February 6, 2011 — Israelis Directly Elect Sharon
A sign in Jerusalem calls for Ariel Sharon to be elected prime minister Feb. 6, 2001. By Ya’acov Sa’ar, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Israelis vote directly for prime minister for the third and last time and the only time without also electing the Knesset. Ariel Sharon of Likud wins with more than 62% of the vote against incumbent Ehud Barak of Labor to become Israel’s 11th prime minister. Barak forced the special election by resigning Dec. 10, in part to ensure his opponent would be Sharon and not Benjamin Netanyahu, who was not eligible to run.
February 7, 1999 — King Hussein Dies
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (left) and Jordan’s King Hussein shake hands in front of U.S. President Bill Clinton after signing their peace treaty Oct. 26, 1994, in the Arava. By Ya’acov Sa’ar, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Jordan’s King Hussein, who in 1994 became the second Arab leader to sign a peace treaty with Israel, dies of complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 63. Hussein became king at 18 in 1953 after the assassination of his paternal grandfather, Abdullah. Secret talks with Israel during his reign began in 1963, but he disastrously led his nation into the Six-Day War in 1967. He dropped claims to the West Bank in 1988.
February 8, 1878 — Philosopher Martin Buber Is Born
Martin Buber is best known for his philosophy of dialogue and for his translation of the Hebrew Bible into German. By Moshe Pridan, National Photo Collection of Israel, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Philosopher Martin Buber is born in Vienna. After his parents’ divorce when he is 3, he spends much of his childhood in Lemberg, Ukraine, where he is raised by his grandparents in a religious home. His grandfather is a scholar of Midrash and Greek literature and teaches him Hebrew. He becomes involved with Zionism while studying at the University of Leipzig, makes aliyah in 1938 and becomes a Hebrew University professor.
February 9, 1953 — Soviet Embassy Is Bombed
The former Soviet Embassy, known as Levin House, still stands at 46 Rothschild Blvd. By Dana Friedlander, Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
The Soviet Union’s embassy in Tel Aviv is struck by the detonation of 70 pounds of explosives, injuring one diplomat and the wives of two others and damaging the building. The Kingdom of Israel, a terrorist group known to the public as the Tzrifin Underground, is blamed. Despite Israeli apologies, the Soviet Union condemns the government for inciting hatred and violence and breaks off diplomatic relations.
February 10, 1913 — Air Force Builder Charles Winters Is Born
Charles Winters was convicted of violating the U.S. Neutrality Act but was posthumously pardoned.
Charles Winters, who helps Israel launch its air force in 1948, is born in Massachusetts. Winters, who is not Jewish, is a government purchasing agent during World War II and runs an air transport service delivering produce in the Caribbean after the war. Recruited to help obtain surplus U.S. aircraft for secret shipment to Israel, Winters purchases and helps deliver three B-17s, Israel’s only heavy bombers in the War of Independence.
February 11, 1986 — Refusenik Sharansky Reaches Israel
Natan Sharansky has his wife, Avital, by his side after his arrival in Israel on Feb. 11, 1986. By Nati Harnik, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0.
After eight years in a Siberian labor camp, internationally known Jewish refusenik Anatoly Shcharansky is released to American custody in Berlin by the Soviet Union and flies to Israel, where he arrives under his newly adopted Hebrew name, Natan Sharansky. He first tried to make aliyah in 1973 and was arrested in 1977 on charges of treason and espionage. His wife, Avital, led a tireless campaign for his freedom.
February 12, 1958 — First Basic Law Is Enacted
Yizhar Harari sponsored the compromise that moved the Knesset to enact a series of Basic Laws instead of a single constitution.
The Knesset votes 96-0 to pass the first of a series of Basic Laws that together fill the role of a constitution. Basic Law: The Knesset outlines the rules and functions of the parliament, the roles of its members, and election procedures, and it confirms that the Knesset has 120 members and meets in Jerusalem. The use of Basic Laws reflects a compromise, the Harari Resolution, reached after the First Knesset debated a constitution for a year.
Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.