Katsav, Moshe (1945- )
Eighth President of the State of Israel 2000-
Born in Byzad, Iran, Moshe Katsav came to Israel in 1951 during the early
aliyot of the new state, to live in a tent camp in Kastina until the immigrants
were resettled in the new town of Kiryat Malachi, where he grew up.
After reaching rank of corporal in the Communication Corps during his
military service, Katsav studied Economics and History at the Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, where he was a student activist and leader, becoming a journalist
for the Yediot Ahronot newspaper. He holds an Honorary Doctorate of Humane
Letters from the University of Nebraska.
Moshe Katsav entered local politics in elections for the Mayorship of
Kiryat Malachi, which he won in 1969, and he also held this position from
1974-1981. He was first elected to the 9th Knesset in 1977 as a member
of the Likud party and has held ministerial posts since 1981, together
with Knesset committee positions and Knesset faction leadership. He has
also held various other public offices .
10th Knesset - Deputy Minister of Housing and Construction
11th Knesset - Minister of Labor and Social Welfare
12th Knesset - Minister of Transportation
14th Knesset - Deputy Prime Minister; Minister of Tourism
Moshe Katsav was voted President by 63 votes to 57 in an exceptional
second round on July 31st 2000, a "virtual unknown on the world
stage", but well-known to the Israeli public at a less formal level.
The Presidential term is now seven years. The post is largely ceremonial
and this is the first time a Likud candidate has been elected to this
honor.
His first words were: "I see the results, my friends, first of all
as an expression of the desire of the elected officials to unify the Israeli
people."
Links:
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH00fw0
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH0her0
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH00k50
http://www.knesset.gov.il/knesset/knes/president_eng.htm
http://www.knesset.gov.il/president/eprevious.htm
Hebrew
http://www2.haaretz.co.il/special/nesioot/
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