the Liberal Party....
.