Eliezer Shostak

Eliezer Shostak

Eliezer Shostak (Hebrew: אליעזר שוסטק‎; 9 December 1911 – 20 August 2001) was an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for several parties between 1951 and 1981, and as Minister of Health from 1977 until 1984.

Early Life

Shostak was born in Volodymyr-Volynskyi, then part of the Russian Empire (now in Ukraine). He was educated at a Hebrew high school and was a member of the Betar youth movement. In 1928, he made aliyah to Mandatory Palestine.

Political Career

In Palestine, Shostak joined the Irgun, a Zionist paramilitary organization. He was also active in the Revisionist movement and was a member of the Hatzohar party. In 1948, he was one of the founders of the Herut party, led by Menachem Begin.

Shostak was first elected to the Knesset in 1951 on the Herut list. He was re-elected in 1955, 1959, 1961, 1965, 1969, 1973, and 1977. In 1965, Herut merged with the Liberal Party to form Gahal, which later became part of the Likud alliance in 1973.

Minister of Health

In 1977, following the Likud's victory in the elections, Shostak was appointed Minister of Health in Menachem Begin's government. He held the position until 1984, serving under both Begin and his successor, Yitzhak Shamir.

During his tenure as Minister of Health, Shostak was involved in several key initiatives, including the expansion of healthcare services and the introduction of new medical technologies in Israel.

Later Life and Death

Shostak retired from politics in 1981. He passed away on 20 August 2001.

Legacy

Eliezer Shostak is remembered for his contributions to the Israeli healthcare system and his long-standing service in the Knesset.

See Also

• List of Knesset members
• Irgun
• Herut
• Likud
• Menachem Begin
• Yitzhak Shamir