Ehud Barak

Ehud Barak
Born	Ehud Brog 12 2, 1942
Birthplace	Mishmar HaSharon, Mandatory Palestine
Nationality	Israeli
Occupation	Military officer, politician, businessman
Known for	Prime Minister of Israel (1999–2001), most decorated soldier in Israeli history
Education	Stanford University (MS)
Children	3
Awards	Tzalash (4), Legion of Merit, DoD Medal for Distinguished Public Service

Ehud Barak (Template:Lang-he; born Ehud Brog, 12 February 1942) is an Israeli former general and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Israel from July 1999 to March 2001 and as Minister of Defense on two separate occasions: during his own premiership and again from 2007 to 2013 under Prime Ministers Ehud Olmert and Benjamin Netanyahu. Born on a kibbutz in Mandatory Palestine, Barak rose through the ranks of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) over a 35-year career that culminated in his appointment as Chief of the General Staff, the military's highest-ranking position. He is recognized, alongside two others, as the most highly decorated soldier in Israel's history, having participated in and led some of the country's most noted military operations, including the 1972 Operation Isotope, the covert 1973 raid in Lebanon, and the celebrated 1976 Entebbe raid. Transitioning to politics in 1995, Barak served as interior minister under Yitzhak Rabin, foreign minister under Shimon Peres, and leader of the Labor Party before winning the 1999 general election to become Israel's most recent left-wing prime minister. His premiership was defined by bold diplomatic efforts — including the withdrawal from Southern Lebanon and the 2000 Camp David Summit — as well as significant domestic challenges that led to his electoral defeat in 2001.

Early Life

Ehud Barak was born Ehud Brog on 12 February 1942 at Kibbutz Mishmar HaSharon in Mandatory Palestine, which would become part of the State of Israel in 1948. He was the eldest of four sons. His family's history was shaped by the tragedies of the twentieth century; his maternal grandparents were murdered in the Holocaust, a fact that informed his worldview and later political outlook.

Growing up on a kibbutz, Barak was raised in the communal agricultural setting that characterized much of the early Zionist movement. Kibbutz life in the 1940s and 1950s placed a strong emphasis on collective labor, egalitarianism, and national service, values that would later manifest in Barak's lengthy military and political career. The kibbutz environment also fostered self-reliance and physical capability — qualities that contributed to his eventual selection for elite military units.

Details about Barak's childhood and adolescence on the kibbutz are consistent with the broader pattern of Israeli youth of that era, who were raised with an awareness of security threats and a strong sense of duty to the nascent state. His upbringing in this environment provided a foundation for the discipline and leadership he would later demonstrate during his decades of military service. At some point, he changed his surname from Brog to the Hebrew name Barak, a practice common among Israelis of his generation who sought to adopt Hebrew names as part of the cultural project of the young state.

Education

Barak pursued his undergraduate studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and mathematics. This scientific background distinguished him among Israeli military leaders and politicians, providing an analytical framework that he applied throughout his career in both the military and government.

Later in his career, Barak furthered his education abroad, obtaining a Master of Science degree in engineering-economic systems from Stanford University in the United States. The Stanford program, which combined engineering principles with economic analysis and systems thinking, equipped Barak with skills in strategic planning and complex decision-making. His academic credentials at two respected institutions placed him among the more formally educated leaders in Israeli political history.

Career

Military Career (1959–1995)

Barak's military career in the Israel Defense Forces began in 1959 and spanned 35 years, during which he ascended from a young recruit to the highest-ranking officer in the IDF. He served in the elite reconnaissance unit Sayeret Matkal, which specializes in special operations, intelligence gathering, and counter-terrorism. Barak eventually rose to command Sayeret Matkal, leading it during some of its most significant operations.

Among the most notable military operations associated with Barak is "Operation Isotope" in 1972, a hostage rescue mission conducted in response to the hijacking of a Sabena airliner at Lod Airport (now Ben Gurion Airport). Barak played a key role in the operation, which successfully freed the hostages. The following year, in 1973, he participated in a covert Israeli raid in Lebanon, a clandestine operation targeting Palestinian militant leaders in Beirut. During this operation, Barak reportedly disguised himself as a woman to gain entry to the target location, an episode that became one of the more well-known anecdotes of his military career.

Barak also participated in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, two of the most consequential conflicts in Israeli history. His involvement in the celebrated 1976 Entebbe raid — a long-range hostage rescue operation in Uganda — further cemented his reputation as one of the IDF's most capable and daring officers.

Over the course of his military service, Barak held a series of increasingly senior positions, including command of the IDF's Central Command and service as Deputy Chief of the General Staff. He received four citations for bravery (Tzalash), making him, along with two other soldiers, the most decorated servicemember in Israeli military history.

