Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir (Israel) Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Yitzhak Shamir (1915-2012) was Prime Minister of Israel from 1983-1984 and 1986-1992 and Israeli Foreign Minister from 1980-1986. Only David Ben-Gurion had a longer tenure as Israel's Prime Minister. Born in Poland in 1915, Shamir emigrated to British Palestine in 1935 and soon joined the Jewish defense forces there. He was twice imprisoned by the British, escaping both times. Alternating between private commerce and security work in the 1950s and 1960s, Shamir was elected to the Knesset in 1973 as a member of the Likud Party, becoming Speaker in 1977. Succeeding Menachem Begin as Prime Minister in October 1983, he alternately led Likud governments and served in national unity governments until 1992, playing a key role in negotiations with several foreign states. Shamir retired from the Knesset and from public life in 1996. In 2001 he received the Israel Prize for his special contribution to the nations.