Elyakim Haetzni
Attorney & Former Member of the Knesset

Born in Kiel, Germany in 1926.

Married, father of four children.

1933, when Hitler came to power, entered elementary German School, as only Jewish child.

Only close family (parents and sister) managed to get out in December 1938, to (then) Palestine.

In Jerusalem absolved teacher's seminary at the same time served in "Hagana". Severely wounded in 1948 War of Independence, spent 1,5 years in hospitals. Left army as officer, war invalid.

Studied Law in Hebrew University, Jerusalem, graduated in 1954 cum laude.

While student - founded and directed the "Rank of volunteers" Organization, which performed volunteer work to absorb new immigrants, actually lived some months in an Absorption Camp. The organization also fought corruption in government. In this context, as protest, gave up membership in the (then) ruling Labour Party. Also wrote and published brochures and booklets, notably: "Danger lurks from within", which gave cause to the sensational court case Amos Ben Gurion v. Elyakim Ha'etzni a landmark in Israel's development in fields such as the Rule of Law, Freedom of Speech, Ethics in Government.

In 1961 established a Law firm in Tel Aviv.

Immediately after the 1967 victory - initiated, together with a small group, Jewish settlement in Judea, Samaria, Gaza - beginning with the renewal of the Etzion Block halfway between Jerusalem and Hebron (winter 1968), continued with the establishment of a Jewish presence in Hebron (Spring, 1968).

In September, 1972, left residence in Ramat Gan to live in the newly founded Jewish town of Kiryat Arba, near Hebron. After some years, opened a Law practice in Kiryat Arba, serving both Jews and Arabs.

Member of Steering Committee of "Council of Jewish Towns and Settlements in Judea, Samaria, Gaza".

Knesseth member for the Tehiya party from February, 1990 to June 1992.

Publishes articles in the Israeli press, writes pamphlets and booklets on the grim prospect of a false peace. Among other (appeared also in English) "The Shock of Withdrawal" and recently - "Oslo - 5 year Anniversary".

A regular weekly column in "Yedioth Achronoth", Israel's widest circulation daily.

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