Moshe Sharett signed the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948, marking a pivotal transition from his role as a key diplomat for the Jewish Agency to a state official.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1894 in Kherson, Sharett moved with his family to Ottoman Palestine in 1906. He graduated from the Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium before traveling to Istanbul to study law. His academic progress at Istanbul University was interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War, leading him to serve in the Ottoman Army as a lieutenant and interpreter.
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Following the war, Sharett pursued education at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He became deeply involved in Zionist politics, eventually heading the political department of the Jewish Agency in 1933. During the Second World War, he founded the Jewish Brigade to combat Nazi Germany. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1948 until 1956, during which time he negotiated critical armistice agreements following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
Premiership and Later Years
Sharett assumed the office of Prime Minister of Israel from 1954 to 1955. His tenure was defined by regional instability and the internal complexities of the Lavon Affair, which ultimately influenced the political landscape of the era. He continued to serve as a member of the Knesset across several terms until his death in 1965 in Jerusalem.
Fast facts
- Born: 1894, Kherson
- Died: 1965, Jerusalem
- Prime Minister of Israel: 1954-1955
- Minister of Foreign Affairs: 1948-1956
- Military rank: Lieutenant
- Education: Istanbul University Faculty of Law, London School of Economics
- Buried: Trumpeldor cemetery
- Languages: German, Turkish, English, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic
Questions readers ask
What was Sharett's role in the 1948 war?
He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and acted as a principal negotiator for the cease-fire agreements that concluded the conflict.
Did Sharett hold any awards?
Yes, he received the Sokolov Award in 1960 and was an honorary citizen of Jerusalem.
Achievements
- Prime Minister of Israel (1954–1955)
- Knesset member (1949–1951)
- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel (1948–1956)
- Knesset member (1951–1955)
- Educated at London School of Economics and Political Science and Istanbul University Faculty of Law
