Shamir, Yitzhak

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Shamir, Yitzhak (1915– ) Israeli statesman, prime minister (1983–84, 1986–92). He was the leader (1940–48) of the Stern Gang of Zionist guerrillas against the British mandate in Palestine. Shamir became head (1955–65) of Mossad, the Israeli secret service. He was foreign minister (1980–83) under Menachim Begin and succeeded him as prime minister and head of the right-wing Likud Party. In 1986, he succeeded Shimon Peres as head of a coalition government. Shamir oversaw the Jewish settlement of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Defeated by Yitzhak Rabin in 1992 elections, Binyamin Netanyahu replaced Shamir as leader of Likud.

http://www.israel-mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH00gb0

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