On 1 April 1991, Barak was appointed Chief of the General Staff, the IDF's highest-ranking position, equivalent to a commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He held the rank of Rav Aluf (Lieutenant General). During his tenure as Chief of Staff, which lasted until 1 January 1995, he served under Prime Ministers Yitzhak Shamir and Yitzhak Rabin, and under Defense Ministers Moshe Arens and Rabin. His deputy chiefs during this period included Amnon Lipkin-Shahak and Matan Vilnai.

Barak also received international military recognition, including the United States Legion of Merit and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, reflecting his close working relationship with American defense officials.

Entry into Politics (1995–1997)

Following his retirement from the IDF in 1995, Barak transitioned quickly into politics. He was appointed Minister of the Interior by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, marking his entry into the civilian government. His tenure in this role was cut short by the assassination of Rabin on 4 November 1995, an event that reshaped Israeli politics and the Labor Party's leadership structure.

After Rabin's assassination, Shimon Peres assumed the premiership and appointed Barak as Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position he held from 22 November 1995 to 18 June 1996. In this capacity, Barak represented Israel on the international stage and addressed foreign policy forums. In February 1996, he delivered an address to the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council (NJCRAC), outlining Israel's foreign policy positions during a turbulent period.

Barak was elected to the Knesset on the Labor Party list in 1996. Despite the party's loss in the general election to Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud, Barak positioned himself for party leadership, and in 1997 he was elected leader of the Labor Party.

Prime Minister of Israel (1999–2001)

In the 1999 Israeli general election, Barak defeated the incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu in a direct vote for prime minister, winning by a substantial margin. He assumed office on 6 July 1999, serving under Presidents Ezer Weizman and later Moshe Katsav. His deputies included Yitzhak Mordechai, David Levy, and Binyamin Ben-Eliezer.

One of Barak's first significant decisions as prime minister was to form a coalition government that included the Orthodox party Shas, a move that drew both support and criticism. The decision reflected the complex dynamics of Israeli coalition politics, where secular and religious parties often must cooperate to form governing majorities.

Barak's premiership was marked by two major foreign policy undertakings. The first was the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon in May 2000, ending an 18-year military presence in the security zone Israel had maintained in southern Lebanon since 1982. The withdrawal fulfilled a campaign promise Barak had made during the 1999 election and was completed unilaterally after negotiations with Syria — Lebanon's principal power broker at the time — failed to produce a bilateral agreement.

The second major initiative was Barak's participation in the 2000 Camp David Summit, convened by United States President Bill Clinton in July 2000 with the aim of reaching a final status agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority led by Yasser Arafat. The summit ultimately ended without an agreement. The failure of the Camp David talks, followed by the outbreak of the Second Intifada in September 2000, fundamentally undermined Barak's political position.

In October 2000, Barak's government faced significant domestic unrest. Protests erupted among Arab citizens of Israel, resulting in the deaths of thirteen Arab citizens at the hands of Israeli police. The events of October 2000 became a defining crisis of Barak's tenure, deepening divisions between Jewish and Arab citizens and eroding support for his government from multiple directions.

Facing a collapse of his coalition and declining public support, Barak called for early elections. In the February 2001 special prime ministerial election, he was defeated by Ariel Sharon of Likud. Barak subsequently stepped down as leader of the Labor Party and withdrew from active politics.

Business Career and Hiatus from Politics (2001–2005)

After his departure from politics in 2001, Barak pursued international business and advisory roles. He engaged in various investment activities and consulting work, accumulating significant personal wealth during this period. His transition from public service to the private sector drew public attention and occasional media scrutiny, particularly regarding the sources and scale of his business income.

Return to Politics and Defense Minister (2005–2013)

Barak made a political comeback in 2005, initially attempting to regain the leadership of the Labor Party. He succeeded in this effort in 2007, defeating incumbent Labor leader Amir Peretz in a party primary.

Upon becoming Labor leader, Barak was appointed Minister of Defense on 18 June 2007 in the government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. He succeeded Amir Peretz in the role, with Matan Vilnai serving as his deputy. Barak continued as Defense Minister when Benjamin Netanyahu formed a new government in 2009, a decision that proved controversial within the Labor Party, as many members objected to serving in a Likud-led coalition.

As Defense Minister, Barak oversaw Operation Cast Lead, a major Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip that took place from late December 2008 to January 2009. The operation, launched in response to rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel, involved aerial bombardment and a ground incursion. The operation resulted in significant casualties and drew extensive international scrutiny and debate about proportionality and civilian harm.

During this period, Barak maintained a close working relationship with American defense officials. He was photographed with U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta during meetings that reflected the ongoing U.S.-Israel defense partnership.

