Rehavam Zeevy ("Gandhi") died of gunshot wounds to the head and neck on 17th October 2001, the day his resignation from the Israeli government as Minister of Tourism was to have taken effect. His assassin was a member of the PFLP, which claimed responsibility for the unprecedented murder of an Israeli politician.
A colorful and forthright political figure on the right wing, and leader of the National Union faction, Zeevy began life in Jerusalem, joining a youth movement and then the Palmach (1944). His nickname was attributed because he often appeared in Arab dress, and used his proficiency in Arabic as a clandestine operator. His professional military career continued with the War of Independence and reached the rank of Major General, retiring from the IDF in 1973, returning to the service with the outbreak of theYom Kippur War.
In 1974, Zeevy served as Yitzhak Rabin's Advisor on Terror and from 1975-1977 as the Prime Minister's Advisor on Intelligence.
From 1981-1985, he was the Director of the Eretz-Israel Museum, Tel Aviv. During this period spanning two decades, he edited and published numerous books about Israel for the Ministry of Defense and the Museum.
Later, Zeevy became well-known for his controversial nationalist views on territorial issues and proposal of a voluntary "transfer" of Israel's Arab population. He founded the Moledet Party, with which he was elected to the 12th Knesset in 1988, serving on major Knesset committees. From 1991-1992 he served in the 12th Knesset as Minister without Portfolio in Yitzchak Shamir's government, from which he resigned. In many ways a solo figure with a popular following, Zeevy was an outspoken opponent of the Madrid Process and the Oslo Accords. In the 15th Knesset, as joint head of the National Union-Israel Beiteinu Faction, he was Minister for Tourism.
Rehavam Zeevy leaves a wife, Yael, and five children.
English links
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH0joh0
Ivrit
http://www.knesset.gov.il/asp/mk/mk.asp?ID=51
http://www.knesset.gov.il/lexicon/heb/zeevi.htm