Haim-Moshe Shapira

Moshe Shapira

Haim-Moshe Shapira (Hebrew: חיים משה שפירא‎; 26 March 1902 – 16 July 1970) was an Israeli politician, a signatory of the Israeli Declaration of Independence, and a founding member of the National Religious Party.

Early Life

Haim-Moshe Shapira was born in Grodno, then part of the Russian Empire (now in Belarus). He was active in the Mizrachi movement from a young age and was involved in Zionist activities. Shapira studied at a yeshiva and later attended the University of Warsaw.

Political Career

Shapira immigrated to Mandatory Palestine in 1925. He quickly became involved in the Hapoel HaMizrachi movement and was elected to the Assembly of Representatives in 1931. He was a member of the Jewish National Council and played a significant role in the establishment of the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Ministerial Roles

Shapira held several key ministerial positions in the early years of the State of Israel. He served as the Minister of Health, Minister of Immigration, and Minister of Internal Affairs. As Minister of Health, he was instrumental in establishing the country's healthcare system. As Minister of Immigration, he oversaw the mass immigration of Jews to Israel during the early years of the state.

Israeli Declaration of Independence

Shapira was one of the signatories of the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948. He was a member of the Provisional State Council and later served in the Knesset from its first session in 1949 until his death in 1970.

National Religious Party

In 1956, Shapira was a founding member of the National Religious Party (NRP), which was formed by the merger of Mizrachi and Hapoel HaMizrachi. He served as the party's leader and was a key figure in Israeli politics, advocating for the integration of religious values within the state's framework.

Death and Legacy

Haim-Moshe Shapira passed away on 16 July 1970. He is remembered as a significant figure in the establishment of the State of Israel and its early political landscape. His contributions to the healthcare system and immigration policies have had a lasting impact on the country.

See Also

• Israeli Declaration of Independence
• National Religious Party
• Mizrachi
• Hapoel HaMizrachi
• Jewish Agency for Israel