In January 2011, Barak made a dramatic political move by breaking away from the Labor Party to form a new faction, the Independence party (Atzmaut). Five Labor Knesset members joined him in the split, which allowed him to continue serving as Defense Minister in Netanyahu's coalition without the constraint of the broader Labor Party's opposition to the arrangement. The remaining Labor members moved to the opposition benches. This decision fundamentally altered the dynamics within the Netanyahu government and marked a significant shift in Barak's political identity, distancing him from the Labor movement he had led for years.

Barak served as both Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister throughout this period. His tenure as Defense Minister ended on 18 March 2013, when he was succeeded by Moshe Ya'alon. Prior to leaving office, Barak announced his retirement from politics in late 2012, stating that he would not stand in the upcoming elections.

In April 2012, Barak authored an opinion piece in The New York Times arguing against abandoning the Middle East peace process, reflecting his continued engagement with the Israeli-Palestinian issue even as his political career drew to a close.

Second Retirement and 2019 Comeback Attempt

Despite his 2012 retirement announcement, Barak launched another political comeback in 2019. He formed the Israel Democratic Party and ran in the September 2019 Israeli legislative election. His new party merged with other small parties to form an electoral alliance called the Democratic Union. The alliance, however, did not win sufficient seats for Barak to gain a seat in the Knesset, and his return to elected office did not materialize.

Personal Life

Barak has three children. His personal life has been the subject of periodic media coverage in Israel, particularly regarding his lifestyle and business dealings following his departure from public office. A profile in Haaretz described aspects of his personal tastes, including an interest in watches and luxury goods, which contrasted with his kibbutz origins.

In December 2010, Barak publicly commented on letters issued by rabbis and rabbis' wives calling on Jewish citizens not to sell or rent property to Arabs, stating that such actions were "leading Israel into a dark place." The statement reflected his position on civil rights issues within Israeli society.

Barak accumulated wealth through business endeavors and investments during his periods away from public office, a trajectory that drew media scrutiny given his origins on a socialist kibbutz. His financial activities were examined in Israeli media, with Haaretz publishing an extensive investigation into what it termed "Ehud Barak Ltd."

Recognition

Barak's military service earned him exceptional recognition within Israel and internationally. He received four citations for bravery (Tzalash), the highest number awarded to any Israeli soldier, a distinction he shares with two other servicemembers. This record made him one of the three most decorated soldiers in the history of the Israel Defense Forces.

Internationally, Barak received the United States Legion of Merit, one of the highest military awards the U.S. government can bestow on foreign military personnel. He also received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, recognizing his contributions to the U.S.-Israel defense relationship during his various leadership roles.

As Prime Minister, Barak was recognized for his role in the withdrawal from Southern Lebanon and his efforts at the Camp David Summit, even though the latter did not produce an agreement. These actions placed him among the Israeli leaders most associated with attempts to resolve the country's security and diplomatic challenges through negotiation and strategic withdrawal rather than solely through military means.

Legacy

Ehud Barak's career spans the arc of Israeli history from the kibbutz movement through the country's major wars, the Oslo peace process, and the subsequent breakdown in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. His military career established him as one of the IDF's most accomplished officers, and his transition to politics positioned him at the center of some of the most consequential decisions in Israeli governance.

As Prime Minister, Barak's unilateral withdrawal from Southern Lebanon in 2000 removed Israeli forces from a costly and prolonged occupation, though the aftermath — including the subsequent rise of Hezbollah as a dominant force in the region — remains a subject of debate among analysts and historians. The failure of the Camp David Summit and the outbreak of the Second Intifada during his tenure profoundly affected Israeli public opinion regarding the prospects for a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians, contributing to a political shift to the right that has characterized much of Israeli politics in the subsequent decades.

Barak's later career as Defense Minister under both Olmert and Netanyahu, and his decision to break from the Labor Party to form the Independence faction, illustrated his pragmatic approach to power. His willingness to serve in a right-wing coalition as a nominally left-wing politician drew criticism from those who viewed it as a betrayal of Labor values, while supporters argued that it ensured a moderating presence in government during a period of regional instability.

His multiple retirements from and returns to politics — in 2001, 2005–2007, 2012, and 2019 — reflected both the fluidity of Israeli political life and Barak's persistent belief in his capacity to influence the country's direction. His final comeback attempt in 2019, which failed to secure him a Knesset seat, marked the apparent conclusion of a political career that had begun nearly a quarter century earlier.

Barak remains a figure of significant historical interest as Israel's most recent left-wing prime minister and one of the country's most accomplished military leaders, whose career intersected with nearly every major event in Israeli security and diplomacy from the 1960s through the early 2010s.