Politicsזבולון המר

Zevulun Hammer

Zevulun Hammer was an Israeli politician of the National Religious Party who served in the Knesset from 1969 to 1998 and as Deputy Prime Minister from 1996 to 1998.

1936 to 1998Long tenure as Education MinisterFree high school educationLeading the National Religious PartyCo-founding Gush Emunim

Born: 31 May 1936, Haifa
Died: 20 January 1998, Jerusalem
Occupation: politician, minister
Party: National Religious Party
Education: Bar-Ilan University, Yavne Religious High School

Zevulun Hammer was born in 1936 in Haifa

Hammer was born in Haifa in 1936 to a family linked to the Hapoel HaMizrachi party. His parents, Menachem and Malka, had immigrated from Poland. He was active in the Bnei Akiva youth movement and served as a signaler in the Armored Corps through Nahal.

He studied economics and political science at the Hebrew University for a year, then moved to Bar-Ilan University. There he earned a BA in Judaism and education and headed the Student Union. He worked as a teacher.

In 1957 he began working for the young guard of the National Religious Party and later led its youth department. He was first elected to the Knesset in 1969 and served until his death. In 1974 he was among the founders of Gush Emunim.

He became Minister of Welfare in 1975 and Minister of Education in 1977, a post he held until 1984. As education minister he introduced free education in high school. He later served as Minister of Religious Affairs from 1986 and again as Education Minister from 1990.

After the 1996 elections he became Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, and in 1997 also Minister of Religious Affairs. He died of cancer in office in 1998 and was buried on the Mount of Olives. He left a wife and 4 children.