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Shmuel Ben-Artzi. Was concerned by situation in Israel
Photo: Nir Darom
Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO
Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu
Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO

Netanyahu's father-in-law dies at 97

(Video) Writer, educator Shmuel Ben-Artzi passes away after being cared for by his daughter Sara at prime minister's residence in Jerusalem

VIDEO - Shmuel Ben-Artzi, the father of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife Sara, died Wednesday morning at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem at the age of 97.

 

The prime minister, his wife and their two sons were at his bedside when he died.

 

An educator, writer and poet, Ben-Artzi was born in Poland and immigrated to Israel in 1933. He served in the Irgun and Haganah organizations, and after the State's establishment he became a teacher, a school principal and an educator in communities across the country.

 

His acquaintances described him as a modest, righteous and man, who was admired by his students and inspired them with his sensitivity.

 

Ben-Artzi had a bachelor's and master's degree in Bible studies, literature and Hebrew from the University of Haifa. He published books on Judaism, poetry books, children's books, a novel and a best-seller called "Novardok".

 

'This isn't my Land of Israel'

In an interview to Yedioth Ahronoth five years ago, Ben-Artzi said he was extremely concerned by what was happening in Israel.

 

"I live in a world that has passed. In the 1930s and 1940s, everyone built this country and ideals could be felt in the air and on the walls. The main thing was giving and receiving.

 

"Had I known that this would be the reality in the country, I may not have left the yeshiva. This isn't my Land of Israel, it's not the Land of Israel I dreamed of – the murders and bribery and hollow politics.

 

"Sometimes I wonder where they find the time to engage in politics with the security-related situation being so difficult, as our enemies surround us from all sides and seek to destroy us."

 

In the past few months Ben-Artzi has been living in the prime minister's residence, where his daughter cared for him through his last days. Last year, Ben-Artzi helped his grandson Avner prepare for the National Bible Quiz.

 

Ben-Artzi was cared for by a foreign worker who claimed to have been mistreated by his daughter Sara. The prime minister visited him in the hospital often and even canceled several events to be with him.

 

Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.09.11, 12:18
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