SAPIR, PINHAS

Sapir, Pinhas: translation

(formerly Koslowsky)

(1907-75)

   Born in Suwalki, Russian Poland, he immigrated (see Aliya) to Palestine in 1929, took the name Sapir, and settled in Kfar Saba, where he worked in the orange groves. He held a number of local positions and worked with the Mekorot Water Company from 1937 to 1947. In February 1948, he was put in charge of the quartermaster branch of the Ha-gana. During the War of Independence (1948—49), he traveled abroad to purchase arms. Later in 1948, he was appointed director general of the Ministry of Defense, and from 1953 to 1955, he served as director general of the Ministry of Finance. In 1955, he was appointed minister of commerce and industry and in 1963 became minister of finance. In 1968, he became secretary general of the Israel Labor Party. In 1969, he again became minister of finance until June 1974. He died on 12 August 1975 while serving as chairman of the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization.

Sapir, Pinhas: translation

(1907-75)

   Israeli labour leader. He was born in Suwalki, Poland, and in 1924 went to Palestine, where he worked in the citrus groves. He later became head of the Negev settlements' Civil Defence. In 1953 he served as director-general of the ministry of finance and from 1955 he was minister of commerce and industry. He became minister of finance in 1963, and general secretary of the Israel Labour Party and minister without portfolio in 1965; the following year he was again appointed minister of finance.