Militaryעוזי נרקיס

Uzi Narkiss

Uzi Narkiss was an Israeli general who commanded the IDF Central Command during the 1967 Six-Day War.

1925 to 1997Capture of Jerusalem's Old CityCommanding Central CommandFirst National Defense College commander

Born: 6 January 1925, Jerusalem
Died: 17 December 1997, Jerusalem
Occupation: military personnel, politician, military officer
Education: Gymnasia Rehavia, École de guerre
Rank: aluf
Wars: 1948 Palestine war, Suez Crisis, Six-Day War

Uzi Narkiss was born in 1925 in Jerusalem

Uzi Narkiss was born in Jerusalem in 1925 to Jewish parents from Poland. His first memory was hiding in a cellar during the 1929 riots. He studied at Gymnasia Rehavia and joined the Haganah as a youth.

He joined the Palmach in 1941 and fought against the British. In 1948 he fought in Jerusalem and later took part in the capture of Beersheba. He then commanded the city.

In 1953 he went to France and became the first IDF officer to complete the French war college. He served as military attaché in Paris from 1959 and received the Legion of Honour in 1962. He headed the team that set up the National Defense College and was its first commander.

In 1965 he became head of Central Command. In 1967 forces under his command captured the Old City of Jerusalem. After the 1968 Battle of Karameh he was relieved of his command and moved to posts in the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization.

He died in 1997 after a long illness. He was buried in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl.

Milestones in Uzi Narkiss's life

1925
Born in Jerusalem.
1941
Joined the Palmach.
1948
Took part in the capture of Beersheba.
1953
Began studies at the French war college.
1962
Received the Legion of Honour.
1965
Became head of Central Command.
1967
Forces under his command captured the Old City of Jerusalem.
1997
Died and was buried on Mount Herzl.

Uzi Narkiss served in the military

He served in the Palmach from 1941 and commanded the Fourth Battalion of the Harel Brigade in 1948. He later headed Central Command from 1965, including in the 1967 Six-Day War.