Ephraim Katzir
| Ephraim Katzir | |
|---|---|
| אפרים קציר | |
 |
|
| 4th President of Israel | |
|
In office 24 May 1973 – 24 May 1978 |
|
| Prime Minister |
Golda Meir Yitzhak Rabin Menachem Begin |
| Preceded by | Zalman Shazar |
| Succeeded by | Yitzhak Navon |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
16 May 1916 Kiev, Russian Empire |
| Died | 30 May 2009 (aged 93) Rehovot, Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Political party | Israeli Labor Party |
| Spouse(s) | Nina Gottlieb |
| Children | 1 |
| Profession | Scientist |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Signature |  |
Ephraim Katzir (Hebrew: אפרים קציר Efrayim Katsir; 16 May 1916 – 30 May 2009) was an Israeli biophysicist and former Israeli Labor Party politician. He was the fourth President of Israel from 1973 until 1978.
Katzir was born Efraim Katchalski, son of Yehuda and Tzila Katchalski, in Kiev, in the Russian Empire (today in Ukraine). In 1925 (several publications cite 1922), he immigrated to Mandate Palestine with his family and settled in Jerusalem. In 1932, he graduated from Gymnasia Rehavia. Like his brother, Aharon, he was interested in science. He studied botany, zoology, chemistry and bacteriology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1938, he received an M.Sc, and in 1941, he received a PhD degree. In 1939, he graduated from the first Haganah officers course, and became commander of the student unit in the field forces ('Hish). He and his brother worked on development of new explosives. In May, 1948, Ephraim was appointed commander of the "Heyl Mada" (HEMED) – scientific research and development corps. His brother, Aharon Katzir, chairman of the Department of Polymer Research at Weizmann Institute, was murdered in the Lod Airport Massacre.
Katzir was married to Nina (née Gottlieb), born in Poland, who died in 1986. As an English teacher, Nina developed a unique method for teaching language. As the president's wife, she introduced the custom of inviting children books' authors and their young readers to the President's Residence. She established the Nurit Katzir Jerusalem Theater Center in 1978 in memory of their deceased daughter, Nurit, who died after inhaling gas and another daughter, Irit, killed herself. They had a son, Meir, and three grandchildren. Katzir died on 30 May 2009 at his home in Rehovot.
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