Politicsיצחק בן ישראל

Isaac Ben-Israel

Isaac Ben-Israel is an Israeli major general and scientist who headed the Israeli Space Agency from 2005 to 2022 and served in the Knesset for Kadima from 2007 to 2009.

born 1949Chairing the Israeli Space AgencyFounding Israel's national cyber effortHeading defense weapons developmentTwo Israel Defense Prizes

Born: 26 July 1949, Tel Aviv
Occupation: politician, author, university teacher, military officer
Party: Kadima
Education: Tel Aviv University
Rank: aluf
Founded: 2002)

Isaac Ben-Israel was born in 1949 in Tel Aviv

Ben-Israel was born in Tel Aviv in 1949. His father, Haim Ben-Israel, fought in Lehi and later became a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. His mother, Sarah, was also a Lehi member.

He finished Herzliya Hebrew High School in 1967 and joined the Academic Reserve, earning a degree in mathematics and physics. While in the army he studied philosophy at Tel Aviv University, receiving a master's degree in 1985 and a doctorate in 1988.

He served mainly in the Air Force until 2002, in operations, intelligence and development roles, and took part in planning Operation Opera. In 1998 he became a major general and head of the defense ministry's weapons and technology development administration. He twice received the Israel Defense Prize.

After retiring he joined Tel Aviv University, where he heads the Security Studies program. He entered the Knesset for Kadima in 2007 and left in 2009. He chaired the Israeli Space Agency from 2005 to 2022 and led the 2011 expert team that led to the National Cyber Bureau.

Isaac Ben-Israel's life in 10 milestones

1949
Born in Tel Aviv.
1972
Received the Israel Defense Prize for a Phantom bombing system.
1988
Earned a doctorate in philosophy from Tel Aviv University.
1998
Promoted to major general and appointed head of the weapons development administration.
2001
Received the Israel Defense Prize a second time.
2005
Became chairman of the Israeli Space Agency.
2007
Sworn in as a Knesset member for Kadima.
2011
Appointed by Netanyahu to head the national cyber initiative.
2017
Joined the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace.
2022
Ended his term as chairman of the Israeli Space Agency.

Isaac Ben-Israel served in the military

He served in the IDF until 2002, mainly in the Air Force, where he headed the operations research branch and the intelligence research department. In 1998 he was made a major general and head of the weapons and technology development administration.

Kadima