Dr. Mordechai Eliash (1892-1950) was an influential figure in the Zionist movement as one of the leading Orthodox Zionist activists, and in the the early years of the State of Israel as a statesman and diplomat. After the establishment of the State of Israel, he served as the country's first Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1948 until his death.
Biography edit
Eliash was born in Russia and attended university at Oxford University. He began a law practice in London before immigrating to Mandatory Palestine in the 1920s. He d practiced law there for 30 years. He was a former president of the Jewish Bar Association.
Zionist activities edit
1929 Palestine riots edit
In the aftermath of the 1929 Palestine riots in Jerusalem, Eliash represented Simcha Hinkis, a Jewish policeman, and Joseph Urphali. A British court had sentenced Hinkis and Urphali to death for allegedly killing an Arab family during the riots. Both men won appeals of their sentences in 1930, and had their punishments commuted to prison time.[1][2]
Eliash served as a witness to the Shaw Commission established by the British Mandatory government.
1930 Western Wall Commission edit
Eliash was one of the representatives of the Jewish community to the Wailing Wall Commission set up to investigate competing Muslim and Jewish claims to the Western Wall. He worked alongside David Yellin, Meer Berlin, Kook, Sonnenfeld, and Blau to present the Jewish case, largely based on the arguments of Cyrus Adler, then with the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Theological Seminary.[3]
Other edit
Eliash was stabbed in the throat and chest by two men, who he believed to be Jews, while walking the streets of Jerusalem on January 30, 1936.[4]
Diplomatic career edit
On February 14, 1959, Eliash was appointed as the first Israeli Ambassador to the United Kingdom.[5] On October 31, 1949, Eliash gave an address over the airwaves of the British Broadcasting Company's first transmission in Hebrew.[6]
he was the first Israel diplomatic envoy to speak for his government before the United Nations at Lake Success.
When Britain gave Israel de facto recognition, Dr. Eliash returned to London as the first Israeli diplomatic representative there, April 5, 1949.
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency described Eliash as "ane of the men credited with helping bring about the establishment of the Jewish state"
Personal edit
Eliash was predeceased by his wife. He had a daughter, Rachel, and a son, Moshe.
At Eliash's funeral in Jerusalem on March 15, 1950, he was eulogized by senior members of the Israeli government, including Israeli Foreign Minister and future Prime Minister Moshe Sharett and Chief Rabbi Ben Zion Uziel. Then-Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion interrupted his vacation to attend. Eliash was buried in Sanhedria Cemetery.[7]
Mordechai Eliash Street https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kfar_Mordechai https://www.nytimes.com/1950/03/12/archives/dr-m-eliash-dies-israeli-envoy-57-first-minister-to-britain-took.html
- ^ "Death Sentence of Hinkis Commuted to 15 Years in Prison by Court of Appeal". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1930-03-12. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Urphali, Only Jew Under Death Sentence, Reprieved; Gets 10 Years in Prison". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1930-08-08. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Moslem Youths in Egypt Prepared for Holy War to Defend Wailing Wall". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1930-06-24. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Mordecai Eliash, Stabbed While Walking, Says Assailants Were Jews". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1936-01-31. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Mordecai Eliash Appointed Israeli Envoy to United Kingdom: Liberia Recognizes Israel". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1949-02-14. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "B.b.c. Broadcasts to Israel in Hebrew Language Inaugurated; Eliash Speaks". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1949-10-31.
- ^ "Israel Cabinet Members and Consular Corps Attend Funeral of Dr. Eliash in Jerusalem". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1950-03-15. Retrieved 14 July 2023.