Politicsשמואל תמיר

Samuel Tamir

Shmuel Tamir was an Israeli lawyer and Knesset member who served as Minister of Justice in the government of Menachem Begin from 1977 to 1980.

1923 to 1987Defense in the Kastner libel trialMinister of Justice under BeginFounding the Free CentreIrgun command in Jerusalem

Born: 10 March 1923, Jerusalem
Died: 29 June 1987, Herzliya
Occupation: politician, lawyer, advocate
Party: Gahal
Education: Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Samuel Tamir was born in 1923 in Jerusalem

Tamir was born Shmuel Katznelson in Jerusalem in 1923. His father, Reuven Katznelson, served in the Jewish Legion alongside Joseph Trumpeldor. His mother, Batsheva Katznelson, was a member of the Knesset.

He joined the Irgun in 1938 and held command and intelligence roles in the Jerusalem District. The British arrested him and exiled him to detention camps in Kenya, where he finished his law studies. He returned in July 1948 and took his underground code name, Tamir, as his surname.

As a lawyer he took part in political cases. He represented Malchiel Gruenwald in the libel case linked to Rudolf Kastner, which opened in 1954, and defended Dov Shilansky after his 1952 arrest.

He helped found Herut but left it in 1952, returning in 1964. In 1965 he entered the Knesset on the Gahal list, and in 1967 he formed the Free Centre with two other members. After joining Dash, he became Minister of Justice in 1977 and resigned from the cabinet in 1980.

He lost his Knesset seat in the 1981 election. He died in 1987.

Samuel Tamir's life in 10 milestones

1923
Born in Jerusalem as Shmuel Katznelson.
1938
Joined the Irgun.
1944
Commanded the bombing of the income tax offices in Jerusalem.
1948
Returned from exile in Kenya and adopted the name Tamir.
1954
The libel trial linked to Rudolf Kastner opened, with Tamir for the defense.
1965
Elected to the Knesset on the Gahal list.
1967
Formed the Free Centre party.
1977
Appointed Minister of Justice in the Begin government.
1980
Resigned from the cabinet.
1981
Lost his Knesset seat.

Samuel Tamir served in the military

Tamir joined the Irgun in 1938 and in 1944 commanded the income tax office bombing in Jerusalem and the district's intelligence. In 1946 he became deputy commander of the Jerusalem District.