Tamir, Shmuel

(formerly Katzenelson)

(1923-87)

   Born in Jerusalem, Shmuel Tamir studied in the Government School of Law in Jerusalem and passed his last examinations while a prisoner in an internment camp in Kenya. In his youth, he joined the Ir-gun and was its second in command in the Jerusalem district. He was detained a number of times by the British authorities and the last time was exiled and imprisoned in Kenya. In 1948, he was among the founders of the Herut Party, but in the 1950s, he retired from it. In 1964, he returned to activities in the Herut Party and was among the founders of Gahal. In 1965, he was elected to the sixth Knesset. Tamir, Eliezer Shostak, and others formed the Free Center Party. The Free Center joined the Likud when it was established in 1973. In 1976, Tamir and his colleagues of the Free Center terminated the partnership with the Likud after differences of opinion with Men-achem Begin. When the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC) was established a few months later, Tamir united with the founders of the DMC in the election for the ninth Knesset. He served as minister of justice from 1977 to 1980.