Chaim Herzog navigated a multifaceted career that transitioned from service in the British Army during World War II to the presidency of Israel. Born in 1918 in Belfast, he immigrated to Mandatory Palestine in 1935, later becoming a central figure in the nation's military intelligence establishment and a prominent diplomat before serving as head of state from 1983 to 1993.
Military and Intelligence Service
Herzog served in the Haganah paramilitary group during the 1936-1939 Arab revolt before joining the British Army in 1942. Trained in intelligence, he served with the Guards Armoured Division in Europe and participated in the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp. After Israel declared independence in 1948, he served in the Israel Defense Forces, eventually rising to the rank of major. He directed Israel's Military Intelligence from 1949 to 1950 and again from 1959 to 1962.
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Following his military retirement, Herzog pursued law and industry, co-founding the firm Herzog, Fox & Ne'eman. He served as Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations between 1975 and 1978. During this tenure, he gained international attention for his public rejection of UN General Assembly Resolution 3379, which equated Zionism with racism. He demonstrated his opposition by symbolically tearing the document during his address to the assembly.
Political Leadership
Herzog entered electoral politics in 1981, winning a seat in the Knesset as a member of the Alignment. In 1983, he transitioned to the presidency, a role he maintained for two five-year terms until 1993. His political contributions earned him honorary doctorates from Haifa University, Tel Aviv University, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He passed away in 1997 and was interred at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
Fast facts
- Born: 1918, Belfast
- Died: 1997, Jerusalem
- Education: University of Cambridge, University College London
- Military Rank: Major-General
- President of Israel: 1983-1993
- Citizenship: Israel
- Languages: English, Hebrew
- Burial site: Mount Herzl
Questions readers ask
What military intelligence positions did Chaim Herzog hold?
He served as the Head of Military Intelligence of Israel during two separate periods: 1949-1950 and 1959-1962.
Did Chaim Herzog have a family connection to the current Israeli presidency?
Yes, his son, Isaac Herzog, serves as the incumbent President of Israel, making them the first father and son to hold the office.
Achievements
- Educated at University of Cambridge and University College London
- Worked as politician, diplomat and military officer
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