Background
Kessar was born in Sana"a, Yemen in 1931 and immigrated to Mandatory Palestine in 1933.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Israel Kessar
Edit ProfileEducation
He studied economy and sociology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University.
Career
He served in the Israel Defense Forces as a captain. In 1966 he began his public career in the Histadrut, as treasurer (1973–1977), chairman of the Worker"s Company (1977–1984) and secretary general (1984–1992). He was also chairman of the Division of the Professional Union and the Division of Youth, Sports, Manpower, and Students.
In 1984 he was elected to the Knesset for the Alignment.
He was re-elected in 1988, and again in 1992, after which he was appointed Minister of Transportation by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a position he held until 1996. He was one of the early initiators of the Tel Aviv Light Rail.
He lost his seat and ministerial post following the 1996 elections.
