November 8, 2015
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation (ADC) mourns the passing of Yitzhak Navon who served as Israel’s fifth president from 1978-1983. A member of Israel’s state generation, Navon fought in the War of Independence, served as David Ben-Gurion’s bureau chief and held a number of positions in various governments, including as Education and Culture minister. A successful playwright and an author, he also served as deputy speaker of the Knesset and chairman of the Knesset Committee on Foreign and Defence Affairs. In a 2009 interview, he spoke of his presidency, “I had a feeling of great responsibility, but also of great satisfaction. I knew all segments of the population. There are Jews who came from 102 countries and speak 81 languages — how do you consolidate them into one nation? This is where I saw my role. On the one hand, to find what everyone holds common, whether they come from Georgia or Morocco — usually this is through history or the Bible — while allowing each individual tribe of Israel and community to express what makes them special: their heritage, their folklore, their poetry. These are two things that seem to contradict, but actually complement each other.”
Dr. Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“The Jewish world has lost a great man. We mourn the death of former President Yitzhak Navon, one of Israel’s most popular and respected leaders and a stalwart Zionist guided by his love for his country and for the Jewish people. Yitzhak Navon will always be remembered as a man of principle, who in his gentle, quiet manner, stood up for what he thought was right and who spoke passionately about equality and fair treatment for all, the cause of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians, political moderation, the beauty of the Sephardi culture and the history of Jerusalem, a city he deeply cherished. Always reaching out and connecting to the nation who admired his warmth and integrity, throughout his more than 40 years in the tumultuous arena of public life, Yitzhak Navon was a voice of reason, forcefully working to represent the fundamental values of the Jewish state. A true believer in the Zionist enterprise and an inspiring role model for past and present generations, he leaves behind a legacy matched by very few Israeli politicians. As we extend our sincere condolences to the Navon family and wish them only the best, we celebrate his distinguished service and his remarkable life.”
For more information, please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on 03 9272-5677