A life full of action in the service of the Promised Land – from Hamburg to Jerusalem and all round the world. A pioneer Israeli diplomat goes public. German-born Yissakhar Ben-Yaacov has represented his country as Consul-General or Ambassador on almost all continents. And as special adviser to Teddy Kollek, Mayor of Jerusalem, he worked for the good of all the citizens of that city after its reunification. In 1933 the eleven-year-old Yissakhar left his beloved city of Hamburg with his parents. The orthodox family went to Palestine to flee from the impending disaster. This was no cause for joy, but as a receptive student he quickly integrated into his new environment. After several posts in a variety of organisations, he entered the Foreign Service when the State of Israel was founded in 1948. Working continuously for reconciliation with Germany and a peaceful settlement of the Near Eastern conflict, the “Interpreter of Israel” looks back on his long and eventful life. The result is a fascinating insider report on half a century of Israeli history.
About the author:
Yissakhar Ben-Yaacov, born in Hamburg in 1922, emigrated with his family to Palestine in 1933. Trained in the trades union movement, he served in the Israeli Foreign Service from the founding of the State of Israel to 1987, with postings in Munich, Cologne, Philadelphia, Lagos, Vienna and Canberra. He then became director of a Jewish educational organisation for Germany and representative of the Bar-Ilan University. Since 1997 he has been special advisor to the president of the Jerusalem Foundation founded by Teddy Kollek. In 1992 he was awarded the Federal Grand Cross of Merit (Das große Bundesverdienstkreuz). |
