BERMAN, YITZHAK

(1913- )

   Born in Russia, he immigrated to Palestine in 1921. After completing his schooling in Jerusalem, he studied law in London. He served in the British army from 1942 to 1945. He joined the Irgun and served in the Israel Defense Forces. He then entered business, in which he was active until 1954, when he opened a private law practice. In 1968, he became active in the Liberal Party. He was first elected to the ninth Knesset on behalf of the Liberal faction of the Likud bloc in May 1977 and served as chairman of the House Committee until his election as speaker of the Knesset on 12 March 1980. After being reelected to the 10th Knesset, he was sworn in as minister of energy and infrastructure on 5 August 1981 and served until 1982 when he resigned.